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Derby and the Quest for the Lost Words - Part One
Derby and the Quest for the Lost Words - Part One
A vocabulary-building adventure with flying elephants, brave children, and magical language!
A vocabulary-building adventure with flying elephants, brave children, and magical language!
It was a drizzly Tuesday in Auckland, and Rosalie was curled up in bed, wrapped in her pale blue hoodie like a sleepy caterpillar. Her room smelled faintly of noodles and forgotten socks. Derby, her flying elephant with the yellow hat and red neck frill, was perched on the windowsill, watching the clouds swirl like whipped cream.
It was a drizzly Tuesday in Auckland, and Rosalie was curled up in bed, wrapped in her pale blue hoodie like a sleepy caterpillar. Her room smelled faintly of noodles and forgotten socks. Derby, her flying elephant with the yellow hat and red neck frill, was perched on the windowsill, watching the clouds swirl like whipped cream.
Suddenly, Derby’s ears twitched. “Rosalie,” she said, “we have a problem. The Word Wells are drying up.”
Suddenly, Derby’s ears twitched. “Rosalie,” she said, “we have a problem. The Word Wells are drying up.”
Rosalie blinked. “Word Wells?”
Rosalie blinked. “Word Wells?”
“They’re magical fountains that feed stories with vocabulary,” Derby explained. “Without them, stories lose their sparkle. Words like gargantuan, mischievous, and serendipity are vanishing!”
“They’re magical fountains that feed stories with vocabulary,” Derby explained. “Without them, stories lose their sparkle. Words like gargantuan, mischievous, and serendipity are vanishing!”
Rosalie sat up, thumb still in her mouth. “That sounds... dramatic.”
Rosalie sat up, thumb still in her mouth. “That sounds... dramatic.”
“Exactly!” Derby said. “And dramatic is one of the words at risk!”
“Exactly!” Derby said. “And dramatic is one of the words at risk!”
Chapter One: The Vocabulary Squad Assembles
Chapter One: The Vocabulary Squad Assembles
Rosalie called Jasmine, who was at home in Manurewa, doing cartwheels in her backyard. “We’re going on a word rescue mission,” Rosalie said.
Rosalie called Jasmine, who was at home in Manurewa, doing cartwheels in her backyard. “We’re going on a word rescue mission,” Rosalie said.
Jasmine squealed. “Can I bring my thesaurus?”
Jasmine squealed. “Can I bring my thesaurus?”
“Only if it’s waterproof,” Derby replied.
“Only if it’s waterproof,” Derby replied.
Isabella joined too, reluctantly, with a backpack full of snacks and a dictionary she hadn’t opened since Year 9. Mum waved from the kitchen, dancing to a song with the lyrics “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”—a word that was definitely endangered.
Isabella joined too, reluctantly, with a backpack full of snacks and a dictionary she hadn’t opened since Year 9. Mum waved from the kitchen, dancing to a song with the lyrics “supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”—a word that was definitely endangered.
Derby summoned the Derbies—Rosalie’s fifty flying Dumbo toys—and they formed a glittering cloud above the house.
Derby summoned the Derbies—Rosalie’s fifty flying Dumbo toys—and they formed a glittering cloud above the house.
“Let’s go!” Derby cried. “To the Valley of Verbs!”
“Let’s go!” Derby cried. “To the Valley of Verbs!”
Chapter Two: The Valley of Verbs
Chapter Two: The Valley of Verbs
The Valley was lush and green, filled with action words that bounced and zoomed. Run, jump, twirl, and snooze danced through the air like fireflies.
The Valley was lush and green, filled with action words that bounced and zoomed. Run, jump, twirl, and snooze danced through the air like fireflies.
But something was wrong. The stronger verbs—gallop, sprint, tumble—were fading.
But something was wrong. The stronger verbs—gallop, sprint, tumble—were fading.
Jasmine pointed to a puddle. “Look! That used to be catapult! Now it’s just... plop.”
Jasmine pointed to a puddle. “Look! That used to be catapult! Now it’s just... plop.”
Derby nodded gravely. “We need to restore the Word Wells. But first, we must collect endangered words and use them in real sentences.”
Derby nodded gravely. “We need to restore the Word Wells. But first, we must collect endangered words and use them in real sentences.”
Rosalie frowned. “Like... peculiar?”
Rosalie frowned. “Like... peculiar?”
“Yes!” Derby said. “Say it in a sentence.”
“Yes!” Derby said. “Say it in a sentence.”
Rosalie thought hard. “My cousin Jasmine is peculiar because she talks to her plants.”
Rosalie thought hard. “My cousin Jasmine is peculiar because she talks to her plants.”
The ground shimmered. A tiny fountain bubbled up, glowing with light.
The ground shimmered. A tiny fountain bubbled up, glowing with light.
“It worked!” Isabella shouted. “Let’s try melancholy.”
“It worked!” Isabella shouted. “Let’s try melancholy.”
Jasmine said, “I feel melancholy when my noodles are soggy.”
Jasmine said, “I feel melancholy when my noodles are soggy.”
Another fountain burst forth.
Another fountain burst forth.
Chapter Three: The Synonym Swamp
Chapter Three: The Synonym Swamp
Next, they flew to the Synonym Swamp, where words with similar meanings lived together. But the swamp was murky. Words like happy were everywhere, but ecstatic, joyful, and elated were sinking.
Next, they flew to the Synonym Swamp, where words with similar meanings lived together. But the swamp was murky. Words like happy were everywhere, but ecstatic, joyful, and elated were sinking.
Derby handed out Word Nets. “Catch the rare ones!”
Derby handed out Word Nets. “Catch the rare ones!”
Rosalie caught exuberant. Isabella snagged content. Jasmine found tickled pink and giggled for ten minutes.
Rosalie caught exuberant. Isabella snagged content. Jasmine found tickled pink and giggled for ten minutes.
They built a Word Bridge using synonyms, each plank a new word. As they crossed, the swamp cleared, and the air filled with laughter.
They built a Word Bridge using synonyms, each plank a new word. As they crossed, the swamp cleared, and the air filled with laughter.
Chapter Four: The Antonym Avalanche
Chapter Four: The Antonym Avalanche
Suddenly, a snowstorm hit. They had reached the Antonym Avalanche—where opposite words clashed.
Suddenly, a snowstorm hit. They had reached the Antonym Avalanche—where opposite words clashed.
“Quick!” Derby shouted. “We need to balance the opposites!”
“Quick!” Derby shouted. “We need to balance the opposites!”
Rosalie shouted, “Hot!”
Rosalie shouted, “Hot!”
Jasmine replied, “Cold!”
Jasmine replied, “Cold!”
Isabella said, “Fast!”
Isabella said, “Fast!”
Rosalie said, “Slow!”
Rosalie said, “Slow!”
Each pair melted the snow, revealing a hidden cave filled with glowing word crystals.
Each pair melted the snow, revealing a hidden cave filled with glowing word crystals.
Derby flew to the center. “This is the Heart of Vocabulary. If Rosalie reads just one story using all these words, the Word Wells will refill.”
Derby flew to the center. “This is the Heart of Vocabulary. If Rosalie reads just one story using all these words, the Word Wells will refill.”
Rosalie gulped. “Reading? Like... with pages?”
Rosalie gulped. “Reading? Like... with pages?”
“Yes,” Derby said gently. “But I’ll be right beside you.”
“Yes,” Derby said gently. “But I’ll be right beside you.”
Chapter Five: The Story That Saved the Words
Chapter Five: The Story That Saved the Words
Back home in Auckland, Rosalie curled up with Derby and opened a magical book. It was called The Girl Who Saved the Words. Every page sparkled with vocabulary: whimsical, chaotic, brilliant, timid, bold.
Back home in Auckland, Rosalie curled up with Derby and opened a magical book. It was called The Girl Who Saved the Words. Every page sparkled with vocabulary: whimsical, chaotic, brilliant, timid, bold.
She read aloud, slowly, sometimes giggling, sometimes yawning. But she kept going.
She read aloud, slowly, sometimes giggling, sometimes yawning. But she kept going.
And as she read, the Word Wells across the world bubbled back to life. Stories grew stronger. Characters became richer. And Rosalie’s own book—the Book of Rosalie—filled with color and light.
And as she read, the Word Wells across the world bubbled back to life. Stories grew stronger. Characters became richer. And Rosalie’s own book—the Book of Rosalie—filled with color and light.
Epilogue: A New Word Every Day
Epilogue: A New Word Every Day
From that day on, Rosalie chose one new word each morning. She wrote it on a sticky note and stuck it to Derby’s ear.
From that day on, Rosalie chose one new word each morning. She wrote it on a sticky note and stuck it to Derby’s ear.
Today’s word was audacious.
Today’s word was audacious.
Derby winked. “That suits me perfectly.”
Derby winked. “That suits me perfectly.”
Derby Adventures: The Word Wells – Part Two
Derby Adventures: The Word Wells – Part Two
Setting: Jasmine’s Pool, Manurewa
Setting: Jasmine’s Pool, Manurewa
It was one of those hot, sticky Auckland afternoons where the concrete burned your feet and the only cure was jumping into a pool. Rosalie had already cannonballed in twice, her Dumbo swimsuit dripping wet. Jasmine was floating on a bright pink pool noodle, sunglasses on, pretending she was famous. Derby hovered above the water, her yellow hat flapping in the breeze like a tiny flag of adventure.
It was one of those hot, sticky Auckland afternoons where the concrete burned your feet and the only cure was jumping into a pool. Rosalie had already cannonballed in twice, her Dumbo swimsuit dripping wet. Jasmine was floating on a bright pink pool noodle, sunglasses on, pretending she was famous. Derby hovered above the water, her yellow hat flapping in the breeze like a tiny flag of adventure.
Nathan, Jasmine’s older brother, stood at the edge of the pool with his arms crossed. He was tall—like, really tall—and had blondish hair that flopped over one eye. He wore a serious expression, like he was judging a royal swimming competition.
Nathan, Jasmine’s older brother, stood at the edge of the pool with his arms crossed. He was tall—like, really tall—and had blondish hair that flopped over one eye. He wore a serious expression, like he was judging a royal swimming competition.
“That,” he said, watching Jasmine try to balance on two noodles at once, “is not very piki ake ki te rangi.”
“That,” he said, watching Jasmine try to balance on two noodles at once, “is not very piki ake ki te rangi.”
Rosalie snorted. “What does that even mean?”
Rosalie snorted. “What does that even mean?”
Nathan raised one eyebrow. “It means ‘rise up to the heavens.’ It’s what you say when someone’s being… not very majestic.”
Nathan raised one eyebrow. “It means ‘rise up to the heavens.’ It’s what you say when someone’s being… not very majestic.”
Jasmine rolled her eyes. “I’m majestic enough, thank you.”
Jasmine rolled her eyes. “I’m majestic enough, thank you.”
Derby landed gently on the pool’s edge and tapped her trunk against a blue noodle. Suddenly, the noodle began to glow. Then another. And another. Within seconds, the entire pool shimmered with rainbow light.
Derby landed gently on the pool’s edge and tapped her trunk against a blue noodle. Suddenly, the noodle began to glow. Then another. And another. Within seconds, the entire pool shimmered with rainbow light.
“Um…” Jasmine said, sitting up. “Rosalie? Did you bring magic noodles?”
“Um…” Jasmine said, sitting up. “Rosalie? Did you bring magic noodles?”
“Nope,” Rosalie said, grinning. “But I did bring Derby.”
“Nope,” Rosalie said, grinning. “But I did bring Derby.”
The water began to swirl in the center of the pool, forming a whirlpool that spun faster and faster. A glowing tunnel opened beneath the surface, and strange words floated up like bubbles—words like flibbertigibbet, kerfuffle, and snollygoster.
The water began to swirl in the center of the pool, forming a whirlpool that spun faster and faster. A glowing tunnel opened beneath the surface, and strange words floated up like bubbles—words like flibbertigibbet, kerfuffle, and snollygoster.
Derby flapped her ears. “The Word Wells are calling again. But this time, they’re underwater.”
Derby flapped her ears. “The Word Wells are calling again. But this time, they’re underwater.”
Nathan frowned. “That is definitely not very piki ake ki te rangi.”
Nathan frowned. “That is definitely not very piki ake ki te rangi.”
Rosalie grabbed Jasmine’s hand. “Let’s go!”
Rosalie grabbed Jasmine’s hand. “Let’s go!”
Nathan sighed. “I suppose someone has to supervise.”
Nathan sighed. “I suppose someone has to supervise.”
And with that, Rosalie, Jasmine, Nathan, and Derby dove into the whirlpool. The water wrapped around them like a silky blanket, and they tumbled through glowing currents filled with floating dictionaries, jellyfish made of adjectives, and seaweed that whispered synonyms.
And with that, Rosalie, Jasmine, Nathan, and Derby dove into the whirlpool. The water wrapped around them like a silky blanket, and they tumbled through glowing currents filled with floating dictionaries, jellyfish made of adjectives, and seaweed that whispered synonyms.
They landed—splat!—in a giant underwater library. Shelves stretched as far as the eye could see, filled with glowing books and scrolls. A squid librarian with glasses perched on her tentacles floated over.
They landed—splat!—in a giant underwater library. Shelves stretched as far as the eye could see, filled with glowing books and scrolls. A squid librarian with glasses perched on her tentacles floated over.
“Welcome to the Submerged Section of the Word Wells,” she said. “You’re just in time. A very important word has gone missing.”
“Welcome to the Submerged Section of the Word Wells,” she said. “You’re just in time. A very important word has gone missing.”
Derby gasped. “Which word?”
Derby gasped. “Which word?”
The squid adjusted her glasses. “The word hope. It slipped through a crack in the grammar reef and is drifting toward the Abyss of Forgotten Language.”
The squid adjusted her glasses. “The word hope. It slipped through a crack in the grammar reef and is drifting toward the Abyss of Forgotten Language.”
Rosalie’s eyes widened. “We have to save it!”
Rosalie’s eyes widened. “We have to save it!”
Nathan crossed his arms. “Losing hope? That is extremely not piki ake ki te rangi.”
Nathan crossed his arms. “Losing hope? That is extremely not piki ake ki te rangi.”
The squid librarian handed them a glowing map made of sentence fragments. “You’ll need to pass three challenges: a spelling storm, a punctuation puzzle, and a riddle from the Grammar Octopus.”
The squid librarian handed them a glowing map made of sentence fragments. “You’ll need to pass three challenges: a spelling storm, a punctuation puzzle, and a riddle from the Grammar Octopus.”
Jasmine cracked her knuckles. “Let’s do this.”
Jasmine cracked her knuckles. “Let’s do this.”
Derby flew ahead, leading the way through twisting tunnels of tangled text. Rosalie followed, her heart pounding. She didn’t love reading—but this? This was different. This was alive.
Derby flew ahead, leading the way through twisting tunnels of tangled text. Rosalie followed, her heart pounding. She didn’t love reading—but this? This was different. This was alive.
Derby Adventures: The Word Wells – Part Three
Derby Adventures: The Word Wells – Part Three
The Spelling Storm and the Grammar Octopus
The Spelling Storm and the Grammar Octopus
The underwater library faded behind them as Derby led the way through a glowing coral tunnel. The walls were made of shimmering sentences, and every now and then, a stray comma floated past like a jellyfish.
The underwater library faded behind them as Derby led the way through a glowing coral tunnel. The walls were made of shimmering sentences, and every now and then, a stray comma floated past like a jellyfish.
Suddenly, the water grew darker. The tunnel opened into a wide, swirling sea of letters—capital A’s, lowercase z’s, silent e’s, and even a few upside-down question marks.
Suddenly, the water grew darker. The tunnel opened into a wide, swirling sea of letters—capital A’s, lowercase z’s, silent e’s, and even a few upside-down question marks.
Derby flapped her ears nervously. “We’ve entered the Spelling Storm.”
Derby flapped her ears nervously. “We’ve entered the Spelling Storm.”
A gust of current whooshed past, sending a flurry of letters flying. One smacked Nathan right in the forehead.
A gust of current whooshed past, sending a flurry of letters flying. One smacked Nathan right in the forehead.
“Ow! That is not very piki ake ki te rangi!”
“Ow! That is not very piki ake ki te rangi!”
Rosalie ducked as a rogue Q zipped past her ear. “What do we do?”
Rosalie ducked as a rogue Q zipped past her ear. “What do we do?”
A glowing sign appeared in front of them, written in curly cursive:
A glowing sign appeared in front of them, written in curly cursive:
SPELL THE SECRET WORD TO PASS.
SPELL THE SECRET WORD TO PASS.
ONE MISTAKE, AND YOU’LL BE SWEPT AWAY.
ONE MISTAKE, AND YOU’LL BE SWEPT AWAY.
Jasmine squinted at the swirling letters. “But what’s the secret word?”
Jasmine squinted at the swirling letters. “But what’s the secret word?”
Just then, the letters began to arrange themselves into clues:
Just then, the letters began to arrange themselves into clues:
Clue 1: I’m something you feel when skies are grey,
Clue 1: I’m something you feel when skies are grey,
But I help you believe it’ll all be okay.
But I help you believe it’ll all be okay.
Rosalie gasped. “It’s hope! That’s the word we’re here to save!”
Rosalie gasped. “It’s hope! That’s the word we’re here to save!”
Derby nodded. “Let’s spell it together. Carefully.”
Derby nodded. “Let’s spell it together. Carefully.”
The letters floated around them like bees around a hive. Rosalie reached out and grabbed an H. Jasmine caught an O. Nathan, after dodging a flying X, snatched a P. Derby gently plucked an E from the current.
The letters floated around them like bees around a hive. Rosalie reached out and grabbed an H. Jasmine caught an O. Nathan, after dodging a flying X, snatched a P. Derby gently plucked an E from the current.
They floated the letters into place: H-O-P-E.
They floated the letters into place: H-O-P-E.
The storm paused. The sea calmed. The letters stopped spinning.
The storm paused. The sea calmed. The letters stopped spinning.
Then—ding!—a bell rang, and a golden path opened through the water.
Then—ding!—a bell rang, and a golden path opened through the water.
“You did it!” Derby cheered. “On to the next challenge!”
“You did it!” Derby cheered. “On to the next challenge!”
They followed the golden path until they reached a giant underwater cave. Inside sat a massive octopus wearing a monocle and a bowtie. He had eight arms, each holding a different punctuation mark: a period, a comma, a semicolon, an exclamation mark, a question mark, a colon, quotation marks, and a mysterious squiggly thing no one could identify.
They followed the golden path until they reached a giant underwater cave. Inside sat a massive octopus wearing a monocle and a bowtie. He had eight arms, each holding a different punctuation mark: a period, a comma, a semicolon, an exclamation mark, a question mark, a colon, quotation marks, and a mysterious squiggly thing no one could identify.
“Welcome,” the octopus said in a deep, rumbling voice. “I am the Grammar Octopus. To pass, you must solve my riddle. Fail, and you’ll be trapped in a run-on sentence forever.”
“Welcome,” the octopus said in a deep, rumbling voice. “I am the Grammar Octopus. To pass, you must solve my riddle. Fail, and you’ll be trapped in a run-on sentence forever.”
Nathan gulped. “That is extremely not piki ake ki te rangi.”
Nathan gulped. “That is extremely not piki ake ki te rangi.”
The octopus cleared his throat.
The octopus cleared his throat.
“I end a sentence, but I’m not a shout.
“I end a sentence, but I’m not a shout.
I’m small and round, and I leave no doubt.
I’m small and round, and I leave no doubt.
What am I?”
What am I?”
Rosalie whispered, “It’s not an exclamation mark…”
Rosalie whispered, “It’s not an exclamation mark…”
Jasmine tilted her head. “It’s not a question mark either.”
Jasmine tilted her head. “It’s not a question mark either.”
Derby flapped her ears. “Think simple. Think final.”
Derby flapped her ears. “Think simple. Think final.”
Nathan’s eyes lit up. “It’s a period! Or a full stop! Whatever you call it!”
Nathan’s eyes lit up. “It’s a period! Or a full stop! Whatever you call it!”
The Grammar Octopus smiled. “Correct.”
The Grammar Octopus smiled. “Correct.”
He waved one tentacle, and a glowing bubble appeared. Inside it floated the word hope, shining like a tiny sun.
He waved one tentacle, and a glowing bubble appeared. Inside it floated the word hope, shining like a tiny sun.
“You’ve found it,” the octopus said. “Take it back to the surface. The world needs it.”
“You’ve found it,” the octopus said. “Take it back to the surface. The world needs it.”
As they swam back through the golden tunnel, the word hope followed them like a firefly. The whirlpool reappeared, and with a final whoosh, they were back in Jasmine’s pool, dripping wet and laughing.
As they swam back through the golden tunnel, the word hope followed them like a firefly. The whirlpool reappeared, and with a final whoosh, they were back in Jasmine’s pool, dripping wet and laughing.
Nathan shook his head. “That was wild. But also… kinda awesome.”
Nathan shook his head. “That was wild. But also… kinda awesome.”
Rosalie grinned. “You mean it was piki ake ki te rangi?”
Rosalie grinned. “You mean it was piki ake ki te rangi?”
Nathan smirked. “Maybe just a little.”
Nathan smirked. “Maybe just a little.”
Derby landed on Rosalie’s shoulder, her yellow hat slightly soggy. “One word saved. Many more to go.”
Derby landed on Rosalie’s shoulder, her yellow hat slightly soggy. “One word saved. Many more to go.”
Poor Grammar Octopus has got very confused! He needs help!
Poor Grammar Octopus has got very confused! He needs help!
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