candy cane land

Alright guys, this is pretty awesome for me to get two stories in one week from my nephew first and then my niece. Today it is my pleasure to present to you the work of Suzanne Tanner. Suzy is nine years old and lives in Cottonwood, Arizona. Suzy was one of the first nieces that I met on my wife's side just foure years ago, and she is and has always been one of the sweetest and most imaginative kids that I know. Not only is this one of her first stories that she has written, she has also typed this story herself. I hope that you enjoy this story, and leave your comments as well.

candy cane land

The candy cane land wase vere speshol to the candy man he loved candy cans so much he started looking for a huge candy cane but could not find any huge candy cans and he was vere sad but travold so far bake in to candy cane land he finaly fond the candy cane he wanted then he notest that he was the only candy man in  his world  so he made a person out of the gooeyest candy cane he could find.

8 ROBOTS

It is once again my pleasure to present the work of another new writer. This is my nephew Thomas Emmett from Buckeye, Arizona. Thomas and I share another story that goes back about seven years ago when he was a wee lad. It all started when his mom, my sister Mary, was in the last stages of pregnancy with her third child. Thomas's dad was away on assignment in the Air Force, and Mary came home so she could have some help with her two boys and be looked after in case anything went wrong. At this time in my life I had just graduated high school and was beginning to discover who I was. Right away I was put to work as a full time uncle to my two nephews Samuel and Thomas. Thomas and I made a strong connection during that time in which we became fast buddies. I took care of him, and in many more ways he took care of me. I came to know Thomas as not only my nephew, but also my friend with whom I shared a lot in common. He helped me grow up and want to continue to be an example to him. Thomas is now nine years old, and already has a quiet dignity, is very perceptive, has a quick wit, and is growing into a talented young man. So without further delay I wish to present to you the work of Thomas Emmett.

Once upon a time, there was a little boy named Freddy and this is how it goes on “Hey Mom, I want a laptop.” Freddy said.

 “Fine” Mom says.
“Thanks, Mom” Freddy says.
15 minutes later….. “When is it coming?” Freddy mumbled.  Knock, Knock, Freddy answers the door.  “Hello?” Freddy said. There was a package at the door.  “To Freddy” Freddy said out loud. “Cool!!”
 “What?” Mom said.
 “My laptop arrived.” Freddy said.  He opened the package, and took out his laptop, and played video games. 
“Help us!” Rodick the Robot said.
  Freddy looked in the box.   “A Robot!!!”  CRASH, BASH, BOOM!! The thunder sounded.
 “Ahhhh!!!”Rodick screamed.  It was raining outside.
 “It is all right, it won’t hurt you it’s just thunder.  By the way, why were you saying Help us?” Freddy said. 
“Because there is 7 more of us, but hidden” Rodick said.
“Ok, so I have to find them?” Freddy said.
 “Yes, we should pack” Rodick said, “Ok we will go when you are ready.”
 “Ok, I am ready” Freddy said.
 “Ok, wait here, I will go to my pod and get my shrink ray” Rodick said. 
“Wait, I am going to be tiny?” Freddy said. 
“Yes, to go in my pod” Rodick said.  
“Ok, if it messes up, I’ll, I’ll…”
“You’ll do what?” Rodick asked
“I’ll disable your core!” Freddy answered. 
“It NEVER stops working” Rodick said.
“Well, ok…” Freddy said.
Rodick got his shrink ray out.  He pointed it at Freddy and ZAAAAP!  “Wow, everything is so big, now that I am so tiny!!  Look, CANDY!!” Freddy exclaimed.  Freddy came back with twenty tons of candy in his arms. 
“Put the candy down” Rodick said. 
“Just a little?” Freddy asked.
“NO!” Rodick said. 
“Oh, fine then” Freddy said sadly.  They both got in the pod.  It lifted off with a sudden lurch. “AHHHHH!!!!” yelled Freddy as they zoomed off to Pluto to find the second Robot.  The pod moved so fast, they were at Pluto before they knew it.  The power from the laptop, made the pod go so fast, that when they landed on Pluto it was a very rough landing. 
“We must have crashed!” “Rodick said.  But they hadn’t. 
“OH, NO!” Freddy said “How do we get off Pluto?” 
“I don’t know” Rodick said.
“My Mom is gonna kill me!” Freddy replied. “Wait, we are here to find the second Robot.”
“Yes, we are. Hey, wait what is that blue stuff on the hill?”  Asked Rodick pointing at a distant hill. 
“It might be the second Robot!” Freddy said.
“Let’s go see” Rodick said.  They went to the hill to see if the blue stuff was the second Robot.  As they got closer to the blue stuff, they noticed it was the glow from the second Robot’s inner core.  Freddy put his hand on the Robot’s chest and the robot came to life. 
“Hi, there, my name is Astro” Astro said. 
“Welcome back, old buddy!” Rodick said.
“Rodick!! Old Pal!” Astro exclaimed.
“Hey, do you guys want to be stranded on Pluto?!” Freddy said.
“No, no” Astro and Rodick said together.
“Then let’s get to the pod!” Freddy said.  They zoomed back to the pod, and found that it wasn’t broken after all.  They got in and continued their journey to Saturn.  “AHHHHHH!!!” Freddy screamed.
“Stop screaming, Freddy” Astro said.
“He does that a lot” Rodick said.
“No I don’t!!  We’ve barely been on this thing!”  Freddy exclaimed.  They landed on Saturn much more smoothly this time.  “Where are we now? Venus or Saturn?” Freddy asked.
“Saturn” Astro said. 
“How come you guys are so smart?” Freddy asked.
“We are robots Fred. Wait, can I call you that?” Astro said. 
“NO, you cannot.  Hey wait, where is Rodick?”  Freddy asked
“Rodick! Rodick?” Astro yelled.  Just then Rodick rocketed over with good news. 
“I have found the four missing Robots on the hill over there!!”  Rodick called.  They all hurried over to the hill to check it out.  Soon enough they found the four robots. 
“Hi, our names are Zoom, Trax, Speedo, and Fasto!” They said together.  
“Are we all ready to get to Mars?” Rodick asked.
“YES!!” Everyone said as they hurried back to the pod and climbed in.  Whoosh!  The pod landed on Mars. “Why are we on Mars?” Freddy asked “Is there another Robot here?”
“Yes, but there is also a core on Mars, that will help us to protect our planet from destruction by a black hole” Rodick answered. 
“Where are we supposed to find the core?” Freddy asked.  Just then, the two sentry robots Spane, and Mollow marched up to the pod. 
“The core is beneath us” said Spane. 
“You guys will have to dig to get it, but be careful it had motion lasers on it that if you touch one it will destroy the core and us along with it!!” Mollow warned. 
“We will just have to be careful” said Freddy.  And they all started to dig and dig and dig.  After several hours they finally got to the core. 
“Whew, that was hard work!” Zoom said.  Freddy leaned back to take a rest when he accidently hit one of the motion lasers. 
“AHHHHHH!!!!  You hit a motion laser, the core is gonna blow!!!”   Astro screamed.  ZZZSTTTT, GGGGRRRRRR, BOOOOOOM!!! 
“AHHHHHH!!!” Freddy screamed as he woke up “I am ALIVE! Mom, what planet are we on?”
“Earth” Mom said.
“So it was a dream!” Freddy said.
“Why don’t you come down for breakfast” Mom said
“Ok” Freddy said. 
So that’s how it goes.  Oh well, Freddy will go on to other adventures, but now it’s time to go. 

The End

The Island

I do not know why I wrote this or what it means, but I did. I went to sleep one night and saw this magnificent island in a dream. I saw every part of it and lost myself in the dream. When I awoke, a voice told me to write these words. And so I did.

There is an island full of beauty and majesty beyond your comprehension.

With fountains brimming of water pure and clear.

Emerald green grass cover the fields that collide

with foreboding forests of magnificent mystery.

The people be the ones I remember most

as they welcomed me with smiles and open arms saying,

 “Welcome to this, our island.

Stay! Stay as long as you like,

and come and go as you please.

With a promise to return often”,

Then with eyes filled with warning and mystery they say,

“But if, my dear friend, you decide to make our island your home,

you can never leave.”

The Legend of the Princess Fatima

Back in June, I promised the completed version of this story after I knew that there was some interest in the ending. First off, I would like to thank you for the interest that many of you have shown. My stats have not been this high for a long time. Secondly, I want to apologize for the delay in getting this story out to you. I took a little longer than expected to translate and then transcribe it into an understandable English while still maintaining the old Portuguese speech patterns. Also, I should let you know that I took a few writer's liberties, and added a few details that were not in the original story, which I put in italics. I am excited that this story is now finally in English. I have no idea if this story has ever been translated before, so without any further delay I would like to present to you the Legend of the Princess Fatima. 

The Legend of the Princess Fatima

It is told generation through generation that the princess Fatima, the young and beautiful Moorish princess, more beautiful than young, lived in her own palace, in a time not remembered to her own. She seemed to live happy. She was the only daughter of the emir, and such privilege gave her a special birthright and was thus treated like unto a precious treasure. Her father, a dreadful sight to those who saw him – and tainted with desire – with ambitious and ruthless eyes like the Christian Crusaders, commanded a little tower be built just for her, and Fatima spent days and nights having only the chatter of chamber maids and servants to keep her company.

Out of all the servants, the young and beautiful Fatima chose the oldest and the most experienced as well as most faithful as her confidant. Her name was Cadija.

One afternoon, when the summer heat made work unbearable, Fatima sought to be alone with Cadija.

“What do you wish of me, princess?”

“Tell me everything that you know of…”

After a slight pause, Cadija responded “Of what my lady? The celebration of lights? Your handsome cousin Abu?”

“No, no! Do not tell me of that. You’ve already told me everything, except of that which I was really asking…”

“My lady!”

“Do not worry Cadija! I am your friend, you can trust me!”

And then the princess gave a smile and a nod that assured the old maid as she lowered the voice to share her secret.

“Cadija…I know that my cousin Abu wants to marry me…but I…Cadija I…”

Her voice choked as she looked down, and having understood the mysteries of the heart for ages, she understood what vexed the Princess Fatima. Smiling discreetly, the good Cadija risked a question.

“My lady, have you seen…have you seen the Christian warrior again?”

Fatima nodded, and whether it was in doubt, worry, or love she closed her eyes and trembled.

For several moments, both were quiet as they looked through the open window. Birds were chirping and the air that breezed through the window was free and pure with the aroma of the fields and the heat of the sun.

And then, Fatima, the young and beautiful Moorish princess, more beautiful than young, took a deep breath.

“Listen Cadija! He came back on that road yesterday afternoon…See? He stopped for a few moments looking up, just like he’s done before…Do you remember?”

“And are you sure that he was the same person, Princess?”

“I am most certain, Cadija!”

Once again Princess Fatima sighed deeply, and again her voice tampered off to a murmur as if she were speaking with herself.

“The heart does not tell us lies, Cadija.”

The old maid was frightened by her ladies confession, but now it was her turn to frighten her lady of the consequences. Grabbing the princess’ hand and closing it in her own with a single perspective of life, she protected the pretty and sensitive hands with her old and callused hands.

“My dear princess…if your father discovers…he would…”

“Don’t even say it, Cadija!”

“This is the Christian your father despises the most. My Lady!” and with a loud resolute sigh, Cadija said. “This is the Christian that all of us should despise the most, my dear princess.”

Embraced in Portugal’s history is a legend told of one Goncalo Hermingues, known by his reputation among Christians and Moors as the “Moor-Bringer”. He was strong and courageous, accustomed to act on every impulse as he willed. The young warrior had been one of the best of his time. He was cruel and bloodthirsty in battle; unable to forgive those who did not forgive him, yet Goncalo Hermingues also had the heart and soul of a poet.

He liked to ride through the fields, making up verses to his own songs. And it was during one of these rides that he discovered a volt of enchantment in a unique tower in the land still in possession of the Moors, but out of his reach for conquest.

Goncalo Hermingues returned to this same view time and time again, sometimes by chance, and sometimes on purpose. And when he saw her, his thoughts were filled with extraordinary vision.

He soon knew everything there was to know about her that interested him. Her name was Fatima, she was young and beautiful, more beautiful than young, she was the only daughter of the Emir, she was engaged to marry her rich and powerful cousin Abu, and finally that she lived in the confines of her tower rarely ever leaving without the supervision of a most trusted maid-servant.

However, Goncalo Hermingues also knew that one of these departures would happen shortly. This departure from her tower would be on the night known as, The Celebration of Lights, which also fell on the same night of Saint John’s day in the middle of June.

So Goncalo Hermingues began to forge a plan. A plan that was outrageous to the ear, and yet it was imagination’s child.

He waited with his courageous company of soldiers with great anticipation for the night of Saint John and the Celebration of Lights.

In the silence they dispersed and took their pre-planned positions in the field before the tower. Only the great round moon, like a festive lantern, witnessed the trap be set. A trap like so many Goncalo had set before, but with one vital difference: this was a trap laid out in love.

As tradition among the Moors demanded, late daybreak began the commencement of the procession that eventually turned into a procession of lights down to the banks of the river. Every year, the procession began with this prelude to the celebration that went through the next day and oftentimes into the following evening…

Fatima, the young and beautiful Moorish Princess, as ever more beautiful than young, faithfully followed the procession and was faithfully accompanied by the good Cadija.

The light of the torches flickered in the wind as the procession progressed, with the most exquisite Arabian Stallions lightly mounted by knights and ladies. It was a rare and magnificent sight to behold.

And thus they proceeded through the wide doors of the city, bursting through in a lighted stampede, a prideful trotting, and awakening the sleeping earth, with echoes of their laughter.

Fatima was lead by her father to sit next to her cousin Abu, and to appear attentive to his desires. Nevertheless during this celebration, she thought not of the problems of her heart, but rather devoted herself entirely to enjoying the liberty she so rarely enjoyed outside of her tower. She wanted to breathe in all of the free and pure air that she could, to look at all that her eyes could see, and to sing all of the songs that she knew.

In a sudden moment, the night of day flooded the darkness of night revealing with perfect clarity the approaching darkness. The feeble stain of the daybreak bled out an evil and brutal reality, as if the earth had opened and released from its entrails Hell’s demons. And there arose the most terrible and despised of all cries.

“POR SANTIAGO, AOS MOUROS!”    (“FOR ST. JAMES, TO THE MOORS!)

From the shadows of the quiet trees, from the dark foliage, from the mysterious fields there immediately came the faces upon faces of Christian Crusader warriors yelling and running towards the procession. Unmercifully they fell upon the spectacular procession with terror and destruction.

In an instant, their songs of pleasure turned into howls of combat; from joy to panic; and from order to confusion.

Fatima’s eyes were filled with fear. Running to take command of the city’s defense, Fatima’s father abandoned her as if having disappeared from an enchantment. The good and faithful Cadija was now also gone. Reason had been abandoned in the search for self-preservation. The princess sat in the dirt and trembled as if she were freezing and burning with fever simultaneously.

It was in that moment that Goncalo Hermingues discovered the princess. He spurred his horse and reached her in one bound. They were together. Without any resistance, he lifted her onto his horse, and smiled in triumph. This was his prize of victory.

Nothing else was necessary. Goncalo Hermingues raised his arm and gave the order for his company to retreat. This time the war cry was stronger and louder as a flag arose among the soldiers and their spoils.

“POR SANTIAGO E REI AFONSO!”   (“FOR ST. JAMES AND KING AFONSO!”)

Several voices repeated the war cry, over the wailing of the wounded and the silence of the dead, over the agonizing of the dying and the despair of the defeated, over the torches dropped upon the earth, extinguished forever…

Then something happened that Goncalo Hermingues did not expect.

Having just retreated and bringing with him his young and beautiful prisoner, among other important hostages that he desired to offer up to King Afonso Henriques – to live up to his title, “The Moor Bringer – the young Portuguese warrior and his companions were caught by surprise by a well reinforced counter-attack of Saracen soldiers sent to take vengeance upon the ambitious Christians.

Leading the Moorish force was Fatima’s rich and powerful cousin, Abu. In the collision of the two forces, Abu began by pushing his advantage of numbers in his attempt to snatch away the princess, and by provoking Goncalo Hermingues into Fury with his success during the confusion of battle.

The fight took on aspects of the epics. Even outnumbered, the Portuguese knights did not abandon the field. Every knight that fell was replaced by another, and their bravery, courage, and ostentation only grew as the attack progressed.

Nevertheless for Goncalo Hermingues there was truly only one enemy on the field that existed for him. This was the one that would rob him of his young and beautiful Moorish princess.

He did not hesitate as he fell upon Abu with the violence of his fury, and the rage of his envy. The fight was short. Short and terrible. Terrible and fatal for the rich and powerful Abu.

When Goncalo Hermingues reached Fatima again, he lifted Fatima’s small and fainted body in his arms and held her desperately. Again he had raised the field as the victor with his princess in his arms.

Looking up at his company, he saw how they had prudently forced a Saracen retreat, and he thus understood the magnitude of their bravery and courage.

It was said that Don Afonso Henriques, the Portuguese king, vivaciously rejoiced for this magnificent assortment of well born prisoners, and display of courage. The king only asked Goncalo Hermingues what reward and compensation he desired for his magnificent deed.

Goncalo Hermingues responded, “The honor of serving thee, my lord and king, and to commemorate this journey.” Goncalo asked, “I ask for thy consent to marry the Princess Fatima!”

It was also said that the king of Portugal smiled as he heard this with benevolence and grace, solemnly pronouncing. “Let it be so, with the condition that she converts to the holy faith of Christ, and does consent to be your wife…”

With a smile and adoring look, the young and beautiful Fatima, more beautiful than young, said to the good Christian king, “I do consent my lord and king.”

From there followed the preparation for their betrothal. The land where Princess Fatima lived for a long time began to forget their entanglements for this new love, which was so quickly conquered in this new birth. From then on the old land rose again in unity from this legend, and was called, the land of Fatima, which name would many years later be conserved and transfigured by a divine work said to have happened in the land of Fatima. The name remains one of the most beautiful names in the world.

Afterwards, the land celebrated the marriage of Goncalo Hermingues to the newly converted Fatima, now given the Christian name of Oureana, in the sacred act of her baptism.

As a wedding present, King Afonso Henriques gave them the Abdegas Vila where they went to live and from that time on in homage to the young and beautiful princess, more beautiful than young, named their new home the Vila de Oureana.

The Vila de Oureana eventually became known as the Vila de Ourem as the Portuguese language changed.

We end our story and remember the beautiful verses that Goncalo Hermingues dedicated to the memory of his love, and the extreme misunderstanding of their love during the time, despite the barrier of language and culture.

Either you have it or you do not,

But others have taken it,

It was mine but now it is not,

That in fights, all have fought,

And in a thousand ways have pillaged,

Oh, I see you there,

Supported by friends,

I for myself have what is mine,

Oureana there you have for certain,

What a life to live,

I forget everything for your well-being,

And there is no one else in my life to see.

-Modern interpretation by: Afranio Peixote

-English Translation by: Eric Pratt

Snail's New Friends

It is my pleasure to present the story and art work of my eight year old niece, Nathalie Ward. Nathalie is a promising author and artist who has recently started writing short stories in her adopted home of St. Neots, England. This particular story was submitted with the art to a writing contest at her school. I never heard about the results, but it wins first place in my book. I was recently informed that this story is also in the process of being published. Personally, I love how Snail's good friends found her, and the loser hedgehog, badger, and ladybug were the only ones who lost out. And I love in the art work how the sun in the corner is always happy or sad for the little snail. It is my hope that you will enjoy this story as much as I do, and that you can leave some encouraging comments that will help inspire Nathalie to continue telling stories.

Once in a far away place, 2,003 years ago, there lived a yucky slimy Snail in its tree. Now the problem is that no one liked that snail, and no one was her friend! So she walked along the grass under the trees so she could stay hidden, just in case somebody wanted to eat her. She moved along and suddenly she found a hedgehog! The little snail said “will you be my friend”, to the hedgehog. The hedgehog said, “No, no I will not be your friend, now bye-bye.” And he shut the door. Why did the hedgehog say that so meanly, thought snail. Well, that is okay, I am just going to find a new friend, Snail said to herself. I wonder who is going to be my new friend, wondered Snail. Then she met Badger. “Can I please be your friend”, said Snail in a quiet voice. “Oh I…I…I don’t think so”, yelled Badger. “You are a bit to gross. I only like friends that are not slimy and gross”, Badger said immediately. So Snail went off, and was going to find some new friends.

She noticed that yesterday was very light and sunny, and wondered why today was very cold and windy. “I think I am just going to go home for my tea”, whispered Snail to herself. So Snail went home and had a tuna sandwhich for her tea. Soon, Snail was finished eating. She ate in 10 minutes. Snail went back outside to find some friends. She looked and looked until Snail found a ladybug. “Can I be your friend, Lady Bug?” Snail said smiling. “I don’t want to be your friend because you don’t have any legs” grunted Lady Bug! So snail went to go find some other wonderful new friends.

She looked everywhere, but no one wanted to be her friend! Then Snail said to herself “that’s strange, no one wants me”. She was so, so, so sad that three tears dropped from her eyes. Oh no thought Snail, there is some one coming! THOMP, THOMP, THOMP!!! It’s coming closer. I need to hide some where, thought Snail, but where? Then she found a hiding place. It was under a leaf. She quickly ran under the leaf. A lovely little girl was jumping along on the grass. The girl stopped and found something under a leaf. “What is that thing!” cried the girl. Snail said “I…I…I’m a snail”. “Can you be my pet and friend, please?” said the girl. “YES, PLEASE, DEFINETLY!!!” said Snail. So they walked together and had such fun!

THE END.

Just kidding, it’s not the end, let’s just get back on with the story. The girl said “Let’s find some more friends, Okay Snail?” Okay Girl”, said Snail. So they went to find some more friends. Soon, they met a butterfly. Its wings were so colorful. “Can we be your friends please?” the girl and snail said. “Yes, I have no friends at all. Let’s have more friends.” said Butterfly. “Okay, come on then” said the girl. So they went off. As they were going they saw an Owl coming towards them. “Can you be our friend?” said the girl. “Of course, I can” said Owl. So they went off to find more and more friends. In fact in just two hours, Snail had 199 friends! “I think we have enough friends now”, said Butterfly. Then the Owl said “I know, let’s sing the Ants go marching song. Ooh and be in a parade”. “Yeah, yeah, let’s do that” said Caterpillar. (He was one of the newest friends). So they sure did it alright. They all sang… “The ants go marching one by one, Hoorah, Hoorah. The ants go marching one by one, hoorah, hoorah. The ants go marching one by one, the little one stopped to suck her thumb, and they all go marching down to the ground to get out of the rain”. And the friends lived happily ever after.

THE END