Anderson Rickell or “Andy Rick”as some would call me. I’m 10 years old and have not very straight scarlet hair. Not much fashion style but an expert on searching for lost and found things. I don’t have a lot of friends because kids these days are all so focused electronics and IPhones. I consider my next door neighbor, Ms. Callaway my best friend. My dad died 6 years ago so it’s just me, my mom, and my dog, Pucky.
I used to live in Springfield, Maryland, but we had to move due to financial problems. Now I live in Harper Avenue, California. It’s called that because at night you can hear the sound of harp music play. The climate is very warm but not cold, and there’s a shady forest nearby so when i’m bored I go play with the caterpillars under the trees.
My mom says the Magic Harp is just an old wives tale but I think it’s real. So I go around the neighborhood and ask the locals what they think about The Harp. “That’s a bunch of baloney. It’s just a dumb kids tale”said Mr. Kalonski.”It’s so cute how you little ones still believe in myths” said Mrs. Mccornell.”What did you say sunny? You’re gonna have to speak up!”yelled Ms. Corky.”Apparently nobody believes in the Harp. Looks like i’m going to have to find truth for myself.
The next day Andy woke early and up healthy, ready to start his journey. Nothing would stop him…except his mom. ” Where are you going sweetie?”his mom asked.” I’m going to the forest to make history!”he replied.”Well, be sure to take Pucky for a walk with you”she said. Before he left his mom gave him $8 dollars to buy food in case he got hungry afterwards.
The walk in the forest was not easy, there were all sorts of dangers lying ahead, like when he stepped in poison ivy, or when Pucky ate some poisonous berries. But after all that he finally got to the river. ”According to my research, most people heard the Harp by the river”he said.
But then he heard the sound of something jumping in the water which was very loud. “Hello? Is anyone there? I didn’t mean to disturb your peace”he called out. But then he saw a large glowing light coming from behind a large rock. He moved around to see it better but was startled by what he saw.”So it is true”he thought”it really is.
An astonishing bronze harp was at the other side of the stream. The instrument had little roses carved into it, two small angels hung from the top and bottom pillars and with silver strings which played beautifully. Andy carefully walked across the stepping stones leading to the other side without falling in the water or dropping Pucky.
” I don’t know what to say. It’s incredible, it’s amazing, it’s…”My harp! I play it”called another voice. A boy was in the stream, he looked as if he were trying to hide from him.
“The name’s Buckanza “Bucky” Vanchella, i’m 10,000 years old in Muzukar, but in human years I am 10 years old and I am a girl”she told.”Wait, you’re a girl ?!”he screamed. Her appearance was hard to tell since it was remarkably like a boys.
Her skin was dark and her eyes were orange. She had long brunette hair that reached to her knees but was worn in a ponytail, she wore a torn shirt that looked like an animal scratched it. As well as pants that looked like Aladdin’s but as shorts.
“So what brings you to here to my forest, I assume you’re not a new one right?”she asked.”A new one…of what?”he asked. “Well you’re definitely not a new one, considering the fact that you don’t know what Casambars are”she said. “Wait, isn’t a Casambar mean “giant green goblin?” Andy asked.”Yep, and let me just tell you they are not pretty”she said.
”So why are in this forest and what do Casambars want with you and what’s a Muzukar?!?”he questioned.“Now before you pass out more questions Muzukars are my tribe. We’ve been around way before there was even a California. And those Casambars burned down my village and took my people hostage, in fact every tribe in the forest. However me and Zoulou escaped”she exclaimed.
“So let me get this straight, there’s more than one tribe in the forest?” ”Yep” “And whose Zoulou?”he asked. ”Zoulou is part of the Mysticanl tribe, she really friendly as long as you don’t say anything about her height”she said. But before Andy started to ask about the height a stomping sound started coming from beyond the forest.
Pucky was growling loud, ready to attack whatever came from that forest. And to Anderson’s surprise it wasn’t a monster at all. It was an 8 inch tall guy. He had green eyes, brown skin and black and green Mohawk, he was wearing a brown long sleeve shirt with tears in it and short pants. On his back he had a giant hoe and it was definitely not for gardening.
”Hello, my name Zoulou, i’m a 19,000 years old Mysticanl” she said.”He’s actually a she”Bucky said.”So Bucky, what are we going to do to take back the forest? There are millions of guards and if we do get caught then they’ll kill us plus we’re too young to die”Zoulou said.”Maybe the human can help us. He seems strong enough to fight the guards”Bucky said.
“I hereby give you the Natsakunsai Blade. Strong enough to cut iron”said Zoulou as she handed the blade to Andy. With a sword at his hand, Anderson knew that was one day destined to something. And this was the something because not only is he saving the tribes…he’s saving the entire forest from a horrible evil.
Andy woke up the next day to get ready for his great journey. He had to sneak his sword past his mom but luckily, she was still sleeping on the couch. He left a note on his room door in case she got worried.
But before his journey got started he first went to Carel-Mel’s Bakery and Cafe, the place where only the best cupcakes, cakes, ice creams, coffees, soups, and sandwiches are made.
“Hey, you’re the new kid on Harper Avenue.”the cashier said.”Well if you don’t know our policy, it’s that anyone new get’s one item off our menu for free. So what’ll it be then?”he asked.” Three cocoa’s and and three maple marble cinnamon buns” he ordered.”That will be $8.12”he asked. Andy had only the money but not the 12 cents. But then he remembered that he could order something free, so he ordered one of the buns free.
”Have a nice day.”he called. Now Andy was ready to begin his journey. He began his way to the river where Bucky and Zoulou were eating…bugs?!”They don’t have any carbs unlike much human food.”Bucky said.”And who knew butterflies really taste like butter, but more healthy”said Zoulou.
”You both are messed up but anyways I brought you food with a drink, these are called cinnamon buns and hot cocoa.”explained Andy. For people who had weird taste in food they seem to take interest in the treats. After they finished eating Zoulou told them the plan.
”Here is the castle, first we take the secret tunnel under the bog which leads to the dungeon where they are keeping the children. We free the Beasticals first because they literally wild which will help us fight back. Next after we take out the guards we lock them in the prison cell so when they wake up they won’t come looking for us. After that we find all the slaves and free them from their work chains and finally, we overpower King Dread and take back the forest!”
Now you would think that the walk to the castle would take a long time, but thanks to Zoulou’s Mysticanl powers she was able to teleport everyone to the castle. But lurking beneath those murky marshes where gatorzillas. But luckily Bucky’s Muzukar powers allowed her to communicate with animals of any type in any language.
“Alright, we’re in but where’s the cell?” Andy asked.“Wait do you hear that roaring sound, we must be close by.”said Bucky. The made their way through the eerie prison and found the Beastical children and as their name suggests they were actual beasts.”Don’t worry, we’re here to free you as long as you fight by are side.”Zoulou explained. They nodded their heads in agreement since they couldn’t talk.
They took out the first two guards by using a pepper bomb made by Andy and leading them to the open cell. They had to be very sly to sneak past the guards but they made it to the slave cell where all their family and friends were.
“Bucky, my sweet little warrior you found us!”her mom cried. “It took her long enough. It’s been months and I haven’t had my soup”yelled Grandpa. Zoulou took the key out of her pocket and unlocked the cages of the tribes. They would have been caught by now if it weren’t for Andy and the Beastical children holding up the guards.
“Quick, let’s get out of here before…”
“Before what?”a sickening voice called.
“I know that voice, it’s…”
“King Dread in the flesh, and it appears a now mortal is trying to help you. That’s so cute it sickens me. Guards! Lock them up… where are my guards?” King Dread took a further look down the hall only to find all his guards beaten to the bone. Then everyone began to surround him.
”Heh heh, so fun talking to you…i’m so in trouble aren’t I?”
“Definitely”everyone said.
After what was known as “The Beating of Dread” they took him to a secret underground jail where the worst of the worst lived. The kingdoms rejoiced in celebration by having a party.
”Aren’t you coming to the party, there’s mini-mini cakes and they are super good.”said Zoulou. “I’d love to stay but my mom should be up by now and here’s your sword by the way.”he replied
“You should keep it. You seem to have an excellent sword hand, and I could train you in some moves.”
“Save some of those cakes for me, and only chocolate. See you next time.”
As he left the forest his friends began to fade away. ”What if he doesn’t remember us?”Bucky asked.“He always will. I know he will.”Zoulou said. And though all of it feels sad, it is true, by his heart because the most truest things always begin in our hearts and ends in our mind.