Jim is a young boy living in poverty with his family. Struggling to find food, he uses a coin he finds to buy a pie from Mrs. Hodder's shop. However, on returning home, Jim discovers that his family has been evicted. Seeking shelter, Jim ends up at the workhouse where he is assigned difficult manual labor jobs like carpet beating. Hoping to escape the harsh conditions, Jim hides in a carpet being transported from the workhouse. When the carpet is unrolled at its destination, Jim is discovered, uncertain of what will happen next.

1. People ask me what my story is. The truth is that I haven’t got much
of a story, in fact I haven’t got much of anything at all. I couldn’t
believe my luck. I still have a house .Here I am with nice food in my
belly; I better not take this for granted I may not get this
opportunity again. I’m in a room with a fire burning and plenty more
logs so it won’t just die out like mine at home. I have two sisters and
no brothers. My dad has died. I wish I had a brother. This is MY STORY.
Excited, frozen and starving, not caring about his red, snobby nose
and his frozen, blue numb feet, Jim Jarvis dashed down the street
eager for a hot meal to fill his rumbling stomach. The shilling sat as
scorching hot as a lump of coal in his pocket waiting to be pulled
out. For someone so short and feeble looking, Jim was incredibly
nimble on his feet and sprinted down the road like a cheetah.

2. To be honest the shilling didn’t belong to Jim. He found the coin
yesterday, concealed on the snow covered pavement as he was
meandering home empty handed from a day of begging, wondering
how he would help to feed his starving family that night.
Immediately he scrambled over to the coin and grabbed it. He
stuffed it into his pocket before a passerby saw what he had found.
Of course any normal desperate person would pick it up and would
spend it on themselves. Fortunately though, Jim wasn’t a selfish
boy- one thing for sure was that Jim and his family didn’t have
enough food to eat so he decided to get them a special treat to
Deep in the overcrowded city,weary spirits. street laid Mrs.
raise their set back in the
Hodder’s pie shop. About two years ago there stood a stunning,
immaculate shop with beautiful flowers on the outside, standing
bright and vivid. But these days it’s not much to look at with its
thatched roof and its dinty little windows. On the outside there
was an intimidating group of growling dogs and skinny boys waiting
like a pack of wolves, staring and glaring at every morsel of food
they could find. Taking a deep breath, Jim cautiously crept passed
and opened the heavy door, making sure that he clutched his shilling

3. Jim swiped the delicious Mince and Gravy Pie from Mrs.
Hodders grip and rapidly made a dash through the busy
crowds back to his house.
As soon as he arrived he saw his two elfin, older sisters and
his poorly mom, who had curly brown hair, outside on the
street grasping the few tatty belongings they still owned
and hadn’t sold. Shocked and confused Jim ran towards them
while thinking frantically of what could have happened. But
then Jim saw the crocked stickman (their cruel and merciless
landlord) right behind them and he suddenly knew for
sure….
‚You’ve got 10 minutes to get off my property,‛ shouted the
stick man, ‚otherwise I will be forced to call the police.‛
Shocked and devastated, bewildered and upset Jim packed his
belongings and set off to Rosie’s house. Rosie was an old

4. They began the long journey. Jim didn’t think he could go any
further. His legs felt like pieces of wood- heavy and stiff. He
could barely put one foot in front of the other and he groaned
with every small step. He was gasping for breath and longed for
some water. Swallowing hard, he flicked his tongue round his
lips; trying to draw some moisture to his mouth to ease his
parched throat. By the time they arrived Jim’s tiny feet were
throbbing. He hadn’t walked so far his life. Ma said to the shy
girls to go to the grand house where they could work as maids.
Jim couldn’t understand what was happening. He was bewildered
as he tearfully bid them farewell.
The next thing Jim knew was that he was heading towards the
workhouse with his Ma…
Taking a deep breath, he entered the devastating, merciless ivy
covered workhouse. As he entered a loud squeaky voice met Jim’s
ears.
‚How old are you boy?‛ a said a straight- backed lady with
stumpy little legs.‛ Looks like we’ve got one for the school and
one for the informatory. Said another voice. And before Jim
could even blink they took him the school and he was

5. A damp yellow fog hung over the twisted trees next to
the workhouse. The fog crept up on the house like a
ghostly serpent, slid along the window, flicked it tongue
into the corners of the house, and waited a moment and
then the slipped back along the path. The wind was
ferocious. It screamed over the house and beat like a fist
against the thatched roof.
Life was terrible for Jim from that moment on. He was
treated worse than a slave. Every waking second is spent
using machines, cleaning the yard and making clothes.
Life was devastating. After one tortuous whole year in
the workhouse Jim couldn’t take it any longer.
He had to escape!
And he was going tonight…
He had three choices for how to exit this miserable
place. Should he escape via:

6. Jim’s belly rumbled like a volcano ready to erupt. His nostrils
were filled with a sweet aroma as the smell of steak and
onion pie wafted up and curled around his nose. It took his
every strength not to take a huge chunk for himself on his way
home. The hectic town was a warren of tunnels narrow,
twisting alleys, and a maze of buildings. Jim strode on as the
last rays of the sun painted the city with hazy colors until the
stars and the moon glittered like a diamond necklace in the
black, velvet sky.
The city center was circled by a busy carriageway carrying
streams of horse carts belching out noise. Suddenly Jim
became disorientated. He wasn’t sure which way to turn and
pivoted on the spot like a confused ballet dancer. Finally he
thought he recognized a tall rooftop in the distance, and
scurried as fast as he could down the road before running
down a winding, dim alley way. However, when he emerged
from the alleyway and realized he still had no idea of which
direction to head in, he slowly slithered to a halt. He was so
exhausted he could hardly walk, but he kept on moving,
dragging his feet across the ground, shoulders stooped and
barely able to keep his eyes open. Jim’s dark brown eyes filled
with grief and his lips started to tremble. His face shadowed

7. He was so exhausted he could hardly walk, but he kept on moving,
dragging his feet across the ground, shoulders stooped and barely
able to keep his eyes open. Jim’s dark brown eyes filled with grief
and his lips started to tremble. His face shadowed with sorrow as
he stared unblinking at the ground in front of him. Exhausted, and
drenched in a sticky sweat, he slumped down into a heap, gasping for
breath. He knew he was lost… How would he ever get home?
Jim dragged himself off the ground and perched against a damp
wall. The icy floor was hard with black frost that seeped through
his sodden boots and spread icy blasts up into every limb. As Jim
stared down at the ground he remembered the pie he bought for his
family. He dug into his pocket and took out the soggy brown paper
bag which contained a small slice of heaven. But before he had a
chance to eat some he saw an imposing figure heading towards him.
Too startled to run, Jim lifted his head to see who was approaching.
‚Hey you,‛ a stern voice cried out ‚What are you doing down here and
where did you get that pie from?‛ ‚I found it sir‛ Jim stammered
‚Well I don’t believe you. You’re coming with me!‛ The policeman
demanded, and with that Jim was grasped by the arm and shoved
into a locked carriage. He wasn’t the only one, there were five
suspected criminals inside the cramped carriage. Jim stared at them,

8. But it was too late for the answer was already was already
in front of them. The workhouse, with its barred windows
and secure fence, appeared on the other side of the road.
Jim boldly walked through the gates and up the sweeping
drive which was flanked by two enormous plaques saying
‘’God is good, God is life’’. Jim tried to confidently lifted the
heavy brass knocker and tapped as hard as he could. (Inside,
however he was trembling with fear as his heart was
pounding so loudly it was deafening.)
Once inside, Jim walked into a long corridor left then right
and into the biggest room he had ever seen is his life. The
ground was so thick with rats that seemed to be covered in a
carpet of writhing hair, It’s windows were dirty and
smeared with a layer of crawling damp and mould, and only
a gloomy light could filter the enter the room.
Jim was immediately assigned a break-backing job. Which job
was he given?
CARPET BEATING LAUNDRY WASHING CHIMNEY SWEEPING

9. Jim finally made up his mind. ‚I’ll have a pork pie miss and
make it with lots of gravy,‛ Jim replied dancing up and down
with anticipation. Breathing in deeply, Jim savoured the scent
of the delectable pork pie aroma which filled the small
shop. Mrs Hodder passed Jim the scrumptious, mouth
watering pie with a smile on her face. (However inside, she
felt like throwing scruffy Jim out of the shop like a doll and
couldn’t wait to get rid of him).
Jim dashed out of the shop, but he was so tempted to devour
the pie for himself because the mouth watering scent
attracted him. He was proud of himself for managing to
resist. But his daydreaming suddenly got him lost. The wind
whipped and howled through his mind; his heart was pounding
in his rib cage.

10. Then Jim heard a snarling noise which sounded like a German
shepherd roaring, about to pounce on him and steal his delectable
pie. Exhausted and worried, cold and fatigued, Jim tightly clutched
his pie against his skinny chest. But then he could see a giant figure
heading towards him. It was a policeman.
‚What are you doing walking alone young man at this time of night?
Also where did you get that pie from?‛ demanded the policeman.
Agitated, Jim finally spoke. ‚Um, um, I found a shilling on the floor
so I decided to buy a pie,‛ stammered Jim.
‚You cabbaged the pie didn’t you!. You’re coming with me to the
station young man, I don’t believe you‛ ordered the policeman. As
Jim walked through the station his heart was pounding like a
hammer banging a giant nail.
‚I think we should take the boy to the workhouse don’t you think,‛
the police officer asked his colleague. The workhouse had thick ivy
covering it like a blanket. Jim boldly walked towards the gates.
(Inside, however he was trembling with fear and his heart was
pounding in his rib cage.) The matron opened the door her wrinkles
had deep ridges and her face was long and pointed like a bird. ‚You
must be the new boy,‛ snarled the matron revealing a row of
crumbling tombstone teeth which had turned black.
As Jim entered the workhouse he was assigned one of
three jobs. Which job did he choose?

11. Jim couldn’t decide what job he should take. He stood for several
minutes pondering but still couldn’t decide on an option. Suddenly an
idea popped in Jims head. He knew exactly what to do. It was chimney
sweeping. He was so scrawny that it was the perfect job for him.
He managed to find a job quickly. He was soon faced with his first
chimney cleaning job. Jim was trying to appear as brave as a lion but
really he was as timid as a mouse. As soon as he entered the gloomy,
He lifted himself on theclimbedthe roof. On the outside
cramped chimney he top of painfully to the top.
the young boy looked fine. (Inside, however, he was
shaking with fear). He heard groaning coming from the
chimney he had left. They were trying to chase him. He
rooted to the spot, hands trembling and his face ashen
and drenched in sweat. He initially darted off and he
jumped in the next chimney he saw.
Jim had no idea where he was. Luckily the log fire was
off so he didn’t burn himself. His mouth was twisted in a
scream that never came out.
Jim coiled himself into a small ball as he didn’t know
what else to do. There was a slam and the door clicked.
Jim’s jaw swung right open. It was a maid ...

12. “What do we have here,?” asked the maid “
don’t you have a home.”
“No, I don’t but can I stay here? I’ll do
anything as long as you feed me.” replied
Jim anxiously.
For the next year he was fed but he had
to work. However the work at this
mansion was nowhere near as back
breaking and laborious as it was in the
dreaded workhouse. Jim had very mixed
feelings he looked joyful however he
could never stop thinking and worrying
about his sisters. He was aware that he
could either Run away or Stay there or
go to find his sisters.

13. Jim chose the laundry basket as he thought this seemed to be
the easiest job to do in the world. But when he started he
found out that it wasn’t as straightforward at all. The
laundry beating was a back breaking chore that left Jim
extremely exhausted. Jim knew it was time to escape at any
opportunity and this was the perfect time to leave right
away.
Jim blurted out a little laugh as the thought of hiding in the
laundry basket crossed his mind. He had to nibble at his
lower lip to hold back the laughter that was threatening to
erupt.
Hiding in the laundry basket Jim began to flutter his eyes.
Excited, enthusiastic, hot and sweaty, sick with fear, Jim
began to bubble up, his hands were shaking. Butterflies
fluttered in his heart and stomach. His tongue was thick and
fuzzy and his throat as dry as the desert. But then a horrible
thought crawled up behind his mind. What was he going to
do? What if the family didn’t want him there? Fear chocked
him with its murderous hands. It gripped at his throat and
strangled his breath into short, shallow gasps. He was

14. Jim’s thoughts disappeared as the carriage
stopped as the doors opened. Too scared to open
his eyes Jim squeezed his fingers whispering to
himself saying not to open his eyes (However, on
the inside his mind was desperate screaming out
for him to open his eyes) The basket suddenly
started to be picked up and carried into the rich
house. Jim peeked his eyes open he couldn’t resist
a beautiful, warm, sweet smelling house. The
fragrance of freshly mown grass and tree
blossom drifted towards him. As Jim was carried
in the basket he heard certain voices. Two
children, one woman and one man. They must be a
lovely family. Jim thought, the workhouse

15. Jim chose carpet beating but as he entered the
carpet beating area he knew that this wasn’t going
to be a good experience for himself. So Jim
thought of a cunning plan to escape the terrifying
workhouse. While he was beating the dusty carpets
he was coughing and choking because the dust was
surrounding him. As one of the workers in the
workhouse rolled a carpet, Jim crawled into the
damp and decaying carpet.
As the workers from the workhouse took the
carpets in to the carriages in the warm, gentle
breeze it stirred their hair and caressed their
faces. Jim’s eyes were itching mad and his face was
full of black dust. Then suddenly the cart
stopped, Jim wasn’t sure where they had stopped,
his heart pounded as he waited eagerly to see if

16. As the carpets rolled out of the cart Jim knew that he had to
think of an idea quick. Jim was excited but he didn’t know what
to do when they roll out the carpets and what would happen
to him when he gets found. Would he get kicked out of the rich
house or would they let Jim stay at the house? It was too late
for thinking time because he was already found, but what
choice would they take (kick Jim out or let him stay there). But
the wealthy people who lived in the rich house were
extremely generous so they let poor Jim stay at their house.
Jim was buzzing with excitement and couldn’t help breaking
into a wide grin at the thought that he will be living in a
wealthy, colossal house.
The house was a relaxing haven, furnished with comfy, deep
leather couches and large floor cushions. Jim was light
hearted when he entered his own room. Jim was in a broad grin
because he has never ever in his whole life had his own
bedroom. ‚You need to be cleaned young man,‛ said the butler.
‚Okay then sir,‛ replied Jim. While Jim was following the
butler he was confused because Jim thought that he would
need a bucket and that’s it. The bathroom looked spotless it
was so shiny. After Jim had a shower he said, ‚What is a
shower?‛ ‚You have just had a shower sir,‛ said the butler.

17. Jim decided to run away from the rich house. He thought it would
be best to go after night had fallen and a blanket of darkness
covered the workhouse. That night the fog blanketed everything
like a padded quilt. The night was pitch-black and silent; Jim
could only hear the galloping of horses far away in the distance
if he listened carefully. He stealthily hid behind the carriages
trying not to be seen. The last thing he wanted was to be taken
away to the workhouse. He cautiously crept from behind the
carriage and checked to see if the coast was clear. The trunks of
the trees were framed against the moonlight like bars of a
prison. ‚If only I can make it to the edge of the city I will be
free,‛ Jim thought to himself.

18. He ran as fast as his legs could carry him, his heart pounding as fast
as a drum. His throat became dry and he needed to stop and catch
his breath. Somewhere beside him he could hear the bubble and
trickle of the Thames as it danced away from the city. The air was
filled with an eerie silence. He followed the soft murmuring sound
of the water until Jim finally came to the large river. Scooping the
water with his bony fingers Jim finally took a gulp of the water.
Alongside the river bank was a rickety old boat. Exhausted and
worried, cold and hungry, Jim did not know how much further he
could go without food. He clambered into the boat and huddled
into a ball, to keep him warm and drifted off to sleep in the
peaceful knowledge that he was finally free.
As the warm gentle breeze brushed Jim’s face at dawn, the sun
beamed with a glorious smile. Jim staggered back and forth, side to
side struggling to stay on his feet. Jim felt light headed and dizzy.
He fell to his knees with a thump. ‚What’s happening to me?‛ Jim
gasped. Jim didn’t realise it, but the water he had gulped down
from the Thames was diseased, all thought drained out of him, as
the pain tore through his head and left him bent double and

19. Jim swiftly packed his supplies in his back pack. He stuffed
his clothes and enough food to keep him energy up ready
for the journey. He also packed some extra food for his
probably famished sisters.
He said farewell to every single person in the rich house,
not forgetting the cat even though he was planning on
returning.
He set off. He didn’t know which way to go. He followed his
instincts. He still couldn’t tell where he was but things
were starting to get familiar. The houses and streets were
bigger; (and Rosie’s house was big). He meandered from
street to street trying to find the house with the white
door. He found it. Gasping for a breath he knocked on the
door… No answer… He knocked again… Finally he heard
footsteps getting closer, someone was coming.
‚Well hello there, little boy,‛ said a voice that sounded
familiar ‚what do you want?‛

20. ‚Does Rosie live here‛ Jim replied.
‚Well yes come in I’ll take you to her‛ said the old, goofy-
teethed lady.
Jim followed the lady into a tiny room and there stood Rosie,
Lizzie and Emily. Jim was crying, he never in his wildest dreams
thought that he would see them again. He ran and hugged his
sisters really tightly and gave them some delectable,
delicious food.
‚Lizzie, Emily come on lets go to the rich house I work there‛
Said Jim, wiping his tear.
‚Wow how’d you get into the rich house and more importantly
how did you get a job there?‛ questioned Lizzie.
‚It’s a long story but anyway where’s Ma?‛Asked Jim.
‚Oh don’t you know,‛ Emily muttered ‚Well I sorry to tell you
this but… Ma has died.‛
‚What, how?‛ whimpered Jim.
‚She was drinking dirty water and she died.‛ Emily sobbed her
eyes full of tears.
As they were walking to the rich house no one said a word.
They went back to the rich house and lived happily ever after
working and being treated delightful.

21. Jim jumped out of the basket like a wild animal. H e
stared at the small living room.
The living room the room was a relaxing haven
furnished with a comfy, deep leather coaches and a
large floor cushion. Jim s thoughts were interrupted
by the young man who Jim thought would be the father
of the house.
‚Hello young man you ought to startle people‛
‚Oh, sorry about that sir I didn’t mean -‚
‚Never mind you look like a jolly little lad where you
heading‛ The man asked
Jim looked miserably at the ground. ‚I don’t know‛ he
muttered as a sob welled up his throat as the pain of
loss spread through his chest like a dull ache.

22. Jim tried not to cry but floods poured from his eyes
uncontrollably.
‚Calm down lad its ok you can stay with us lad until you
want to leave, this is James, Rebecca and Mrs Smith‛
That night Jim looked out of the windows in James and
Rebecca’s room he thought of how he could stay. ‚I could
runaway or find Lizzie and Emily‛ but before Jim could say
another word he drifted off to sleep wondering how good
it would have been hoping they would allow him to stay.
Next day the young man came up to Jim whispering ‚have you
made up your mind yet leave or stay?‛
‚Stay , sir can I call you dad‛ Jim pleaded
‚The young man smiled and said ‚my pleasure.‛
Jim smiled as they walked back holding hands with his new
dad and what a pleasure it was for Jim….