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 John and Nibs if they were happy 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 (children from the same family)."
"I am a descendant!" the first twin cried. John told him that it only 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 in the story. "The window is still open. Our mother still loves us." 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 Pan 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 Pan said.
"What is wrong?" Wendy asked.
"Wendy, you are wrong about mothers," Peter Pan said. The boys were afraid.
Peter Pan 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. They thought mothers were mean.
"Wendy, let’s go home," John and Michael cried.
"Yes," Wendy said. She held her brothers.
The Lost Boys were confused. They did not think they needed mothers. But Wendy was sure. She was worried about her own mother.
"Peter Pan, please help us go home," Wendy said.
Peter Pan acted like he did not care. But he was very angry. He hated adults. He thought adults ruined everything. Peter Pan breathed very fast. There is a story in Neverland. It says that an adult dies every time you breathe. Peter Pan wanted to kill adults because he was angry.
Peter Pan 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 (a short sword used by sailors). The other boys were afraid. Then Peter Pan came back. He said he would not keep Wendy if she wanted to go.
"The warriors will lead you through the woods," Peter Pan 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 Pan was angry. "Tink," he said. "Get up now. If you do not, I will open your curtains. Everyone will see you in your negligée (thin clothes for sleeping)."
Tinker Bell got out of bed quickly.
The boys looked at Wendy. They were sad because she was leaving. They also wanted to see the new things in her home. Wendy felt sorry for them.
"Come with me," Wendy said. "My father and mother will adopt (to take a child into your family as your own) 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 Pan, can we go?" the boys cried. Peter Pan said they could go. The boys ran to get their things.
Wendy wanted to give Peter Pan his medicine. It was only water, but she called it medicine.
"Get your things, Peter Pan," Wendy said.
"No," Peter Pan said. "I am not going with you."
Peter Pan played his pipes (a musical instrument made of tubes). He wanted to stay a boy. He wanted to have fun forever.
"I hope you like your mothers," Peter Pan said to the boys. He sounded a little mean.
"Goodbye, Wendy," Peter Pan said. He held out his hand. He did not look sad.
"Will you remember to change your flannels (warm clothes made of wool)?" Wendy asked. "Will you take your medicine?"
"Yes," Peter Pan said.
"Are you ready, Tinker Bell?" Peter Pan called.
"Yes," Tinker Bell replied.
Tinker Bell went up a tree. 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 Pan. Peter Pan took his sword. He was ready for a big fight.