The First Two Finders

           Theverynextday,thefirstGoldenTicketwasfound. ThefinderwasaboycalledAugustusGloop,andMrBucket’seveningnewspapercarriedalargepictureofhimonthefrontpage. Thepictureshowedanine-year-oldboywhowassoenormouslyfathelookedasthoughhehadbeenblownupwithapowerfulpump. Greatflabbyfoldsoffatbulgedoutfromeverypartofhisbody,andhisfacewaslikeamonstrousballofdoughwithtwosmallgreedycurrantyeyespeeringoutupontheworld. ThetowninwhichAugustusGlooplived,thenewspapersaid,hadgonewildwithexcitementovertheirhero. Flagswereflyingfromallthewindows,childrenhadbeengivenaholidayfromschool,andaparadewasbeingorganizedinhonourofthefamousyouth. 

           ’IjustknewAugustuswouldfindaGoldenTicket,’hismotherhadtoldthenewspapermen. ’Heeatssomanybarsofchocolateadaythatitwasalmostimpossibleforhimnottofindone. Eatingishishobby,youknow. That’sallhe’sinterestedin. Butstill,that’sbetterthanbeingahooliganandshootingoffzipgunsandthingslikethatinhissparetime,isn’tit? AndwhatIalwayssayis,hewouldn’tgooneatinglikehedoesunlessheneedednourishment,wouldhe? It’sallvitamins,anyway. WhatathrillitwillbeforhimtovisitMrWonka’smarvellousfactory! We’rejustasproudasanything!’ 

           ’Whatarevoltingwoman,’saidGrandmaJosephine. 

           ’Andwhatarepulsiveboy,’saidGrandmaGeorgina. 

           ’OnlyfourGoldenTicketsleft,’saidGrandpaGeorge. ’Iwonderwho’llgetthose.’