Big Jake Told a Lie
...
It was a busy day in Tarrytown, and everyone was doing their best to ensure all their jobs were completed for the day. Unfortunately, Herky the helicopter had caught a nasty cold after a flight to Lightning Bug Lake in the rain, and he ended up with a mild fever overnight.
Mr E.Z O' Malley didn't like the idea of Herky working while he was sick, so he decided to give Herky some time off to recover. He also asked Big Jake if he could help look after him and ensure that he was put to sleep so that he could rest and shake off his illness.
"Yes sir, I'll be glad to help." Big Jake assured the manager of E.Z Airlines.
"Thank you, Jake. I knew I could rely on you." Mr O' Malley said, and he went away again, whilst Big Jake went to the hangar to check on Herky.
"How are you doing kid?" He asked kindly.
Herky coughed loudly. "I can't sleep." He groaned.
"Don't worry Herky, Mr O' Malley asked me to put you to sleep." Big Jake told him.
"Really- thanks Big Jake. I feel horrible."
"You're welcome." But Big Jake still had to think how to put Herky to sleep, but before he could ask the sick helicopter for ideas, Old Oscar entered the hangar.
"I need your help Jake!" He exclaimed.
"Sure Oscar- what is it?" Big Jake replied.
"I've got to go and cover ground duty, but I've also got to go and collect some tools and parts for Brenda to take to Skylandia, and there's no one else to help me!"
"Okay, don't worry Oscar, I'll help. What do you want me to do?" Big Jake asked determinedly.
"Right, I need you to fly to Brenda's workshop. She put the tools in a green toolbox, and the parts in a green crate. You're to take both to Prince Duffy and his friends in Skylandia kingdom. Got it?"
"Yes, I've got it. I'll do it as quick as I can."
"Thanks Jake." Old Oscar said.
"You're welcome Oscar." Big Jake replied. "Good luck with ground duty."
"Thanks."
...
So Big Jake went to the workshop to collect the Skylandia delivery. Once they were loaded, he went back to the hangar and explained to Herky he had to go to Skylandia, but he promised that he will come back and put Herky to sleep.
"Okay Big Jake." Herky replied sadly. "Please come back soon."
"I will. I promise." Big Jake said, and with that, he set off for the runway.
But just as he was about to leave, he saw Mr E.Z O' Malley walk towards him, and he realised his mistake. He couldn't tell Mr O'Malley he hadn't put Herky to sleep yet! He would be so disappointed. Big Jake couldn't let that happen.
But what could he do?
"Ah, there you are Jake- have you put Herky to sleep yet?" Mr O' Malley asked him hopefully. Big Jake wanted to say he had, but that would be lying. Although, he promised Herky he would do it as soon as he got back.
"Yes I have sir." He replied quickly but trying not to be too obvious that he was lying.
"Excellent!" Now, I have to see to Tracey and Snuffy, so where are you headed off to?"
"Skylandia, sir- Old Oscar needed me to take a delivery for him because he's on ground duty, sir."
"I see. Brenda will have handled it. I've been run off my feet." He said. "Well, I'll let you get on to Skylandia."
"Yes sir." Big Jake said. And with that, he set off towards the runway and took off to fly for the wind spout.
...
As he flew along, he realised what he had done. "I...I told a lie to Mr O'Malley." He said to himself. "I haven't told a lie to anyone in years."
He knew that he shouldn't have done it, but he told himself that he will sort everything out as soon as he returned to Tarrytown.
Soon, he saw the wind spout in the distance. "Well, here goes nothing." He said to himself, and he flew straight into it. Big Jake never liked swirling around in the wind spout, but he hardly noticed due to his guilt on lying to Mr E.Z O'Malley about Herky.
...
Once he exited the wind spout, he flew straight to the castle where Prince Duffy and his friends lived. As he approached, he saw his Skylandian counterpart, Big Jocko, who was the prince's guard.
"Hello Big Jake!" Big Jocko greeted warmly. "What brings you here?"
"I have a delivery for the prince." Big Jake said in reply.
"Ah, that will be for Marchioness Becky Burgundy, I presume." Big Jocko said. On seeing Big Jake's confused expression, he explained that Becky was also the mechanic for Skylandia.
"Well, come with me." Big Jocko told Big Jake, and the planes entered the castle. They talked for a while about how things had been and what had happened since they last visited.
"Here we are!" The guard exclaimed as they reached the throne room. Big Jake entered first, and he saw everyone – Count Winger, Old Oscar's counterpart; Lady Stacey, Tracey's counterpart; Jerky the court jester, Herky's counterpart, and so on.
He also saw a woman standing next to Duchess Susanna, who was looking unwell.
"Don't worry, your parts will have arrived Susanna!" The woman said.
"That's Marchioness Becky Burgundy." Big Jocko whispered to Big Jake.
She wore a long, flowing red dress over which she had oily overalls, and a pointed hat with a light red silk veil. "Hello!" She greeted. "I'm Marchioness Becky Burgundy, and you must be Big Jake. I've heard a lot about you."
"Thanks." Big Jake said, smiling.
"Duchess Susanna's been feeling ill, and she needed new parts. I'm so glad you brought them for me – now I can repair her and make her feel better. Thank you."
"You're welcome." He replied, and then he remembered that he needed to get to Tarrytown and put Herky to sleep quickly.
"I've got to return to Tarrytown. Herky's not feeling well either, so I've promised to put him to sleep."
"I see. Well, I hope to see you again soon, Big Jake."
"Thanks, Marchioness Becky. I hope to see you again too."
So after saying goodbye to everyone, Big Jocko escorted Big Jake back to the grounds and Big Jake took off, heading for the wind spout to return home.
...
When Big Jake returned to Tarrytown, he saw Mr O'Malley waiting for him, and he was furious. "Jake, I asked you if you put Herky to sleep, and you told me you had. But you haven't. Why did you lie to me?"
"I'm sorry sir. But Old Oscar had too much to do sir, and I didn't want to let him down, as it was urgent. But I didn't want to let you down either."
"Well, you have. And you've betrayed my trust as well." Mr O' Malley said sternly.
"Is there any way I can make it up to you, sir?" Big Jake asked guiltily.
"Well, you can agree to stop telling fibs. They're not good. And you can put Herky to sleep as well."
"Yes sir. I will." Big Jake promised. So he went over to the hangar to see to Herky once Mr. O' Malley had spoken to him.
"You're back." Herky wheezed.
"Yes, and I'm sorry I've left you, kid. But I'm here to put you to sleep now."
"Jake, can tell me a story?" Herky requested.
"Sure." Big Jake replied "I owe you that much."
So Big Jake told Herky about his trip to Skylandia, and meeting the Marchioness Becky Burgundy. When he finished his story, he saw that Herky was asleep at last.
"Sweet dreams Herky." He said softly, and he left the hangar to tell Mr O'Malley he'd put Herky to sleep- for real this time.