The little water wheel

Bertie and Croc had found themselves at Westonzoyland Pumping Station out on the Somerset Levels. It was an odd rainy, drizzly type day so they had been glad of the shelter of the shed even if it had been quite noisy with the sound of the large pumping wheel. Croc had found some pieces of tissue in the bottom of the pocket he was in and, hoping they weren’t used tissues (they didn’t look used!), he’d stuffed a piece in each ear and was humming quite happily to himself. He felt a sharp nip and glanced up annoyed. Bertie was stood over him. “You HAVE to come look at this!” Exclaimed Bertie.

Croc sighed. He dutifully followed Bertie into the light and the drizzly rain. The rain seemed to have slowed down now. It hadn’t stopped Bertie from exploring.

Bertie pointed to an open outbuilding. It had no front or sides but had a little roof to shelter the machines which were busy working away inside. Croc was quite interested. All the machines were working independently but seemed to be working together. He looked at the words on the notice boards in front of each machine.

Bertie seemed quite entranced by a small water wheel. Croc had never seen one of these before. He watched as it’s little, flat scoops picked up the water in the well underneath it and transported it to the top of the wheel and along a little gully. “How clever!” Thought Croc.

It was the waterwheels story that had entranced Bertie and as he began to read it to Croc both friends felt like they could relate to the hardworking water wheel.

The little water wheel had been found abandoned and alone in the mud of the levels. Some of its parts had needed replacing and it had needed some TLC but here it was. Some kind person had lovingly spent some time fixing it’s broken pieces and helping it to work again. No wonder it was bubbling away happily to itself. Croc liked the gentle hum of the wheel and swish of the water.

Both friends looked at each other and smiled. They were beginning to like this place. As they looked back at the water wheel they both realised the rain had stopped and some sunshine had started to struggle through the clouds. Perhaps this day wasn’t going to be too bad after all.