John Richardson (4) (1955–)

Little Rodney was an orphan living with his strict Aunt Jocasta. She wouldn’t allow him to play with his toy soldiers because they were too loud, or play in the garden because he’d ruin the flowers, or slide down the stair banister because he’d chip the paint. She directed him to the library to read a nice quiet book. Rodney found he was most interested in the beasts and monsters books. That night he couldn’t sleep and was distracted by the ticking of the clock. He heard a noise like someone was in his room. He hid underneath his blankets and his Aunt came running in accusing him of being loud. He explained to her the ten foot hairy beast with the red nose that he saw and she explained to him that he was dreaming. He then heard the beast in the kitchen and the next morning clues pointed to a trail of crumbs on the floor. He saw the beast eating cookies in the attic out of a tin. He ran downstairs and told his aunt who told him to stop lying. Rodney made a trap and ended up trapping Aunt Rodney. She decided to send him to school, and his beast dreams ended at once.… (mere)