McDooey
Join McDooey and his two best friends, the grumpy and (almost) wise Old Crow and the tiny, charming and tenacious Wee Shrew, on adventures filled with fun, friendship, a little danger and a lot of unexpected surprises.
A little imagination! Each of my McDooey stories has been written to be illustrated by a wonderful illustrator - who is out there somewhere. For now, can you simply try to let the rhythm and the rhymes and the funny storylines trigger your imagination as you work your way through my wee McDooey story ‘samples’ below.
“The Tale of McDooey’s Kilt”
In this, the very first McDooey tale, we find that despite McDooey being the hairiest creature in the Highlands by far, the poor thing - incredibly - still feels the cold! McDooey is out for a walk on a bleak and blustery day and is definitely feeling the cold. As the weather worsens around the Highlands, McDooey heads for the shelter of his cave. Meanwhile, over at Aviemore, a young lad called Dan struggles to hang his dog Maisie’s old, tartan throw on the washing line. I’ll say no more, other than you’ll never believe what happens next!
A windy wee sample of “The Tale of McDooey’s Kilt”
“This story begins one cold, windy day,
Though not during Winter…in fact it was May!
McDooey was taking a stroll through the heather
But wasn’t enjoying the fine Scottish weather!
He lifted a finger and looked to the sky,
Then all of a shiver, he sighed a huge sigh.
“This weather is awful! I cannot get warm!”
“And wouldn’t you know it…we’re in for a storm!”
A few miles away, outside Aviemore,
A young boy called Dan stepped out his back door.
Forced by his Mum to hang out the wash
He planned to be quick - all bish, bash and bosh!
So “Superman” Dan, yelled “Three, two, one, GO!”
Then grabbed the first item, an old tartan throw.
The old throw belonged to Maisie, his dog,
Who’d been for a walk and jumped in a bog!
Then back at the house, she’d dived on her throw…
So in for a wash they both had to go!
As soon as young Dan fixed peg number one,
Black clouds filled the sky and blocked out the sun.
Then just as he fumbled with peg number two,
The wind stiffened up and steadily grew.
It grew till it blew with all of its might
And Dan was left holding a huge tartan kite!”
Copyright © 2025 Steve C McKenna. All Rights Reserved.
If you’d like to find out what happens next, or you would like to read the full story please…
“One Big One, One Old One and One Very Small”
Have you ever felt very lonely indeed, all because you think there’s something about you others don’t like? Deep in the Scottish Highlands, McDooey is feeling just that. He is actually the gentlest of giants but he believes that all the other Highland creatures steer clear of him because they find him scary, due to his size and how he looks. Could two tiny and very different creatures change McDooey’s world forever? Discover how the biggest, the oldest, and the very smallest of creatures find the most unexpected friendship!
An enticing wee sample of “One Big One, One Old One and One Very Small”
“Deep in the Highlands of Scotland the Brave,
McDooey was sitting outside his old cave,
Wondering why he was always alone,
Spending his days by himself, on his own.
“Friends!” sighed McDooey, “I haven’t got one!”
“And having no friends means having no fun.”
“But everyone thinks I’m ever so scary”
“Simply because I’m big and I’m hairy.”
“Although, I suppose, it might be because”
“I’ve got great, big teeth and very sharp claws!”
“I may be as gentle, as gentle can be,”
“But who would be friends with someone like me?”
His head in his hands, grey clouds in the sky,
McDooey felt sad and started to cry.
“Don’t cry dear yeti!” a tiny shrew said.
“Your huge, yeti tears are soaking my head!”
“It’s true” smiled the shrew, “You are big and hairy,”
“But I think you’re cuddly, rather than scary.”
McDooey bent down and picked up the shrew,
Then smiled such a smile the grey sky turned blue!
The shrew bowed and said “My name is Wee Shrew.”
“McDooey!” grinned McDooey, “How do you do?” “
Copyright © 2025 Steve C McKenna. All Rights Reserved.
If you’d like to find out what happens next, or you would like to read the full story please…
“How Lucky I Am”
The day after McDooey meets and becomes fantastically good friends with Wee Shrew and Old Crow, they meet for an early morning breakfast at Blaeberry Glen, a place McYeti has never been to. Funnily enough, Old Crow and Wee Shrew hadn’t got round to asking McDooey what he actually eats. They are in for a wiggily, wriggly shock! Will Old Crow and Wee Shrew help McDooey find the tastiest food in the Highlands? The full story tells all.
An misty wee sample of “How Lucky I Am”
They’d only just met the morning before,
But all three were keen to meet up lots more!
The three being McDooey, Wee Shrew and Old Crow,
Whose friendship, so quickly, had started to grow!
So just before dawn, the very next day,
With mist all around - pale silver and grey,
Wee Shrew and Old Crow were stood by the river,
Awaiting McDooey and all of a shiver,
When something gigantic and ginger appeared…
Was it a monster…a beast to be feared?
It slowly emerged from out of the mist,
A huge, hairy tummy…a knee…then a fist!
“Good morning Old Crow! How are you Wee Shrew?”
“Are you joining me, or am I joining you?”
“You’re late young McDooey!” moaned grumpy Old Crow.
“Yes, you come to us and then we can go!”
The friends had agreed to meet before dawn,
To go and get breakfast…some place further on.
“Ok! “ called McDooey. “Stand back and I’ll jump!”
“No, don’t!” cried Wee Shrew, but then “Thump! Thump! Thump!”
Copyright © 2025 Steve C McKenna. All Rights Reserved.
If you’d like to find out how McDooey river crossing goes and how they get on at breakfast, please …
“Two Special Friends, Sunshine and Jam”
McDooey 4: Two Special Friends, Sunshine and Jam, by Steve C McKenna, 14 April 2025, (496 words)
Introduction:
Following a disastrous start to his day, McDooey remembers that it’s his birthday and he immediately thinks to invite his best friends, Wee Shrew and Old Crow, to a birthday tea in the sun. However, poor McYeti’s search for his friends doesn’t quite go according to plan. Will his birthday wish come true, or is this the clumsiest and most frustrating birthday ever?
And here’s a lovely wee sample of “Two Special Friends, Sunshine and Jam”
Early one morning, just before dawn,
McDooey awoke and yawned a huge yawn.
He rubbed his tired eyes and climbed out of bed,
Then stubbed his big toe and bumped his poor head!
“You great, clumsy clot!” he squealed, hurting so,
Rubbing his head and clutching his toe!
He hopped up and down then fell with a whack,
Flat out on the floor, upon his poor back!
Despite a sore head, sore back and big toe
McDooey jumped up, his face now aglow.
“Today!” cried McDooey, “My birthday’s today!”
“I nearly forgot! Och hip, hip, hooray!”
“I know!” smiled McDooey, as pleased as can be,
“I’ll ask my best friends to join me for tea.”
“And if it stays nice, we’ll sit in the sun,”
“Eat blaeberry jam and have lots of fun.”
Excited, McDooey set off down the Ben,
Watching the sun rise on Blaeberry Glen.
The hillside was steep. His toe hurt him still
And so he was ever so careful, until…
“Until what, Steve??!!” I hear you asking. If you’d like to find out what happens next, or you would like to read the full story, please…
Copyright © 2025 Steve C McKenna. All Rights Reserved.
