Prosefictionon The Wall

        "Neat!" Ferdinand exclaimed in excitement.  His fuzzy white tail positioned with exhilaration as he picked up a perfectly white and round pebble.  It sparkled so much that he couldn't take his eyes off of it.  He had been looking beside a small stream, near his house for interesting pebbles to add to his collection.  Pleased, the small mouse quickly placed the pebble in his satchel and dashed toward his home.
        As soon as he got there, he sauntered toward the kitchen.  He positioned his satchel, with his prized pebble in it, on the small wooden table, and he quickly took it out.  He began to look at it closely.  Just then, his mother entered.  She was a plump little mouse with a motherly look on her face.
        "It's time to eat dinner, so clean up and take your satchel to your room," his mother commanded in a polite voice.  He placed his pebble back in the satchel and took it to his room.  He then washed his hands and went to the kitchen.  Ferdinand ate dinner in a hurry, so he could look at his pebble once more.
        As soom as he finished he scampered to his room.  He didn't get much time to look at his pebble before his mom came into his room.
        "Time to go to bed; it's 8:00," she ordered softly.
        "But, I want to stay up later!" Ferdinand complained.
        "No!" she answered sternly and then exited.
        He still had his pebble out, so he decided to put it away.  As he did, he murmured, "I wish I was a bird, but he was outside in the dark,  He didn't mind because he was brave.
        "Wow!" Ferdinand exclaimed, "The pebble must be magical!" He began to flap around wildly trying to fly.  He didn't even make it an inch off the ground, and he got tired trying.
        "I don't care if birds have no bedtimes; being a bird is tiring.
     Maybe frogs don't have bedtimes," Ferdinand remarked.  He picked up the pebble with his talons and recited, "I wish I were a frog."  All of a sudden, he was a frog.  He felt very hungry.  So, he decided to eat what frogs eat, flies.
        "Yuck!  I don't care if frogs don't have bedtimes; I hate the taste of flies!" Ferdinand shouted, spitting out the fly.  "Maybe dogs don't have bedtimes!" So, he picked up the pebble with one of his webbed feet and recited, "I wish I was a dog."  All of a sudden, he was a dog and had a strong urge to chase his tail.  He had another urge to bark at everything he saw.
        "I don't care if dogs don't have no bedtimes.  They are just too stupid!"  Ferdinand barked.  "I wish I was a mouse again because they don't get tired easily."  Instantly, he became a mouse in his room.  He placed his pebble back into his satchel and went to bed.

        "Hello Miss! How are you today?" the sales woman asked.
        "Fine, but I need some new soccer cleats," she replied.  "Do you
have any of the black and neon green Reebok DMX's?"
        "Oh yes Mam! What size would you like?"
        "61/2"
        "Ok, sit down right here."
        I couldn't believe my laces! Michelle Ackers was at MY store (well,
the store I'm at) buying MY type of shoes, and the same size I am!
        'WOAH'! The saleslady was lifting me off the shelf in my box.
        "Lefty, Lefty, we are moving!" I screamed.
        "Righty, I know we're moving. I can feel the box!"
        "This is it," I said to Lefty, "we will finally be free!"
        "Yah, sure, whatever." He must not have been as excited as I was.
        Then we saw someone lifting off the box lid.
        "Ok, give me your right foot," the saleswoman said, "and we will
     see if it fits you ok?"

        All of a sudden a hand came in and grabbed me by the tongue.
        "Heel what r you doing?" I asked but of course he couldn't hear me.
        "Ok, just slip your foot in this shoe here." She said as supplied
     the shoe to her foot. I slid on very carefully.
        "oh, this feels great!" She exclaimed, "I think I'll buy them!"
        I was so excited. I didn't think about anything else until we got
     into the sack.
        When we got outside, I could see the sunlight through the top of
     the plastic bag.  I also could hear the birds chirping outside.  The
     next thing I knew we were being thrown into the trunk of a car.
        "OOF! Hey watch it!"  People need to be more careful with shoes.
        When we got to Michelle's house, she took us out and put us on a
     padded shelf, after she took some old and ratty ones out, then she
     closed the door.
        After a few minutes a light was turned on by what looked like to be
     a flannel night shirt!!
        "So you guys are the new soccer cleats," he whispered very rudely.
        "Yes we are, do you have anything to say about it?" I asked
     shockingly.'
        "I sure do! Those old cleats that Michelle threw out, well, those
     were good buddies of mine.  So I'm not feeling too highly about you
     guys!"
        Through this time Lefty had fallen asleep.  What a great friend he
     was!
        "So you two better stay out of my way, you hear!"
     "Yes, yes we do!"
        Suddenly, the door opened and Michelle took us out and put us in an
     awfully smelly soccer bag with a lot of smelly stuff.
        "Who are you?" one of her soccer socks asked me.
        "I am Righty, the new right soccer cleat," I replied.
        "Well, your heel is on my foot!!"
        "Oops, sorry!"
        I moved it, of course, because he was one very big sock!
        "By any chance, do you smell very bad?" he asked me.
        " I don't feel like smelling a nasty shoe!"
        Well, he said it plain and simple.  He doesn't like me.  I guess
     none of the things I have met do.
        In the morning, Michelle got us out and put her soccer stuff on.
     She was getting ready for the first game of the season with me and
     Lefty as her soccer cleats.
        We ran onto the field with her team an hour before the game. I t
     hurt with every step she took, because I mean, when all that muscle
     comes down on top of you, it hurts!
        So anyway, we were warming up when one of her friends, (also a
     teammate) came up to her and called, "Nice shoes! Do you think I could
     borrow them sometime?"
       "Sure, Mia.  When do you want them?" Michelle wondered.
        "Maybe tomorrow at practice?"
        "Sure, and I'll give them to you tonight!"
     "Cool, thanks!"
        "No problem."
        Oof! Oof! Thud! The players got in a circle and started passing to
     each other.  TWEET! The coach blew the whistle to let the players know
     it was time for the game to begin
        "Captains!" the ref hollered.
        Michelle, Mia and three other girls jogged onto the field, along
     with the other teams five captains.
        "USA is the home team, so Germany will call it in the air," the ref
     announced.
        "Heads!"
        "It's tails, USA do you want to kick off or defend the goal?"
        "kick off," Michelle told the ref
        "OK, Germany which goal do you want to defend?"
        The girl that could speak English, pointed to the East and said,
     "That one."
         "Ok," the coach yelled, "let's go out and show them what we are
     made of!"
        That little speech got a big cheer from the team.
        OWWWW! I hate it when she runs onto the field.  It hurts so much to
     have someone stop on you!
        TWEET! The whistle blew to start the game. The ball was passed to
     Michelle, who dribbled it up with her right foot.  Everyone was
     yelling, "Go, Michelle, Go!"
        THUD! THUD! THUD! Every time the ball hits my head, I can just
     imagine a bump growing on me.  Michelle stops.  I feel like I'm rising
     up into the air, then BOOM!!! Her foot comes down like a rocket, and I
     strike the ball in just the right spot to send the ball flying!
        "GOOOAL!"
        I had just scored, (well, Michelle did)! The final score was 3 to
     2.  USA won by one goal in the second over-time. In the locker room,
     after the game, Michelle went over to Mia and handed us to her.
        "Mia," Michelle whispered, "Take good care of them because they're
     brand new!"
        "Yah, sure!" She replied as she set us in her bag very carefully.
        On the way home I rode in the bag that was in the trunk.  I was so
     exhausted I fell asleep.  I didn't wake up until I heard the motor
     stop.
        "We must be home, " I thought to myself.  Just as soon as i got
     settled down on the shelf, I heard scratching noises on the door.  OH
     NO! We were under attack! Someone was out to get us.  Suddenly the
     door opened and a huge black, white and very hairy dog came and
     grabbed Lefty and me!  He took us outside in his mouth! HOW NASTY! I
     am a brand new shoe and now I have slobber all over me! When we were
     outside, the dog went to a huge Oak tree and dug a hole.  He put us in
     the hole!
        Well, this is just great! We are all muddy and slobbery, how can we
     show ourselves again! Oh well, I thought, then I went to sleep.  In
     the morning I found myself in a very strange place!
        Under the ground....then I remembered that Mia's dog had buried us
     the night before! How rude! I hope Mia finds us before she goes to
     practice or Michelle might get worried.
        From a tiny hole in the ground, I saw Mia go to her car and drive
     off! A few hours later I saw, (and heard), her car coming down the
     drive.  Mia looked like she had been crying.  I wondered where she had
     been since she looked so upset.
        It was almost dark so she went inside and a little while later I
     saw the inside light go off.
        I woke up when I heard someone crawling around. It was MIa! She was
     looking for us!!
        "Mia! I'm over here!"
        It's a shame people can't hear shoes! Then I saw her lips moving.
     I could barely make out what she was saying like, "I've gotta find
     those shoes, I just gotta!"
        I also saw her dog come out of his house and head straight toward
     me! I was so scared! After a little while I could see sunlight and we
     were being carried out by our laces!!
        "Oh, Muffy! Thank you so much!" Mia cried, "I must call Michelle!"
        After she called Michelle we were put into the car and were driven
     to Michelle's house
        Michelle took us and said thank you to Mia. She put us in her
     closet.  We were finally home!!

    There was a rattle snake, who was always hungry.  Once, Dog told him, "The farmer is getting married." "RATS!" said the rattler.  Then the dog went away.  The snake went looking for rats.  The next morning Buffalo came to the rattle snake.  He said, "I found the Buffalo of my dreams." "Rats," said the rattle snake.  Buffalo went away.  The rattle snake went looking for rats.  The next morning Rabbit came up to the rattler and said, "The man who always chases me got killed." "Rats!" said the snake.  The rabbit went away.  The rattler went looking for rats, but this time they found him.  The rats gnawed at his tail until it was bone.  now he rattles as a warning to say, "If you did this, I'll bite you!   The end.
 
 

"Chrissy's going to throw up again!" Goliath said.  "She drinks too much rotten milk the humans set out."

"She drinks too much rotten milk!!" repeated Goliath.

"It's not rotten; it's good milk," said the mother cat.

"It's not good milk, it is SOUR!!!" screamed Goliath.

"Be quiet, it is not sour; it's good," said the mother cat.

"No it's not," said Goliath in a tiny voice.

"If you don't be quiet about the milk, I will make you drink it," said the mother cat.

        Just today I saw a boy who just turned 10 today because it is his birthday.  His name is Sam and he is in my detective club.  There's only 3 people. So, oh, yeah, the other one is Yasmin.

        Well, today we really got a big case from Matt Jones.  He said that there is a treasure of gold in the west of Maine. So, what we did was take half of our allowance to Maine and keep the other half to go back.

        When I was in Maine, I asked where the Cave of Doom was.  When we got there, we jumped over a river of lava, swung with a rope, and fought with a group of soldiers by the time we were there.  It was a huge trunk.  I told Sam to carry the trunk; he was strong.  So he carried it all the way and we fought. By the time we got to the airport, Sam had a backache.  We got back to New York.  And we solved the case.

"What a beautiful sea day," said Freddie on his way to school, "I wonder if my side-kick and I will be able to open that treasure box today.  Hey Seamor, come here."

"What is it?'

"It's that shiny thing.  Let's go see what it is."

"OK."

As Freddie and Seamor were going toward the shiny thing. their school buddies were getting kidnapped  by Chomps the Tiger Shark and the Lock Nest Monster.  Freddie and Seamor heard a growl as they were uncovering something.  Seamor and Freddie went straight to school.  When Chomps saw them he called in back-up.  The Lock Nest Monster ran away afraid. When Chomps' back-up came in, they started to fight. Bam! Boom!  WhaM! Bang! Ahhh! Crash! Smash!

"Just you and me," said Freddie and started to fight.  Chomps was getting ready to bite Freddie when Seamor socked Chomps right in the right fin.  Chomps fell to the ground.  Freddie gave Seamor a high five and they went back to the shiny thing.

The thing kept getting bigger.  It went from 2 in. to 10 ft.  Then Freddie flipped over and saw the shape of a key.  Freddie looked up and saw Seamor going to get some air.  Freddie saw a piece of seaweed floating and stuck it in a pile of sand.  Freddie and Seamor were back on their way to school when they saw a violet box made of velvet.  Freddie swam to get it.  When he opened it up he saw a letter.  He opened the letter and read:

"COME TO TREASURE BOAT AT 12:00 NOON OR YOU'LL NEVER SEE SEAMOR AGAIN.  signed Fire Fish.  P.S. BRING KEY"

How would he know about the key?  It was 11:45, it took 10 minutes to get to the boat.  Freddie grabbed the key and headed toward the boat.  When he got there he saw Fire Fish and Seamor.

"Give me the key," said Fire Fish.  Freddie gave the key to Fire Fish.  Fire Fish opened the treasure chest.  The treasure chest gave off such a bright light that it blinded Fire Fish.  Seamor and Freddie had their eyes closed.  When they heard a voice, they opened their eyes.

The voice said "Put the gold at the top of the tallest pole." Freddie swam out a porthole and set the gold on the tallest pole.  The boat started to rise and turn into gold.  The boat was found two days later.

The End

       The overcast sky made the late afternoon seem like evening.  Jai stared steadily at her sisterís feet.  She trotted closely behind, stepping in each footprint her sister made.  Although her sister, Locy, was only two summers older than she was, Jai treated her as if she were lifetimes older.  Just two summers ago, Jai had chosen to become a cleric.  Her desire to call back the departed outweighed any other profession.  Locy had chosen the path of a rogue; picking locked boxes for people, along with their pockets.  A monstrous roar erupted from the southwest, but few, if any, reacted to it.  Odd animal screams and such were typical for the town.  Most people made their living by hunting town beasts for their skins or treasures.  Jai, on the other hand, chose to make her gold in a more peaceful way.  People would drag their fallen comrades to her so they may breathe again.  Obviously, there is good money in this, considering the number of people in the town, the number of monsters outside the gates, and just plain human, (or Elven, for that matter,) ignorance.
      Locy and her little shadow approached the town gates.  Jai blessed the wounded waiting for healing and ran to catch up with her sister.  Locy was taking her hobgoblin hunting.  Jai was too inexperienced to go on her own, but Locy could hide and ambush them for her.
      The path they traveled on was well worn.  Grass parted to reveal a moderately wide rut that hundreds of warriors have passed in their time.  Slowly, trees sprouted in the distance as they made their way to the forest.  Kobolds and roltons darted in front of them, but they were such easy targets that Locy or Jai wouldnít get any experience for killing them.  As they came upon the forest, the ground became more and more rocky until small caverns dotted the ground.  Rocky walls with stairs cut into them led up to a mountainside where older fighters could hunt snowcats.  Gazing upward, Jai spotted a sorcerer calling a spell towards one of the massive cats.  The cat crashed to the ground before her, causing both Locy and her to jump back.  The sorcerer waved and yelled down to them, ìGo ahead and take it!î  meaning they could take the skin.  Jai knelt down and removed her skinning knife.  Skillfully, she removed the pelt, careful not to botch the job.  When she was done, she ran to Locy and showed her what she had accomplished.  Locy beamed happily at her.  ìYíkno, Jaisie, cat skins are worth a lot of gold.  Would you like to go look for some more?î
     ìAye!î  Jai grinned inwardly.  She was going into snowcat territory!   Jai tightened her grip on her fish-spine sword and pulled her azure mithril shield closer to her.
     ìRemember, sister, stay in a defensive stance.  Use your defensive spells, too, if you can.î
     Jai nodded again.  Locy slung her shield over her shoulder to get a good grip on the rock.  She extended her arm to Jai, who promptly used it to pull herself up to where her sister stood.  The snow flurries were cold on Jaiís face, but her brocade cassock kept the rest of her body warmed.
     ìLook!î  Locy pointed to the ground.  Half hidden in the snow, a pelt was carelessly left behind.  Jai picked it up and made a neat little bundle out of the two.  Just ahead of that one, two more lay side by side.  ìOdd.î  Locy had gathered three more.  Jai added them all to her bundle and put them in her cloak.
     ìThereís no one else here.î  Jai moved closer to her sister.  Usually the lands were cluttered with beasts and people alike, but suddenly everything had left.
      A sound from the west caused them both to jump.  Two lords and a lady marched by, swords ready.  One of them glanced at Locy and Jai with the most unusual look on his face, like pity for himself and for Locy and Jai.
      Jai looked up to Locy for some kind of an explanation.  Locy stood, unmoving, deep in thought.  Jai picked up a few more skins but still watched her sister.  The skins began to weigh her down.
      Locy paled.  People screamed from where the lords and lady went.  A rumbling, like a stampede, came closer to where the sisters were.  ìInvasion..î  Locy grabbed Jai and jumped off the edge of the cliff.
      Jai landed in a heap on the ground.  Luckily, she had the skins to soften her fall.  ìWise goddess Lumnis, help us!î
      Locy pulled her up and ran towards town.  ìJai..î  she said between pants, ìthereís.. an.. in.. va.. sion.î
      The fear in Locyís voice scared her, even though she hadnít a clue what an invasion was.  Lords and ladies passed by them as more and more dead bodies headed to town with them.  The mangled corpses tore Jai apart because she hadnít enough spirit to help all of them.  She wanted to help even one, but if she did she would be too weak to keep up with Locy.
      The rumbling came closer no matter how fast they ran.  Screams and cries were louder than before.  ìWere not going to make it, Jai!î
      Up ahead, another group of lords and ladies headed towards them.  In that group, Jai spotted her uncle Rasson.    ìUncle!î  Jai ran faster than she thought she could.
      ìUncle help!î  Locy clung to him and buried her face in his torn cape.
      ìGods!  Locy, Jai, come with me!î  He picked them up and carried them to town.  When he got to the inn, he set them down.  ìStay here.  Donít leave.î  He ran back to join his group.
      Locy took Jai to a table.  She ordered a drink for herself and one for Jai, even though they were both too frightened to drink.  Jai pulled out her stuffed cleric toy from in her pouch.  She hugged her dolly.  ìWhatís an invasion?î
      ìItís when a bunch of really big bad things that can kill even ancient lords and ladies come out into the parts of the lands where we hunt.î
      Jai screamed.  ìUncle Rasson!î
      Locy hugged her.  ìHeíll be okay; he just went to drag the dead back to town.  Say!  Would you like to go raise a lord?  They probably tip well.î
      Jai grabbed Locyís hand as she was lead through the gates.  They sat in a clear space on the ground.  In cleric guild speak, one of the older clerics announced to everyone, ìThere isnít an order to whom ye raise, just get whomever ye can.î  Jai closed her eyes and said a silent prayer to Lumnis.  Then, gathering all the magic she could, she concentrated on the raising spell.  A pure white streamed down to her through the clouds, and Jai channeled it to one of the dead.  The light bathed one of the corpses, and the lifeless body gasped for air.  Jai stumbled back with the sudden loss of spirit.  Both she and the newly raised body were stunned for a minute.  The body then stood, showing himself to be a lord.  He thanked her and hugged her, then handed her some gold.  Locy grabbed Jaiís hand once again and took her back to a table so she could recover.
      ìSo, how much did you get?î
      Typical comment for a rogue, Jai thought.  ìMm..  Lemmie see..  2k!î  She looked up with eyes like saucers.  ìIíve never seen this much in my life!î
      Locy beamed happily at her.  ìWhat ye gonna do with all that?î
      After a few seconds of thought, Jai answered, ìIím gonna give it ta Lumnis!î
      ìBut sister.. do you know how much stuff we could buy with all that?  Roasted cockatrice, silver ale, Frithís famous bread!î  She gasped.  ìEven.. an alum lock pick..î
      ìWell, maybe some of that, but it was good lady Lumnis that helped me raise that lord.î
      Although disappointed, Locy eventually agreed.
      Rasson waved to their table, and Locy called him over.  ìHello you two!î  He hugged them both.  ìAre you feeling better?î
      Jai bobbed her head up and down, grinning broadly.
      ìAnd what are you so happy about?î  He reached over and tickled her.
      She screamed and giggled.  ìI raised a dead lord all by my self!î  She showed him all her gold.
      Rasson hugged her.  ìIím very proud of you.  If you want, I can take both of you to a merchant that just arrived.î
      They agreed, and Rasson clasped both of their hands.  He led them through winding alleyways and through the bad part of the town.  Dozens of brightly painted wagons stood out from the dull houses and buildings.  Buyers swarmed about, bargaining and yelling.  Locy and Jai pushed their way through.  The wagons held rare jewels, embroidered clothing, magical relics from far away lands, herbs, and almost anything else they could imagine.  Most of the things were out of Jaiís price range, but nevertheless she found the perfect gifts.
      ìWhat did ye get?î
      ìAye, sister!  What?  What?î  Locy danced around Jai.
      ìFor you, Uncle Rasson, I got you this.î  She waved a shining silver swordfish pin,  ìIt gives you a good defensive spell when you go aní drag deaders in an invasion.î  She beamed at Locy.  ìAní I got you this.î  She held up a translucent green lock pick.  ìThe merchant said itís as good as alum!î
      Rasson looked over at her with concern.  ìDidnít you get something for yerself?î
      ìAye, a little somethin.  I wanted to have some left for Lumnis.  I got this.î  She tapped some shiny silver gauntlets.  ìThey werenít as expensive as they look.  They donít really do anything,î  She smiled shyly.  ìI just thought they were pretty.î
      Rasson took them back to the inn.  He hugged the girls and waved good-bye.  Locy and Jai waved back to him.
      Jai yawned.  ìI gettin sleepy.î
      Locy nodded.  ìYe ready for bed?î
      Jai leaned her head on Locyís shoulder.  ìMmm..î
      Locy picked up her sister and took her home.
 
 

        Out of the corner of his eye, Yakumo spotted a new notice nailed to a tree.  Kanaita guided his horse to where Yakumo paused, and studied the sign alongside him.  It was of the Lady Jai, daughter to the emperor Avant.  She was missing from the house of Lord Hedon, her betrothed.
        Kanaita grinned at the picture.  ìNot bad, eh, Yaku?î  He punched him in the arm.  ìLord Hedon canít keep a single woman, gods know whatíll happen when he inherits the lands.î
        Yakumo didnít answer.  He stared steadily at the paper fluttering in the wind, than took it from its post, folded it neatly, and placed it in his belt pouch.
        ìYou know, there are girls in the village that arenít exactly repulsive.  You donít need a drawing.î
        Yakumo turned to his partner.  ìIíve seen her..î  he trailed off.  ìI think we have enough for dinner.  Shall we be off?î
        Kanaita shrugged.  They had a large rabbit, but he was exceptionally hungry today.  ìI swear, Yaku, I could eat a whole dragon on my own this eve.î  He laughed to himself.
        ìQuiet, fool,î Yakumo smiled.  ìWe are in the Draconian parts, you know.î
        Kanaita swung his fist playfully but forcefully at Yakumoís grinning head.  Yakumo ducked and retorted with a quick punch in Kanaitaís stomach.  Yakumo steered his horse southward toward the village.  Kanaita pulled the arrow from the rabbit and followed.
        Yakumo took the animal from the fire and dropped it on the table.  ìEat up, boy.  This is all youíll get until you start hunting on your own.î
        Kanaita smirked.  ìHunting on my own, eh?  Iíve never once seen you in the forest alone.  Say, Yaku, you arenít afraid of a dragon, are you?î
        Yakumo laughed aloud.  ìDragon?  Ha!  If those were real, Iíd walk up to one and behead it in an instant.î
        They both laughed, until the door swung open.  A girl stood in the doorway.  She seemed about as many seasons as Yakumo and Kanaita.  Her silk skirt was torn and her engraved armor badly in need of polishing, but still they seemed as if they had cost more than either of them could afford.
        ìI.. Iím sorry for intruding..î she stammered.  ìThe villagers told me if anyone had food to spare, it would be you.î  She spoke with a higher-class accent.  A exquisitely jeweled necklace dangled from her neck.
       Yakumo leaped from his seat and offered it to her.  ìCome!  Eat!î  He added softly, ìwe have plenty,î but then smiled shyly at the foolishness of his words.  A half devoured rabbit and two wooden cups filled with cheap wine were all that were set upon the table.
        ìIím really, truly sorry.  Itís just that I havenít eaten in days and..î  she stopped abruptly, and after a few seconds seemed to forget what she was going to say.
       Yakumo pulled up a trunk and sat between the girl and Kanaita.  ìHave you a name?î
       ìErm.. Michico will do.î
       ìHave I seen you before?î He asked, remembering the picture in his pouch at the same time.
        She continued eating.
        He unfolded the paper, and glanced from Michico to the paper to Michico again.  ìJai..?î
        She stopped eating.  ìOch, just my luck to run into someone who travels that far north.î  She glanced up at him.
        He could have sworn he saw a tear forming in her eye, but she did nothing other to show she was upset.
        ìAye.. Iím Lady Jai.  Listen, Iíll pay you twice the reward if you donít turn me in.î
       Once again Yakumo jumped from his seat, this time pulling Kanaita up with him.  They bowed.
       Jai smiled, showing embarrassment and sadness.  ìReally, Iím no one to be bowing to.î  She gave a short, awkward laugh.  ìI never did anything.î
       ìForgive our rudeness.  We didnít know we were in the presence of royalty.î
       Kanaita nodded in agreement.
       ìDonít be proper..î she started again.
       ìCan I clean your boots?  Polish your armor?î Yakumo offered.  Kanaita thumped him and whispered to him the stupidness of offering to polish her armor.  Yakumo blushed and knelt.
       Jai giggled.  ìI didnít take any offense.î
       Eventually, the tension in the air calmed, and they all sat down to finish their meal.
       ìMight I ask you where you got that necklace from?î Kanaita stared deeply into the rare, exorbitant jewels.  In his eyes, the jewels seemed to reflect a bit of jealousy.
       Jai tore it from her neck as if it were tainted.  She glanced up, smiled, and set it on the table.  ìI rather not have it..  Please take it.î  Her smile faded as she turned away.
       Yakumo turned to her.  ìWould you be insulted if I asked why you donít want to return to Lord Hedonís house?î
      ìI guess not.  I mean, its the least I could do after you shared your meal and all.î  She took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.  ìWell, to make it short, Hedon bought me from my father.  His intent is to kill off all other heirs, therefore making himself emperor.  I left because he wanted to be wed the old way.î  She looked up for their reaction.  Yakumo knew well that the upper-class, as well as women with any self-respecting woman waited until they had a proper, public ceremony to have children.  Clearly, Jai was horribly insulted, but along with that more seemed hidden.  She shuddered.  ìAnyway, after I got something to eat and a bit of sleep, I was going to regain my honor, as well as my familyís.î
       Yakumo and Kanaita nodded quietly.  ìMy Lady, would you be so kind as to allow us to escort you?î
       Jai smiled bashfully.  Although she was of royal blood, she was never treated so formally, except by well-disciplined servants.  ìNo.  Not at all.î  For the first time, she looked into Yakumoís eyes.  Dispite his dark complexion, Yakumoís green eyes shone brightly and with more emotion in them than she had ever imagined.
       Yakumo lost himself in hers as well.  Her saddened violet eyes seemed to put him in a love-struck trance.  He clasped her hand gently and brought it to his lips.
       ìíScuse me, míLady, but is there any treasure in Lord Hedonís house?î  Yakumo brought his hand back.  Kanaita ducked his head.  ìIím sorry, itís just that were plain poor aní..î  Yakumo glared.
       Jai giggled.  ìAye, of course there is.î  She ruffeled his hair as if he was a younger brother.
       He beamed.  ìSleep now, what?î  Kanaita walked to his bed.  ìLong day tomorrow, you know.î
       Yakumo looked into Jaiís eyes again.  They both laughed.  Yakumo brought his head closer to hers, but she turned away.  ìIím sorry..î he started.
       ìDonít be.î  She gave a half smile.  ìTisí my own fault.î  She closed her eyes and envisioned Hedon until her stomach knotted from emotional pain, and curled herself in a corner.
       ìYouíre not going to sleep there, are you?î  Yakumo peered quizzically at her.
      ìItís cooler here.  I like it better.î
      Yakumo brought her his pillow.  ìIf you change your mind, please wake me up.  Weíll trade places.î  He walked to his bed.  Taking one more glance at Jai, he fell asleep, grinning broadly.
      During the night, Yakumo dreamt of his past.  He seemed to relive the day his family disowned him.  He felt himself running, with the hot tears running down his dirty face.  He felt the anger he had, knowing his whole family turned awfully greedy, slitting any throat for a rupee or two.  His lone decision got him kicked out of his house.  He was only nine summers.  Soon after, he met another boy, Kanaita, who was but seven summers.  His dream weaved back to his fatherís face, seeing it again after so long.  He saw the look of superiority his father had after he was titled.  He felt the blows he received as he screamed that they were thieves and he would never do the evil they did.  Sometimes he would feel regret for not staying with his family.  He would be upset for days until something came up to get his mind off that.  For the first time, though, he didnít awaken upset.
     When he awoke, Jai and Kanaita were already up and eating berries.  He scratched his head and yawned.
     "Morning, Yaku!î
     Yakumo just glanced at Kanaita.  He didnít talk until he had fully awaken.  He grabbed a handful of berries from the table and shoved them, leaves and all, into his mouth.  He munched hungrily as Jai stared and giggled.  She wiped a blood-red trail of berry juice from his mouth.  He forced a smile through his full mouth.
     After they were full and ready, they set off northward to Hedonís keep.  It was half a dayís walk, Jai said.  The early autumnal season air was a bit too cold, but it was bearable.  The leafless hedges and wilted tall-grass showed no sign of trail, but Yakumo followed unquestioningly.  Jai marched steadily onward, seemingly knowing where she was going.
     The trek was long and dull.  After a few hours it seemed as if they were going in circles, but every so often an oddly shaped rock or tree or what not ended that thought.  At one point the ground became rocky and the quiet roar of a river made itself known.  Before long, the trees parted, revealing a muddy bank with water hurrying itself along.  Kanaita ran forward, pleased at the thought of a rest.  Suddenly he sunk a forearmís length.  The mud was soft and displaced itself when it was stepped upon.
      Kanaita shouted, ìSomethingís got me!  Help!  My gods, somethingís got me!î
      Yakumo and Jai laughed at the flailing man.  Soon, though, they ceased when his yelling carried on.  Yakumo hurried himself to Kanaita, wondering what to do.  He extended his arm for help.  Kanaita clasped it, and have him a hard jerk.  Yakumo went flying head first into the filthy mud.  Kanaita and Jai laughed hysterically.  Yakumo pulled Kanaitaís free leg, causing him to collapse at Jaiís feet.  Yakumo stood, trying to regain sophistication, and marched up to the still laughing Jai.  ìFunny, eh?î  She paused and looked at his face, searching for signs of humor.  His eyes narrowed as Jai stepped back.  Yakumo caught her up in a big, muddy hug.  She screamed and pushed him backwards into the stream.  He caught her ankle and pulled her along with him.
      They lay side by side in the sun, drying off.  This gave Jai plenty of time to sort through her thoughts.  She was afraid she was beginning to like Yakumo.  Jai had never felt such joy for as long as she could remember.  But she had to think of Hedon.  She was engaged to Hedon, no matter how much she loathed it.  That was a promise, one not to be taken lightly.  Hedon did kill her family.  Surely even her father by now.  All he needed from her was her royal blood so he could inherit the Lands.  The only thing she knew to do was to kill him.  She knew she couldnít live her life running from him.  Furthermore, she did have dignity.  Aside from wanting to be wed the old-fashioned way and killing her family, he worshipped foreign gods, and planned to sacrifice their first-born to one.  She hated him so deeply, and as much as she hated to admit it, she was so terribly frightened of him.  He had gotten her to fall in love with him.  She sighed aloud in shame.
      Yakumo turned his head to her.  ìMmm?î
      ìI was just thinking to myself.  Are you dried off?  I am.  Kanaita?  You ready?î
      They stood up together, stretching and cracking their joints.  Jai pointed northward once again and they continued the last part of the way.
      The house of Hedon emanated before the party.  It was a nicer house, but it offered little protection for Hedon.  Guards stood on either side of the doorway, but aside from that, there was nothing to keep the party from entering.
      Jai stepped forward.  ìI am here to see Lord Hedon.  Stand aside.î  She glared.  The guards acknowledged her with a nod and moved from their path.
      Yakumo focused ahead as he walked through the door.  He sensed something wrong, and glanced around consciously.  As he turned left, he found himself looking into an older version of himself.  His heart skipped as his mind raced to figure out what was going on.  The man had the same green eyes, yet his were dull and lifeless.
      The man spoke to him, ìI didnít expect you here, boy.  What is your business?î
      Yakumo stared back with the same expressionless face.  ìI come here with Lady Jai; we need to see Lord Hedon, Father.î
      Jai looked to Kanaita for an explanation, but he just shrugged.
      The man saw Jai.  ìAh, Lady Jai.  How good of you to return.  And on your own will, too?  Or did this bring you here?î  He pointed at Yakumo.
      Jai stepped towards him.  ìLord Enyaw, we have business to do with Lord Hedon.  Bring him here.î
 Without a word, Lord Enyaw pivoted on his heel and headed down a long corridor.
      Jai turned to Yakumo.  ìI didnít realize you looked so much like Lord Enyaw.î  She paused, studying his expression.  ìHe is.. your father?î
      Yakumo half-shrugged.  ìWas, I guess.î
      Before their conversation could continue, Jai felt a cold presence as she turned to the doorway.  Hedon stood before them.  A chained dragon stood beside him; as sinister looking as its owner.  On all fours, the dragonís head came just above Kanaitaís, who was the tallest of all there.  ìMy wife Jai.  I am pleased to see you again.î
      ìSurely,î she smirked.  Pain knotted her stomach.  She wanted to run and hide, and she also wanted to throw it up.  ìIím not your wife, and I never will have such an honor,î she mocked.
      His cruel smile faded.  ìYou idiot woman!î  He struck her.
      Yakumo, not being able to see Jai treated in such away, started his nodachi blade from its sheath.  ìIíve heard of no such thing, a woman being struck so, royalty at that.î  He removed the blade completely.
      ìAnd what right do you have to speak to me in such a manner, commoner?î  Hedon shifted his position, making sure to jingle the chain to keeping the dragon alert.  ìIíll have nothing more to do with you.î  With that, he dropped the chain and spoke deeply to the dragon ìhigu-so hachikan yoshitu!î  The dragon leapt fearlessly at Yakumo.
      Kanaita remembered Yakumoís joke about beheading a dragon.  A streak of silver went from his sheath to below the dragonís neck.  The head landed with a hollow thump.  Kanaita cleaned his blade on the corpse and returned it to its sheath.
      Hedonís expression grew angrier.  ìCanít even fight your own battles, commoner?î
      Yakumo laughed aloud.  ìI can fight.  You wish to see?î
      ìIn time, in time.î  He stepped to Jai, reaching for her.  She stepped backwards, nearly tripping on the dragonís tail.  ìDear Jai, I donít remember you being this fearful.  What have these men done to you?î
      Jaiís eyes glared deeply into Hedon, but sadness shone through more than anger.  ìIt wasnít them, by far, it was you, you stupid arrogant demon-spawn!  Iíll show you why Iím fearful.  Iím fearful because this is the first time Iíve ever taken a life!î  She pulled a ornate ritual blade from her boot.
      ìStupid woman!  Thatís my sacrifice blade!  Gods, I donít need her to rule this cursed land, Iíll find my own way..î  He drew his own serrated edge blade.
      ìYou wouldnít dare harm a lady so.î  Yakumo forced his blade down upon Hedon.  Hedon blocked it, but the force of the blow knocked him to his knees.  Yakumo brought his nodachi up again, this time swinging at Hedonís torso.
      Hedon stumbled back against the wall.  He spat at Yakumo, and was promptly run through.  He tried to suck in air, but choked and spit out his blood.  A distorted, deranged expression froze on Hedonís face.
       Jai stood dazed, then for an instant felt bad, but the feeling soon left.  She ran to Yakumo and embraced him, how she had been so longing to do before.  Yakumo turned to her, panting slightly.  He moved his head toward hers, and this time she didnít move hers away.  He kissed her softly, and proceeded for another one.  Behind him he heard a thump similar to that of the dragonís head.  He turned to see a trail of blood from where Hedon was stabbed to just behind where Yakumo stood.  Hedonís blade lie next to his right hand.  A massive slash to his back ripped his shirt and exposed his torn and bleeding back.  Without a backward glance, Lord Enyaw walked out of the room.
       Many seasons later, Yakumo found himself telling this story to his children.  His wife rocked in her rocking chair, a wedding gift from Kanaita. She listened intently as she nursed a baby.  Her violet eyes gazed into Yakumoís, and he winked up to her.  To that day, neither have been dissatisfied ever again, for Lord emperor Enyaw II and his wife ruled over the Lands in peace, until they both lay to rest in paradise forever.

                        I TRULY WANT...

        "Ow! Mrs. Hoover, Jim hit me!"
        "Mrs. Hoover, I didn't even touch him," I tried defending myself.
        "I don't want to hear it!  Go."
        "But.."
        "I don't want to hear it!  Go!"
         As I was walking to the office, I was thinking about casting spells on Terry for lying like that.  The only problem is that I don't have any spells.  Sometimes I get so mad at Terry.  He is always tormenting me.
        "What do you need?"  rudely asked Mr. Meyer, our principal.
        "Mrs. Hoover sent me here."
        "Why, might I ask?"
        "Terry lied."
        "Oh, it's all Terry's fault."
         He agreed with me, but I knew it was only sarcasm.
        "Yeah, he told Mrs. Hoover I hit him."
        "Why?  Did you look at him wrong?"
        "No, I didn't even look at him."  At this point the spells would be taken from Terry to Mr. Meyer's head.
        "Well, why don't you just sit awhile."
        "But..."
        "Just sit."
         As I was sitting there, I got to thinking about stuff better than spells.  Wishes--I had it.  If I had three wishes I would have a perfect world.  I knew that it was never going to happen, but I started thinking what they'd be.
        I went from the traditional need-more-money to teleporting, time travel, and telepathy.  I liked imagining what it would be like to have those wishes.  Before I knew it, I was on the bus.
        As I was walking home from the bus stop, I saw a group of high school kids.  I decided that I didn't want any trouble so I took a left, and on the way the scenery turned into woods (and dark woods at that).As I made a right on the way back to my house, I got stopped.
        "Hey, sonny, I got what you would like."
        "What?"  The only thing I wanted were those wishes.
        "Well, come here."
        "Sure, why not."
        "Here."  She held out her hand and it obviously had something in it. She opened it up and dumped a key in my hands.  "With this key you can make one wish," I almost fell to the ground, "and one wish only."
        "Can I make any wish?"
        "Yes, but choose carefully.  It's only one wish."  She was trying to get a point across with that "one wish".  "And if you find a lock that will open with the key, you will get something special."
        I looked at the key to see if I knew any locks it would fit.  "Is it another wish..." I looked up and she was gone.  "Any wish," I said out loud with awe. "What should I wish for?"
        "One wish."  I heard the words as if they came from the wind.  "Oh!" It clicked.  "I wish for anything and everything I truly want at that time to come true and last until I don't want it anymore."  I made it that long so I couldn't get tricked out of my wish.  I figured that's what she tried to tell me.  I could have as much as I wanted in the wish.
        I made a test to see if it worked.  "I want a pet squirrel."  Nothing happened.  "Oh, I truly want a pet squirrel."  From where the woman had been standing came a little squirrel.
        "Cool."
        "What...when...where?"
        "Where did you find that tame squirrel?"  It was Megan, my sorta friend.
        "On, it just came to me."
        "Can I hold it?"
        "I'll tell you what.  You can have it."
        "Cool."  That must me her favorite word.
        "It looks hungry.  Why don't you go feed it."  I was trying to get her to leave so I could play around with my new found wealth.
        "Oh.  Right.  Bye."  As she walked away she said "Cool" again.
It was starting to get annoying.
        "I wish--oh, wait-- I truly wish she wouldn't use "cool" like that." There, I fixed it.
        That whole night I messed around like that.  Then came morning.
        "Ow!"  Mrs. Hoover, Jim hit me again."
        "I truly wish I could travel in time at will,"  I whispered.  I backed up a minute or so.
        "Ow!  Mrs. Hoover, Terry hit me."
        "Terry, to the office."
        He walked up to me.  "I was this close to doing the same thing to you," and he walked out.
        As the years passed, I thought up new and better things to wish--I mean want--for.  I now have $20,000 in my bank account, a new house, and some new friends that came along with the new wealth, including my "best friend" Terry.

        I wish I was a grown-up.  It's always no, no, NO.  If I was a grown-up, I could drive, make lots of money, eat whatever I want, do whatever I want.  Oh well, time to go to bed.  ZZZz
        The next morning, "Ahhhhh," I said as I stretched.  Wait, something feels different, my legs.
        "Go back to sleep," said some strange woman beside me.  WHAT?
        "Daddy, Daddy," said some kid.
        "David, go back to sleep," said the woman.  I have children?  This is fun--no, this isn't fun!
        "I'm going to work early, bye."
        I had to get out of there.  What is my job, and how do I get there?  Then I saw a sticker on the fridge that said JUDGES ARE GOOD.  I must be a judge, so I looked up where it was in the phone book.  How do I get there?  I gress I'll just ride my bike.
        Just as I got there, a man said, "Big case today, better get ready."  Big case, what am I going to do?  So I went to the big case.  People were really depending on the decision I was going to make.  What if I made a bad decision?  Boy, would they be mad.
        The case was a hard decision even though I didn't understand most of it, so at the end, under my desk, I flipped a coin--heads, guilty; tails, innocent.Heads.  "Guilty," I said.  The crowd started yelling and booing me.  I just had to get out of this building.
        Just as I got up, I thought, "Gosh, being a judge is a hard job.  I would never want to do it when I get older, If I get young again."  So I ate, and went to bed.
        ZZZZZZZZZ  Next morning, I'm a kid again!  It was just a dream.
        "Get up," said my Mom.
        I wish I was a grown-up.

    When the World was so new and all, there was a lion who had no mane at all.  A lion is a man eater.  So he was searching for something to eat when another male lion was in his territory and they got in a big fight and their hair was getting puffy like static electricity.  They kept fighting and fighting until their hair was a mess.  Then more lions came to fight for food and to kill for food.  The females were not fighting and their hair was not puffed out.  Male lion was getting his mane in a mess.  This is how the lion got his mane.

    Once upon a time there was a skunk called Harry.  He was on a trip to the south of the U.S.A.  Then he came upon a dog and his name was Larry.  This dog was very suspicious about what this animal was, because an animal like this animal was very different from the kind of animals that lived near the dog.  And so he went closer to the skunk and said, "Hey you, come here."  And so the skunk went to the dog and he said, "WHAT?"  The dog said, "Why do you shout so loud?  I can hear you completely fine when you talk plain."  And the dog also discovered something else about the skunk and the dog said, "Hey why don't you have any defense?"  The skunk said, "What is defense?"  "Something that a lot of the animals have, it is considered safety."  "Oh, ok, I guess I will go down to the pond and find some defense."  So the skunk saw some leaves over by a tree and the skunk threw the leaves up on his head and went back to the dog and said, "Is this good defense?"  The dog said, "NO, it is nothing compared to the other
kinds of defenses.  So, why don't I go with you?"  "Ok, let's go."  So the dog and the skunk are on their way to the pond and the dog saw some fog by the skunk and the skunk said, "Hey, what is that?  It is a bad smell."  "Exactly," said the dog, "that will be your defense!"  And that is how the skunk got it's smell.

    A long, long time ago, there lived a very, very mean whale named Sparky.  One day Sparky was swimming along and he spied a fisherman.  He swam up to the fisherman and said, "What do you think you're doing in my ocean?"  "Your ocean?  Who says it's your ocean?" said the fisherman.  "I rule this ocean," said the whale.  But the fisherman kept arguing.  So the whale tried to eat the fisherman but the fisherman had a knife and he stuck the knife in the top of the whale's mouth.  Because of this all whales have a spout in the top of their heads.

    One day there was monkey who woke up very early in the morning to challenge his friend in an Olympic thing.  He got up.  He got in the shower, ate breakfast, and watched TV.  He watched cartoons and he watched the news.  He realized it was kinda cold outside.  So he put on his coat and went to the park.  Their first obstacle was the obstacle course.  They ran, climbed, jumped and fell.  Monkey fell the most.  He realized his friend had crossed the finish line.  He had won.  Monkey was not happy with this.  He went far into the woods and squeezed a vine and suddenly........Whe-e-e-e-e-e-e-e.....he was swinging like a fool.  He grew up to be a famous athletic and won many gold medals and he lived happily ever after.

    A long time ago dogs did not have tails.  One day, a dog was walking outside, by a house.  There was a huge tree by the house.  There was a skinny hole in the tree where an owl lived.  The dog was playing with a ball when he backed up into the hole in the tree.  When dog finally got his tiny little tail out, it was not little any more!

Cat: Knock, knock
Dog: Hi, cat, achoo, achoo
Cat: Why do you have dots on your face?
Dog: I got the chicken pox from my mother and father.
Cat: Goodness gracious, they are appearing automatically.
Dog: I am getting sicker by the minute.
Cat: See you tomorrow.

The next day...

Dog: Knock, knock
Cat: Hi, dog.
Dog: What happened to you?
Cat: I have the chicken pox.
Dog: What?
Cat: I GOT THEM FROM YOU!
Dog: But...
Cat: No buts!  I have the chicken pox!
Dog:Don't cry!
Cat and Dog: The moral of our story is don't stand by someone that has the chicken pox.  They are contaigious!

        He lay silently on his back, staring into space, examining every nook, cranny, and crack in the bitter, monotonous concrete walls that surrounded him.  The cold rock mocked him as it had all the days, months and years before now.  The heavy steel bars stood their guard between him and the rest of the world.  Solid black steel as a hopeless reminder that he would never be set free.

        Usually he spent his days reading a book, usually one less than amusing.  Or he drew sketches of landscape he had not seen in so long, or dreamed of simple pleasures like holidays, family, and comfortable conversation.

        Today he lay there with an unusual calmness about him.  It almost seemed that the opaque walls and thick bars had made him right at home. But inside his body, his heart pumped faster and faster as he came to realize the devastation of no escape.  He had slowly become a part ofthe bleakness of his cell, a crack in the ceiling maybe.  He no longer felt alive and warm, but saturated by the constant nothingness around
him.  He was no longer important to the outside world.  He had not seen it in so long he wondered if it existed.

        He lay there calmly on his back, staring at the ceiling as his mind tortured and taunted his heart.

        Monica sat motionless and stared blankly at her surroundings.  Finally she snapped out of her trance and came back to reality.  It was happening more and more often.  She would be somewhere and just black out, and when she came to, she sometimes would be in a totally different place and would have no recollection of how she got there or how long she had been out.  This time she was in what seemed to be an antique shop, and the people inside were staring at her as if she had gone mad. They were probably right, she thought.  She knew why she was having these blackouts even though she really didn't want to believe it.  The doctors had told her about two months ago that she had a brain tumor and that there was nothing they could do because they had not caught it in time.  She looked around one more time and started to get up when something across the shop caught her eye.  She went over to get a closer look.  It was a statue of a mother holding her child's lifeless form to her chest, and the mother's face had a look of such sorrow that it nearly broke Monica's heart.  Underneath the mother and child was a saying.  She had heard it before several times, but she had never really thought about it. Now as she read it, she felt a chill run up her spine.

        "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heavens; a time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill and a time to heal; a time to break down and a time to build up; a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance; a time to cast away stones and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to get and a time to lose; a time to keep and a time to cast away; a time to rend and a time to sew; a time to keep silence and a time to speak; a time to love and a time to hate; a time of war and a time of peace."  Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

        She looked away as a tear slipped down her cheek, and she realized that this was a time for her to love and laugh and be with everyone she loved.  And it was a time to mend wrongs that had been done before it was her time to die which she knew would be soon, not just because the doctors said so but because at this moment she felt it deep down inside.  Now instead of fearing death, she was glad to know about it.  She decided to buy the statue for now it had special meaning for her, and she felt that her being brought to this place was not a mere coincidence.  It was as if she was meant to find this statue at this
particular time in her life.  As she was walking out the door she knew she would give it to her daughter so that maybe it would come to mean something to her as it had to Monica.  As the door shut quietly behind
her, it also shut a chapter in her life, and a new one was beginning.  Whether it be a short one or a long one, she did not know.  But one thing she did know was that it would be a much happier one than those
that had come before because now she knew the meaning of time and planned to cherish every last minute she had left.

        The year was 1934; it was the day after my tenth birthday.  Yesterday, after I made my wish, my parents said, "Michael, we hope you made a wish for a new brother or sister because one of our presents to you is a new sibling."  My mom, Marie, was looking at me like it was a good thing, and my dad, Gary, well, his look was a neutral look.  I knew it was a bad thing because after my brother had been born, and even my little sister, everything that went wrong was my fault.  Since I found out we were moving just last week, I dreaded  my new sibling.

        The trip to California wasn't all that bad although the thought of our old house that would now be covered with dirt from the dust storms disturbed me.  We packed up all of our toys but later had to discard them.  There was just not enough room.  Our dog, Timber, died the first week.  Our cat, Squash, was, well, squashed by our old Model-A.  Anyway we set out with about a hundred dollars, our family's life savings, and a 12 gauge shotgun.  My father kept it loaded in case of a rodent sighting which would later turn out to be a problem.

        Other than the pets, we had a death in the family.  My little sister Sara died of typhoid.  If you happen to be in Arizona near the California border, look for a cross with flowers on it.

        One day my little brother Justin reached for something and bumped the shotgun, and it went off.  This is what I mentioned earlier.  The shell blew a great big hole in the roof of the car so now we had a nice sunroof.  It's okay except it really gets soggy on rainy days.

        When we finally settled at the squatters' camp, we found out we were the only ones around.  For about a week I picked on Justin for something to do, but then dad started saving a large branch for when I would do that.  Then came the dreaded day--a new sister was born.  My dad said it was complications, but I think the little terror killed my mom.  I knew it was going to be a bad thing.  If a new Christian family hadn't shown up, I don't think my dad would have made it.  I made friends with their boy and no longer have to use a stick and a rock for toys.

        Now it's time for my eleventh birthday wish.  I think it will be for no more changes.

The Alien

"Mommy, I'm scared," said Shelby in her bed. "Mommy, can I sleep in your bed?"
"No, not tonight; you're ok," said her mom.
"MOMMY, MOMMY, MOMMY, there's a man in my closet."
"Oh, don't be silly; there's no man in your closet."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure."
"Mommy will you check so it will be safe?"
"Yes, I will. Now, see, there's no man in your closet."
"Well, is there a women in my closet?"
"Well, I'll see. No, there's no woman either, but there is your teddy bear who
will keep you safe."
"O.K., Mommy," said Shelby, falling asleep.
In the middle of the night Shelby woke up. "Oh my gosh, there's a freak-headed
man in my room.  What should I do? MOMMY, come here! Look at the freaky-headed
man in my room."
"Shelby, what are you talking about?"
"That freaky headed man."
"Shelby, I don't know but you have watching too much Independence Day."
"Look, he's in the window.  I'm not kidding.
"Oh, O.K. Oh my gosh, it's true.  Shan, come look at this."
"What is it?"
"Just look out Shelby's window."
"Holy cow, it's true. Aliens are real!"

Backwards

        "Hi my name is Josh!"
        Josh was a boy that everyone made fun of, so he did all the cool stuff.
The only problem was that he had dyslexia.
        Josh went down to a building; it's name was "The School of Dyslexia."
        "Hello" said the person at the front desk.
        "Hi" said Josh.  Josh went to an office in the building.

        "Josh will you read this for me, please?" asked Dr. Himes.
        "Do you have Dyslexia?" Josh said.
        "Ok, now write it down," Dr. Himes said.
        Josh wrote: "?aixelsyD evah uoy oD"
        "Sorry Josh, that's wrong."

        Dr. Himes was puzzled.  Josh couldn't read right or write right, but he
could pronounce them right.  That day Josh went home crying because he thought
he could never be able to write.  Josh's dream was to become a author.  The next
day Josh went back to "The School of Dyslexia."  After a month, Josh still had a
problem but he found a way to read where he could now see it forwards.
        The thing was is that he would go to a couch and put his feet on the
couch and head on the ground and it would be like a real book!  The only thing
Josh worked on now was writing.
        After a long period of time, Josh still couldn't write right.
        Josh is now 18 graduating from Springfield High School.
        Josh got to be in a class that could read what Josh wrote.
        Josh chose that he wanted to go to Penn State college.  Penn State has a
building for Dyslexic people.  Josh grew up and now he has a Ph.D. from medical
school.  Josh lives in New York City working on his writing.
        After 20 years of studying dyslexia, Josh found a way.  He tried the
same thing he did with reading but wrote.  It worked.  Josh accomplished his
goal.
        The moral of my story is try, try, try, and then try again.  If you
don't succeed the first time, maybe the second time you will.
        Remember: try, try, try again.

Bad Wish

        "Go to bed!" screamed Mom.
        "Ok, ok, I'm going," I muttered.  Golly, I sure hope I don't become a
parent, I thought, as I climbed the stairs to bed.  Finally, after Mom told me
to go to bed about twenty times, I fell asleep.  I had the strangest dream that
I was married and had children in one day.
        Yawn; where am I?  Must be a realistic dream, I thought, as I rolled
over and stretched my legs out.  Hold it--what is that thing next to me and why
do my PJs feel so tight?
        "Morning," said a groggy voice.
        "Ahh!" I screamed as I jumped out of bed.
        "What, what, what the...!  Why are you wearing Tim's PJs?" said a
strange lady in a dressing gown.
        Just then I heard, "Mommy, Daddy.  I'm hungry." The door bolted open and
two kids walked in the room.  A toddler waddled over to me and said "Hi Dada."
        I looked around me, them back to the toddler.  I saw those cute, little
innocent eyes and went crazy.  I have never actually gone crazy over a baby
before so, well, it was a shock for all.  It went something like, "how do little
baby-waby is a cutie-wutie.  Who's the cutest little baby in the world?  You
are, yes you are.  Ah, goo-goo-ga-ga.  So you want a huggie-wuggie?"
        Suddenly, I realized everyone was watching me.  The little girl was
staring at me, mouth open, eyes wide.  Then I looked at the lady in the dressing
gown.  Her toddler.  His eyes were overflowing with a waterfall of tears.  They
were so big, I almost had a heart attack.  His mouth just hung there.  His gums
were bare, except for the stub of a little tooth.
        Then the silence was broken by, "Dad, talk about a hairy stomach."  The
kid who said that was about six with spiked blonde hair and carrying a stuffed
elephant.  Then everything went crazy.  The lady burst out laughing, the toddler
burst out crying, and the boy got a sling shot and flung M&gnggMs everywhere.
        "Hey," I thought, " that kid is really cool.  I'm just gonna sneak out
of here away, but that little toddler was wailing.  I just couldn't leave him
there, so I picked him up and carried him over to the lady.  I hated the way
that lady laughed.  I felt sorry for the person who had married her.  Then it
hit me.  The toddler had said "dada," the girl had said "daddy," and the boy had
said "dad."
        "But that's impossible," I thought, "I'm a boy, aren't I?" I looked at
my PJs and screamed "Ahh!" I had hair all over myself.  "I'm hairy!" I yelled.
        "Wow Dad, you could cut most of that hair off and you still couldn't see
skin," laughed the smart-mouthed kid.
        "Oh yeah? I bet if you chiseled most of that thing, you still couldn't
see anything," I snapped.
        "That's the best you can do?" asked the kid
        "Yeah. I mean, no."
        "You two stop fighting," said the lady.  We paid no attention to her.
        "Yeah. I bet if you gave your ears a car wash, you still wouldn't see a
brain!" I yelled.
        "Oh yeah?" questioned the kid.
        "Yeah," I said smugly.
        "I said you two stop fighting. Tom, you're supposed to be setting an
example for the children!" yelled the lady.
        "Yeah, Dad, set an example," sneered the kid.
        Suddenly the lady grabbed my arm and whispered, "What are you doing?"
        Who do you think you are?" I yelled.
        "Your wife," she grunted.
        "oh yeah, OOPS!"
        " 'OOPS'? What is wrong with you? You're acting like a smart-mouthed, 11
year old kid," she snapped.
        "So?" I said.
        "You're 36 years old!" she yelled.
        "Oooh! Daddy's in trouble now," snickered the boy.
        "Tim, go to your room, now! You too, Rebecca, too.  Not to mention cute
little Randy, I thought.
        "Now back to our conversation," she said.  I could see the anger in her
eyes.  The door opened.
        "Mommy, Randy smells," said Rebecca.
        "Ok. Be right there," said the lady.
        Boy, am I in trouble mow, I thought.  By the time the lady came back, I
had thought up an excuse. "Sorry I was acting so strange.  I didn't get much
sleep, you know."
        She already had her clothes on and was putting on her makeup.  I guess I
was frustrated.  It's hard looking after Tim.  I'm sorry too," she said.
        "I know. Tim really has a hyper mind," I said slowly.
        "Yeah, I know.  He sure is a handful.  Yipes, look at the time! Go! Eat!
Hurry! You've got to get to work!" she yelled.
        "Work?!" I yelped.
        "Yes, work. Go!" she said while pushing me out the door.
        I ran into the bathroom and put on my clothes.  I ran downstairs and
bumped into Rebecca.  I had an idea how I would find some important facts,
quickly. "Bec, will you play a little game with me?" I asked.
        "Yeah, sure Daddy."
        "Good. Now, If you answer these questions, I'll give you a candy bar."
        "Ok, ask away!" she said excitedly.
        "Ok. First question: What is my name?" I asked.
        "That's easy, Thomas Edwin," she replied.
        "Second question, what's Mommy's name?"
        "Ok, now these are very important questions.  What is my job and where
do I work?"
        "Hmm. You are a government-employed lawyer for cheap criminals in jail
in the middle of town," she blurted out suddenly.
        "Thank you! See you later!" I yelled, running outside. "I need a car," I
moaned. Just then a kid rode past on a bike.
        "Kid, give me that bike, NOW!" I shouted.
        "Forget it man!" yelled the kid.
        I really need to get to work if I want money, I thought, so I grabbed
the kid off the bike and headed to town.  Or at least what I thought was town.
I was actually headed in the wrong direction.  Finally, after an hour of riding
the wrong way, I got to work.
        "Mr. Edwin, court has already started.  They told me to inform you as
soon as you got here.  It's in room 240," said the secretary.  I burst into room
240.  Everyone turned in my direction.
        "Sorry, car trouble," I said weakly.  I say a man move out of the way to
let me sit down.  I sat down next to a rotten, dirty, beer-gutted criminal.
        "Howdy," he said glumly.
        "Tic-Tac?" I asked.
        After half an hour of boring talk about what this criminal had done, the
judge said my name.  I came up and said, "the guy is guilty of all charges and
all that stuff," and began to walk out the door.
        "Uh, Mr. Edwin. You're the defense side," said the judge.
        "I am? Of course I am.  You see, I don't feel very well; I think I need
to use the bathroom.  can you get someone else to do it for me?" I pleaded.
        "OK." said the judge and young man next to me sighed and got up.
        I ran out of the court room.  I really didn't need to throw up or
anything, I home, or what I thought was home, so I just walked around town.  The
circus was in town, so I went to see it.  I saw some 11 year old boy up to no
good, but having fun.
        I wish I were a kid again, I thought.  While I was watching the lions, I
felt my clothes getting bigger and bigger.
        "I'm a boy again!" I yelled.

The 7 Chairs

        Once in a land long ago and far away, a mysterious man with a large bag
over his shoulder was walking toward the city of Bangoli Nona.  It was a quiet
town until the man showed up.  As the women of Bangoli Nona came to the well in
the center of town to gather the day's water, the man saw a group of 7 ladies
walking together, talking among themselves.
        "Good morning ladies," said the man.  "I am Mr. Henry F. Vict, and I
have some gifts for you."
        The women watched as he pulled out 7 wooded chairs and set one of the
chairs in front of each of the seven ladies: Harriet, Hannah, Amelia, Diana,
Rachel, Lauren, and Anne.  Mr. Vict told them that their chairs would fly them
to a different land.  The women were shocked!
        "How can that be possible?" questioned Hannah.
        "Just say 'go', and it will take you on a magical journey away from this
land," he replied.  And with that, he disappeared.
        So each woman sat down in her chair and said "Go," and the chairs lifted
up higher and higher then zoomed off in different directions.
        The first one landed in a land where men wore big robes and shaved their
heads.  Harriet wondered where she could be, but she never found out because the
people spoke a different language and she didn't know how to leave, because Mr.
Vict hadn't told her.
        The second one landed in a land where they dressed in funny little hats
with feathers in the sides.  Hannah never knew where she was, because they spoke
a whole other language.  She could never leave, because she didn't know how to.
        The third one landed in a land where people went half-dressed all day.
They spoke a different language, so she never knew where she was.  Amelia
couldn't find out how to leave because they didn't know any way.
        The fourth one landed in a land where men dressed in baggy pants, little
vests, and fuzzy hats.  She had no IDEA where she was, because they spoke
another language, and she couldn't leave because she hadn't the foggiest idea
how.
        The fifth one landed in a land where people went into their houses
barefoot.  Rachel never knew where she was because they spoke a different
language and she couldn't leave because Mr. Vict hadn't told her how.
        The sixth one landed in a land where men had long red beards.  Lauren
couldn't understand a word they said because they spoke differently, and Mr.
Vict hadn't told her how to leave.
        Anne landed in England.  She knew, because they spoke her language.
Unfortunately, they couldn't help her leave.  One day, Anne noticed a familiar
face in the streets--Mr. Vict! She ran to him, hugged him, and yelled, "How do
you go back?"
        "Like this," he replied.  He began to throw his arms wildly and jump up
and down, chanting "HOLA! BOLA! CHIECA! MIE!"  Then, poof!, Anne , Lauren,
Rachel, Diana, Amelia, Hannah, and Harriet were all back in Bangoli Nona.
        They all lived long enough to tell their children, who told their
children, who told theirs, who told theirs, who told theirs, who told theirs,
who told theirs, who told ME.

The Tiny Kingdom

        Once there was a creature named Pluta.  His family was royalty, and he
had several more years before he could become king.  But, one day, a large
tornado hit Pluto, and only Pluta knew because he has the highest I.Q. in the
universe.  So he was the only one to take cover.  Several people were killed by
the 75 tornado, including all of Pluta's family.  He was so upset.  He felt so
lonely living in that large palace alone.  He had maids and butlers, but he
wasn't real close to them.  So he left, and Pluto went without a ruler for
several years.
        When he returned to Pluto, he had changed colors.  When he left, he was
lite blue.  Now he was purple and green.  When he went to see his friends, they
didn't know who he was.  In fact, nobody knew who he was.  Then, all of a
sudden, he realized he was King, and he could make a royal announcement.  But
first he needed something to eat.  So, after he got the maids and butlers to
realize who he was and told them he was now a vegetarian, he asked for
vegetables imported from Planet Earth.  After he ate, he made his announcement.
All of Pluto was so excited to have a ruler again.
       Now that everybody knew who he was, he ordered everybody to become his
color.  He also wanted everybody to become so small, that not even the most
powerful microscope in the universe can see them.  They all changed and shrunk
with pleasure.
        Pluta now has a Queen to rule with him, and ten little Princes that are
heirs to the throne.
        From that day on, everybody on Pluto lived happily ever after!
 

Return to TOC