A possum in a tree or in a book is cute and cuddly but possums in my life get into trouble when they investigate homes and shops. Last year a possum explored the family gallery one night, and was found asleep in a pottery dish in the morning. See the pink spot in the middle? That is baby possum who climbed into its Mother's pouch when she woke up.

My latest possum had fallen down the chimney. I heard scrabbling coming from the fire in the living room and opened the door to investigate. There was a wide-eyed possum crouched at the back of the firebox hissing at me. Some years ago I was bitten while removing a possum from the same situation so this time I shut the door and after a family consultation we rigged up a blanket over a plastic storage box with apple inside, and waited for the possum to move to the box. When that happened we were able to pop on the lid, carry the box outside and let the possum escape into a tall tree. I was too slow to get a photo of it. I was very pleased that Miss Poss didn’t have a chance to play in my living room.

If I was still telling stories at early childhood centres, I would recreate that event using my soft toy possum.

After the storytelling the children could dramatize it either using the toy animal or with a child or children pretending to be possum. Photos or books about possums are great to help the children find out information about different kinds of possums, their diet and habits.

Rhymes, poems and real events make good stories to tell children and there are lots about animals. Nursery rhymes are a good beginning for toddlers’ stories e.g. Little Miss Muffet, Pussy cat, pussy cat where have you been? And Mary had a little lamb. It isn’t the length of the rhyme, but what you do with it that will make the story successful. Using feltboard and toys, and involving the children through actions and words, a simple rhyme can become a satisfying story that children will love.

Family pets as well as wildlife, can get up to a lot of mischief. Here are some storytelling ideas to create stories for the children you care for.

• Family dogs, cats, hens, rabbits help themselves to the special family food when no one is looking
• the cat has kittens in the wardrobe
• Puss catches the pet bird
• Ratty eats a hole in Mum’s coat
• Woof knocks over the paint can
• Maggie Magpie steals the house key
• Kitty climbs the curtains and shreds them
• Cockatoo keeps the neighbours awake
• A fish jumps out of its bowl
• The donkey escapes from the paddock.
• The pup eats Dad’s slippers

Have fun telling stories about mischievous pets.