B |
efore the day ends, Ms. Betty gave her pupils their activity. It would be a presentation that her pupils like, except for Andy.
“You will pass a declamation piece on Monday,” Ms. Betty said. “And you will perform it on Friday in class.”
“Oh, no!”Andy said loud enough to be heard by himself.
“Wow!” Denise said. “I’m so excited. How about you Andy?”
“Ah…” And Andy just shrugged his shoulders as Denise did not wait for his reply. He just said to himself, I bet I’ll flank this time.
And the school bell rang. The pupils fixed their things and off to their way home. And Andy was with Denise.
“Bye, Andy!” Denise waved goodbye as she walked farther.
“Bye. I know you will laugh at me because of that declamation.” He said so soft and never heard by Denise they separated their ways. He sighed.
He was Andy Ken, the best boy in school. He excelled in class. He competed for quiz bees. He wrote stories and poems. He even created extraordinary drawings. And he has stage-fright. The worst thing was he was the only boy in class who has this dilemma.
“I’m home…” He said as he stepped his foot on the doorsteps.
“Anything bothering you?” His father asked as he continued his work on his computer.
“It’s nothing, Dad.” He answered back as he walked to his room. “Just tired with the school stuffs and everything.”
He laid his back comfortably on his bed. He closed his eyes. He thought of Denise, the prettiest girl in their class and his seatmate. He imagined Denise performing her declamation piece suited for her gracefulness and gave justice for her lovely face. He imagined Denise watching him… Laughing.
“Seat down!” Everybody shouted.
“You’re wasting out time.” James, the bully, shouted and smirked. “Right, Denise?”
“Hahaha…” Denise laughed at him, ridiculing him? “Good job, Mr. Know-it-All.”
“Or better call him, Mr. Stage Freak.” Darvy, another bully in the class, said.
“Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha….” Laughter from the bullies, from the nice guys, from the girls, and from his dearest girl, Denise, filled our room.
“NO!” He shouted and broke into pieces.
And he woke up.
“Bad dream.” He said with a sighed. “And might come true on next Friday.”
“Andy!” His mother called him. “Time for dinner. But wash your hands first.”
The next day, Saturday, it was the day to start looking for the piece that would develop his inferiority complex. Andy tried searching the web. He found the piece and printed it.
“How can I deliver it?” He continued asking himself and sighed as he read the lines.
“Let me help you, young boy.” His father said as it entered his room.
Andy’s father was a member of a theater guild during his elementary and high school years. He read the piece in front of Andy and showed how it should be performed.
“I know you can do it, Andy.” His father said tapping his shoulders. “You’re a great talented boy.”
“But, Dad…” He retorted but no other words went out.
“Before, when I was as your age, I was so shy to do anything.” His father exclaimed. “I was the only boy who can’t do what the other boys can do. They call me a Geek. But I tried to try doing what they were doing. And even try to be the best. And I did.
“Dad, we are different. I just can’t do it.” He answered in a polite manner. “I can do other things but not this one.”
“Believe in yourself, Andy.” His Dad tapped again his shoulders gently.
“Okay, Dad. As you say.” He answered lifeless.
“Before I leave you, I have something for you.” His dad put out an old book. “I had this book when I was younger than you. Hope you enjoy it.”
“Thanks, Dad.” And he smiled.
“Can you do me a favor?” His father said when he was about to leave the room. “Say hello to my friend, Mr. Victor Centaur.”
Andy was left quiet in his room. He was so surprised with the last words of his father. He opened the book his father left in his room. It was about magical creatures, just like in movies and animated shows in TV. Ordinary, he said to himself. He browsed the book and saw Victor Centaur.
“Hello, Mr. Victor Centaur.” He said.
Suddenly, a strong wind like hurricane went out of the book. Round and round and round the wind went. The wind took Andy and turned him round and round. He felt like he was pressed, flattened as he fell himself entering the book.
“Oh, no!” Andy said as he was entering the book.
And BLAGGED!
“Where am I?” He said as he found himself lying on the ground under a big Mango tree.
“You’re here in the Centaur Island, in the magical world of Beneace,” A big voiced answered. “This is where magical creatures were protected against the powers of the horrible Triwizard who lived in the evil mountains of Lucresia.”
“Who are…” He said trembling
“Yes, I am Victor Centaur.” He answered and turned visible as he went out of the dark shadow of the trees. “You look like Kenneth. I remember when he first step here in our land”
“Kenneth?” He said confused. “My father?”
“Stand up, young boy. Ride on my back and I’ll bring you to our dwelling place.”
Though Andy was so confused, he rode on the back of Victor. He felt the strong winds as Victor ran as fast as he could. They passed through the huge trees. They also passed through the wide meadows, where Andy saw young Centaurs, young Unicorns and beautiful nymphs. The magical creatures where all happy: the Centaurs were playing with the young Unicorns; the beautiful Nymphs danced and sang beautiful hymns.
“We’re here!” Victor said as he stopped. “Welcome to our home…”
“Wow!” Andy was surprised with everything he saw.
Everything was magnificent: colorful homes made out of leaves; clear water flowing from a sparkling fountain; different fruit bearing trees that bear fruits he never seen before.
“Hi Andy.” A beautiful Girl approached him. “I am Eunice and I’ll be here to be with you while you’re staying here in our peaceful dwelling place.”
“Nice to meet you, Eunice.” He smiled and said to himself, she’s like my Denise. Maybe she is a nymph, but extraordinary.
The day in the magical world of Beneace was longer and the night was shorter. It gave Andy and other creatures more time to enjoy the magical world, especially the Centaur Island. And Andy also had a great time with Eunice, who was the most beautiful girl she could saw. Her face was so pretty. Her blonde long hair has strands of gold and silver. And the simple dress like the nymph’s that she wore made her stand out among the other nymphs. Andy took every chance to stare at her face.
“Eunice, why are you staying here with the Centaurs?” Andy asked while he was lying on the grass beside Eunice and looking at the wide meadows.
“The Evil Wizards attacked our land.” She said. “The kingdom of the nymphs that my mother rules. And they also destroy the unicorn fields where my father was when they attacked.”
“Sorry to hear that.” He answered.
“It’s okay. The reason why I am here is to be protected. Sir Victor is the greatest warrior in this world and my parents asked him to protect me from harm.”
For a while, they stay in the wide meadows until it was nearly dark. And suddenly, a nymph came rushing.
“Princess Eunice, you need to go back to our dwelling place.” The nymph said as she bowed in front of Eunice.
“You’re a Princess?” Andy was shocked. He was so amazed for that Eunice was a royalty, and seemed proven on the way she moved.
“Yes, my parents are royalties of their own land.” She said as she closed her eyes and gleamed. She turned into a beautiful unicorn. “Ride on my back, Andy.”
“Okay, my princess.”
Andy rode on Eunice’s back and they flew up to the sky. Eunice was much brighter and stunning than other Unicorns. Her horn was gold. Her hair and tails has longer strands of different colors and gold and silver. Her body was whiter than a pearl. She was really extraordinary.
“The Princess!” A big horrible voice said. “Get her!”
A group of enormous bats and crows covered the clouds, which made the land darker. And three black robed wizards showed up: Lucio, Levi, and Lodi. They lead the black creatures where we were going.
Eunice went down and tried to hide behind a giant tree.
“Hide yourself...” She said grasping with air. “If you have a chance, go straight to our dwelling place.”
“Ah…” Andy did not know what to say, he was so nervous. Eunice flew up into the air. He just sat down and did not notice he fell asleep.
Andy was awakened by the rushing steps of a horse.
“Eunice?” He asked. But it was not Eunice, it was… “Sir Victor… Where’s Eunice?”
“She thought you were caught by the Triwizard, so she went back to look for you.”
“Where is she now, Sir Victor?”
“She’s caught and brought to the evil mountains.” And Victor said no more words and walked the path going to their dwelling place.
Andy followed Victor. He was so guilty of what happened with Eunice. If only he tried to go back to their dwelling place, Eunice did not need to go back and find him. Eunice was in danger while he was safe. He felt shame of himself, his weak spirit of facing his fear was a hindrance for him to do what he have to do, A fear to get out of his comfort zone. And he noticed how Victor took each steps. He was wounded on his legs and has difficulty of walking.
What have I done? I need to do something. Andy said to himself.
“Sir Victor, I’ll save Eunice.” He said. “She is my friend and need to be saved. She protected me against harm and now, I will do my part.”
“Are you sure, Andy?” Victor said. “Do you have the weapon to defeat the evil wizards and save Eunice?”
“What weapon?”
“Courage. It’s Courage, Andy.” He said and tapped my shoulders, like my father did. “It would help you to be stronger and face your fears.”
Am I courageous enough? He said to himself.
”I’ll call the other Centaurs to help you. The Nymphs will also protect you. And the Unicorns will bring you to the Evil Mountains of Lucresia.” Victor said, and all the magical creatures showed up. “My peers! Are you ready to save our princess? And it is time to end up their evil spirit.”
The magical creatures roared. They were all ready for the fight. They all have the courage that Sir Victor said to be the weapon to defeat evil.
“Andy, bring this bag with you…” Victor said as he gave him an empty bag. “It would be a great help for you.
Andy’s heart started to pump faster, nervousness was eating him. Not now, I know I can do it. I can face it. He said to himself. He rode at the back of a mighty centaur. He gave the signal, and up they flew into the air. They left Victor in their dwelling place together with the Youngs.
Andy saw Eunice; she was put up to the highest tower.
“Help me, Andy!” Eunice said as tears fell from her eyes.
“I’ll save you!” And Andy asked the mighty Centaur to run faster; he asked the nymphs to protect him from the evil vines; and asked the Unicorn to bring him up high. But the Triwizard hurdled their way. “Get off our way, Evil wizards!”
“What a courageous boy… Hahaha…” Said Lodi, the youngest among the three.
“Hit him, Levi!” Instructed Lucio, the oldest, to his younger brother. “Or else I’ll hit you.”
“Let’s go Lodi!” Levi shouted.
“Oh, no!” Lodi said and backed off. “Behind the clouds… Look!”
“Attack!” Andy shouted. “Don’t let them harm anyone of us.”
The fight began. The evil bats and crows were stunned by the unicorns. The evil castle vines were stopped by the nymphs. The centaurs destroyed the castle with their hoofs. Having the chance, Andy with the mighty centaur went nearer the wizards. Suddenly, he felt something hard inside the bag. It was a bow and arrow.
“Use it, Andy.” The mighty centaur said.
Andy pull out an arrow, put in the bow and aimed. But before that, the Nymphs sprinkled some powder on the bow and the Unicorns beamed a golden light into the arrow, it turned to a bigger bow and a golden arrow.
“Let it go, Andy!” Eunice from the tower shouted.
“I might waste this magical weapon.” He said with a trembling voice.
“No, Andy.” Answered Eunice. “You can aim the bow straight to the evil wizards.”
“You can’t kill us young boy!” Lucio shouted.
“I can!” Andy shouted at the evil wizards
Andy pulled the bow’s string hard and let go the arrow. It went straight to the wizards’ direction. The Triwizard formed a black ball and together throw it to Andy’s direction. As the black ball hit the arrow, it exploded and mournful cry scattered in the air. The golden arrow hit the Triwizard.
“No!” Screamed the Triwizard as they started to vanish into the air.
“We did it!” All the magical creatures shouted. “Andy did it!”
Eunice was freed and they went back home to their dwelling place. The evil spirit in the magical world of Beneace was now gone.
“Thanks, Andy.” Eunice cried. “Thank you for saving me.”
“I know it’s my fault that why you are…” Andy felt ashamed.
“That doesn’t matter, Andy.” She hugged Andy. “You save me. You save our world, and that matters most.”
“And it’s your courage that saves us, Andy.” Victor said. “If you did not fire the arrow, everyone might be killed by that black ball.”
“I did? Yes’ I did!” And he jumped for gladness.
The magical creatures all celebrated for their victory, with Andy. They danced. They sang. They feasted as long as the short night.
“Andy…” He heard his father’s voice.
“Your father is now looking for you. I’ll bring you back.” Victor said and tapped his shoulders.
He suddenly felt a strong force that pulled him. And in just a moment, he felt his soft bed and the open book on his hand. The door of his room opened and his father entered.
“Stand up, brave boy! Time for breakfast. We have to go to church.” His father said. “And have lots of practice to do for your piece.” And winked.
It was Friday. Andy was in his seat waiting for his turn. Denise was the one performing. She really was the best in this kind of activity. And now she was done with her turn.
“Next, Andy Ken Reyes.” Ms. Betty called his name.
“Good luck, Andy.” Denise said. “Do your best!”
“Yes, I will, Denise.” He said and stood up in front.
As he finished his piece, everybody applauded for his superb delivery of his piece about the fight against the evil wizards. And he was awarded as the Best Declaimer.
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