Peter took another cookie out of his bag and began munching away. Mary had really done herself proud this time, they were really scrumptious. He was feeling quite content and happy when suddenly he heard a voice behind him. "Umm hello, is somebody there"? the voice said hesitantly. Peter almost dropped his cookie. He turned around but couldn't see anyone. "Who's there"? Peter asked. "Oh thank goodness", said the voice "I was afraid no one would ever come here" Peter jumped to his feet and climbed on to the fort wall and looked in. ""Wow" he said, what he saw was really quite amazing. There was a robot sitting in the middle of the fort his two glowing yellow eyes blinked rapidly and he was sitting just like a very old man or a very tired person would. The robot's head moved so it could look straight at Peter. "I need some help," it said. "Who are you, where have you come from" asked Peter. "Oh I'm just a Robot that no one wants anymore". "What do you mean?" asked Peter. So the Robot began to explain how he got there. "I use to belong to a rich man in the city but he bought a new Robot and sold me to a horrible man that was going to dismantle me for spare parts. One night when he was asleep I escaped and just walked and walked; I didn't know where I was going I just kept walking. Then I saw this flag waving in the wind up high on the hill and I though it would be a good place to hide and rest. Now I've rested far too long, my batteries are low and the dampness of the ground has made me rusty". Peter took a harder look at the Robot, he was right the once shiny Robot was now covered in red rust patches. Leaking oil seemed to spill from every joint, and loose wiring poked out from several parts of its body. Poor Robot he was in a bad way, he must have been resting there most of the Winter and now couldn't move. "I don't think I have much longer before my batteries are completely flat," said the Robot. "Well", said Peter scratching his head, "It look's like you need some oil, your wiring replaced and then a recharge to get you mobile again. My Father has a big barn with plenty of oil cans, lots of spare wiring and an electric charger for his tractor battery". The Robot's eyes seemed to glow a little brighter at being told this. "Oh do you think it's possible, I mean could you take me there? Could you please"? "You are much too big to carry", said Peter "I wouldn't be able to lift you for a start, can you move at all"?

Amid a whirring noise, clicks and squeaks the Robot made a tremendous effort to get up. It's arms and legs slowly began to move and finally with what must have been quite an ordeal the Robot slowly managed to struggle to his feet. "We have to go down there", said Peter pointing to the barn next to the farm house. "My", said the Robot "It's a long way". it won't be easy". "No but there is no other choice" said Peter. Peter backed slowly down the rock mound as the Robot clambered out of the fort and began to follow him.

"Be careful", said Peter "this is a very steep hill". But no sooner had he warned the Robot than there was a great crashing sound behind him. "Whoa" said the Robot as its tired limbs were unable to cope with the slope, and it fell forwards. "Whoa", it said in surprise and gathering speed tumbled past Peter. Peter watched in horror helplessly as the Robot tumbled over and over down the hill. Peter scrambled down after it almost falling himself and expecting to see the worst. Unbelievable as it was the Robot was sitting up its eyes blinking rapidly. "Are you alright" gasped Peter? "Yes, I think so," said the Robot. "I don't appear to have come off too worse for wear, I think the softness of the ground helped a lot". However, when the Robot got to his feet his left arm was hanging limply at his side. "Can you continue on", asked Peter. "Yes", said the Robot, "I'm sorry if I frightened you. "That's alright", said Peter "I was more worried about you". "I think we should hurry though before your batteries give up completely". So with the Robot clanking along behind Peter they made their way towards the house. Peter was concerned about the Robot being able to climb the fence they had now reached. But indeed it proved no obstacle for the Robot, he simply ejected a pair of scissor like blades from his side and snipped the wire fence so he could walk through. "Don't worry about it now Peter", he said, "When I get all fixed up I promise to return and fix it". Then they reached the rickety bridge which Peter quickly crossed. "You need to be very very careful", Peter said to the Robot who by now was standing on the other side of the bridge. Once again Peter was amazed to see beams of light filtering from the Robot's eyes. He was scanning the bridge for it's weaknesses so he knew where he should avoid stepping, and although it creaked and groaned under the Robot's weight he made it safely across. "I am feeling very very weak", said the Robot. "Just a little bit further we are nearly there", said Peter "along this path and across the field, please don't give up now". So with all his remaining strength the Robot battled on behind Peter, finally they stumbled into the barn and the Robot collapsed onto some soft hay in the corner. "You rest for now, I have to go into the house", said Peter. "Thank you" said the Robot which was all he could manage for now, he was so very very tired from his journey off the rock mound. Peter couldn't wait to tell his Mother that he had made a new friend and they were going to play in the barn. Well he wasn't really telling a lie, but he knew they wouldn't believe the truth. Mary who was always worried about Peter not eating enough gave him enough food for the two of them and a jug of freshly made lemonade. Just as Peter was leaving the house his Father burst into the house. He looked frightened, like he had seen a ghost. "Whatever is the matter", asked Mary quite concerned".

"Where is my gun"? said Sam "quickly there is a Monster in the barn, we have to defend ourselves" "Monster", said Mary. "Yes", said Sam "with large glowing eyes". Peter knew his Father was talking about the Robot. "No Dad, please don't hurt him, he is my new friend". "What are you talking about Peter", said Sam. "Well I went to the rock mound today to see if my flag was still there, it was gone, but this Robot was lying there. He is all broken and his batteries are nearly flat and I am going to fix him up". Both Mary and Sam looked at Peter in amazement and then at one another. "Come on said Peter I will take you to meet him he is very friendly". Peter, Sam and Mary made their way to the barn. The Robot was looking very sorry for himself now, half-lying, and half-sitting in the hay with his eyes blinking ever so slowly. As Peter approached his new friend the lights in his eyes finally shut down, his battery was now completely dead. "Oh dear", said Sam examining the Robot thoroughly. "It's going to take a lot of work to get him moving again". Peter and his Dad started working on the Robot straight away. First of all Sam replaced all the broken wiring with new wire, and then they both set about removing all the rust from his body and limbs. Next they polished and polished until he was bright and shiny. Sam then took his oilcan off the shelf and began oiling him bit by bit until he was finished. By this time it was getting dark. Then the very last thing they needed to do was recharge the Robot's battery. Once connected it was going to take all night before the Robot was fully charged. Immediately Sam flicked on the switch the Robot's eyes lit up. "Oh, that feels so good", said the Robot, I feel so much better already.

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