Unforgettable Readings: The Children at Green Meadows

When I was a kid, I had two big fantasies. One was to write a book, and another was to get a pet. I link both of these to one single book that I read very young, which was called “The Children At Green Meadows.”. The book was of course written by Enid Blyton, the only author whose books I read in those days. However, this one was really different from the rest of her books. To begin with, this one was less fancy and more grounded; it did not describe Sandwiches of 4 kinds, Caravans and long holidays. It told the story of a simple and poor family, with three children, a worn-out mother, a handicapped father injured in war, and a grumpy grandmother. This Marshall family lives at Green Meadows, which is Grandma’s house. Also present is the haughty cat Mr. Black, who will neither be stroked, nor patted by the kids. The kids can’t afford luxury, but they keep themselves busy, the youngest Sam imagines a playroom, while the oldest Francis imagines himself a pet dog.

It’s during one of these imaginary pet-walk, that Francis gets into a fight with another boy, Dan who ridicules his little play. But soon after a teary-eyed Dan turns up at Green Meadows and request the children to take in his real pet dog. Pets aren’t allowed at the towers where he is moving, but he can’t bear to just give away his dog. The children agree, but keep it a secret so as to not give their mother any more trouble nor annoy their grumpy grandmother.

Turns out, Granny herself is a big fan of pets and soon, the pets of other residents of the towers start filling in Green Meadows. Granny is a part of their little secret now, and very soon Mother and Father find out too. Now there are dogs, kittens, rabbits, fantail pigeons and even a pony. The children now have a lot of playmates, who are the owners of the pets. All three of them, Francis, Clare and Sam are also a part of Scouts, Brownies and Cubs respectively. Besides, the pets haven’t added to mother’s work, but have given her a lot of relief too. Granny has mellowed down. All the children join the Busy Bees and work for betterment of animals. Jack, who owns the pony revives the large garden of Green Meadows as a return of favour. Soon a big Alsatian called Duke also ends up at Green Meadows, which takes us too the climax of the wonderful story.

Francis takes a special liking to Duke, who is rather fierce. In an impending climax, Duke is hit by some pesky boys and he runs away wounded. Francis finds him injured in the shed outside the house of his owner, who co-incidentally returns from abroad just then. The owner reckons that the snarling Duke will have to be shot but a brave Francis saves him. Impressed, the owner inquires about Francis and his family and then offers to sponsor an operation for their Father that will get him off his wheelchair.

More happiness follows, when a young acquaintance of Granny’s offers to buy the huge Green Meadows and turn it into an animal shelter. With the money, the Marshall family moves into a comfortable little cottage. Father returns from his surgery, quite hale and hearty and the Marshals count their blessings.

This book is so well written, that you keep wishing their was more to read. There are no Enid Blyton Clichés here, which is what makes it even more beautiful. For years I kept searching if there was a sequel to this book, or more of a series but there turned out to be none. I often hope that someday, someone will bless me with a manuscript of such a sequel or even better, I will be able to write one myself. But alas, that wouldn’t have the same magic of the original book, one that left me pinning for another, forever.