The Aponatime

The Aponatime is a very curious animal. Shy and terribly timid they only come out if people are being very quiet and listening to the world around and inside them. Oh, and just so you know they are becoming increasingly rare because sadly we don’t spend as much time being quiet and listening as much.

In fact they are so rare that you might not even have heard of an Aponatime. But I want you to imagine how dreadfully sad it would that be if there were no Aponatimes left in the whole wide world. It would be unimaginable because Aponatimes are very special indeed. You see they take you to the Land of Imagination. They can make you laugh, they can make you sad, they can make you frightened, they can make you smile and they can make you very, very happy.

But what they are quite brilliant at is making your eyes feel sleepy. Really sleepy even when you know more than anything that you’re not tired and you don’t want to lie down or go to bed.

It’s then that the Aponatime can weave its magic. It’s like they put a spell on you and before you know it you are drifting off into another world. A world of dreams and fantasies where impossible things can happen and you could be a giant or a mouse, an astronaut or a blue whale. Maybe even a tiger or a wizard. It’s a truly magical world the Land of Imagination and we must never stop going there.

Would you like to go there again? Well of course you would. Would you like to go there now? Well, if you shut your eyes and listen very carefully maybe an Aponatime might just take you there. Sshh now and let’s just see. Ooh, what’s that, I think I can hear something, I think it might even be ....... oh yes it is, so now just relax and listen

Once Aponatime .....

A Paper Boat on the Sea of Doubt

(Just a thought from the shower)

When an idea first emerges it’s like a paper boat – delicate. 

It is launched into the Sea of Doubt where it is tossed about by winds of negativity whipping up waves to capsize it. Inside the boat is self-doubt, quietly ready to spill you overboard.

Try to talk to people about your idea because some of them might bring you wood, sails, varnish and many other things that can help strengthen a paper resolve. They can add other hands to the tiller to help navigate through the waves. Someone might even bring a ‘fibre glass’ moment that streamlines, strengthens and speeds you. 

A good idea can sail through the doubt and find the land to develop and build. It can steer round the rocks others place in the way.

But sometimes your ideas boat will sink. It might be under the weight of problems, it might have been launched at the wrong time or, simply, there might be a hole in it.

The important thing is not to be dragged down with it. There are always new ideas to launch, new seas to cross, new reasons to try. To be held back by the fear of failing merely adds further depth to the Sea of Doubt and can turn you into a negative wind for others.

The Nightmare

I had the strangest nightmare. We had put on this fabulous exhibition in the most beautiful massive open gallery. Hundreds had come and really got engaged with the work. People sat on the floor in groups and responded creatively to what they saw. There was a real sense of collective joy and energy.

It was so special that I spent a lot of time capturing photographs of everyone enjoying the space, the art and working together to develop ideas. I was so happy that I really struggled to take videos as I was shaking with excitement so much. I just wanted to make sure that I could capture the magical positive memories forever.

When we left we went back to a house that was not ours yet we clearly lived there. It had a staircase that was impossible to climb and that had strange wormlike creatures on every step. When I went to look at my phone none of the photos or videos had been recorded and all that was there was shapeless blurs. I sobbed uncontrollably 

I awoke with a tremendous sense of loss. Later in the morning I was flicking through my phone and the photos from the nightmare were there

Line

As the train left the station he stared down at the pen in his hand. Worn, loved, a gift to him in his youth he had treasured and cared for it but the years had left their marks

As the journey continued his mind played with the thought the pen was a metaphor for his life. At first new, full of ink and ideas it flowed easily with expression and hope. As the years progressed so the pen took those marks and scars, the nib worn to the shape of his hand.

He lifted the pen and moved to mark the paper in his hand. It scratched and he realised the ink had run out. As the train pulled into the last stop he realised he had reached the end of his line

A Night at the Zoo - A Christmas Tale

T’was the night before Christmas and all through the Zoo

The animals were waiting for Elephant to poo

For when the Zoo shuts animals party

Except poor old Elephant, who’s really quite farty

He strained and he strained and he let out a ‘TRUMP!’

But despite all his efforts nothing left his sore rump.

‘Oh what can I do?’ the Elephant cried

‘I’ve pushed and I’ve squeezed, I’ve tried and I’ve tried

But despite all my efforts, despite what I do

Can nothing relieve me of my giant poo?’

Tiger and Lion looked on very sad

‘We know you are hurting, it’s terribly bad’

‘But what can we do to ease your poor plight?’

‘We just keep on thinking with all of our might.’

The Elephant’s eye now filled with a tear

‘I just haven’t pooed for what feels like a year!’

The Monkey looked on and started to giggle

‘What would happen if you gave a good wriggle?’

So Elephant wriggled from trunk to his tail

But the pain in his tummy just led him to wail

‘Oh what can I do to get rid of this lump

I don't want to grow an ugly big hump’

The Camel looked on and said with a sigh

‘They all pick on me and I’ve never known why.’

Giraffe gazed down on his very sad chum

And thought what might let the poo leave his bum?

‘Ooh why don’t you stretch till your trunk’s tall as me

And maybe the poo will come out with a ‘weee!’

So Elephant stretched till his trunk was so high

But the pain in his tummy made him just want to cry

Then Tiger said, ‘Now, this might sound quite funny

But I wonder what happens if we bounce on your tummy’

The animals all nodded and got ready to jump

Right onto dear elephant’s enormous poo lump

Meanwhile in the sky a sleigh flew ahead

Which Santa was driving whilst children in bed.

Reindeer were pulling as hard as the might

To get all the presents dropped off in a night.

So Elephant lay with his tummy on top

And closed his eyes tight for the animals drop

The animals jumped whilst screaming out ‘woo!’

And bounced on his tummy and out shot the poo

Right into the air the giant poo flew

But where it would land, well nobody knew

But up flew the poo right into the sky

Right up to where reindeer and Santa did fly

And then in a moment, and I tell you it’s true

Rudolph and reindeers got covered in poo

It covered their bodies it covered their eyes

And Santa looked on and just shouted ‘Oh why?’

‘Why are my reindeer all covered in poo

I’d better land here right inside this big Zoo.’

The animals looked up in total surprise

As seven pooey reindeer came down from the skies.

And there in the sleigh Father Christmas was sat

His coat red as sunset his belly so fat

‘Well what can I do I have presents to give,

I’ve never seen this for as long as I’ve lived

All of my reindeer are covered in poo

Oh what a problem, and what shall I do?’

He looked at the animals and screwed up his face

“I wonder, I wonder, could you take their place.’

‘But we cannot fly!’ the animals shouted

“I’ll sort that,’ said Santa, who’s not to be doubted.

And out from his sack he drew magic dust

Which he threw at the animals in rather a rush.

And then it just happened, well, antlers appeared

So before Christmas morning they turned into deers.

And then with a flurry he threw them some roses

And before they could blink they all had red noses.

And off in the sky the animals flew

Leaving Camel with reindeer all covered in poo.

And off in the night with stars shining bright

The animals and Santa made Chistmas all right

Then later that morning the animals back

And once they were landed Santa opened his sack

And using more magic turned them back to themselves

With Giraffe quietly saying ‘we just met the Elves.’

And Santa he thanked them for helping him out

While Monkey washed reindeer who gave up a shout.

‘We’re ready to fly, please can we go home

We don't want to spend Christmas Day here alone.

So Santa waved ‘bye’ and off they all flew

Still wondering why they got hit by such poo

As Lion, Tiger and Monkey waved their goodbyes

Giraffe turned to Elephant and said ‘we know why,

And Elephant blushed because he really knew

How Santa’s reindeer got covered in poo.

Be careful of the wolf Daddy

Be careful of the wolf Daddy

Be careful of the wolf

Don’t go outside 

And stay with me 

I’m frightened of the wolf

There is no wolf my little girl

There is no wolf outside 

It’s just a dream

That frightens you 

And scares you all inside

And so he put on hat and coat

And bent to kiss her hair

Unlocked the door

And stepped outside

Then turned to wave to her

It was then the wolf leapt and tore through his throat causing his blood to spatter over her face and down her white pretty dress. Sitting alone now in a safe cell her only memories of the tragedy are those of her own screams.

The nurses stop looking through the vent and one slides the little door shut. The elder turns to the new and mutters, ‘That old lady has been in here since before I started, apparently killed her Father when she was a little girl.’

Now this next one is .........

The Door

The door to imagination had been left ajar. Whoever had been in last had failed to close it properly as they left and as a result imagination had begun to leak out. Like water it seeped across the ground and the first to be aware were the children who were nearer to it. They took great handfuls and threw it at each other. They ran through it and tossed it into the air so it would fall over their heads and shoulders. 

The elders could not understand what was happening as many of the youngsters began to speak of great ideas and hopes. Some however, a much smaller group, spoke of their fears and worries.

As the tide of imagination began to rise so the elders began to feel its affect. Now most could see worries and concerns but some, a much smaller group, saw ideas, ambitions and hopes.

Soon someone discovered the opened door and slammed it shut and, as the imagination drained away, everyone returned to just existing.

If the door is ever left open again do you wonder what might you see?