Story

Around the World in Eighty Days

30 minAges 7-9

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Introduction

What if you could travel all the way around the world, in just eighty days? Imagine seeing towering mountains and sparkling seas, bustling cities and quiet jungles! Join Phileas Fogg, a very clever owl, and his best friend Passepartout, a super-speedy squirrel, as they make a grand wager. Can they really whiz across the globe and back to London before time runs out? Get ready for a wonderful adventure filled with magic, friendship, and a race against the clock! Let's go 'Around the World in Eighty Days'!

The Peculiar Wager

One crisp autumn evening, in a very grand treehouse called the Reform Club, Phileas Fogg the owl sat quietly. He loved routines, and he loved numbers. His favourite thing was reading the newspaper. One day, it spoke of travelling all the way around the big, wide world. Phileas Fogg hooted thoughtfully. 'Eighty days!' he declared to his squirrel friend, Passepartout, who was busy polishing acorns. 'The newspaper says it's possible to journey around the entire Earth in just eighty days!' Passepartout's bushy tail twitched. 'Eighty days? That's super-fast!' he squeaked. But then, another owl, Sir Reginald, a bit of a grump, scoffed. 'Impossible! Utterly impossible!' he hooted loudly. Phileas Fogg, with a twinkle in his wise owl eyes, tapped his claw. 'I believe it is possible! I will prove it! I will travel around the world in eighty days!' And that, my little friends, is how the most peculiar wager of all time began!

Across France and Italy

So, with that exciting challenge set, Mr. Phileas Fogg, a very precise gentleman, and his brand new, ever-so-helpful assistant, a chap named Passepartout, began their incredible adventure! They didn't pack lots of big, heavy suitcases, oh no! Just one clever bag, filled with only the most important things. First stop was the bustling train station in London, where a magnificent steam train puffed and chuffed, ready to whisk them across the English Channel. Can you imagine the excitement? They settled into their comfy seats, and with a great big 'whoosh' and a 'choo-choo-chug', off they went! The train was so speedy, it felt like a friendly metal dragon flying over the green British countryside. Soon, they were on a big boat, sailing to France, where delicious croissants waited! In France, everything felt a little different. The language sounded like music, and the buildings were tall and grand. Their train, which had a rather polite little whistle, zipped past fields of sunflowers and quaint villages. Passepartout, with his big smile, loved looking out the window, waving at the fluffy white sheep and the cows with their bells. Mr. Fogg, however, was always checking his watch, making sure they were on time, for every second counted! He even had a special map that showed all the train lines, like tiny red ribbons criss-crossing Europe. Before they knew it, they were zooming towards Italy! The air grew warmer, and the sunshine felt extra bright. In Italy, they saw towering mountains and sparkling blue lakes. Their train journey was like a magical ride through a colourful painting. They didn't stop for long, mind you, just enough to see a glimpse of the famous leaning tower that wasn't quite straight and hear the joyful chatter of the people. They were moving so fast, it was like the world was spinning just for them! Mr. Fogg just smiled his little smile, his eyes fixed on the horizon, always thinking of the next train, the next boat. Their adventure was just beginning, and they were already flying across Europe, leaving a trail of happy memories. But Mr. Fogg had one goal: to keep going, always forward, around the world in eighty days!

Through the Sands of India

Mr. Fogg and his trusty friend Passepartout waved goodbye to the busy streets of Europe and found themselves arriving in a brand-new, exciting land: India! Oh, what a colourful place it was! The air smelt of spices, and there were bright silks and busy markets everywhere they looked. People chattered in a language Passepartout had never heard before, and little bells tinkled on carts pulled by strong oxen. It was a marvellous, bustling adventure! Their next journey was by train, chugging along on shiny tracks, deep into the heart of India. Passepartout loved looking out of the window. He saw tall palm trees swaying like dancers and little houses nestled amongst fields of green. 'Look, Mr. Fogg!' he’d exclaim, pointing at mischievous monkeys swinging through the trees, or a friendly elephant lumbering past with a smile. Mr. Fogg, ever calm and precise, just nodded, checking his watch to make sure they were on schedule. But then, something quite unexpected happened. The train came to a sudden, squeaky halt! 'Oh dear,' cried Passepartout, 'what’s happened?' The conductor explained with a sigh that the railway line wasn't finished yet. It just… stopped! Right in the middle of a thick, green jungle. There were miles and miles of unlaid track ahead, and no train could go further. Mr. Fogg, however, didn't fuss. He simply thought, 'Well, we must find another way.' And find another way they did! After a little while, they found a kind man who had a magnificent, wise elephant called Kalia. Kalia had big, gentle eyes and ears that flapped like giant fans. 'Will Kalia help us through the jungle?' asked Passepartout, his eyes wide. The man smiled. 'Indeed! She's the best jungle-walker in all of India.' So, up they climbed, Mr. Fogg, Passepartout, and their new elephant friend, Kalia, ready for their jungle trek! Kalia strode along, her big feet making soft thuds on the jungle floor. Passepartout gasped at the enormous flowers and the colourful birds with feathers like jewels. The jungle was filled with strange and exciting sounds: the chirp of crickets, the rustle of leaves, and the distant roar of a tiger. They even saw a little peacock fan its beautiful tail! It was a long journey, but with Kalia's steady pace, they felt safe and happy, pressing ever onward. One evening, as the sun began to set, painting the sky in oranges and purples, they heard a little cry for help. 'What's that?' Passepartout whispered. They carefully moved through the trees and saw a kind lady, looking very sad and a little bit lost. Her name was Aouda. She had been left all alone and didn't know where to go. Mr. Fogg, usually so serious, knew they had to help. 'We cannot leave her,' he declared, and Passepartout nodded bravely. So, with a plan quickly formed, they very gently and very quietly helped Aouda. She was so grateful and a little bit surprised to find two such brave and kind gentlemen and a magnificent elephant! From that moment on, Aouda joined their incredible journey. She was so pleased to have new friends and new adventures to share. Passepartout had another person to tell his jokes to, and even Mr. Fogg seemed to smile just a tiny bit more often. And so, with Kalia the elephant, Mr. Fogg, Passepartout, and their new friend Aouda, they travelled out of the winding jungle and arrived at the next big city, ready for their next boat across the sparkling seas. India had been full of surprises, but their adventure was far from over. Around the world in eighty days, remember? They were doing so well!

From India to Hong Kong

And so, our adventurous trio – Mr. Fogg, his clever valet Passepartout, and the kind Aouda – found themselves in a bustling port in India, ready for their next grand adventure. The air smelled of spices and the sea, and colourful little boats bobbed gently on the water. They were sailing all the way to a magical place called Hong Kong! Their ship, the 'Rangoon', was a big steamer, puffing out white clouds of smoke as it waited. Passepartout, with his usual bounce, helped carry the luggage up the gangplank, humming a happy tune. Mr. Fogg, ever so precise, checked his watch, ensuring everything was organised. Aouda, seeing the vast, sparkling ocean, felt a flutter of excitement in her heart. On board, the 'Rangoon' was like a floating hotel! It had cosy cabins, a dining room with yummy food, and a big deck for watching the waves splash and the seagulls fly. Passepartout quickly befriended a cheeky little monkey who loved to steal biscuits from the galley – oh, what fun they had! Mr. Fogg, true to form, spent most of his time reading his newspapers and playing whist, as if in his quiet London club. Aouda loved to sit on deck, watching the deep blue sea, pointing out flying fish that glittered like jewels in the sun. But, guess who else was on that big ship? Our friend, the bumbling detective, Mr. Fix! He was still convinced Mr. Fogg was up to no good, despite Fogg just trying to win a bet. Fix watched them from behind a stack of ropes, trying to think of a way to stop them discreetly. He even tried to tie Passepartout’s shoelaces together once, but Passepartout just laughed and hopped around like a kangaroo! Fix sighed. This was proving to be a rather tricky chase! The journey across the sparkling Bay of Bengal and then the South China Sea was wonderful. The sun shone bright, the sea was calm, and everyone on the 'Rangoon' was happy. They even saw a pod of friendly dolphins leaping and twirling in the waves, racing the ship! Passepartout would wave to them, imagining they were telling secrets to the fish far below. After many days of sailing, a new land appeared on the horizon.

Sailing to Japan and America

The ship sailed into a bustling harbour. This was Japan! Everything looked so wonderfully different. The houses had colourful roofs that curved upwards like happy smiles, and there were bright lanterns hanging everywhere, swaying gently in the breeze. Passepartout had never seen so many exciting things! "Look, Mr. Fogg!" he exclaimed, pointing at a small, fluffy cloud that looked exactly like a playful kitten. "It's waving its tail at me!" Mr. Fogg, as always, was busy checking his little travel book. "Hmm, yes, Passepartout. Very interesting. Now, remember, our next ship for America leaves promptly at two o'clock this afternoon. No dawdling, mind!" Passepartout promised he wouldn't. But then, the fluffy cloud kitten seemed to wink at him and float away down a narrow street, inviting him to follow. How could he resist? He imagined it was a special magic cloud that wanted to show him something amazing. He skipped along, following the cloud. It led him past shops selling colourful kimonos and delicious-smelling biscuits shaped like little fish. He saw children playing with wooden tops that spun like dizzy dancers, and even a tiny, adorable puppy chasing its own tail in a pottery shop window. Everything was an adventure! The kitten-cloud eventually floated into a lovely garden, full of cherry blossom trees. The pink petals drifted down like gentle snow, tickling his nose. There, sitting on a rock, was a little green frog with enormous, friendly eyes. And would you believe it? The frog began to speak! "Ribbit, ribbit! Welcome, brave traveller!" croaked the frog, in a voice like rustling leaves. "Are you looking for a special treat?" Passepartout's eyes grew wide. "A talking frog! How extraordinary! I'm looking for Mr. Fogg, actually. And my ship to America." "Ah, the ship to America!" the frog ribbited sadly. "It left a little while ago. You followed the magic kitten-cloud for rather a long time, didn't you?" Passepartout’s happy face fell. "Oh dear! Mr. Fogg will be ever so cross! What shall I do?" He felt a big wobble in his tummy. Just then, a magnificent white crane with a long, elegant neck landed beside them. "Don't fret, little friend!" it cooed, its voice like a gentle bell. "I am Kiko, the Sky Traveller. I can help you catch up!" The frog hopped onto the crane's back. "Kiko has a secret, special way to fly across the big, blue sea!" Kiko gently nudged Passepartout. "Climb on my back, if you're brave enough! We'll fly so fast, the wind will whistle through your hair!" Passepartout, though a little nervous, was also very excited. He climbed carefully onto Kiko's feathery back. With a powerful flap of its huge wings, Kiko soared into the sky! They flew over the colourful houses and the cherry blossom gardens, higher and higher, until the whole of Japan looked like a tiny toy town below. Kiko flew across the vast Pacific Ocean, a journey of many thousands of miles. Sometimes dipping low enough for Passepartout to wave at giant, friendly whales splashing in the water, and sometimes rising so high they could almost touch the fluffy white clouds. The ocean sparkled like a million diamonds, and the sun felt warm on his face, making him feel as happy as a lark. "Look!" cried Passepartout, pointing a little later. "Is that Mr. Fogg's ship?" Far below, a tiny speck was making its way across the water. "Indeed it is!" chirped Kiko. "We've caught up! Now, hold tight, Passepartout. Time for a little magic!" Kiko swooped down, down, down, right over the deck of Mr. Fogg's ship. With a soft landing, Passepartout was back on board! Mr. Fogg looked up from his newspaper, his eyebrows raised just a tiny bit. "Passepartout! You're back. Punctual, as ever. Did you enjoy your little excursion?" He hadn't even noticed he was gone! He was so absorbed in his schedule, you see. Passepartout just grinned, deciding to keep the talking frog and the flying crane a wonderful secret. He carefully put a tiny, smooth pebble that Kiko had given him into his pocket, a magical reminder of his amazing flight. The ship continued its journey, speeding towards America. The days turned into weeks, filled with the vast, blue ocean all around them. Sometimes, friendly dolphins would leap and play beside the ship, their sleek grey bodies shining in the sun. Passepartout would wave to them, imagining they were telling secrets to the fish far below. He even saw a giant sea turtle, as big as a small car, slowly paddling by, looking very ancient and wise. Finally, after many, many days, a new, exciting land appeared on the horizon. "America!" someone shouted. "We've reached San Francisco!" The ship sailed into another huge, busy harbour. This one was even bigger than the ones they'd seen before! There were tall buildings, like giant Lego towers, reaching for the sky. Passepartout could see lifts zipping up and down inside them, like busy little spiders. Cars zoomed along the pavements, looking like busy little beetles, and colourful trams clanged their bells as they trundled past. The air smelled of something delicious, like fresh chips and hot chocolate. Everywhere Passepartout looked, there was something new and wonderful to see. Mr. Fogg, looking at his trusty travel book, declared, "Excellent! We are precisely on schedule. Our next leg of the journey, Passepartout, will take us across the great American wilderness, by train!" Passepartout's heart did a little flip-flop of joy. Across a wilderness? With trains? What amazing adventures would they find there? He couldn't wait!

Wild West Wonders

Our adventurers, Mr. Fogg, Passepartout, Aouda, and Inspector Fix, had finally reached America! What a thrilling land, full of wide-open spaces and new adventures. Their first stop was bustling San Francisco, a city of steep hills and clanging trams. Passepartout watched a cheeky seagull snatch a biscuit! "Oh, America!" he chuckled, "Full of surprises!" But Mr. Fogg had a schedule! "To the iron horse!" he declared. The magnificent train would carry them across the country to New York. They boarded a grand train with cosy seats and big windows. As it chugged out, Passepartout pressed his nose against the glass. "Look, Mr. Fogg!" he exclaimed, "The land is like a giant, wavy blanket!" Fields stretched, painted in green and gold, dotted with hills and rivers. The journey was marvellous. They saw curious prairie dogs pop from burrows, standing like tiny guards. Deer bounded gracefully through trees. Passepartout loved waving to them! One day, across a wide plain, an amazing sight appeared! A thundering herd of buffalo! Friendly, shaggy-haired giants, they galloped alongside, hooves drumming the ground. It was like a friendly race! Passepartout cheered, "Go, buffalo, go!" The train, the iron horse, was just a little faster. Later, they came to a very old bridge stretching over a deep canyon. The train went slowly, chugging across rickety planks. Everyone held their breath, listening to creaks and groans. "Our engineer is skilled," Mr. Fogg announced. The train made it safely across. "Phew!" sighed Passepartout. The Wild West was vast, yet far from empty! One afternoon, as the sun dipped low, something unexpected happened. The train suddenly slowed, not for a station, but for some playful prairie folk! These people, with feathers in their hair, rode beautiful ponies. They weren't trying to hurt anyone, but loved a good, boisterous game. As the train slowed, some quick, clever folk leapt aboard! Laughing and shouting in excitement, they suddenly gently but firmly lifted Passepartout right off the train! "Passepartout!" cried Aouda, worried. Mr. Fogg remained calm. "It seems our friend has been invited to a game," he observed. Passepartout, surprised, found himself carried away by the lively group, who saw him as the most interesting new toy! They galloped off, Passepartout waving frantically, a mix of bewilderment and thrill on his face. Inspector Fix grumbled, "Now we'll miss the connection!" But Mr. Fogg adjusted his spectacles. "Nonsense, Inspector. We cannot leave a friend behind." He gathered brave train conductors and a wise old badger, Barnaby, who knew the prairie trails. "Barnaby," Mr. Fogg said, "Can you show us where they might have taken Passepartout?" Barnaby twitched his nose. "They often play near the Whispering Rocks," he grunted, trotting off. Aouda still worried, watching Mr. Fogg disappear. "Will Passepartout be alright?" she asked. "He'll be having the time of his life," Inspector Fix muttered, less grumpy, impressed by Mr. Fogg's bravery. Soon, following Barnaby's excellent nose, they found a clearing amongst giant rocks. And there was Passepartout! He wasn't captured, but having a grand time! He was teaching the prairie children somersaults, and they were showing him how to make patterns with coloured sand. When Mr. Fogg arrived, the prairie folk, still laughing, explained they just wanted to share their games with the funny man from the train. Mr. Fogg thanked them. Passepartout, a little breathless from fun, apologised for worrying everyone. "No harm done," Mr. Fogg said, a rare smile touching his lips. "But we must hurry. Our train has, regrettably, departed." Oh dear! The train had gone! How would they continue? Passepartout looked glum. "Did I mess up the schedule, Mr. Fogg?" he asked. "Not at all, Passepartout," Mr. Fogg replied. "Every challenge is merely an opportunity for a new solution." Just then, an older prairie woman stepped forward. "We have something that might help," she said, her voice gentle. She pointed to a strange vehicle, like a big sled, with a tall mast and a huge, colourful sail! "It's a land-boat!" she explained. "When the wind blows strong, it travels faster than any horse, almost as fast as your iron horse!" Mr. Fogg's eyes lit up. "A land-boat propelled by wind! Marvellous!" With heartfelt goodbyes, our adventurers and Barnaby climbed aboard. The kind folk helped hoist the giant sail. Whoosh! A strong gust caught the fabric, and the land-boat shot off, gliding over grassy bumps with surprising speed. Passepartout cheered, "This is even better than the train, Mr. Fogg! We're sailing on land!" Aouda giggled, her hair flying. Even Inspector Fix managed a small, almost-a-smile. Mr. Fogg, at the helm, looked at his pocket watch. They were still moving forward, still on their amazing journey. The wild, wide plains of America stretched before them, a magical carpet of adventure beneath their wind-powered land-boat, carrying them closer to their next destination... and home!

The Final Dash Home

Our brave adventurers, Phileas Fogg, his clever friend Passepartout, and the kind Aouda, were still zooming across America. Their amazing wind-powered land-boat, with its big, colourful sails, glided over hills and through valleys. The vast plains seemed to stretch on forever, a giant green carpet unrolling just for them. They saw herds of fluffy bison grazing peacefully and tall, proud eagles soaring high in the blue sky. But even the fastest land-boat couldn't cross the big, big ocean! So, after a little while, they reached the bustling city of New York, right by the sea. Here, they found a very special ship waiting for them. It wasn't just any ship; this was the 'Speedy Seagull', a magnificent steamship with a chimney that puffed out rainbow-coloured smoke! Its captain, a cheerful old sea dog with a twinkle in his eye, promised them the swiftest journey across the Atlantic Ocean, all the way back to England. “All aboard!” called the captain, his voice booming like a friendly foghorn. Passepartout helped Aouda onto the gangplank, while Mr. Fogg checked his watch, as always. Tick-tock, tick-tock, went the seconds, hurrying them along. The 'Speedy Seagull' soon left the American shore behind, chugging and splashing through the waves. The ocean was a vast, shimmering blue blanket, and sometimes, if you looked very closely, you could see playful dolphins leaping out of the water, as if waving goodbye. They sailed day and night, the ship’s engines humming a steady lullaby. Mr. Fogg sat calmly, reading his newspaper, whilst Passepartout often peered out to sea, wondering how much further it was to London. He was getting a little bit worried. They had travelled so far, had so many adventures, but time was shrinking, just like a melting ice cream on a sunny day! The wager, the big bet Mr. Fogg had made, was almost up. At last, after many days and nights on the rocking waves, a faint grey line appeared on the horizon. “Land ahoy!” shouted a sailor. It was England! The 'Speedy Seagull' docked in the busy port of Liverpool. Everyone hurried off the ship, their feet happy to be on solid ground again. But just as they were about to catch a train to London, a rather excitable squirrel, wearing a tiny trench coat and a magnifying glass, scurried up to Mr. Fogg. “Aha!” squeaked the squirrel, whose name was Mr. Nutty, the famous detective. “I’ve been following you, Mr. Fogg! I believe you have a very important, very sparkly acorn that doesn’t belong to you!” Mr. Fogg looked down, a tiny smile playing on his lips. “My dear fellow,” he said calmly, “I assure you, I have no acorns.” Mr. Nutty, however, was very insistent, and it took a few precious minutes to explain that Mr. Fogg was not, in fact, an acorn thief. Eventually, Mr. Nutty realised his mistake and, apologised profusely, scampering off in search of his real culprit. Every second counted! They finally jumped onto a train, a big, puffing, black engine that sped them through the green British countryside. They whizzed past fields where fluffy sheep munched grass, past charming little villages with thatched roofs, and past grand old castles that looked like they belonged in a storybook. Passepartout bounced with impatience. “Faster, faster!” he wanted to shout, but he knew the train was going as fast as it could. Soon, the train pulled into a big, busy station in London. They had made it back to the capital of England! But when Mr. Fogg looked at his pocket watch, his calm face seemed to cloud over, just a tiny bit. “We are… too late,” he said, his voice almost a whisper. The clock at the Reform Club, where he had made his big wager, would have struck a quarter past eight. They had to be there before then. It was already a few minutes past! Passepartout, Aouda, and Mr. Fogg walked out into the London streets, feeling very sad. All that way, all those adventures, and they had missed it by just a few minutes. Passepartout felt a tear prickle in his eye. He had tried so hard to help Mr. Fogg win, but it seemed their journey had ended in disappointment. He felt like a popped balloon, all the air gone out of him. They walked slowly, their steps heavy, past the tall buildings and busy buses. Then, suddenly, Passepartout stopped! He gasped, a huge, surprised sound that made Mr. Fogg and Aouda turn around. “Mr. Fogg! Monsieur Fogg!” he cried, his eyes wide. “Look at the date! Look at the date on the calendar we bought!” Mr. Fogg, ever so calm, took out the little calendar. Passepartout pointed with a trembling finger. “We thought it was Saturday, but it’s… it’s only Friday! We have arrived a whole day early!” How could this be? Well, when you travel around the world, always going towards the east, you actually gain a little bit of time every day. It’s like finding a secret, extra biscuit in the biscuit tin! They had travelled so fast, chasing the sun, that they had gained an entire day without even realising it. They hadn't missed the deadline at all! They had a whole twenty-four hours to spare! With renewed energy, they practically flew through the streets of London. They hailed a speedy black cab, and the driver, a friendly chap with a big smile, zoomed them towards the Reform Club. Tick-tock, tick-tock, went Mr. Fogg’s watch, but this time, it was ticking towards victory! They burst through the doors of the Reform Club, right as the clock began to chime. Dong! Dong! Dong! They had made it! Right on time, with not a second to spare! Mr. Fogg had won his wager! He had travelled around the world in eighty days, just as he had promised. Everyone at the club cheered and clapped. Passepartout danced a little jig, and Aouda smiled her most beautiful smile. It was a most wonderful and surprising ending to their amazing journey, proving that with a little bit of bravery, a lot of kindness, and a dash of cleverness, anything is possible!

Outro

Well, wasn't that a super adventure? Thank you so much for joining us on our journey around the world in eighty days! We've had such a grand time with you. Now, why don't you imagine your own incredible adventures, right from your comfy armchair? And please do let Sonacasts know if you have any feedback. We'd absolutely love to hear from you. Cheerio for now, and keep dreaming big!