Camilla left in tears by boy’s winning story in 500 Words contest about a toy rabbit going to heaven

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Watership Crown! Camilla is left in tears by boy’s winning story in 500 Words competition about a toy rabbit that went to heaven

  • The Duchess of Cornwall is an honorary judge for the 500 Words competition
  • Camilla read out a message from the Wendy House on the Birkhall Estate
  • She was moved to tears by Lenny Tucker’s story about a toy rabbit in heaven 

By Rebecca English for the Daily Mail

Published: | Updated:

The Duchess of Cornwall has marked the tenth – and final – year of the 500 Words children’s storywriting competition with a very special appearance.

Camilla filmed a video message to all those who took part from a magical-looking thatched hut on Prince Charles’s Scottish estate.

The duchess, who has been dubbed the ‘Fairy Godmother’ of the BBC Radio 2 writing event, is also an honorary judge.

The Duchess of Cornwall referred to herself as the ‘ancient fairy godmother’ during the tenth edition of BBC Radio 2’s 500 Words short story competition. She recorded a message to mark the anniversary from inside the Wendy House built for Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret on the Birkhall estate (pictured)

She said she had been moved to tears by one child’s entry about a rabbit that went to heaven. 

This year’s final was due to be broadcast live on Zoe Ball’s breakfast show from Buckingham Palace – but was cancelled due to coronavirus.

In her message, the duchess, who has spent lockdown in Scotland with her husband, said: ‘Just like many of you this year, 500 Words is having to settle for a virtual birthday party, rather than the one we had planned.

‘I was really looking forward to meeting the finalists at Buckingham Palace today. But… we will still celebrate as hard as we can.’ 

She also congratulated the ‘brilliant’ children for ‘staying at home, being kind to others and cheering up your family and friends’.

Yesterday, the six main winners were announced on air by Zoe Ball, and their stories read by celebrities including David Walliams, Jodie Whittaker, Joanna Lumley and Alfred Enoch.

Gold, silver and bronze prizes were awarded in each age category – five to nine years and ten to 13 years – chosen from 134,709 entries.

Chatting during the show with Zoe Ball, Camilla admitted one particular story left her in tears. 

The Old Rabbit, by Lenny Tucker, eight, from Essex, told the story of Pat, an old, tired and lonely bunny, dying and going to heaven in the most moving way. 

‘I had a good cry,’ Camilla said of the story, which won silver in the five to nine category.

Lenny said he was ‘happy and excited’ to hear his story read live on air by Miss Lumley, while his mother Jennie added: ‘He’s over the moon, and has said he’ll donate his prize of the Duchess of Cornwall’s height in books to his school.’

A story written by eight-year-old Lenny Tucker (pictured) about a toy rabbit who goes to heaven made Camilla cry

A story written by eight-year-old Lenny Tucker (pictured) about a toy rabbit who goes to heaven made Camilla cry

The building in which Camilla appears for her message is a previously-unseen playhouse built at Birkhall for the Queen and her sister, Princess Margaret, in 1935.

The duchess said the 500 Words team was hoping to hold a party at the palace after lockdown. 

She added: ‘In its ten years, 500 Words has received a staggering million-plus entries. 

‘And it hasn’t just got children excited about reading and writing – lots of grown-ups have got very excited too.

‘Including me, the competition’s rather ancient Fairy Godmother! Now this year, we may have been confined to our homes, but nobody can confine imagination.’

The winner of the gold prize in the five to nine division was Shachar Applebaum-Khan, nine, from London, who wrote The Winning Goal about a young footballing refugee. 

The other group gold award winner is Vishal Saha, 13, from Surrey, who wrote The Diary of a £5 note.

Camilla said of the competition: ‘I’ve loved every minute of it.’

SO, WILL YOU WEEP TOO?

 Patrick (Pat) the rabbit was very sad. He was very old, his fur was grey on his paws and around his mouth and his bones were aching. His baby rabbits had all grown up and moved away and had bunnies of their own, his mum and his dad had died many years ago and he missed talking to them, but most of all he missed his lovely wife Pearl, all the time.

Pat was also fed up of running from the mean farmer who was always chasing him with his gun, he never dug any holes any more and he only ate the carrots easy to dig up these days.

Today it was raining and grey, the sky was black, and the grass was muddy and wet, and it was really windy and cold so Pat decided to hide in the barn until the rain stopped before he went looking for carrots. As Pat dried off from the rain he drifted to sleep. Pat woke up feeling very warm, he could see the bright sunshine coming through the walls of the barn and he could hear rabbit’s chilli chilli chat chatting coming from outside. Pat started to creep outside, his bones felt light and he noticed the fur on his paws was a lovely brown colour like they used to be. Pat’s bones didn’t ache, and he didn’t feel sad, but he didn’t know why. 

Outside he noticed the grass was so green it didn’t look real – it almost sparkled. It was so soft it felt like he was walking on green clouds! And there were piles of carrots everywhere – with no mud on them – he wouldn’t even have to dig them up or wash them! Then he saw a little way away under a tree, there was a group of about fifty rabbits all whispering and smiling and watching him. Suddenly he saw a beautiful lady rabbit step forward and walk towards him with her arms open and crying. Pat gasped and nearly swallowed his little rabbit tongue! It was Pearl! He ran to her and he kissed her all over her face and he cried, and he said to Pearl ‘I have missed you so much my love’ and she cuddled him so tight and whispered in his ear.

‘I have been waiting a long time for you Pat’.

He then realised he recognised the shapes and voices of the rabbits standing nearby all watching him and smiling – it was his mum and dad. His aunties and his uncles and even his Nan and Grandad! He looked at Pearl dazed, and she smiled, and she said, ‘they have been waiting too’. Pat was so happy but so confused as he cried with happiness into Pearl’s fur he whispered, ‘Pearl I am so happy I feel like I am in Heaven’. To which Pearl replied with a smile, ‘my wonderful, beautiful Pat, you are’.