Wendy sat down to tell her story. Michael sat at her feet. The seven boys sat in the bed. "Listen," Wendy said. "Once there was a gentleman."
"I want him to be a lady," Curly said.
"I want him to be a white rat," Nibs said.
"Be quiet," Wendy said. "There was a lady, too."
The first twin asked if the lady was alive. Wendy said yes. The boys were very happy about that. They asked each other if they were glad too. Everyone was glad.
"The gentleman was Mr. Darling," Wendy said. "The lady was Mrs. Darling." John said he knew them. Michael was not sure.
"They were married," Wendy explained. "And they had three descendants."
"What are descendants?" the first twin asked. Wendy told him that he was one, and John said it just means children.
Wendy sighed. "These three children had a nurse. Her name was Nana. But Mr. Darling was angry with Nana. He tied her up in the yard. So the children flew away."
The boys liked the story. Wendy said the children flew to the Neverland. The lost children live there.
"Was one child called Tootles?" Tootles asked. Wendy said yes. Tootles was very excited to be in a story.
Wendy told them to think about the parents. The parents were very sad because their children were gone. The beds were empty.
"It is very sad," the first twin said. He did not look sad.
"I am worried about the ending," Nibs said.
"Do not be afraid," Wendy said. "A mother’s love is very great." This was the part of the story that Peter Pan hated.
Wendy said the mother always leaves the window open. She waits for her children to fly back. The children stayed away for many years. They had a great time.
"Did they go back?" the boys asked.
"Let’s look at the future," Wendy said. "Many years pass. A beautiful lady arrives at the London station. It is Wendy!"
"Two tall, strong men are with her," Wendy continued. "They are John and Michael!"
Wendy pointed up. "Look," she said. "The window is still open! Their mother still loves them." They flew up to their parents. Everyone was very happy.
The boys loved the story. They thought they could stay in Neverland longer. They thought their mothers would always wait.
But Peter was not happy. He made a loud, sad sound. Wendy ran to him. She thought he was sick.
"It is not that kind of pain," Peter said.
"What is wrong?" Wendy asked.
"Wendy, you are wrong about mothers," Peter said. The boys were afraid.
Peter told them a secret. "Long ago, I thought like you. I thought my mother would keep the window open. I stayed away for a very long time. Then I flew back. But the window had iron bars. My mother forgot me. Another little boy was sleeping in my bed."
The children were very scared that their mother might forget them too.
"Wendy, let’s go home," John and Michael cried.
"Yes," Wendy said. She held her brothers.
Now the Lost Boys were not sure that mothers were good after all. But Wendy was worried about her own mother, and she knew they had to go home right away.
"Peter, please help us go home," Wendy said.
Peter acted like he did not care. But he was very angry. He hated adults. He thought adults ruined everything. Peter breathed very fast. There is a story in Neverland. It says that an adult dies every time you breathe. Peter wanted to kill adults because he was angry.
Peter went to talk to the warriors. While he was gone, the Lost Boys were mean to Wendy. They did not want her to leave. They wanted to keep her as a prisoner.
"Tootles, help me!" Wendy cried.
Tootles was usually a silly boy. But now he was brave. "I am only Tootles," he said. "Nobody listens to me. But you must be kind to Wendy. You must act like gentlemen. If you hurt her, I will fight you."
Tootles held his hanger. The other boys were afraid. Then Peter came back. He said he would not keep Wendy if she wanted to go.
"The warriors will lead you through the woods," Peter said. "Then Tinker Bell will lead you across the sea. Nibs, wake her up."
Tinker Bell did not want to help Wendy. She said rude things. She pretended to be asleep.
Peter was angry. "Tink," he said. "Get up now. If you do not, I will open your curtains. Everyone will see you in your negligée."
Tinker Bell got out of bed quickly.
The boys looked at Wendy. They were sad because she was leaving. They wished they had a real home and a mother too. Wendy felt sorry for them.
"Come with me," Wendy said. "My father and mother will adopt all of you."
The boys jumped with joy. "Will they like us?" Nibs asked.
"Yes," Wendy said. "We can put beds in the living room."
"Peter, can we go?" the boys cried. Peter said they could go. The boys ran to get their things.
Wendy got Peter’s medicine ready before they left. It was only water, but she called it medicine. Then she saw the look on his face.
"Get your things, Peter," Wendy said.
"No," Peter said. "I am not going with you."
Peter played his pipes. He wanted to stay a boy. He wanted to have fun forever.
"I hope you like your mothers," Peter said to the boys. He sounded a little mean.
"Goodbye, Wendy," Peter said. He held out his hand. He did not look sad.
"Will you remember to change your flannels?" Wendy asked. "Will you take your medicine?"
"Yes," Peter said.
"Are you ready, Tinker Bell?" Peter called.
"Yes," Tinker Bell replied.
Tinker Bell flew up through the hollow tree to lead the way. But then, there was a terrible noise. The pirates attacked the warriors above the ground. There were loud screams and the sound of swords.
Below the ground, everything was silent. The children were very afraid. Wendy fell to her knees. Everyone looked at Peter. Peter took his sword. He was ready for a big fight.