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Pogles, The (1965)
 

Synopsis

Warning: screenonline full synopses contain 'spoilers' which give away key plot points. Don't read on if you don't want to know the ending!

'A Flower For Wishes', originally transmitted on BBC1 on 19 August, 1965

A witch has stolen the baby that was in Mr and Mrs Pogle's care. Mr Pogle sets off after her. Frightened for his safety, Mrs Pogle consults the magic plant in their back garden. The plant tells her to wish for "a flower for wishes". She does so, and a brand new flower appears among the plant's leaves. The plant tells Mrs Pogle the flower will grant two wishes, so she plucks it off and wishes to be where Mr Pogle is now.

Instantly, she's whirled up into the air. She flies through the woods and lands at the nearby quarry, where she finds Mr Pogle trapped in a cage made of twigs. She also discovers the baby in its cradle. She tries to free Pogle, but the witch steps forward from the shadows and informs her that only magic can break the cage open. Then she traps Mrs Pogle in a similar cage. The witch interrogates the terrified couple, demanding to know the whereabouts of a tiny silver crown - belonging to the King of Fairyland - that should have come with the baby. When the Pogles refuse to answer, the witch shakes their cages. She threatens to turn them into frogs, but Mrs Pogle holds up her flower and uses her second wish to change the witch into a burning bonfire.

The witch screams and the bonfire burns away into ashes. But the Pogles are left trapped in their cages. Frustrated, Mr Pogle starts kicking at the twigs... and they merely fall to the ground. The witch's spell is broken. Mrs Pogle notices the ashes have mysteriously disappeared and worries that the witch is still alive. They hurriedly grab the baby and make for home.

They arrive back at the house to find the front door wide open. Inside, the place has been ransacked. But the crown is safe in its hiding place behind the portrait of Mr Pogle's grandfather. They close the door and start tidying up.