Can you see the public footpath sign that points to the steps? Great – you are in the right place for a story!  

 

The mist hung low on the ground that morning, but Illy was determined. He raced up Beacon Road and reached his destination, the 100 Steps. Last week a local boy, Luke, had found a magic potion here, a blue liquid with a large label on it saying “join us”. Luke had been feeling lonely the last few days and thought this may be a way to make friends, so he twisted open the potion bottle and drank.

 

Within seconds his surroundings started to change, colours faded into black and white and he found himself being lifted up into the air. 

 

“You fell into my trap” cackled a voice, “By drinking this potion you have released me, the evil Spirit of Luton, only true friendship can break my powers.”

 

Terrified, Luke found himself trapped in the Spirits lair, a mountain at the top of the 100 steps, behind a great wooden door and a sign that said DO NOT ENTER.

 

Immediately the wind picked up and wild clouds had begun to swirl above Luton “The spirit” people cried, “the Luton Spirit has returned, run!” 

 

Over the next few days brave adults tried to rescue Luke but the stairs were too steep and one by one they turned back. Illy couldn’t wait any longer, someone had to help Luke before it was too late. In the distance a volcano erupted, that hadn’t been there yesterday, and it wouldn’t be long before the lava reached Luton. The spirit was determined that everything in Luton would be destroyed!

 

Illy ran up the first ten steps. “That was ok” he thought, “my legs are a bit shaky, but I can do this”, higher and higher he went, running up fifteen, twenty, twenty five, thirty steps. Now he understood why the adults had returned, the higher he went the more his legs hurt. He rested on a bench and tried to come up with a plan. 

 

Flap flap flap. Illy looked up, what was that? Flap flap flap. Birds were flying towards him, from every angle and in their feet they carried gifts. Gifts to help him on his way, energy bars, water, even magic rocket shoes. Illy grinned, the birds were right, he could do this! He munched through the bars, gulped down the water and put the rocket trainers on his feet. Off he went again, this time taking the steps at double speed thanks to his new shoes. Forty steps, fifty, sixty, seventy…he reached another bench. The air had got smoky and he needed to catch his breath. 

 

Looking out across Luton he gasped at what he saw, two suns were now in the sky and flames were bursting through the roads. Illy needed to ground himself and calm his nerves, he breathed in for 4 counts, held that breath for 4 counts, breathed out for 4 counts and held that breath for 4 counts. Calmer and with his determination restored, he turned to face the final steps. 

 

The mountain now towered above him, he had reached the spirits lair. But Illy had come this far, he wasn’t going to stop now. Gathering all his remaining strength he climbed on, eighty steps, ninety steps and finally 100 steps. He pushed open the mountain’s door and there was Luke, scared and surprised. 

 

“You’ve come to rescue me” he gasped, “I didn’t think anyone would realise I was gone!” 

 

“Of course” Illy replied, “you are our friend Luke and you always will be”. At that moment a shriek filled the air. 

 

“Noooooooooooo” the Luton Spirit cried, “true Friendship! I am fading,” and with a hiss, a crackle and a pop the spirit disappeared.

 

In that instant the landscape changed, beautiful waterfalls put out the fires, colour returned to Luton and the streams of lava became fairy lights.  

 

“Want to play Minecraft round mine?” asked Illy, “Yes please” said Luke. And off they went.

 

Sometimes, when life gets complicated, we all need to take a breath. Let’s all do Illy’s square breathing; 

 

So breathe in for 4, 1,2,3,4, hold for 1, 2, 3, 4, breathe out for 1, 2, 3, 4 and hold for 1, 2, 3, 4. Repeat this exercise two or three times and notice how it makes you feel.

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Oh, we’re coming feathers! Take your time to climb the stairs, remember to breathe and make sure to enjoy the views! See you at the top!