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  Magnifying Glass.

Up in my attic are many things put there by past generations. I myself have no idea of what is actually in the suitcases, the over sea trunks and many tea chests. One box in a corner of the attic caught my eye and I decided to take a closer look at it. The box was of wood with a lock to lock the box but no key. Going down to my garden shed I took a hammer and a large chisel. Back in the attic I hit the lock with the hammer and chisel. After the second hit the lid of the box sprang open. I do not know what I expected to find in the box. A sheet of folded paper going brown through the ages of being locked in the chest caught my eye. Taking the sheet of paper I opened it to find wonderfully written copperplate handwriting. The contents of this chest are to be given to a suitable member of my Family. Signed Captain James Shaw.

I began to wonder who was this captain James Shaw. No mention of him could I find until I looked at the old Family Bible. Captain Shaw was a captain of a cargo ship that travelled all around the world. The box was full of sealed envelopes. I took the box with the envelopes down to my kitchen it was more comfortable than sitting around in a draughty old attic. I emptied all of the envelopes on to the kitchen table. The last thing to fall out of the box was a large magnifying glass. I carefully opened the first envelope. A postage stamp from Jamaica fell onto the table. I was now very curious why had he placed a stamp in an envelope. Taking the magnifying glass I looked at the stamp.

I was in the middle of a town very few white people were to be seen. All was very colourful most of the women had brightly coloured scarves around their heads all kinds of fruit and vegetables was on sale. Some one bumped into me and the magnifying glass fell out of my hand onto the kitchen table. I was back at home. Putting the stamp back into its envelope I opened another to find a postage stamp of Japan. The magnifying glass once again and I found myself among a throng of Japanese People. I did not understand a word. Here again most of the women wore kimonos and small delicate shoes of what looked like wood. Putting the magnifying glass down again I found myself back in my kitchen. I spent the rest of the day apart from a hurried meal at midday travelling around the world via postage stamps and the magnifying glass.

I took the magnifying glass and placed it in the drawer of my kitchen table. Taking another glass I looked again at the stamps. One by one no travelling around the world just a postage stamp from a foreign country. To appreciate the stamps one must use the original Magnifying glass from Captain James Shaw. I replaced the envelopes with the glass back into its box and carefully repaired the lock and replaced it in the corner where I had found it. The box and its contents may be of use to another Shaw that takes over the house on the heath next to Fairyland. I hope he or she can put it to better use than I could. It was interesting enough to visit all of these strange countries but what is the purpose behind it and why is it just the magnifying glass from Captain James Shaw that lets one visit those countries. It is a pity that he left no instructions with his box of treasures. I could not put the stamps or the visits to any use apart from saying I had paid a visit to many countries. Bern