- 7 weeks ago
The delightful story "The Sky-Blue Whistling Spark" - part 1 of "The Edge of Evening" (1977) by Nicholas Stuart Gray, narrated by Michael Jayston. The other 4 parts are believed lost. Jackanory (2 BAFTA nominations) was a popular children's series which was originally broadcast between 1965 and 1996. It was designed to stimulate an interest in reading. Jackanory continued to be broadcast until 1996, with around 3,500 episodes in its 30-year run. The stories were made for children, read by actors, with illustrations in the background. A celebrity reads a story, enhancing it in ways that will entice the most restless of children.
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Short filmTranscript
00:00The
00:30A witch called Huddle lived in a wood in a very damp cottage.
00:38She spent most of her time trying to bring off some strong magic.
00:41She was not bad at working small spells for this and that,
00:44mostly slightly nastily,
00:46such as giving people coals or turning milk sour
00:48or making horses cast their shoes.
00:51But the really big stuff was beyond her.
00:53Mostly she couldn't even get it started.
00:55On the very few occasions she did, the results were unexpected.
00:58A love potion became a shower of bad cabbage water,
01:02a spell for youth and beauty for herself,
01:04merely turned her hair green.
01:06She was a failure at sorcery and she got crosser and crosser.
01:10What I need, she told herself one day,
01:13is a demon, a nice tame one,
01:15to be my slave and tell me what to do and how to do it.
01:18Then I'll take my rightful place in the world as a great and evil witch.
01:22She drew a deep breath, unlocked a cupboard
01:25and took out her grandmother's book of black magic.
01:27It looked horrible, covered with mould and cobwebs
01:31and smelling peculiar.
01:33She had never touched it before,
01:35made her feel faint just to look at it.
01:37But having set her mind on a demon,
01:39she gritted her teeth,
01:40shuddered a few times and opened it.
01:42She found a chapter on demons.
01:44It was frightful.
01:45The book gave a deep groan and made her scream.
01:48But she nerved herself to look again
01:49and found a simple sort of spell
01:51that she thought she could handle.
01:53Boldness now, said Huddle,
01:55egging herself on.
01:56It looks an easy little spell.
01:58Let's see how it goes.
01:59If you want a demon slave
02:01who will never misbehave,
02:03one as gentle as a mouse,
02:04clean and quiet about the house,
02:06efficacious without fuss,
02:08you must go about it thus.
02:10And then followed a list of curious things
02:12to be used in calling the demon.
02:14Things like soot, salt, seaweed and sesame oil.
02:18There were complicated instructions
02:19for preparing these
02:20and a rhymed spell to say for each
02:23as it went into the pot.
02:24Lovely, easy, child's play.
02:26Ha, ha, ha, said Huddle.
02:28This time it's going to work
02:29without any surprises.
02:31But she should have read the rhymes more carefully.
02:35When she'd collected all the components
02:36and set them to hand on the table,
02:38she put her biggest pot on the fire.
02:41Carefully consulting the book,
02:42she poured, added and mixed in the ingredients,
02:45saying for each its little rhyme
02:47as it went in.
02:48This took quite a time.
02:50At last, the room began to fill
02:52with evil-smelling steam.
02:54Thick, oily little bubbles
02:55were forming and popping in the cauldron.
02:58Huddle was too excited
02:59to notice how sinister it all looked.
03:01She had a big wooden spoon,
03:02and after giving her cooking a good stir,
03:05she licked a splash from her finger.
03:06Although it was steaming and frothing,
03:09the stuff seemed as cold as ice,
03:10and the taste,
03:12eh, cried the witch, and fainted.
03:14When she recovered,
03:16she sat up and looked about her
03:18for her good, quiet demon slave.
03:20She couldn't see across the room for steam,
03:23but from somewhere came a soft laugh.
03:26Huddle nearly fainted again.
03:27Oh, my word, she gasped.
03:29I've done it.
03:30I've got one.
03:31The laugh came again.
03:33It sounded spiteful.
03:35Some wisps of steam eddied aside,
03:37and there, in the centre of the table,
03:40sat a yellow cat.
03:41Oh, said Huddle.
03:43Are you, uh,
03:44oh, law.
03:46Cold shivers were running up and down her spine.
03:49The yellow cat was huge,
03:51and its eyes shone like green stones,
03:53and it laughed.
03:55Don't laugh at me,
03:56said Huddle, feebly.
03:57Why not, said the cat.
04:00Ooh, you can talk.
04:02Naturally, said the cat.
04:04My name is Victor,
04:05and when I see something comical,
04:07I laugh.
04:08Do you indeed,
04:09said the witch,
04:10trying to seem bold.
04:12Well, if you're going to be my slave,
04:14I won't allow...
04:15Just a moment,
04:16interrupted Victor.
04:17Do I look like a slave?
04:20You look like a cat.
04:21And are cats easily enslaved?
04:25I suppose not.
04:26But you're a demon,
04:27said Huddle.
04:28Not a real cat.
04:29I've just done a very strong spell
04:30to summon a demon,
04:31and you're it.
04:32I'm it,
04:34but you've got everything
04:35back to front as usual.
04:37I'm not your slave, dear,
04:39said Victor.
04:40You are mine.
04:43Read the first line
04:44of the first part of that spell again.
04:46Especially note the position
04:48of the first comma.
04:50Hurrying to the book
04:51on the table,
04:52Huddle looked.
04:53If you want a demon,
04:55slave,
04:56who will...
04:57She tried to say something
04:58and failed.
05:00The cat watched her,
05:01smiling,
05:01and suddenly she was overcome
05:03by terror.
05:04She rushed to the door,
05:05wrenched it open,
05:06and fled into the night.
05:07Oh, come back,
05:08called the cat.
05:10No, never.
05:11I won't be a demon slave,
05:12shrieked Huddle.
05:13She ran even faster.
05:15Then came a swirl of wind
05:16around her,
05:16and she was back
05:17inside the cottage
05:18with the door slammed shut.
05:20Let's not be silly,
05:22said Victor.
05:23You can never escape.
05:25Now, get me my supper,
05:27some filleted sole,
05:29a bowl of cream.
05:30I'm not fussy about my food
05:32as long as it's delicious.
05:34There's nothing like that
05:35in my larder,
05:36said Huddle.
05:36There is now,
05:38said the cat,
05:39and there was.
05:40Huddle got his supper.
05:41From then on,
05:42she was forced
05:43to work very hard.
05:44The cat insisted
05:45that she should scrub
05:46and dust
05:47and whitewash the cottage.
05:48He wanted the floors
05:49polished
05:50and the windows washed.
05:51He demanded new curtains,
05:52new cushion covers.
05:53He made Huddle knit him
05:54a green and white rug
05:55for his bed.
05:56He was fussy
05:57about the way
05:57his food was served.
05:58He nearly drove the witch
05:59into a nervous breakdown.
06:01When he decided
06:02the place looked
06:03reasonably habitable,
06:04he brought some friends
06:05to stay.
06:06There was a white owl
06:07called, for some reason,
06:08Poodle,
06:09a black rat
06:10with red eyes
06:10and white whiskers
06:11whose name was Avis,
06:13an enormous thin dog
06:14with silvery fur
06:15and an iron collar
06:16with the name Bertie
06:17engraved on it,
06:18and a big beetle
06:20who did not seem
06:21to be called anything.
06:22Poodle, Bertie,
06:24Avis, Victor,
06:25and the beetle
06:25all ate hugely.
06:27The witch really had
06:28to slave to look after them.
06:30They all had curious
06:31fads and fancies
06:32about the methods
06:32of cooking and dishing up.
06:34Huddle was tired
06:35and miserable.
06:36She was absolutely fed up
06:37with a lot of them.
06:39One night,
06:40as they lay on the green
06:41and white rug,
06:42gorged with food,
06:43Huddle put her hands
06:44on her hips,
06:45scowled at them,
06:46and said,
06:47Is there no way
06:47to get rid of you?
06:49Get rid of us,
06:49they said.
06:50Don't you like us?
06:52She gritted her teeth.
06:53I adore you,
06:54she said untruthfully,
06:56but I'd rather live alone
06:58as I used to do.
06:59I prefer it.
07:00Really,
07:01drawled Victor.
07:02Then why did you
07:03summon a demon?
07:04It was a mistake.
07:06The cat looked
07:07at her thoughtfully.
07:08Then he said,
07:10There's only one way
07:11to free yourself,
07:12drag all.
07:13Huddle,
07:14snapped the witch.
07:15Whatever your name is,
07:17your only chance
07:18is to find
07:18the sky-blue
07:19whistling spark,
07:21said Victor.
07:22Produce that,
07:23and I and all my friends
07:25will go like lambs.
07:27Then,
07:27would you mind repeating?
07:29Find the sky-blue
07:31whistling spark,
07:33the spark for living,
07:34the blue for happiness,
07:36the whistle for hope.
07:37Not difficult,
07:38said the cat,
07:39if you know
07:40where to log.
07:41But I don't,
07:42cried Huddle.
07:43You'll have to tell me
07:44where to search for it.
07:45Why should we help,
07:47asked Poodle,
07:47stretching his wings.
07:48We're happy enough
07:49with things as they are,
07:50said Avis.
07:50I dare say,
07:52snarled the witch,
07:52but it won't be that easy
07:53for me,
07:54searching the wide world
07:55for this sky-blue,
07:56whatever it is.
07:57You won't be searching,
07:59smiled Victor.
08:01You'll be staying at home here,
08:02looking after us.
08:04You must find another
08:05to do your searching,
08:06dear.
08:07Her mouth and eyes
08:08round with horror,
08:10Huddle cried,
08:11Who?
08:12Who would do anything for me?
08:13Everyone in the neighbourhood
08:14hates me.
08:15They call me a nasty
08:16cross-hole witch.
08:17And aren't you,
08:18said the cat.
08:19Huddle gave a sob of despair.
08:21I wanted to be one,
08:23she wailed.
08:23I wanted to make people
08:24frightened of me,
08:25but now,
08:26when I need help so badly,
08:28that's when you need friends
08:30missus,
08:30said the rat.
08:32The others nudged
08:32one another rapturously.
08:34I'll tell you what,
08:36said Victor.
08:37I'll give you
08:38half an hour
08:38to go out
08:39and find somebody
08:40to help you.
08:41That's a fair offer.
08:42A whole half hour.
08:44It's now seven o'clock.
08:46If you're not back
08:46by half past
08:47to get our suffer,
08:48I'll send something
08:49utterly horrible
08:50to fetch you.
08:52How's that?
08:53Oh, dearie, dearie me,
08:54wailed Huddle.
08:55And off she went,
08:56into the pouring rain
08:57in the dark wet woods,
08:58to find someone,
08:59anyone,
09:00to help her rid herself
09:01of her demon masters.
09:03It was hopeless.
09:04First the woodcutter
09:05turned her away,
09:06then the gypsies laughed at her,
09:07and women going home
09:08glared angrily
09:09when she spoke to them.
09:10Keep away from us,
09:11you grouchy,
09:11quarrelsome thing,
09:12shouted one.
09:13The witch sat down
09:14on a muddy bank
09:15and burst into tears.
09:17She thought of that
09:18bunch of demons
09:19waiting in her cottage
09:20for their food,
09:21about the cooking,
09:22the washing up.
09:23She thought how tired
09:24and lonely she was,
09:26with no friends
09:27to pity her.
09:28She cried and cried.
09:30In her misery
09:31and through her tears,
09:32she didn't hear the sound
09:33of footsteps
09:34on the wet ground.
09:35She gasped in surprise
09:37when her voice spoke.
09:38What's the matter?
09:39It said.
09:40Standing beside her
09:41was a rough-looking fellow.
09:42His clothes were ragged,
09:43and one of his hands
09:44was wrapped in a dirty bandage.
09:46Are you hurt, old dear?
09:48said he.
09:48No, I'm not,
09:49snarled the witch.
09:50And if you're begging,
09:51save yourself the bubba.
09:52I've no money for you
09:53and no time to be listening
09:54to any lying,
09:55hard-look story.
09:57Don't worry,
09:58said the man quietly.
09:59I'm not begging.
10:01I'm back from foreign wars,
10:02wounded and hungry,
10:03but not begging.
10:05I do small jobs
10:06at the farms I pass
10:07just for a crust of bread
10:08and a glass of ale.
10:09You'll get no bread or ale
10:10from me.
10:11Be off,
10:11said Huddle spitefully.
10:13No call to speak
10:14so unfriendly,
10:15said he.
10:16Thought you might be
10:17needing help,
10:17that's all.
10:19He limped off slowly
10:20down the path,
10:21and the witch
10:22suddenly realised
10:23just what he had said.
10:24She gave a great gasp
10:25and ran after him.
10:26Oh, please,
10:27oh, please,
10:28come back.
10:28Please, please stop,
10:29she cried.
10:30She caught up with him
10:31and whispered,
10:32I'm sorry,
10:33forgive me.
10:34I'm a nasty,
10:35horrible old woman.
10:36They ride to hate,
10:37me,
10:37but I'm in so much trouble.
10:40The man looked
10:41at her white face,
10:42all street with tears
10:43and rain.
10:44He saw the marks
10:45of temper and pride
10:46and conceit
10:47round her mouth
10:48and eyes.
10:49He saw her thin grey hair,
10:50the shaking,
10:51skinny hands.
10:53Oh, well,
10:55tell me all about it,
10:56then,
10:56he said,
10:57and she blurted out
10:58the whole terrible story.
11:00So there it is,
11:01she ended.
11:02Now I suppose
11:03you'll laugh at me.
11:04I'll deserve it,
11:05too,
11:06not just because
11:06of all the stupid
11:07things I've done before,
11:08but for being unkind
11:10to you,
11:11who was gentle
11:11to me.
11:13You poor old woman,
11:14said the man.
11:15I'll take you home
11:15and see if I can
11:16sort things out a bit.
11:18So back they went
11:19together to the cottage.
11:21Once inside,
11:22the two of them stood
11:23and looked at the demons.
11:24The great cat
11:25narrowed his eyes
11:26at the man.
11:27Aren't you afraid,
11:29said Victor,
11:30softly.
11:31Yes,
11:32said the man.
11:33Of course I am.
11:34Demons are terrible
11:35things to face,
11:36but,
11:37well,
11:37whatever the danger,
11:38I'm going to try
11:39and get you out
11:39of this house.
11:40And how,
11:42purred the yellow cat.
11:43There was a pause.
11:46According to
11:46Mistress Huddle,
11:47said the man slowly,
11:48it seems
11:49there's only one way.
11:51And can you
11:52find the way,
11:53asked the cat.
11:55Do you know
11:55where to look
11:56for a sky-blue
11:56whistling spark?
11:58Do you,
11:58Thomas?
11:59The man looked
12:00surprised at the
12:01use of his name.
12:02Then he remembered
12:03that he was dealing
12:04with demons.
12:05He thought deeply
12:06for a few minutes
12:07while the others
12:07watched him.
12:08Then he said,
12:10I'm not clever
12:11or handsome
12:11or wise,
12:12but whatever I can do,
12:14that I will do
12:15to find this spark
12:16and free the old woman
12:17from your power.
12:19Victor laughed softly.
12:21There's only one way
12:22for you,
12:23Thomas,
12:23said he.
12:24You must become
12:25my slave.
12:26Then I'll release
12:27Huddle.
12:28There followed
12:29a long silence
12:30in the cottage.
12:31The fire burned
12:32brightly on the hearth,
12:33though not as brightly
12:34as the eyes
12:35of the demons.
12:36And at last,
12:37Thomas nodded his head.
12:39Very well,
12:40said he.
12:41At this,
12:42Huddle stamped her foot
12:43and said she wouldn't
12:43allow it.
12:44She touched
12:45Thomas' hand gently
12:46and smiled at him.
12:47Thank you,
12:48my dear,
12:48she said.
12:49But you shan't do it,
12:50no.
12:51They'd run you
12:51off your poor feet
12:52waiting on them.
12:53I'd rather slave
12:54the rest of my life
12:54and have a decent,
12:55kind fellow like you
12:56saddled with these layabouts.
12:58She marched to the
12:59larder door,
13:00her head high and angry.
13:02I'll get some food
13:03for you,
13:03Thomas lad,
13:04said she,
13:05and I'll give you
13:05my blessings
13:06for what they're worth
13:06and my true thanks
13:08and you can be on your way
13:09and think no more
13:10of me and my silly problems.
13:12She opened the larder door.
13:14She opened the lid
13:15of the breadcrock
13:15and a great blue spark
13:17shot across the room
13:18as blue as a summer sky.
13:21Twice round the room
13:22it went,
13:23whistling.
13:25And then it turned
13:26into a shower
13:26of rainbow spangles
13:27down the wall.
13:29Then one by one,
13:31the animals turned
13:31into lambs
13:32and vanished.
13:34Only the yellow cat
13:35still sat on the table
13:36smiling.
13:38Are you sure
13:39you want me to go?
13:40He said.
13:41Suppose I offer
13:42to stay
13:42and help you make magic.
13:44No,
13:45said Huddle.
13:46No more spells
13:47and sorcery for me.
13:48I don't want to be a witch.
13:49I'd rather be ordinary
13:51and live kindly
13:52and have friends.
13:53That's all I needed
13:54to know,
13:55said Victor.
13:56I'll be on my way.
13:59He turned into a lamb
14:00and then disappeared.
14:02Huddle heaved
14:03a great sigh of relief.
14:05She turned to Thomas.
14:07Sit by the fire, lad,
14:08she told him.
14:09I'll make a nice
14:10cup of tea.
14:11But first,
14:12she got all her magic books,
14:13including her grands,
14:14and dumped them
14:15in the middle of the fire.
14:17Then she went
14:18to fill the kettle.
14:20Goodbye.
14:34Bye.
14:35Bye.
14:35Bye.
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