The Birthday Party (Percussion) - Gritton

The

Birthday Party Words and music by Peter Gritton Illustrations by Frankie Gritton

“What’s up, Little Ting?”

“It’s Timmy and Tammy Timps’ birthday!” said the tiny little triangle.

The Percussion Family all agreed that they must arrange a birthday party straight away. They hoped all their friends would come – like the xylophones and glockenspiels, and all percussion instruments that scrape, bang, rattle and shake...

“Come over to my place if you want!”

They turned round and saw the most marvellous sight.

“Big Tam!” they all cried. It was the tam-tam – the largest gong in the land.

“I have just seen the Timps,” said the tam-tam.

“If you want the party to be a surprise, you had better keep your voices down.”

Sally and Simon Cymbals were on look-out duty.

“Quick, they’re coming! Everybody hide!”

“Hello! Hello!” said two tuneful voices. “Anybody in?”

“Hello Timmy and Tammy. Sorry, I’m very sleepy,” went Drake Drum, the big bass drum, pretending to be only half-awake.

So, the happy Timpani sang a gentle song to soothe the big but sleepy bass drum:

We’re just off on a lovely trip down by the sea, With Tommy and Rumble we spend our time and happy we shall be, And after an ice cream - just in time for tea!

We’re probably back at four o’clock - just in time for tea!

“… Maybe see you then?” said the Timps.

Oh, um, yes,” said the big bass drum.

“See you at teatime. Bye!”

The other members of the Percussion Family remained hidden, as quiet as mice, until the Timps had gone.

“All clear, everybody!” said Drake Drum.

“We’ll fly off and tell the xylophones and glockenspiels,” said Sally and Simon Cymbals. “After that, we can let everyone else know – shakers, scrapers, little drums and all the others.”

Throughout the day, Timmy, Tammy, Tommy and Rumble, were having a wonderful time at the seaside, totally unaware of the party that their friends were planning.

Down at Big Tam’s, things were shaping up nicely. They all blew up balloons, the party food was ready, and the decorations were fantastic.

There was a loud knock-knock-knock at the door.

“Who on earth could that be?” said Big Tam. “I hope it’s not the Timps already. It’s nowhere near teatime!”

“Hi folks, it’s me! Kitty Drumkit!”

They opened the door slowly to reveal the splendid sight – a drum kit covered in balloons!

“Hey guys, where’s the party?

I got here early to help!”

“Well, that’s great!” said Daisy Drum.

“Where there’s a party, there’s always room for a drum kit!”

“I’ve got an idea,” said Drake Drum.

“Kitty can stand outside the door with all her balloons, to show where the party is.”

“OK!” said Kitty Drumkit.

The Percussion Family thought this was a great idea. BUT, what they did not know was: sometimes, Kitty Drumkit was rather clumsy.

So it was that she tripped up over one of her balloons... and fell flat on her face with an enorm

ous…

To make matters worse, the Timps suddenly appeared.

They had come back from their day trip, far too early!

“What is this pile of drums and cymbals?” Timmy exclaimed and rushed to the rescue. “Are you OK?” The Timps helped Kitty Drumkit get back on her feet.

“Thank you so much!” said Kitty. “You are all so kind.”

“I hope you don’t mind us asking,” said the Tammy. “But what is your name?”

“My name is Kitty Drumkit,” she said, “and I am here for the party.”

“What party is that?” said the Timpani.

Kitty suddenly remembered that the birthday party was meant to be a surprise. She really had put her foot in it!

But just then came the most magnificent sound – the sound of beautiful music. There were many instruments walking in great procession.

“It’s all our friends!”

“SURPRISE!!” said everybody. “HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!”

The birthday music shimmered and glistened as instruments from all over the world joined in.

“Thank you for coming, everybody!” said the Timpani together. “This is the best birthday we have ever had.”