David and the Magic Cat

David and the Magic Cat

Home is where the heart is, that is why David only worked at the farm where he dwelled with his family. David’s home was in the thick forest that surrounded their little plot of land. David loved the woods they were so alive filled with growing living things from the sky to the deep dark earth. The birds sang to each other, squirrels leaped from tree to tree, mice and rabbits scurried on the ground, and bugs slithered flew and chirped in all directions. Every day after he milked Betsy the cow and gave the horses their hay he asked his mother if he could go explore. She always gave him permission weather permitting. She would pack him a lunch and Send him away with warning not to go to far.

The day David found the cat was like any other day he hurried, through his chores and asked his mother if he could go exploring. His mother looked worriedly at the sky. She was about to say no but then she looked into his expectant face and could not deny him as always he warned him to stay close to home packed him a lunch saying that he must return before dark and if the sky gets any worse to come home immediately. David promised he would and after saying good-bye, he was off into the woods before his mother could close the door behind him. David went into the dark forest fallowing strings he had tied on the trees. He was going to his special place it was a small clearing not far from home that he had discovered last summer and had spent may hours fixing it up with a furnished fort and a bird blind. That day he put his lunch into the lock box that he had made in is fort to keep the animals from eating his lunch and went to the bird blind. With binoculars, he scanned the sky he saw a large hawk was circling the clearing hunting for his lunch. David moved his binoculars down and scanned the ground searching for what had attracted the hawk’s attention a small black object wiggled in the middle of the clearing. At first, David thought it was another bird but then he saw a long slender tail. He hurried out of the blind and ran toward the center of the field he scooped up the small black object and ran into the fort. The hawk screamed at the loss of his lunch and circled the field for some time before gliding away to find lunch elsewhere. When the hawk was, finally gone David placed the object on the floor and stepped back. There before him was a small black kitten no bigger than the apple in his lunch the kitten looked at him and meowed.

“Hello to you too.” David said as he went to the lock box, got out his lunch, and sat down at his stump table on one of his log chairs. The kitten jumped on the log across from him and sat looking at him with its head to the side. David split his sandwich in half and laid it on the table in front of the cat. With it ears flat against its head it just stared at the sandwich and then back at him.

“Go ahead.” David encouraged. Without getting up or hardly moving at all the small cat ate daintily and quietly. “What is your name?” David asked after they both had finished their lunch. The cat looked at him for a while then to David’s surprise it opened up its mouth and began to speak.

“My name is…. Well it is Cheese; I am over one hundred years old. Despite my size, I am very big inside, for I’m a magic cat and since you have saved my life. I must stay with you until I have repaid the debt.” David just blinked at the cat he could not believe what he was hearing.

“Had this little cat just spoken to him?” David pondered, aloud to himself, before he could convince himself, otherwise the cat spoke again.

“There is a bad storm coming you better get home or your mother will start to worry. You should also get the livestock in there is going to be a lot of thunder and lighting and you know how the animals always run away when there is a storm if you do not put them in the barn. Now don’t just sit there staring at me with your mouth open like you have lost you mind. I am real, I am a magic cat, and I am talking to you. Let’s get a move on I don’t want to get wet I may be magic but I am still a cat I don’t like to get wet. Without another word, the cat jumped into David's knapsack and settled down in the folds of the fabric until it was invisible. Snapping out of his trace David grabbed what was left of the lunch, put it carefully in the sack, and slung it gently over his shoulder. He ran home as fast as he could, put the sack down inside the doorway of the barn, he then ran to the field to get the cow and the horses into the barn. When he was done making sure the livestock was secure and safe. He grabbed the sack and dashed toward the house where his mother stood worriedly in the doorway. Just as she closed the door, the clouds broke open and the sky let loose a tremendous flood of water that drenched the world outside within minuets. David's mother sighed with relief and said

“That was close I just wish, that we could have gotten all of the animals into the barn before this started.”

“Don’t worry mom I put them all away.” David said breathlessly he had to bite his lip to stop himself from telling her that the talking cat he just found had told him to come home and put the animals away. Instead he said “I am going to my room until supper.” He then trotted off in the direction of his room but was halted in his tacks when his mother asked.

“Wait, what is that in you knapsack what kind of creature have you brought home this time?” He turned on his heal and looked at her in surprise

“Oh boy” he thought how did she know had she read his thoughts but when he looked over his shoulder however he under stood, a little black head and two little fuzzy paws were sticking over the edge of the knapsack playing with the draw string. He swallowed hard and said.

“I saved this little kitten from a hawk today can I keep it please I promise to take care of it.” His mother just smiled warmly at him and said,

“Since you were big enough to bring the livestock in without being asked saving us from searching for them when the storm lets up and you promise to take care of it then you my keep it. I don’t mind and your dad is found of cats.” David smiled at her and said as he went toward his room again.

“Thanks mom see you at supper.” He said and vanished into his room he wanted to know more about his newfound friend and could hardly wait until they had a chance to talk at greater length. When the door was closed, he set the knapsack on his bed and then sat in his desk chair and waited while the cat acquainted itself with the surroundings. It sniffed the bed then jumped down and checked every corner of the floor behind the desk, under the bed where it sneezed on the dust. When it was satisfied it had not missed a spot, it nimbly jumped back onto the bed turned around three times and began to take a bath. David watched all of this with amusement the longer it took the more he began to believe that he had imagined the cat had spoke to him in his fort just a little while ago. The cat finished its bath and sighed. David cleared his throat and said,

“You do not perform magic you act just like a regular cat.”

“Appearance can be deceiving.” The cat said

“Take that hawk for instance that was the ruler of the dark tower, in my kingdom inside that mountain over there.” The cat flicked its tail toward the window in the direction of the mountain that rose above all of the others in the horizon. David knew witch one she was talking about this particular mountain was nicknamed Sleeping Giant because it looked as if a giant had slumbered there so long that trees had grown up all around him. The whole image was made complete by low clouds that, always seemed to hang over the area where his mouth was, and these clouds swirled as if he still took breath.

“Why was the ruler after you?” David asked interested this was turning out to be some day. The cat sat down on its haunches and began to explain pausing occasionally to lick this spot or that.

“You see,” the cat licking her paw “His magic staff was stolen and he thinks that my queen stole it. The reality of it is that, the black witch of the forest stole the staff. I was on my way to find it when he cornered me in that field and demanded that I return it or he would eat me. I tried to tell him that I was trying to get it back from the black witch but he does not believe that she exists for she is more powerful than he is and has hidden from him all these many years. The truth is that she secretly loves him and is trying to get his attention. That is my story the rest you know.” David sat back in his chair spell bound. When he could speak, again he said.

“Wow! What a story to evil creatures in love and trying to get each others attention except that one doesn’t even know the other exists no wonder they cannot get together some one should pay match maker and get these creatures together before someone in the middle gets hurt.” Just then, a loud crack of thunder outside made David jump. In the same instant, the world house suddenly was plunged into deep unnatural silence concerned David stood and opened his door. He held his breath, listening he looked to the left then the right when the way was clear he went down the to the kitchen. When he crossed the threshold, he did not at first notice any thing wrong his mother stood at the counter and Ally and Katherine his sisters sat at the set supper table. As he began to look around however things seemed odd. It seemed to be that nothing moved and he was starting to get alarmed. David glanced over his shoulder, at the Felix cat clock on the wall it was stopped its eyes looked at David. He looked at his mother again she stood motionless at the counter knifed poised mid cut over a tomato.

His sisters too were stopped mid movement Katherine was poring some milk into a glass the milk was just beginning to come out of the jug it hung over the glass like it was plastic. David's breath came out in a whoosh like some one had hit him in the stomach he had not realized that he was still holding it. The cat brushed past him and surveyed the seen it jumped into Ally’s lap she was leaning back in her chair with a dangling chip ready to drop into her mouth. The cat put its front paws on her chest and sniffed her breath. Sneezing it jumped down looking up at David, it said with at grin.

“Now you have got your wish.” David stumbled backward and looked down at the cat he blinked his eyes trying to clear his head when he finally found his voice he said.

“What wish? I did not wish for anything!” The cat only smiled up at him twitching its whiskers back and forth with amusement until it realized that David was serious and it said.

“You said just now that someone should play matchmaker and get the Black Witch and the Hawk-man together. Someone must have heard you and thought that was a good idea. They have paused time in your world so that you can go with me to my world and help me without anyone missing you.” The cat sat back and smiled up at him obviously pleased.

“When I said, that someone needed to fix this I did not mean me!” David screamed in frustration as he stormed away down the hall he went to his father’s office. His father was sitting at his desk, he was leaning toward his monitor eyes fixed on the screen fingers poised mid type over the keyboard. With a cry, David went into his brother room. Oliver was sitting in front of a pile of toy bricks he had just given them a good push and they hung over the ground like weightless bubbles. What a racket that will make David thought as he went back to his room defeated. With a sigh, he through himself down on to his bed tossing the knapsack on the floor the lunch his mother had made for him spilling out. The cat padded in behind him and sat in the desk chair. The two of them sat there in silence for a while then David sighed and sat up.

“All right”, he said, “ What do I have to do?” With a wide grin of happiness, the cat said.

“Let’s go and meet my queen I know she will have some things that will help you on your quest.” David slid off his bed scooped the lunch back into the bag and slung the sack over his shoulder.

“I am ready!” he said with more confidence than he felt. The cat led the way out of the house and toward the forest.

“Sleeping Giant here we come!” David thought as he fallowed the cat up the mountain. When they reached the summit the cat suddenly disappeared. Baffled David looked around until he found a dark hole, and he guessed that is where the cat had gone. Left with no other options he got down on his hands and knees, and went into the dark hole. David could hardly believe what he was doing even the frozen world behind him seemed to be in a state of shock the full moon was hidden behind a cloud and the stars stared unblinking in surprise. Everything was so still that it seemed that the world was holding its breath. David shivered despite the heat of the night wishing that he had remembered to bring a flashlight. He licked his parched lips and continued the rest of the way into the hole. When he was finally able to stand he found himself in a large dark room filled with many foreign objects. He picked up a few and felt this way toward the back of the room where he had seen a small amount of light. He found a door in the back of the room it was slightly ajar so he stepped into the room beyond.

“Please sit down, I’ll be right with you.” Someone said as David opened the door. David looked around until he found a small chair near the door and sat down.

“Thank you for entering my chambers so quickly the others who have come here always stop in the first room and try to take all of the treasure. They then come waddling in here like penguins dropping my jewels all over the floor like pebbles,” said the unknown voice. David quickly pulled the objects that he had taken before and placed them on the table.

“I am sorry” he said nervously “I took these to look at them in better light it was so dark in there that other room.” A high girlish giggle came form behind a screen that he had not noticed in the corner of the room.

“Yes of course,” said the screen have a look around there is a light switch on the wall behind you I will be right with you.”

“ Ok” David said, stood up, turned toward the door, and flipped the switch. He was not prepared for what he saw; the entire room was filled from floor to ceiling with massive mounds of gold and jewels. A rainbow of color was cast across the polished floor by the light of the lamps reflecting off the shinny sides of the treasure.

“Pretty isn’t it?” some one asked from behind him. David was so stunned that he gasped and spun around. There before him was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen. She was tall and slender in her green evening gown. Her long brown hair hung down her back past her waist and her baby blue eyes sparkled in the light. Dazzled David stepped back, stumbled over some gold bricks then he and half the pile ended up sprawled all over the polished floor. Embarrassed he struggled quickly to his feet. He could feel that his face had grown red hot. So he bowed his head ashamed he felt so foolish how could he have been such an idiot when he gets home he will have to get some edict lessons that is if he ever gets home.

“Oh are you all right?” The woman purred at David and for a moment, he thought that the cat had become this woman. Then he saw it sitting on a pile of gold bricks near the hole that they had used to enter this room from out side. Its tail was hovering over a light switch. Cheese grinned at him and leaped into the woman’s arms. The woman stroked it and looked down at David who was trying to restack the pile of cold bricks.

“My cat has a mischievous side.” She said to David “I am sorry I hope you are not hurt.” Turning to the cat, she scolded, “You should be more polite to some one who saved you life”. Cheese looked ashamed and leaped out of her arms and sat in front of David.

“ I’m sorry.” It said, “I was not trying to do you any harm. I just wanted to have a spot of fun.” It frowned at David and swished its tail back and forth. David felt stupid and spotted out so, he quickly stammered

“I am fine really” and to show that he meant it he quickly finished stacking the last few bricks and righted himself once more.

“Let’s go to the dinning room there is dinner waiting.” The woman said smiling. David thought she sparkled when she smiled and at that moment, he would have fallowed her anywhere. The little group passed through a door on the left of the treasure room into a massive dinging room. In the direct center, a great crystal chandelier hung from the ceiling that reflected the light of a large fireplace that was off to one side the fireplace was so big that David could have fit his whole house in it. David noticed that even though the fire was a raging blaze the room was a pleasant temperature he figured that the massive hearth was just for show.

Below the chandelier was an immense table that was set with three groups of gold plates cups and silverware. David marveled at the size and grandness of it all and wondered what else this palace had in store. The woman sat at the head of the table and the cat sat to her left. The woman smiled and gestured to the chair on her right.

“ Please sit down.” She purred in her throaty deep voice. David glanced around the room once more then took his place. The woman raised her arms above the table and with a twinkle in her eye clapped her hands. Sparkles fell from the ceiling in a gold and silver snowstorm that filled their entire room. David blinked in surprise he was suddenly blind dazzled he held his hand up and even thought it was only a few inches from his face he could not see it. He heard the woman clap her hands again and just as suddenly as it appeared the sparkles where gone and it its place before them on the table was the most fantastic meal that David had ever seen. There was a giant roasted bird on an equally large silver platter there was every type of fruit imaginable, like juicy red and green grapes, ripe yellow bananas, apples, plums, and oranges. The table brimmed with meat, cheese, nuts and so much more. When the dust had finally settled and the table was full there was scarcely enough room on that large table for the place settings. The woman smiled and said.

“Please help yourself while I tell you a story.” David took a sample of everything he could until his plate was full. When he was settled again the woman cleared her throat and began.

“My name is Rain I am over one hundred and fifty of your years old. However, I am very young in my own kingdom. My sister Thunder and I are the sold hares to the storm kingdom both she and I were captured by the giant and placed in this magic chest. One day my sister sang him to sleep in an attempt to except. However, unbeknownst to us he had put a spell on the box and we could not open it. Instead, the giant laid down here on these hills to rest and this is where he has been ever since with us still locked in the magic chest in his pocket. You crawled through the keyhole to get in here.” Noticing that he had finished eating she raised her arms again and in a flurry the food was gone she looked at David expectantly wondering if he had any questions before she continued he said nothing so she began again.

“One day my sister saw a hawk flying around the hole she wanted the hawk as a pet of sorts so she got a bit of meat and laid a trap for it. The hawk took the bait and was imprisoned in a large cage. Much to the surprise of my sister the hawk changed into a man.

“I am Lord Bird release me at once.” He demanded. My sister foolish as she was just laughed at him and said,

“I will release you if you will help me escape.” It was now the man hawks turn to laugh.

“What do you take me for a fool?” He asked coldly with a sneer, “I am now stuck in this box just the same as you” He said. This made my sister furious and she stormed off. I happened upon the man hawk one day when I was looking for my sister. He begged me to release him I only shook my head and quickly retreated from the room. When night fell, I went to my sister chambers, quickly I threw back the lock on the door of the cage with a snap of my fingers and the man jumped he changed in a hawk and burst into the room. He then charged strait at me. I was so frightened that I became frozen where I stood. My sister entered the room behind me just as the hawk was dive bombing me and she jumped toward me, the great hawk screeched and instead of my sister’s hands this cat landed on my shoulders.” She stopped talking and nodded toward the cat. At this, David stood so fast that he knocked over his chair.

“You!” He screamed pointing an accusing finger at the cat. “You froze my family you brought me to this place in the mountain. Why did you do this to me?” Anger flared in him he did not want to believe any of this he just wanted to go home with a cry he turned, and headed toward the door. Rain and the cat had jumped up when David had gotten to his feet surprised by his sudden anger the cat dashed to the door to block his path. She twitched her tail and looked at David with pleading in her eyes.

“I am so sorry that I lied to you! Please forgive me I know that you would not help me if I told you that I was just a foolish woman who fell in love with a hawk-man.”

“Fell in love!” David asked angrily “You locked him up in a cage”.

“I was coming to set him free, but when I saw him coming at my sister like that I thought he was going to hurt her so I lunged for her the hawk-man thought that I was going to hurt her for saving him so he turned me into a cat for my trouble.

After things had calmed down, he said that he would be able to change me back if I would help him find his wand that the giant had taken from him. I knew that I could not do it by myself so I set you up. I froze your family with the last of my magic and I need you to help me get the staff back so that I can set everything back to normal including your family.” the cat pleaded.

“You are telling me that my family will be stuck that way unless I help you.” David said through clenched teeth he was so mad that he brushed past the cat and charged into the next room. What he did not realize is that the cat had once again turned off the light on the way out of the room, when he entered he fell on a pile of gold bricks and once again polished the shiny floor with his backside. All of his anger rushed out of him with his air and he burst out laughing. He turned to the cat and Rain who stood back lit in the doorway and said with a defeated grin.

“If this adventure is even half as dangerous as this room I will be all right.” Rain stepped forward and offered him her hand. He took it and struggled to his feet. He wanted to hold onto her hand forever her long slender fingers were warm and comforting agents his cold palm. Reluctantly he let go however and asked with a shrug.

“Now what?” Rain took his hand and with the skill of the blind, she navigated the crowded dark room to another door. When they entered, David was just as marveled with this room as he had been with all of the others. He thought that if he had to be locked in a magic trunk, this was a good one. Not that he had much comparison with any other magic trunks. This room was equally as large as the others this one however was filled with mounds and mounds of giant size pillows. Rain still holding his hand led him to the nearest one they all climbed up and sat down. The little group sat on the big pillow and stared at each other for a while then the cat spoke.

“My name is Thunder I am Rain’s twin sister we were taken away from our parents at birth for payment of a debt. The debt has long since been paid but the foolish giant has slumbered here so long that he has forgotten all those of us in this box. There are my rooms such as this in this box all filled with the many things that the giant has collected in his travels. In one of these rooms is the Hawk’s staff. You and I must go in search of it. The hawk has given me an amulet that is part of the staff and should help us find it. We must go through this chest room by room.

This box is in the shape of a large clam shell it is divided into three sections and each section has four rooms there are twelve rooms in all. I have all already searched in the four rooms in this section and found nothing. If the amulet that the hawk man does what I think it does we will not have to search all the rooms in the different sections were the amulet glows.” The cat finished and twitched her tail. David thought for a moment then asked.

“You have the amulet why have you not searched the rest of this box by yourself and left me out of this?”

“I am a cat I can not open any of the doors.” The cat said impatiently and twitched her tail as if David should have been able to guess that. David glanced at Rain she did not say a word but lifted the hem of her skirt to reveal a cast on her left leg. Rain glanced at the cat whom, looked like she would shrink even smaller until she disappeared entirely and in a small voice, said.

“One day for fun I turned out the lights in the treasure room and she tripped spraining her knee she can not walk more than a few feet before the pain becomes unbearable. That is why I have sought you out. I know this is a lot to take in at once. Please take you time we can begin our adventure whenever you are ready.” The cat stood turned around three times, lay down, and curled into a ball tucking her tail in. David removed the backpack, lay back onto the pillow, and looked at the ceiling. The weird thing was that there was no ceiling, as he would have expected he was after all in a box instead there was the night sky still frozen. He blinked his eyes in amazement when he opened them again Rain and Thunder were gone. Frightened he sat up how long were his eyes closed it felt like no more than a few seconds. He began to panic grabbing the knapsack he slid down the pillow to the floor. Just then, Thunder appeared from in between some pillows.

“I am sorry I did not mean to frighten you. I was just seeing my sister off to bed,” She said with a sigh of sadness “it has been a long and trying day for her. How are you are you rested and ready to go?”

“How long was I asleep?” David asked

“Don’t worry time dose not exist here.” The cat snidely said, “Please come this way. There is no time to loose.” She said laughing as she headed toward the door to the treasure room.

Still a little confused David fallowed the cat out of the pillow room and back into the treasure room. Thunder stood waiting for him in front of two massive doors he had not noticed before.

“This is the entrance to the great hall,” she said “it is how you get to all the other rooms.” David looked up at the massive door upon its face was a great pictograph it looked like a clam divided into sections in each box was a picture. In the top left, there was what looked like a candy cane next to that was a fluffy dogface. On the top right there was a dragon breathing fire then some nasty looking men with furry feet and massive clubs.

The next section had four doors each representing the four seasons spring and fall on the left and summer and winter on the right. Below those were rooms that he recognized as the dining room the pillow room on the left. To the right must be Rain and Thunders chambers and finally below that was the treasure room in witch they stood. David chuckled and said with a smile,

“All this door is missing is a sign that says YOU ARE HERE!” Thunder twitched her tail and cocked her head to the left.

“Never mind,” David said dismissively “shouldn’t we get going. I know that time is stopped but I still would like to go home at some point.” With nothing, more to say he reached up and with both hands pushed the big doors with all of his might. Slowly and soundlessly, they swung inward their massive hinges. Before them was a grand hallway with great wooden doors on either side the walls were white and the floor was tiled in solid god bricks. Immediately after they cleared the threshold the doors swung shut behind them David gave a little cry in surprise then he looked at Thunder and said

“Wow I don’t think that we are in the treasure room any more Thunder.” Thunder sat down on her haunches and lifted up the amulet that hung around her neck. It was glowing a brilliant green. Thunder looked down at it and twitched her ears. She was so silent that David started to get concerned.

“ What is there matter?” He asked worried Thunder only sat and stared at the amulet twitching her ears and swishing her tail back and forth on the polished gold bricks. Finally after what seemed like forever Thunder stood and preceded down the hallway to the first door on the left. There on the door were the symbols of fall and spring.

David went to the door and with a grunt pulled it open beyond the door was a hallway with two more doors. Thunder went down the hall to the last door marked for spring and sat down she looked at David head to one side eyes half closed as if she did not have a care in the world. David just rolled his eyes at her.

“You don’t know what room the staff is in do you we are going to have to search every room aren’t we.” He said with a sigh. He knew her answered when she just blinked at him and turned her gaze back to the spring door. “All right away we go!” He said with more confidence then he felt. He went over to the spring door, grabbed the large ring handle, and pulled it outward. Thunder strode in boldly before him flicking her tail side to side as she walked David entered the room and was almost knocked off his feet by the shear wonder of it. The walls and ceiling were covered with a luscious green vines with orange flowers that were as large as David’s head. The ground was covered in knee high grass that moved in a light breeze that surrounded him with the smells of spring the smells came and went in fazes one would fade and then a new on appeared there was violet, roses, lilacs and the sweet smell of grass and many other that David could not identify. For a moment David could not see thunder in the tall grass but then he spotted her up turned tail and the bright blue green glow of the amulet that seemed to part the grass before her leading her in some unknown direction. David hurried after her they stopped in the center of the room. Directly before them was a dark body of water. There, was a low rumble and the water started to churn and bubble as if it was going to boil over just as it seemed that it could talked no more and it would breach the shore covering them where they stood. In the center of the water, a brownish green object broke the surface. At first, it was small but it grew bigger and bigger as more, of it emerged from beneath the surface. Suddenly everything went silent. There before them was a humongous toad it filled the entire body of water until not a drop of it was visible under it the hind legs touched the sides of he room and there was only enough room between the ceiling and it head for a tiny little crown. Thunder sat before it with your tail tucked under her and looked from David to the toad and back again obviously expecting David to say something. David gave Thunder a sideways look and then stepped forward. He bowed low, cleared his throat, and said

“Great and might majesty we are seeking the staff of the hawk man he told us that the amulet would lead us to it but it started glowing as soon as we entered the great hall. We have come here to your room of spring seeking your guidance.” He stopped talking kept his head bowed. There was silence for a long time then a low rumble of laughter filled the room it shook the ground so fiercely that David was off his feet onto his backside. The toad opened its mouth and out came a long pink tong unrolling it’s self like a red carpet. At first, David thought that he was going; to be lunch instead it wrapped around his waist and set him up right. When the tong was back in the mouth the toad began to speak the voice that came out surprised David it was not the mighty rumbling voice that you might expect from something as massive as this toad it was instead a tiny high pitched one as if it was coming from a mouse.

“Thank you.” She squeaked, “I am not a princess, Thunder and her sister traded me this crown for some of my flowers. Let me see the amulet you speak of maybe I can help you.” Thunder held up the amulet in her front paw and the long pink tong once again unrolled and with the precision of an elephant’s trunk, it explored the amulet retracting back into the mouth when she was satisfied.

“This amulet is not complete it is suppose to be surrounded by two squares made of gold. I have one of those pieces and the other inhabitants of the additional eight rooms have the extra ones. When you have all the pieces then the farthest chamber in this chest will open and the staff that you seek rests in there on a pedestal. I would be willing to trade you for my section if you can get me something that I desire. I want a piece of candy from the candy room it has been so long since I had something sweat. When you bring me the candy, I will give you my section. Here take one of my flowers as a gift to give to the Candy man.” The tong uncurled again, plucked one of the large orange flowers from the wall, and brought it to David. “Now go” she squeaked with excitement “I await your return” and with that she was gone completely submerged in the lake once more. How deep that water must be David thought as he turned on his heal and headed for the door with Thunder close behind him. When, they were back in the hall David closed the door and looked down at Thunder around the flower in his arms. She was sitting on her haunches looking right and then left she looked up at David when she realized that he was looking at her finally she spoke.

“What I want to know is weather or not to go to every room and see what the inhabitants there want in trade for their sections of the amulet or do we take that flower to the candy room and then go from there. Either way we will have to go to every room some times more than once. This is more than I bargained for when I told the hawk man that I would get his staff for him” she sighed and looked at the floor. David smiled at her over the edge of the flower and said “This has been one amazing adventure and I am sure that it will only get better I will stay with you till the end. Please do not get so discouraged. Just look at the size of this flower it is as big as my head it must have taken awhile for it to grow but the toad princess gave it to us. For a piece of candy witch she will trade us for her piece of the amulet lets go to the candy room and give this flower to the Candy man and see what he wants for his piece. Good things will happen to those who try.” Thunder smiled at him so big that he could clearly see her canines. They left the hall of spring and fall, then proceeded up the grand hallway to the hall of candy, and stuffed animals. David set down the flower and opened the door then, after he retrieved the large flower they went down the hall to the candy room. The door stood open to their surprise so they just went in. David's mouth started watering as the delectable smells reached his nostrils and tempted his taste buds. The walls were tiled in gingerbread that had gumdrops on them the size of small cars. David expected them to start driving off the walls. He wish that his sister was there so that he could give her a couple of good slug bug no slugs back punches on the arm. They walked to the back of the room on a cracker path. David marveled at the white grass that looked like clouds on the ground. When Thunder saw that he was looking at the grass she said.

“It is marshmallow cream try some.” David bent down and took up a gooey handful it was so soft that it melted in his mouth. He smiled and said. “Now this is a great room!” Just then, the ground under their feet began to shake. David and Thunder looked up to see what had made all of the commotion there standing before them was a large man that was made entirely out of crispy rice treats. He wore a dark vest suit made out of thin slices of chocolate, the vest buttons were sugar cookies in the shape of stars and his tall top hat was made from pink cotton candy. David stepped back in surprise the man bowed low and said.

“Thank you for coming how may I help you.” Thunder swished her tail sending a cloud of cracker dust into the air. She sneezed and then said.

“ We bring you this flower from the Toad princess she wants to exchange it for a piece of candy. When we give it to her she will give us her piece of this amulet.” Thunder lifted the amulet up to him with front paw.

“Very interesting.” The man said as he took a pretzel attached to a liquorish chain from his pocket. He rested the pretzel on his candy nose and peered at them with his gumball eyes. His taffy mouth turned from a thoughtful frown to a smile. “Ok, I will give the Toad princess a long lasting jawbreaker and if you go and get me a red dragon scale that I can use as a candy dish. I will give you my piece of the amulet.” He said as he took the flower and gave them a jawbreaker and a marshmallow to give to the dragon as trade for the scale. Pleased with themselves for the progress that they were making they left the marshmallow on the grass by the door to pickup on their way back and headed back to the spring room. When they entered the ground rumbled and the water bubbled. The Princess toad arose from her watery home and smiled down at them. David held up the jawbreaker the long tong unrolled it wound around the candy and slowly hefted it up to the mouth. A large grin pulled at the corners of the toad’s mouth and in a muffed muddled voice she said.

“Thank foo the amoolet is on da tae bool.” The front leg pointed at a large rock next to David. David lifted Thunder onto it she went to the amulet piece and picked it up in her mouth. She brought it to David who took both parts and snapped the section to the clasp at the top. The color of the circle changed form blue to green to yellow one side of the inner square was connected. David put the amulet on turning to the toad he bowed low and said.

“Thank you your majesty.” The toad only nodded at them. David and thunder went in to the hall once more. As they passed by the fall door, they heard weeping curious they opened the door and went inside there before them was the largest apple tree that David had ever seen. Its great branches shook and Swede with every wail at first David could not ell how this tree could weep then he saw it there was a face on the front of the tree. He could have sworn that when they entered the room there had been no face there at all now there were great dark eyes with sap poring out of them by the bucket full the big round nose was red and swollen and the fierce looking mouth was turned down in a dreadful frown. “ Why do you weep>” David asked he was starting to really get into this adventure stuff it was just like being in one of his books for real. He was beginning to fell a little less like Alice in her rabbit hole and a little more like Tom Soyer. The tree stopped crying and looked at David then at Thunder then began to wail again, “ I have no wife to call my own no one to love and hold branches with. Oh I am so sad.” David had an idea; he turned to the tree and said. “If we help you will you give us your piece of the amulet?" The tree squinted at them and said with a small amount of hop in its voice. “Ok” David knelt down and removed his pack from it he took out the apple from his lunch he then went to a plain patch of dirt opposite the great tree he dug a small hole in the ground with his hands and placed the apple in it he then covered it over and stepped back. Nothing happened because he was disappointed Thunder stepped forward and said.

“You need water to make it grow. We could get a bucket from the summer room and use it to get some water from Princess Toad’s pond the water is part of the reason she has grown so big. The big tree smiled here take one of my leaves for the summer room the clam can use it for shade in trade for the bucket; David accepted the leaf from the out stretched branch. It was so big that he could stand behind it and be completely covered. He took the leaf by the stem and dragged it behind him as they headed for the Door.

“Hurry back!” The tree said at their backs. David hefted that heavy leaf higher onto his shoulder and trudged down small hall and back out into the great hall where he had to set down the leaf to get the summer winter door open. With the leaf in tow once more they headed for the summer room. The first thing that David notices when he opened up the door was the heat hot wind stung his face and he began to seat he pulled the leaf into the room and stood it on its stem. Then he stood in its shadow and felt better. When the sweat was no longer dripping into his eyes he looked around him the room was filled with dunes of white sand except for the far corner was a small body of water Thunder called for the clam and a small spout of water squirted from the center of the puddle. David and Thunder went to it. There in the center of the puddle was the smallest clam that David had ever seen. He could not believe it everything else in this place was so big and this clam and its puddle were tiny thunder stood some distance away and shouted.

“Can we borrow your bucket?” David wondered why thunder was standing so far away then he saw it. The small clam was not sitting on a rock as David first thought it was sitting on something under the sand that went from one side of the room to the other. The ground shook, up arouses, and clam identical to the tiny one just 110th of the size.

“What can we do for you?” the tiny clam said in a voice barely above a whisper.

Thunder cleared her throat and explained about the amulet and the tree she told them about the bucked and the rest of their quest to get the staff for the hawk man when she had finished telling the tale the clam said.

“You can use my bucket but you will have to get it from the snow man he has borrowed it to build an igloo for his wife if you will bring me back my bucket and a shove I will give you our piece of amulet. Here is a pearl necklace to give to the snowman for the shovel. With that, the large clam slid below the surface of the sand leaving only the tiny one exposed. David put the stem of the leaf in the rock was so the shadow fell on the small clam it spit a tiny stream of water at him it was salty and refreshing. I quest he likes you thunder said he does not do that for just anyone. David went toward the door with thunder at his heals by the time they reached the door David’s face was dry. When they were in the hall David turned to thunder asked. “What is up with those to?” thunder cocked her head to the side and blinked at them then swished her tail with acknowledgement she said.

“ They are twins they were born stuck together and have been like that forever. The little ones name is humongous and his sister is Minnie. Minnie does not talk by they are so close that Humongous can tell what Minnie is thinking and feeling. David chuckled at their names and then turned on his heal toward the winter room. Out side, the door was a small sweater and a large parka with gloves in the pocket. David helped thunder into the sweeter and then put on the parkas and glove he pulled open the winter door and was pushed back by a blast of artic air that nearly knocked him off his feet. They found Mr. snow man sitting on a large pile of snow muttering to his self he looked up at them as they approached and he was so embarrassed that his cheeks stared to met from the heat of it. David hurried over, scooped up more snow, put it on the snowman face, and said.

“There now no need to get embarrassed everyone talks to themselves when they are trying to figure something out it is just that in one wants to admit it. Besides you will melt away if you do not stop.” the snowman nodded in agreement and said. “ Today is my anniversary and I was trying to build an igloo for my wife but I can not seem to get it right.”

“We have some thing that might help.” Said thunder “ The clams gave us this pearl necklace to trade you for a shovel and bucket to dig their hole bigger so that humongous could be under the sand and out of the sun”.

“Thank you for the necklace. I would love to help you with the shovel and there bucket but I need them for this igloo. The misses saw it on a T.V. Special and now she can not live with out it.” David look at the half finished igloo and said, “If we help you will you give us the shove, bucket, and piece of amulet” “I will give you the shovel and buck for helping and then I will trade this pearl necklace for the amulet pieces. That is now on the misses.” So David, Thunder and Mr. Snowman got to work they cut square blocks with the shovel and stacked them in a circle then they placed another row on top making it slightly smaller until there was only a small hole at the top David fill the bucket with snow and the snow man froze it with his breath. Then thunder used her claws to scamper up the side of the igloo to the very top David handed her the bucket she took it in her teeth. She took it over to the hole and tipped the ice in with a swoosh it slid into place and the igloo was done. The three of them stood back and looked with admiration at their job well done. Mr. snowman was obviously very pleased because he immediately call “Misses Snowman Please come here Dear.” She came here sliding down the hill on her belly. When she reached the bottom of the hill a moment later she stood and striated her apron. “Yes dear?” she asked lovingly not noticing the Igloo. Mr. Snowman stepped aside to revile the door and a sharp squeal came from Mrs. Snowwoman. Mr. Snowman took her arm and let her inside. It sparkled like a prism little rainbows danced across the wall up over the ceiling and down the other wall. Mrs. Snowwoman caught her breath and ice crystals dripped from the corner of her eye. Mr. snow man smiled and handed her the pearl necklace. “Oh it is like little snow balls on a sting!” Mrs. Snowman cried. She could not hold back her emotion any longer great ice sheets pored from her eyes soon they had enough ice to make a table and two chairs. When she finally got control of her self Mrs. Snowman asked

“Will you stay and have dinner with us?” David bowed and said as politely as he could “No thank you. If we could just have the shovel, the bucket and the amulet piece we will be on our way we have lots of other place to go yet before we are all done.” They gathered the things that they needed then Mister and Misses Snowman stood in the door of their igloo and waved good-bye to the pair until they were out of sight. Thunder and David left their wraps by the door and took their treasures back to the summer room.

“I am glad that Mrs. Snow liked her Necklace.” Humungous said when they gave him the shovel “Thanks for the shovel when you bring it back I will give you the amulet piece.” He concluded and Minnie sank under the sand. David and thunder tanked him and went to the spring room.

“Can we have some of you water? David asked the big Toad only nodded Enjoying her candy to much to try and speak around it David got a bucket full of water.

“ Thank you!” he said as he and thunder went next door again. David went to the place where he had buried the apple. He pored a little bit of the water on the spot of moist dirt. The ground shook and out popped a tiny little twig. Little eyes opened and a tiny little mouth said “Hi!” so quiet David could hardly hear it.

“This will never do, close your eyes little one.” He said as he raised the bucket up over his head the tiny twig closed its eyes and David doused it with the entire contents of the bucket. The ground shook and split open David stepped back in alarm. The tiny twig disappeared below ground and in its place grew a massive trunk. When the eyes opened, they were lined with long lushes lashes and the lips were full and red.

“Hello The great Girl tree said and she said and blinked her eyes at them all.”

“Ha! Ha!” Mr. Tree laughed “By Joe you have done it! I am so excited here is my piece of the amulet go and best of luck on the rest of your quest.” He said as he passed David his piece. Thunder and David went back into the great hall once more. They had the amulet pieces from the spring fall and winter rooms they just needed the section from the summer room and the inner amulet would be done so they hurried as fast as they could to the summer room. When they entered, they could not see the clams any were. The ground soon slid away and the two clams emerged form the sand. David had no Idea how they had dug their hole so quickly but he was not about to ask for he knew that would take a while to explain. Maim use said in his tiny voice. “ Thank you the amulet piece is there on a string by the door. They took the amulet piece and went back into the great hall David took off the amulet and laid the pieces on the floor. He then snapped them all together one by one. When the inner square was done the amulet glowed a brilliant magenta the inner square was done soy they went aback to the candy room to retrieve the marshmallow. They went down the hall into the Dragon room. When they opened the door the red dragon lay slumbering then a large dog basket with his tail tucked around it. David turned to Thunder and whispered, “Do we wake it?” The question was not a moment out of David's lips when the Dragon lifted its head and glared at them. “There is no need to whisper I am awake. I cannot sleep with all of that shouting next door.” It growled at them “What do you want?” It asked leaning close sniffing them. David swallowed hard and held up the marshmallow to the dragon.

“We brought this marshmallow from the candy man. He wishes to trade it for on of your scales to use as a candy dish. If we give him this he will give us his piece of the amulet to make the outer square.” The dragons gaze softened a little when he saw the marshmallow. “Hum!” It said thoughtful” Ok here is one of my scales to give to the candy man. If you take one of my spikes to the Trolls for there spears and bring me back one of their clubs for a squire that I can roast this marshmallow than I will give you my section.” “It’s a deal!” David said and took the scale and the spike. He put the scale in his pack and hefted the heavy spike onto his shoulder.

“Lets go!” He said to Thunder as he headed for the door they went next door and Thunder wrapped on it with her paw when no on e opened it she looked at David who shrugged and pulled it open. Just as he did, a truck wised by his head and crashed into the far wall. A child like cream of frustration fallowed a sorrowful grown. David peered cautiously around the doorframe what the saw astonished him before him a large hairy creature with feet the size large watermelons, and an only slightly smaller creature in a fluffy pink dress. The one in the dress was screaming and stomping her foot she was obviously not happy with the larger one before her. David cleared his throat starling the creatures.

“Hello, I have this gift from the dragon he held up the spike. If you do not mind, I wish to trade it for one of your clubs so that he can toast his marshmallow. There smaller one still putting said

“Oh a Kitty I want a Kitty”

“Oh sunny that kitty is much to small for you.” The large one said when he saw Thunder’s hair bristle on her back.”

“I know” she said shyly from behind David “We will go and get a large kitty from the stuffed animal room if you will give us the club for the dragon and you section of this amulet. The large one squinted at them until the little one kicked him in the shin and shouted.

“I want a kitty!” Defeated he said

“All right here is a club for the dragon when you bring back the kitty or my daughter I will give you my amulet here are some buttons to trade to the poodle for the Kitty.” David gave the big troll the dragon spike and took the club and the buttons. They left the room the little one still chanting, “I want a kitty” repeatedly! They stopped at the dragon door and gave the dragon his club and collected his piece then they went to the candy room were they gave the candy man his scale. He gave them his pieces and a little liquorish. David put the pieces in his pack and took a bite of liquorish it melted in his mouth he closed his eyes and thought how wonderful it tasted. He put the rest in his pack.

“Thank you.” He said to the Candy man as they turned toward the door he smiled down at Thunder and said “Now it is off to the stuffed animal room and the end of this adventure”. Thunder hissed and ran toward the door. David ran after her “What is wrong with you?” David asked she turned and squinted at him but said noting. Agitated she then turned away from him toward the door and swished her tail back and forth a cloud of cracker surrounded her nearly hiding her from view

“Stop wagging your tail.” David demanded he held his breath and grabbed blindly into the cloud he felt for Thunder. When he found her, he lifted her up and turned her toward him her hind legs kicking wildly under her.

“Put me down” She cried she turned her head and tried to bite him then she kicked her hind legs and tried to scratch him. “ Put me down!” she yell at him “ You wanted to be done with this adventure already so lets finish it”

Is that what this is all about “ David said surprised you are mad at time because I was excited about this adventure ending what kind of person do you take me for? He asked thunder just hung lifelessly in his arms I am sorry if what I said hurt your feelings that was not my intention. All I meant was that we will have all the parts of the amulet and we can go to the end of the hall to the staff. I do not want to be rid of you that easily. You are after all my cat besides I saved your life and you froze my family you owe me one.

“Alright put me down lets get this over with already I was starting to get tired of you anyway.” She said. “Sure right!” He said and instead of setting her down, he cradled her in his arms. At first, she tried to wriggle away then she settled down into his embrace and began to per. David left the candy room waving good-bye to the candy man. They went next door to the stuffed animal room. David knocked a women’s voice from inside said, “Come in Please. David opened the door and there before him was a room filled from floor to ceiling with every type of stuffed animal you could think of Lions, Elephants cats Dogs, Pigs. There were Snakes, lizards. David even saw different types of bugs there were mounds and mounds of them each pile separated by type. “We are back here a voice said from behind the farthest stack of centipedes. David set thunder down and they both made their way to the back of the room. As they rounded the last mound David said. “They will be coming around the mound when they come” this made Thunder laugh. When they finely reached the voice David was surprised to see what had spoken. There sitting around a large table was a green poodle a purple pig and an orange striped cat. “Go fetch.” Said the woman’s voice that they had heard from the doorway the green poodle smiled at them and wagged her fluffy tail. “Welcome we do not have many visitors your turn. She said nodding at the pig. The purple pig stuck her tong out and studied her cards carefully “ Well cat she said do you have any Ks?” The cat looked at his cards and smiled “Why Yes I do, how did you know? Here you go.” He said as he passed the K to the pig. “Your turn again Pig.” said the cat.

“Miss Poodle you do you, have any Bs?” “Go Fetch.” said the Dog. The pig pouted as she reached into the pot to draw a card. Her big purple bow slid off her tail as she sat up. “Oh No!” she cried “Not again!”

“I will help you!” said David he ran over to the Pig and retied the bow on her tail “Why thank you that is always happening to me I straiten my tail and off it slips.” The pig said. David reached into the backpack and pulled out one of the brass buttons with a large purple stone on it that he had gotten from the troll. He slid it over the end of the pig’s tail it fit perfectly. “Ok try striating you tail now!” Pig bent forward when she sat up again her curly tail straitened but the bow stayed in place.

“Oh thank you!” she said turning around in little circles trying to see her tail ring. The green poodle reached in to her green rhinestone studded purse, and pulled out a green mirror and handed it to David who held it behind pig. She turned sideways and straitened her tail out as far as it would go. “Oh Boy!” she squealed in delight “Thank you everyone it is just what I have always wanted” David handed miss poodle back her mirror when she put it in her purse the button to hold it closed popped off and flew into a near by pile of elephants the pile stared to warble and wobble David shouted “Look out cat. “ He dove at the cat knocking him off his chair. When they could sit up again the cat s chair was completely engulfing the in tiny stuffed elephants. “ Are you all right?” David and the cat asked at the same time this made them both laugh “I am fine they in unison. This made everyone laugh everyone pitched in and helped uncover cats chair. When every one was seated around the table, again David reached in to his pack and pulled out the rest of the buttons; He put them on the table they were in every color and size. Miss Dog picked out a small green one. Pig gave all of this to David who put the new button on the purse and handed back to her. “ Well now he is quite the gentlemen,” said the poodle “ we must do something for the young man” Said the pig. “ Let him join he game, “ said the cat. “ No thank you “ said David I have just come to get you piece of this amulet and to get a stuffed kitty for the troll girl. “ Oh by all means said the dog” said the dog she reached into her purse and pulled out the amulet piece the cats are in the left corner by the door the cat said “I will show you” Said the Pig “Deal another round cat” she said as she headed toward the door. “ I will be right back for a rematch. Now that my bow won’t fall off every time that I reach for a card we might actually finish a game.” David and thunder fallowed pig to the front of the room “where were you this? David asked thunder who just appeared from around a stack. “ Just looking for a gift” she said shyly “Oh bother” David said I could have used your help back there. Thunder swished her tail and smiled at him “You seemed to manage all right on you own” she said and ran to catch up with the Pig so David ran after them. He was about to ask what she meant by that when they reached the cat piles. There was a small medium and large pile thunder went searching around the small pile while David when to he went to the medium pile on the way he set his bag y the door. He selected a pink on with a large bow that was almost as large as it was. Then he turned to look for Thunder she was putting something small and black into his pack. He went up to her so was so startled by his approach that the hair on her back stood on hen she jumped away from the pack as if it would bite her. David chuckled to himself he did not say anything to thunder he just picked up the pack and put it over his shoulder. He looked for the Pig to thank her but she had already had gone back to her card game

“Go Fetch!” She said from the back of the room and giggled. “You Swine” said the cat as David headed for the door.

“Does any one want a piece of gum?” He heard the poodle say over a large round of laughter as he shut the door.

Thunder and David headed back toward the troll room when they reached it they could tell right off that things had not gotten any better. “ You don’t love me. The little troll screamed and something hit the wall next to the door. David paused by the door deciding what to do next; he could not think of any safe way so he cautiously knocked.

“What do you want?” the large troll growled. David eased open the door and waved the kitty like a white flag just inside the door. “Oh Kitty!” The little girl screamed and threw open the door she reached for the kitty but her father grabbed it first. “Now Honey” he said gently but firmly “I think that you owe this boy something” David was surprised when with out any argument the small troll went to a jewelry box, got out the last section of the amulet and gave it to David then she gave him a curtsy and said.

“Thank you” Her father smiled at her and gave her the kitty. She took it and went to a large four posted bed she crawled under the covers stuck her thumb in her mouth and wrapped the other arm tightly around the kitty she was soon snoring loudly. The great troll bowed to them but did not say anything. David and Thunder tiptoed toward the door and shut it quietly behind them. They went back to the great hall and stood in front of the far wall there was a picture of a forest path through some trees and at the end of the path was a door. David dropped to one knee and took all of the amulet pieces out of the front pocket of his pack. He laid the center circle that was surrounded by the first square on the floor then he then arranged the last four sections to make the outer square. He looked at Thunder who nodded her head. He pushed them together until they snapped into place. The inner square started to spin this made the whole amulet walk to the left then it went to the right. The outer square then began to move this made the amulet go up and down. For a moment, it just went left and right up and down. David wondered if this was supposed, to happen he looked at Thunder but she just looked at the amulet wide eyed. David bent to pick it up but it scooted away from his grasp. He tried again but it was too quick. He did not know what to do. The amulet sat there shaking ready to dash away so David sat back and put his hands behind his back. The amulet stopped shaking.

“Alright!” David said frustrated. “ We are looking for the Hawk man’s staff the frog said that if we got all of your pieces then you would open that door so that we could go and get it. We have but you back together if you help us we will not take you apart again. The amulet shuttered then went to the wall and to David and Thunder’s surprise it crawled right up the wall. When it reached the part of the picture where the door was it settled itself in a whole in the wall that David had not noticed before. The picture dissolved and before them was a door. David pulled the handle and the door swung out ward. There before him was a long narrow footpath with a chest on a pedestal at the end to the right and the left of the path thee was nothing but blackness David stepped cautiously into the room. There was barely enough room for him to stand on the narrow walk way. He inched his way along bits of sand fell down into the nothing ness on either side of the walkway. David took a deep breath and continued until he reached the far plat for there he stood before the treasure chest he bent his knees and lifted the lid. The interior of the chest glowed from within and David had to shield his eyes for a moment. Until they adjusted to the bright light, there in the chest was a solid gold stick with birds carved in it. From to bottom. David lifted the stick out of the box and discovered that the light in the box was coming from the staff itself it was a good thing too because the ground began to shake the chest lid slammed shut and what ever sours had once lit the large room went out, sending David into total darkness. He looked around and saw Thunders eye shine reflecting the light of the staff. “Fallow me.” She said the eyes move slowly before him he focused on them holding the staff up to get maximum refraction. He had a fleeting thought that she was walking backwards over that tinny path. When he though this he lowed the staff and lost sight of her this made him panic and falter a step. He stopped and took a deep breath. He lifted the staff up again and there was her eyes again unblinking, unmoving. “You ok?” she said concerned “I am ok!” He said shakily once again the eyes moved before him he focused on those eyes and fallowed them all the way to the great hall. When he was safely on solid ground, again he collapsed on the gold brick floor and put his forehead on the cold solid ground. When he had composed himself once more he sat up and looked at Thunder “I guess we are even on the save the life thing “ He said. Thunder sat before him and just shrugged her shoulders “Well let us get this staff back to the hawk man”. He said at last He stood closed the door and retrieved his pack. “Well Ammey are you coming with us he said. The amulet jumped from the door and landed on top of the staff. The three of them went down the gr3eat hall to the treasure room once more. There were noises coming from the dining room so the trio went that way. When they entered, a great party was going on. The candy man, the pig, the cat, and the dog were all there. So was the dragon and the trolls Mr. and Mrs. Snowman stood in buckets of Ice in the corner farthest aw\ay from the fire. To David's surprise princess toad, Mr., and Mrs. Tree were there along with Minnie and Humongous retrieving the staff must have broken the spell that had kept them all in there rooms. There was a grand feast set on the table even more impressive than the first one David had seen there. At the head of the table was a man and to his right was rain. When they entered the music stopped and they all looked at the little part of three that had entered there was a moment of silence then every one cheered. “ Hi hip Hooray for David and Thunder Hip Hooray for the great staff and amulet the staff glowed brightly in David’s hand and the amulet stood at attention. David and Thunder glanced at each other and smiled the man rounded the table and reached for the staff. When David handed it to him, he lifted it above his head and said, “what was done now undo restore what is not right. He pointed the staff at thunder suddenly a bolt of lightning shot out of the tip it struck Thunder in the chest David Cried out in alarm but when the smoke cleared there was a beautiful woman before them where the cat had once been. “ I am Thunder” and she took both of his hands in hers and kissed his cheek “Thank you form the bottom of my hearty!”: She said tears glisten in her eyes. “ You have set me free I will miss my tail however it was fun to wag.” Thunder then ran to embrace her sister and the hawk man. “Now it is your turn the hawk man,” Said turning to David “you have been a very brave and helpful young man thank you he raised his staff above his head once again “Wait Please let me say good by to every one”. David shouted. “ Very well then. The hawk man said nodding David went to the frog Princess he bowed low before her. “ It was a pleasure to make you acutance your highness. “ he said a low rumbling laugh came from the toad and her long pink tong came out and licked David from head to toe. He wiped the spit from his eyes and moved to the candy man he shook his hand and said. “That was some of the best liquorish I have ever tasted” the candy man bowed low and tipped his hat. David went to Mr. and Mrs. Tree They stood there in grandness when David approached they both bowed low and in gulfed him in a leafy branch hug when they let him go Mrs. tree said “ Please take this we have never been so happy. She placed a red apple in his hand. Thank you David said and put it in his pack. Then he moved toward Humongous and Minnie. Minnie opened up so the Humongous was at eye level with David humongous spit in David face. “ Thank you David said as he moved on to Mr. and Mrs. snowman they shook his hands and mars snowman kissed him on the cheek her icy breath froze the clam spit on David's face. “ OH sorry she said when she pulled back and noticed. David just moved on to the Dragon He breathed his hot marshmallow breath on David when he said thanks for every thing I have not had such a good nap in some time and that marshmallow was delightful. The frozen spit on David face melted and floated away on a puff of steam.

“Thank you” David said as he worked his jaw up and down to gets the stiffness out of it. HE moved on to the Father and daughter trolls. The dad bowed and the Daughter curtsied

“Thank you.” they said in unison. David bowed and said,

“You are most welcome”. He moved on to Mr. cat, Miss Pig and Miss Poodle.

“Thank you for fixing my bow I won three games after that.” Miss Pig said and kissed his cheek her wet snout tickling David's ear. Miss poodle stepped forward and said

"That old button was always falling off my purse and causing accidents this now one works so much better thank you” She licked his hand with a tiny Pink tong David was surprised that it was not as green as the rest of her. The cat stepped forward next and bowed low

“Thank you for saving me from being barred by elephants again it takes so long to dig out from under them without tarring them with your claws." he said and he shook David's hand in his big paw. David bowed low to them all and said,

“You all are most welcome”. He went to Rain who stood arm in arm with the hawk man she stepped forward when he approached she held out her hands to him he let her take both of his hands in hers.

“You will never know how much this means to me you have given me a man and got my sister back.” She placed a handkerchief in his hands kissed him on the cheek and stepped back into the waiting arms of the hawk man. David turned as another man entered the room “My dear brother “ Said the hawk man “ Please come mete your new bride Thunder”. Thunder stepped shy forward the new man opened his arms and she ran into them he embraced her in a big hug when he finally released her turned to David and said “ Thank you for returning my bide to me I will always be grateful. David was a little confused but he nodded and bowed to the man thunder went to him she engulfed him in a big bear hug and said. “ Every thing has turned out al right thanks to you. You have set us all free and given each of us something that we wanted or needed. Now it is time for us to give back to you. She stepped Back and nodded over his shoulder Wait he protested “I don’t want to leave you all” Thunder smiled at him Its time for you to wake up be sure to check your bag I have left you a present there.” “Wake up” David said confused “I am awake” Thunder shook her head and said, “Wake up David!” suddenly there was a flash of light and a large crashing sound David jummped startled and he felt himself falling he opened his eyes to find himself in his room. Once more he lay in a heep on the floor his cloths were wrinkiled and his hair was standing on end. Was this all a dream he thought then he heard something under his bed. He got onto his knees and looked under it there was his pack he pulled it out and opened it up. In side, was a bright red apple, a string of red liquorish, a white handkerchief with RR embroidered on the corner, and in their very bottom was what looked like a stuffed black kitten. He was about to reach in and pick it up when there was a flash of lighting and a crack of loud thunder. The bag shook and out popped the cat. She purred and wondered around the room sniffing every thing. She even sneezed when she sniffed the dust under his bed. “ Every body it time for dinner!” His mom called from the other room he was so started that he jumped. There was a loud crash from the direction of Oliver’s room and his dad passed by his room Yawing and stretching “ You coming son!” He said. David nodded weekly and stood. He fallowed his father to the kitchen where his family sat happily around the table laughing and passing food. David sat in his spot and blinked at them his mother looked at him worriedly “Are you all right David?” She asked he shook his head as if to clear it and smiled at her “ I am fine he said I just had the most amazing dream” “Oh a dream” “Please tell us the dream said Katherine excited “Yes pleas tell us Exclaimed Ally David looked at his mother and father who both nodded at him. Therefore, he sat back in his chair and told his family all about his adventures. As if on cue, when Thunder entered the story the cat entered the Kitchen and wound herself around everyone’s legs David finished with waking up in his bed. He left out the part about finding the handkerchief in his pack. When he was done, he paused to finish his dinner. Everyone looked at him with wide eyes

“Wow that is quite a tale” said his mother

“When you finish you dinner said his father you can use my computer to get it all down. That is exactly what he did when he finished he went to his fathers study and under the watchful eye of the cat who sat on top of the monitor he typed up the whole story including the cat and the other presents he found in his pack when he awoke. When he had finished it, he printed it and put it in his desk drawer. Then he went to bed for the night the cat curled up at his feet he hoped that one day he would see thunder and the rest of the gang again soon.