Whittington's Bells
The story of Dick Whittington and his clever cat, and how he became Lord Mayor of London
Page 1
Many years ago, in a quiet village far from the grand city, lived a poor orphan boy named Dick Whittington. He had no parents, no home of his own, and very little to eat. He heard stories of London, a city where the streets were paved with gold, and fortune awaited those brave enough to seek it. With nothing but the clothes on his back and a small, empty bag, Dick decided to try his luck. He walked for many days, his feet growing tired and his stomach rumbling, but the thought of the great city kept his spirits up. Every step brought him closer to the magnificent towers and bustling streets he had only dreamed of. Finally, one morning, from the top of a hill, he saw it.
Page 2
When Dick at last reached London, he found no streets paved with gold. Instead, he found noise, crowds, and a gnawing hunger that grew worse with each passing day. He spent days wandering the confusing, bustling streets, with no friendly face to guide him and no place to rest, until he collapsed from sheer exhaustion near the grand house of a wealthy merchant, Mr. Fitzwarren. A kind cook, seeing his plight, took pity on him and brought him inside from the cold pavement. Mr. Fitzwarren, a benevolent man, offered the poor boy work as a scullery boy in his busy kitchen. It was hard work, scrubbing huge copper pots and heavy iron pans, his hands raw and tired, but at least Dick had regular food to eat and a roof over his head, a comfort he hadn't known for a long time. The kitchen was always warm and full of activity, with delicious smells of cooking filling the air, a welcome change from the cold, empty streets.
Page 3
Dick's new room, his small corner of the great house, was high up in the attic, a cramped, cold space directly under the eaves. He had a thin straw mattress spread directly on the wooden floor, and a single small, dusty window that looked out over the dark rooftops of London. But this tiny room had a big problem, one that stole his precious sleep: it was infested with rats. As soon as night fell, they would creep out from the cracks in the walls and floorboards, scurrying across the floor and chasing each other with noisy little squeaks. They made a constant racket, gnawing at any scrap of food Dick might have left, and brazenly stealing crumbs from his supper. Dick could get no peace, no quiet, and very little restful sleep, no matter how tired he was from his long days of work. He longed desperately for a way to get rid of them and find some comfort in his own bed.
Page 4
Dick knew he could not go on like this, with endless sleepless nights and constant noise. He needed a solution, and he needed it urgently. With his very last penny, a coin he had saved from his meagre wages, he decided to find a way to rid himself of the noisy pests. He went to the lively London market, a place full of noise, shouts, and wonders, where all sorts of goods were sold from colourful stalls. He pushed his way through the bustling crowds, searching desperately for something that could help with his rat problem. After some determined looking, he found a young girl selling a small, nimble cat. The cat had bright, clever eyes and seemed full of spirit and curiosity. Dick spent his very last penny to buy her, holding her gently and hoping with all his heart that she would be the answer to his sleepless nights and bring him some peace. He carried her carefully back to the house, a new kind of quiet hope blossoming in his heart.
Page 5
The cat proved to be the best friend Dick could have wished for, a swift and silent hunter, chasing away all the rats from his attic room, and soon from the entire Fitzwarren house. Dick loved his clever Puss dearly, and she would often curl up on his straw bed, purring softly. One day, Mr. Fitzwarren called all his household together, from the cooks to the scullery boys. He was sending a merchant ship, laden with precious goods, to a faraway land, hoping to trade for rich silks, rare spices, and other valuable treasures. He asked everyone, even the humblest servant, to send something on the ship, however small, to try and make a profit for themselves. Dick had nothing of value to his name but his beloved cat. With a heavy heart, and tears welling in his eyes, he entrusted Puss to the ship's captain, hoping she would bring him fortune, though he would miss her terribly. It was a wrenching decision, but one he knew he had to make.
Page 6
The ship sailed across vast, shimmering oceans, braving storms and calm seas, until at last it reached the distant, sun-drenched land of Barbary. The captain presented Mr. Fitzwarren's goods to the King, a powerful ruler who welcomed them kindly into his magnificent palace. But the King had a terrible problem, one that plagued his every meal: his opulent palace, despite its grandeur, was utterly overrun with rats and mice. They scurried everywhere, bold and numerous, even across his royal dining table during banquets, spoiling every dish and making a nuisance of themselves. The captain, remembering Dick's clever Puss, and how effective she had been on the journey, offered her services to the King as a solution to his rodent woes. When Puss was brought into the grand hall, she quickly sprang into action, a blur of tabby fur, gracefully and swiftly chasing away every single rat and mouse from the grand hall. The King and his entire court watched in utter amazement and delight as Puss made sure no rat dared show its face again, bringing instant peace and order to the palace.
Page 7
Back in London, far removed from the lavish palace, Dick knew nothing of his cat's triumph. His life remained one of hardship. The master cook, a cruel and demanding woman, treated him terribly, finding fault with his every action. Day after day, she scolded him without cause, heaped upon him extra chores, and often withheld his food. Feeling utterly lonely, starved, and miserable, Dick decided he could bear it no longer. He packed his few worn belongings into his small bag and ran away, determined to leave London forever, to seek his fortune elsewhere, away from the city that had offered him only toil and sorrow. He walked until he reached Highgate Hill, a high point overlooking the great city he had hoped would bring him fortune. As he sat, tired, sad, and despairing, the bells of Bow Church began to chime in the distance. To his profound surprise, they seemed to ring out words, clear as day, carried on the wind: 'Turn again, Whittington, Thrice Lord Mayor of London!'
Page 8
Meanwhile, the merchant ship, after its long and successful voyage, returned safely to London, laden not just with exotic silks and rare spices, but with a magnificent fortune specifically for Dick Whittington. The ship's captain immediately made his way to Mr. Fitzwarren's grand house, eager to share the incredible news of the voyage's success and Dick's astounding luck. He explained in detail how Dick's clever cat had saved the King of Barbary's palace from its terrible rat infestation, and how the grateful King had paid a truly enormous sum of gold and precious jewels for her invaluable services. Mr. Fitzwarren, sitting in his elegant study, surrounded by his impressive collection of books and ledgers, read the captain's letter with growing excitement and disbelief. He could hardly believe his ears at the magnitude of Dick's unexpected wealth. His daughter, Alice, sat nearby, listening with wide, astonished eyes to the extraordinary tale of the scullery boy's sudden change of fortune.
Page 9
Mr. Fitzwarren immediately sent a swift messenger to find Dick, who was still on his way back to London, deciding what to do after the bells' prophecy. When Dick heard the incredible news of his cat's heroism and learned of his great fortune, he hurried back to London with a light heart, his despair completely forgotten. He was no longer a poor scullery boy, but a wealthy man, respected by all who heard his astonishing tale. Mr. Fitzwarren welcomed him like the son he had always wished for, overjoyed at Dick's good fortune. Soon, Dick and Alice, who had always shown him kindness and respect, fell deeply in love. A grand celebration was held in the Fitzwarren's elegant drawing-room, with many distinguished guests filling the spacious room. Dick, handsome and confident in splendid new clothes, stood beside a beaming Alice, now his beautiful bride, their future bright before them. Even Puss, the clever tabby cat, sat proudly nearby on a cushion, a silent hero, the true cause of all this wonderful happiness.
Page 10
True to the amazing prophecy of the Bow Bells, Dick Whittington went on to become a highly respected and immensely successful merchant. He managed his wealth wisely and was known throughout London for his great kindness and generosity, always remembering his humble beginnings and the hardship he had faced. Many happy years passed, filled with prosperity and good deeds, and just as the bells had foretold, Dick Whittington was indeed elected Lord Mayor of London, not once, not twice, but three glorious times! He served the city with remarkable wisdom, honour, and dedication, always working hard to ensure London prospered and its people thrived. On the day of his grand procession through the city, the streets were filled to overflowing with cheering crowds, celebrating their beloved Lord Mayor, Dick Whittington, whose remarkable fortune had truly been made by a clever cat and the ringing of distant, prophetic bells, creating a legacy that lived on for centuries.
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)
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