There was a little Jelly Bean – a very happy little Jelly Bean who lived in a cosy little cottage with a ginger bread roof and strong little walls of jam tarts. He was as snug as a bug in a rug and never went out but he enjoyed looking through his window at what was happening in the world. There were tiny babies in their prams and little children of all sizes coming and going and coming and going all the time.

One day he thought that perhaps he would also go out to see what was happening in this ‘Sweet World’ where he lived – perhaps he might even make a friend. Oh! Wouldn’t that be fun!!!

Which dress should I wear he thought – the red one or the perhaps the green? Or would not the yellow or orange look better? Pink and Yellow – Mauve or Blue… He ran through all the colours – No - No – No he liked Red the best. So putting it on he started on his great adventure.
Humming a little tune to himself he set off gaily.

Now the little fellow realized all the ‘mini people’ he used to see were so much taller than him. Some were even HUGE like GIANTS. Oh dear! Oh dear! What a time he had running this way that way. Hurrah! He managed to get out of that huge crowd and was out of the door like a shot.

Going on a little way he came across a tiny little kitten, which asked him, “Mr. Jelly Bean, Oh Mr. Bean you look so beautiful in you red clothes. I have just plain white ones. Would you please change with me?” Jelly Bean looked at him up and down. “No, No little boy that I won’t.”

Then he went rolling along. After a time he saw a small sparrow hopping towards him with his head cocked. “Mr. Beanie, Dear Mr. Beanie how do you do?” (You see he was a very well mannered little sparrow.) “Where are you going to, may I come with you? So Mr. Beanie nodded his head and went on again. They soon came to a small river and Beanie said “Mr. Sparrow how can I cross this huge river?” So Sparrow said “Just hold on to my wing,” and hopped over the little streak of water and was across.

So on and on they went – with Jelly Bean clinging with his might to the Sparrow’s back. Soon they came to a small little puddle with just enough water for one person. Sparrow said “Mr. Beanie would you like to drink?” Beanie bent over the water and what does he see? A person just like him!!! “Oh Father, dear Father” he said “how do you do? May I drink a drop of your water?” Very carefully he took a tiny little sip but his father vanished. He did not know that he had seen his own self in the water. So very happily he asked Sparrow to drink also.

 

By now it was late in the evening so as soon as Sparrow had drank some water he said “ I will fly onto that tree and go to sleep.” Poor Jelly Bean – as it got dark he was getting afraid “Oh Mr. Sparrow can I stay with you?” Yes said Sparrow and tucking him away in his feathers flew on to a tree and settled down to sleep.

When Mr. Beanie awoke he looked around and found Mr. Sparrow had left him on the ground and flown away. Now he thought he would go further and see the rest of the world. So off he started again but now he did not know which way he had come from and which way should he go.

Taking a chance he went on a little further and again saw a tiny little puddle – not big enough for Mr. Sparrow to drink from but just enough for him. So he bent down again and there was his dear father again! He was very happy and said “Oh father dear father which way should I go?”

Now a small little field mouse was coming towards him to find out what was this tiny thing dressed so beautifully. He came nearer and nearer and nearer. Mr. Jelly Bean was so frightened to see a strange thing coming towards him – he gave one scream, turned round and ran. (Luckily he took the right direction) So he ran and ran and RAN all the way he had come till he reached his cozy little cottage and sank down with his heart beating - Pit – a Pat, Pit – a – Pat.

Gradually as he drew his breath his Pit – a – Pat calmed down. Sitting on his little chair, he thought over all that had happened. And as he thought, he brightened up and came to think he had gone so far – seen so much of the world – and had a Great Adventure which none of the other jelly beans knew about!!!

He felt very happy realizing he was the very first Jelly Bean to have such an experience. Feeling very important he settled down to relate everything to all the other jelly beans and their children and grandchildren. His fame spread through Jelly Land and he was greatly respected by all the jelly beans that ever lived for having been so daring and oh so brave.