During the coronavirus lockdown, and to coincide with National Share a Story Month, KentOnline is publishing a new episode of Meryl Ledbrooke's The Adventures of Number 3 Tin Cottage every Friday.

Meryl, from the Isle of Sheppey, is working on a new children's TV show and has agreed to share her project. She said: "I hope parents will read these short tales to their youngsters. I think they will make great bedtime stories."

The theme of May's literary celebration is the Planet We Share which includes stories about animals and people.

If you missed last week's episode follow the link at the bottom.

Episode 2 - The Arrival of Eggwina Cluckbucket

This is how Eggwina Cluckbucket the chicken came to live with Jeffrey the magician at Number 3 Tin Cottage.

It was a dark and stormy night with thunder and lightning sending flashes across the sky.

And on a farm in the country an egg was hatching.

First, one little wing popped out of the shell. And then another, followed by a frightened little head.

Who do you think it was?

That's right, it was Eggwina Cluckbucket!

But when the tiny chick heard a loud clap of thunder it frightened her so much she dashed outside the barn and through a gate and started running along a muddy track.

At that moment, Farmer Diggit was cycling along towards Tin Cottage.

"Well, now," he said, looking down at the little chic. "You shouldn't be out on your own on a night like this."

So he picked her up and took her to Tin Cottage.

Jeffrey the magician, who lived there, was very surprised when Farmer Diggit knocked on the front door and showed him the little chick which was sheltering in the palm of his hand.

"She is frightened and was all alone," explained the farmer.

"You'd better both come inside and the chicken can stay with us, if she likes," Jeffrey offered.

So Eggwina hopped inside the nice, warm cottage.

She didn't have a proper name then, so Jeffrey called her Eggwina. Can you guess why?

Eggwina grew into a handsome hen with lovely soft feathers and started laying eggs of her own.

A year after she arrived, Jeffrey and his assistant Chantelle decided to bake a cake using two of Eggwina's eggs, which made her very proud.

Jeffrey had a magic oven and when he said the words "magical, mystical roundabout" there was a bright flash of light and a beautiful pink cake appeared.

"Wow!" mewed Sir Jazz-purr, the cottage's cat.

He picked up Jeffrey's wand and gave it a wave. Suddenly, the cake turned green. Yuk!

Just then, Farmer Diggit turned up for tea.

"How lovely," he said. "Green cake is my favourite. However did you know?"

Jeffrey said as it was Eggwina's first birthday at Tin Cottage she should blow the candles out. Eggwina was very eggs-cited and opened her beak very wide and blew as hard as she could.

"Whoosh!" The entire cake landed on Jeffrey's head.

"We can make another cake," giggled Chantelle as Sir-Jazz purr cleaned his whiskers.

To read episode one, click here.

Read more: Latest news from the Isle of Sheppey here.