00:00The
01:30His wife, Poppy, was even busier.
01:32Oh, Poppy, please finish soon.
01:55It's time for the baby's nap.
01:57I'm doing my best.
02:00Oh, Poppy, we've got visitors.
02:03Visitors?
02:05Now.
02:05Oh, did you know that there are 92 stairs up to your kitchen?
02:13Oh, is it really that many, Primrose?
02:15How ever do you manage?
02:21I have to say, Lady Daisy, it's difficult going up and down with all three babies.
02:27I find I get so tired.
02:29Ah, that's better.
02:36Which one is this?
02:38Rose or Buttercup?
02:40That's Rose.
02:42I have Buttercup.
02:43Oh, so this must be Pipkin.
02:47There.
02:48I can't wait until their naming day.
02:52Yes.
02:52It's only two days away.
02:55So much to do.
02:57Try not to worry, Poppy.
03:00We're all here to help you.
03:01I can come back later to help bath the babies, if you like.
03:05Oh, thank you, Primrose.
03:07That would be lovely.
03:16After Primrose and her mother left, Dusty got on with the business of the day.
03:22Quiet, Dusty.
03:24You like the babies.
03:25As he walked the familiar route to the store stump, Dusty thought about Poppy and couldn't
03:34help worrying a little.
03:39Wow, that's clever, Mr. Apple.
03:41Why, thank you, Wilfred.
03:43Poppy's babies will love it.
03:49Hello.
03:50Hello, Dusty.
03:51Hello, Mr. Apple.
03:52Hello, Wilfred.
03:53How are those babies of yours?
03:55Noisy, but they're great fun.
04:01Poppy is not so happy, though.
04:03I expect she's tired.
04:06Three babies is a real pawful.
04:09Yes.
04:10And living in the mill doesn't help.
04:12It's noisy, dusty and damp.
04:15And there are 92 stairs up to the kitchen.
04:18Are there really?
04:19How did you know?
04:20I counted them.
04:21Well, I'd best be getting back to see if there's anything I can do to help.
04:27I wish we could help Poppy.
04:30I'm going to make us something to cheer her up.
04:32Could I have some wood, please, Mr. Apple?
04:33Of course, Wilfred.
04:36Oh, dear.
04:38I've used it all.
04:40But I know where we can find some more.
04:43Come with me.
04:47Oh, what is this place?
04:50It's called May Blossom Cottage.
04:52I've never even noticed it before.
04:55And we must have passed it lots of times.
04:57Oh, it's been empty for years.
04:59I've been using it to keep my wood dry.
05:03Now then, how much wood do you need, Wilfred?
05:07Um, does this cooker still work?
05:09I expect so.
05:11It used to be very cosy when my aunt lived here.
05:14Your aunt lived here, Grandpa.
05:15How big is it?
05:16Well, my aunt's bedroom was above this room.
05:21And then I think there's another nice-sized room above that.
05:25And if I remember correctly,
05:28it goes up into the tree for several storeys.
05:31I hadn't really thought about it before.
05:34But there's quite a lot of space.
05:36Wouldn't it be nice if we could clean it up
05:39for Poppy and Dusty and the babies?
05:40You know something, Primrose?
05:43That's a wonderful idea.
05:45Yes!
05:46I wish I'd thought of it.
05:48We could clean it up and paint it.
05:50Yes!
05:50And give it to Poppy as a surprise on naming day!
05:54Naming day?
05:56But that's the day after tomorrow.
05:59There's so much work to be done.
06:01Yes, but we can do it.
06:03We'll get everyone to help.
06:04Well, I suppose we could.
06:07Mr. Apple, I'll start you in there.
06:10Dusty, come on in.
06:12Oh, I thought I heard your voices.
06:15Poppy sent me out to see if you've got any rusks at the store stump.
06:19The babies are teething and...
06:20No problem, Dusty.
06:23But first, we have something to ask you.
06:25What if we cleaned up this cottage and painted it?
06:28Would you and Poppy and the babies like to live here?
06:30Are you serious?
06:33Completely.
06:34Why?
06:36Why, that would be wonderful.
06:38Well, it would make all the difference.
06:42I must go and tell Poppy.
06:44No!
06:44No!
06:45We mustn't tell Poppy.
06:47We mustn't.
06:48We think it should be a surprise.
06:49Yes, of course.
06:53That's even better.
06:55But, you know, keeping such a big secret from her isn't going to be easy.
07:00You just leave it to us.
07:02The next day, Primrose and Lady Daisy took Poppy and the babies to a shady place along the hedge.
07:11Primrose told Poppy they'd chosen it because it was nice and quiet, the perfect spot to do the sewing.
07:17But they'd really chosen it because it was far away from Operation May Blossom Cottage.
07:25The hedge was bursting with activity.
07:29Mr. Apple was in charge of repairs and Mrs. Apple was in charge of cleaning.
07:36Mrs. Crusty Bread was in charge of making a special cake for the surprise party.
07:41Now then, now then, now then, I'll need three candles, won't I?
07:46A blue one for Pipkin, a pink one for Rose, and a yellow one for Buttercup.
07:53Perfect!
07:57And Mr. and Mrs. Toadflax and Basil were in charge of delivering the whitewash.
08:02Oh, good.
08:03Here's the whitewash.
08:05Why don't you take it on upstairs?
08:07That's a very good idea.
08:08I'll wait down here.
08:11Here's the whitewash.
08:16Nice and thick.
08:18Just the way you wanted it, Pip.
08:21As soon as we've painted the walls, we can start to fetch the furniture from the mill.
08:26Oh, how can we do that without Poppy knowing?
08:31Don't worry.
08:32Primrose and I have thought of a plan.
08:34And I believe she and Lady Daisy are carrying it out as we speak.
08:38It must be really hard looking after three babies.
08:44Yes, but I'm loving every minute of it.
08:47And I've had an idea which I think will help.
08:50I just wish there wasn't so much to do in so little time.
08:53We're only halfway through their naming day games.
08:56And I've still got to do some quilts.
08:58But Poppy, that's what my idea is about.
09:02Yes.
09:03Why don't you and the babies come and stay at the Old Oak Palace tonight?
09:08Then we can help you with the sewing.
09:11And tomorrow, I can help you dress the babies for naming day.
09:15Oh, that's such a kind offer.
09:19So, will you come?
09:20Are you certain we won't be too much trouble?
09:22No, we would love you to come.
09:25In fact, I'm counting on it.
09:27Well then.
09:29Yes, please.
09:30What do you say, Buttercup?
09:32Why don't you and Primrose go to the mill to collect whatever you need
09:43while I look after the babies?
09:45Come on, Poppy.
09:46I'm coming.
09:51I'm so glad you're going to stay
09:53because I really, really, really wanted to help dress the babies for...
09:57Oh!
09:59Hi, Primrose.
10:00Oh, hello, Poppy.
10:02Hello, Wilfred.
10:04You look as if you've been painting.
10:06Isn't that Dusty's hammer?
10:08Um, uh...
10:10Yes.
10:12You've been making the babies a present, haven't you, Wilfred?
10:15I have.
10:16Oh, yes, I have.
10:18And I borrowed this hammer from Dusty.
10:20I'll return it soon, I promise.
10:22Oh, I won't worry about that, Wilfred.
10:25I shouldn't think he needs it at the moment.
10:27No.
10:28Um, well...
10:30Bye.
10:32I can't imagine what he'd be making that would take so much paint.
10:36You never know with Wilfred.
10:38He's very creative, you see.
10:40Hello there.
10:41Oh, hello, Basil.
10:42Oh.
10:43I see you've been painting as well.
10:45Um, yes.
10:47Have you been decorating, Basil?
10:51Decorating?
10:51Oh, yes, decorating.
10:55One of my favourite things, decorating.
10:57Bye.
10:58Bye, Basil.
10:59Oh.
10:59I wish I had the time to decorate the mill.
11:08Oh, I wouldn't worry about that now.
11:10Look, here we are.
11:12Let's hope we don't run into anyone else covered in paint.
11:18Dusty.
11:19Hello, Primrose.
11:21He's covered in paint as well.
11:24Um...
11:25And why are you measuring that old table?
11:28I...
11:29I...
11:31Just wondered how big it is.
11:33It's no use, Dusty.
11:35I'm afraid you'll have to tell her.
11:36Tell her?
11:37Yes.
11:38You'll have to tell her about the table.
11:40The table?
11:41Um...
11:41The thing is, it's meant to be a surprise.
11:46Oh, then don't say any more.
11:48I love surprises.
11:50Good.
11:51Well, I'd better go now.
11:54See you later.
11:56Now, what do you need for tonight?
11:58Well, I'll need these blankets.
12:02Oh, and all three baskets.
12:04And extra clothes.
12:05And nappies.
12:06And...
12:07Oh, Primrose, I'm sorry.
12:10It was so very kind of you and your mother to invite us for the night,
12:14but I honestly don't think I can face all that packing.
12:17I'll help!
12:18No, but there's so much tidying up to do.
12:21But, Poppy...
12:22No.
12:23I really must stay here tonight after all.
12:26But thank you so much for offering.
12:29I really appreciate it.
12:33Where are you going?
12:34To fetch the babies.
12:36I have a feeling your mother may have had enough of them by now.
12:38Mama!
12:39Um, why don't you stay here and rest and I'll ask Mama to bring them back?
12:44Are you sure?
12:45Yes, and then you can get on with your sewing.
12:48Yes.
12:49And when we get back, I'll help with everything.
12:54Thank you, Primrose.
12:58Mama!
12:59Mama!
13:00The plan's going all wrong!
13:03Mama?
13:04I've taken the babies back to the palace.
13:12Oh, good.
13:13That gives me time to tell everyone what's happening.
13:24Listen, everyone.
13:25Poppy won't go to the old oak palace.
13:28What?
13:28Oh, I was afraid that might happen.
13:32Now how are we going to move the furniture?
13:34Dusty, why don't you go to the mill and try to make her change her mind?
13:39How?
13:39Oh, I'm sure you'll think of something, dear.
13:42I'll come with you.
13:43And so will I.
13:44Oh, thanks.
13:46I have a feeling I'll need all the help I can get.
13:53Poppy?
13:55Pop?
13:56Hurry.
13:57Oh, look.
13:59Should we wake her?
14:00No, Wilfred.
14:02We can't.
14:03Shh.
14:03Peter.
14:04It's the first sleep she's had in days.
14:08But if Poppy's here, how are we going to move the furniture?
14:12Oh, dear.
14:15We can't.
14:17Oh, no.
14:22Mayblossom Cottage was sparkling clean and beautifully painted.
14:26The mice were very pleased with their work.
14:29All that was needed now was Dusty and Poppy's furniture.
14:33But as long as Poppy was asleep in the flour mill, there was little chance the mice could
14:39move anything without her knowing.
14:41So Wilfred, Primrose and Dusty came up with the only possible solution.
14:46Oh.
14:59Phew.
15:00Do you think's your mind going to sleep in one place and waking up somewhere else?
15:04I hope not.
15:10We're here.
15:12Mama.
15:13Mama.
15:14oh my goodness what happened not to worry lady daisy she's just sleeping this was the only way
15:21we could get her out of the mill what down all those stairs what a lovely sleep
15:34oh where am i it's all right my love it's all right you're at the old oak palace it just seemed
15:42easier to bring you here than to move the babies oh but i was going to i need to you're just in time for tea
15:57no who wants more
16:03i wonder if that means yes
16:05oh just look at them
16:12have you been good little mice they couldn't have been better little treasures
16:20and now that you're settled here i'm gonna tidy up at the mill and make sure everything's
16:25organized for tomorrow oh will you of course now you get on with what you have to do but don't wait
16:33up for me you'll need all the rest you can get for tomorrow bye bye
16:39i can't believe it but that worked so what do we do now i'll stay here to help poppy wilford you can go
17:02with dusty are you going to move the furniture now no not quite yet i think it would be best to wait
17:08until after dark see you later primrose and thanks from now on it should be easy
17:20later that evening after dark the great furniture moving operation began
17:26at the old oak palace as primrose helped finish the sewing she wondered how wilfred and the other mice
17:34were getting on i finished this quilt well done primrose thank you very much
17:43it's so lovely and peaceful here no mill wheel grinding no flower sacks dumping no
17:50i think we had best be getting to bed we've got a big day tomorrow the babies will be waking you up
18:09before first light how well i know it and thank you both again i can't believe we finished the sewing
18:16with time to spare many paws make light work and it's amazing what you can do when the babies are asleep
18:34very early the next morning all the mice gathered beneath the hawthorns for the naming ceremony
18:40primrose was particularly pleased because poppy and dusty asked her to hold rose
18:46she stood proudly in between her friends as the old vole recited the naming day poem
18:52buds on the branches blossom and flower the blackbirds sing in the leafy bower and over the hill comes the
19:00rising sun to shine on the field and on you little one oh that was lovely
19:10we name you roaches we name you buttercup and we name you pippy
19:20it doesn't seem that long ago that we were here naming your daisy
19:26mama the cottage is all ready how are we going to get poppy into it well now primrose
19:35oh oh dear it's raining whoa
19:39poppy quick you don't want the babies to get wet in their lovely new gardens
19:44oh dear she's going the wrong way poppy poppy over here dear come and shelter in this cottage door
19:57there's not enough room out here why don't you go in
20:03when poppy entered the cottage she looked around garlands of flowers hung from newly washed beams
20:12and bright china that looked rather familiar was arranged on the dresser's shelves
20:18it's so cozy
20:22isn't that our old table the one dusty was measuring
20:28let's look around leaving primrose in charge of the babies poppy and dusty climbed the stairs
20:34there are only 20 stairs to the nursery here dusty led the bewildered poppy
20:40to a small room that was warm and bright fresh curtains hung at the windows
20:47and beneath them stood three little cots each with its own embroidered quilt
20:53but dusty how could
20:56is this yes this is our house with love from all our friends in brambley hedge
21:05oh dusty oh i can't believe it oh surprise
21:15oh thank you thank you all so much we hope you'll be happy here my dear oh grandmother we shall
21:25who wants some of my special naming day punch
21:35it's very good if i do say so myself i'm certainly happy to offer another opinion
21:40you can't have a naming day without basil's punch
21:44see we told you there was a surprise and i do love surprises thanks to mrs crusty bread there was plenty to
21:52eat and drink cowslip and violet salads roast petal sandwiches primrose pottage and meadow sweet tea
22:00but the highlight of the surprise party was of course mrs crusty bread's cake now then everybody
22:08it's time to cut the cake
22:14while the babies played on the floor the mice of brambly hedge celebrated their naming day
22:25aren't you a little charmer actually basil this is buttercup equally charming before long the food
22:33had all been eaten the punch had all been drunk and as for the stars of the show
22:40primrose wilfred could you help me of course i'll take pipkin
22:4917 18 19 20 oh hey primrose you were right 20 stairs of course i was right
22:59i can't count wilfred i can't count wilfred when these babies grow her i hope they'll be as
23:07wonderful as you two well i don't know if that's possible wilfred
23:15shh i think we'd better go back downstairs
23:22the babies are asleep in their lovely new nursery then let me propose a toast
23:29to the babies to rose buttercup and pipkin and their new home and as everyone drank to poppy and dusty's babies
23:40they slept soundly in their new room snuggled under their new quilts
23:46of the birds dreaming their first dreams in their new house
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