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1995 · not illustrated yet

Plums At The Gate

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“We did not steal them. We found them. Then we sold them. Then we ran.”

There is a house in Bramblewick with a plum tree so full, the branches are touching the pavement. We fill our pockets, then we have a brilliant idea. We set up a little stall by the gate, and when the owners come out, we offer to sell them their own plums. And then... they actually buy some.

That'll be fifty pence, please... for your own plums.

From the back cover

We are not stealing. We are just... gathering. The plums on Mrs Higgins's tree are practically falling onto the street, so it feels rude not to pick them. But then we have an even better idea: what if we sell them back to her?

Our little stall at her gate is a huge success. Business is booming. The grown-ups driving past just see some enterprising young children. They have no idea we are selling stolen goods.

Where
A plum tree and a garden gate
When
August, late morning
Who
Me, Barry
Props
A plum tree, An ice cream tub, A hand-written sign
The oblivious grown-up
We sold them to the people who owned the tree
Got away with
Best wages of the decade