Seven Strange and Ghostly Tales
by Brian Jacques
Cover Illustration by Terry Oakes
137 pages
Copyright 1991
This book, called Seven Strange and Ghostly Tales, is a collection of seven, short, and frightening tales written by my favourite author, Brian Jacques. Although this book is not in the Redwall series, you'll enjoy it if you're a fan of any Brian Jacques book. Seven Strange and Ghostly Tales has an immensely large selection of poems, and rhymes, and includes clever riddles--one for each story. Reading this book will guarantee another memory to cherish. I will give just a brief summary of the first story, and leave you to explore the others on your own.
This is a cautionary tale, young folk,
and must not be treated as a joke.
Let us then draw up a treaty
against all those who like graffiti.
Each pencil mark, each can of spray,
so difficult to wipe away;
each vandal going through 'a phase'
that some poor cleaner must erase;
I beg you, shun the felt-tipped pen,
for when a wall's defaced, what then?
Do you seriously think society will say,
'How wonderful! How marvellous! Joey Rools Okay.'
Why must the scribblers leave their marks for all to see,
thinking perhaps to gain themselves fame eternally?
Put aside that marker! Start a clean new slate--
and keep it clean, or you may share
the following scribbler's fate!
The first episode is entitled The Fate of Thomas P Kanne. This story is about a vandal, who's ego is slowly becoming larger and larger. PHANTOM SNAKE! The famous mark that could be seen almost anywhere in town. Whenever Thomas saw the "Phantom Snake" insignia, he grinned inwardly, laughing quietly to himself. One boring day, not long after Christmas, Thomas was wandering aimlessly throughout the city, ever searching for his next victim. Two women stepped onto the escalator, in front of Thomas P Kanne. The two women began to converse, and they soon found themselves angrily speaking about the "Phantom Snake" logo on the escalator banister. Little did they know that Phantom Snake was an anagram for Thomas P Kanne! Thomas, seeking revenge on the two women for their criticism of his artwork, licked one of his ready made "Phantom Snake" stickers. He conveniently bumped into one of them, patting the sticker onto her back.
"Oops! Sorry. Excuse me."
Thomas innocently grinned. Thomas's victims just accepted his apology and made their way out of the building.
Later, when Thomas saw a sign advertising the ancient Egyptian Exhibition in the City Museum, he couldn't resist. But would Thomas P Kanne live to bask in the glory of vandalizing yet another building? His long time enemy, Mr. Bausin, owner of the museum, was intent on putting an end to the vandalism of his beloved museum...
American Edition
Books by Brian Jacques
- Redwall (1986)
- Mossflower (1988)
- Mattimeo (1989)
- Seven Strange and Ghostly Tales (1991)
- Mariel of Redwall (1991)
- Salamandastron (1992)
- Martin the Warrior (1993)
- The Bellmaker (1994)
- Outcast of Redwall (1995)
- The Great Redwall Feast (1996)
- The Pearls of Lutra (1996)
- The Long Patrol (1997)
- Marlfox (1998)
- The Legend of Luke (1999)
- Lord Brocktree (2000)
- Taggerung (2001)
- Castaways of the Flying Dutchman (2001)
- A Redwall Winter's Tale (2001)
- Triss (2002)
- Angel's Command (2003)
- Loamhedge (2003)
- Urso Brunov (2003)
- Rakkety Tam (2004)
- High Rhulain (September 20, 2005)
