Round the Herne

 My reading of the twelfth and final chapter of John Masefield's (1935) children's fantasy story "The Box of Delights". There are. of course, twelve chapters for the twelve days of Christmas. Here the story is tied up as Kay does his best to save the abducted cathedral staff in time for celebrating the thousandth Christmas to be held in that place. I rather like the fusing of Pagan and Christian imagery in this concluding chapter - very appropriate to the Christmas season

  My reading of the eleventh and penultimate chapter of John Masefield's (1935) children's adventure fantasy "The Box of Delights". The mad scheming of the oily Abner approach fruition and the extent of his magical powers is revealed (I could spoil a harmless children's saga by pontificating about the way in which magical and spiritual paths so often get turned to little more than money grubbing and material indulgence, but I won't do so).

  My reading of the tenth chapter of John Masefield's (1935) children's fantasy adventure "The Box of Delights". Kay finally meets the mysterious philosopher-magician Arnold of Todi and discovers more about the origins of the box.

  My Christmas Eve reading of the ninth chapter of John Masefield's (1935) children's fantasy adventure "The Box of Delights". The strange happenings continue apace with more magic from the mysterious box and revelations of who people actually are. And yes, I've had the beard trimmed by my never-less-than-entertaining barber, Charlie (who seems to be a younger incarnation of one of my oldest friends).

  My reading of the eighth chapter of John Masefield's children's fantasy "The Box of Delights" (1935). This time more mysterious shenanigans occur at the cathedral - will there be anyone left to conduct the Midnight Mass?

  My reading of the seventh chapter of John Masefield's (1935) children's fantasy adventure "The Box of Delights". Another short chapter in which the children journey inside a tree and we finally find out what happened to the thuggish Maria.

  My reading of the sixth part of John Masefield's (1935) children's fantasy adventure "The Box of Delights". A more sedate chapter this time in which the Bishop's party is spoiled by nefarious goings on at the end (and the range of children's toys was mercifully less taxing to the brain than the current nightmarish complexity).