| Brianna
Perkins is a typical 3-year-old girl. She likes to color, draw,
read books and play dress up. She loves to be outside and could
often be found on the swing set in her yard.
Recently, however, that changed when something not so typical
happened to Brianna. She was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic
Leukemia.
The diagnosis came after four trips to the doctor in early August.
At first Brianna had leg pains and a fever. As she went back for
more visits, more illnesses began popping up. Her second trip
to the doctor earned her a diagnosis of strep throat.
Her mother, Amanda, grew increasingly worried when Brianna started
having problems with her ears. She was taken to see Dr. Blair
in Frankfort, who after noticing bruises on her legs and a swollen
belly, confirmed that she was suffering from something much worse
than strep throat. On Aug. 15, 2006, this brought Brianna and
her family to the University of Kentucky’s Chandler Medical
Center.
Since she has been in the hospital, Brianna has become somewhat
of a celebrity in Owen County. Whether they know her family directly
or not, many are praying for her, putting her name on their prayer
requests at church, or even posting her picture advertising an
upcoming benefit in her name in their businesses.
Some of this can be attributed to a Web site started for her when
she entered the hospital.
Her great-uncle, Tim Craigmyle, started a Web site on carepages.com
that allowed people to not only see pictures of Brianna, but to
be updated on her condition and leave messages for her and her
family as well.
“Everyone can’t get in one room,” Craigmyle
said, “so the Web site gives everyone a common area and
helps them share their experiences.”
Craigmyle said the Web site isn’t just for Brianna’s
benefit, but also for other family and friends who are dealing
with feelings about her illness. Since it was started the Web
site has received 3,700 hits, averaging about 60 to 100 a day,
according to Craigmyle.
“It was really designed so the family could update (everyone)
but still concentrate on Brianna,” he said. “And they
would not have to be constantly making phone calls updating everyone.”
Those who have been to the site have been appreciative towards
Craigmyle, because they are able to check up any time, day or
night, on the little girl they all love so much.
The constant questions and concerns about Brianna’s health
and whereabouts are not limited to the Web site alone. Her classmates
at the Raisin Factory have been asking about her often.
Although she was in Regina Cook’s class for only a week
before she got sick, Cook remembers Brianna as an independent
little girl whose personality shined through in whatever she did.
“She was very inquisitive,” Cook said. “When
she was talking you could just see it in her face.”
Her classmates are missing her as well. While they know she is
sick, they do not understand why she has been gone so long. They
have sent pictures and sang to her over the phone while she’s
been in the hospital but many still ask, “Why isn’t
Brianna back?” almost every day.
“She’s still very much here.” Cook said.
Brianna’s mother and father, Amanda and Phillip Perkins,
have been a constant fixture in room 488, Brianna’s hospital
room. The care page is updated almost every day, chronicling Brianna’s
condition and daily struggles to fight the horrible disease. Many
entries are filled with low points, such as when Brianna developed
pneumonia and a staff infection.
Being so young, Brianna does not understand her illness, though
at times Amanda said she knows Brianna is listening when the adults
are talking. She has been told she could go home soon but does
not understand why she might have to come back.
Something getting both Brianna and her family through the highs
and lows of her time spent in the hospital is the Web site.
“The Web page has been great,” Amanda said. “(Reading
the messages) is the highlight of every day.”
The most recent posts are those of joy, because as tests continued
to come out well, the family learned that Brianna could come home.
Care will continue at home to make sure the disease stays in remission,
and Brianna will continue to have visits with doctors.
In addition to updates, visitors to Brianna’s page are able
to leave messages for the family. All are messages of hope and
prayers for the family and some are from people who have never
even met Brianna.
The most unique posts are those of Barbara Duvall, a great-aunt
of Brianna, who has started writing a fairy tale about the little
girl’s life. The story focuses on “Princess Brianna”
and characters include friends and members of her family.
“There’s only so many times you can say ‘I’m
sorry,’” Duvall said. “The stories give her
something to look forward to.”
Also contributing to the story of Brianna’s fairy tale life
from birth to present time are Carol Perkins, Michelle Duvall
and Anna Brown. Other visitors to the site are encouraged to add
to the story, which Duvall said will eventually be turned into
a book, complete with illustrations, and given to Brianna as a
remembrance of this time in her life.
“She may not remember, but this was an important thing that
happened,” Duvall said. “The book will help her.”
Another one of Brianna’s relatives, her great-aunt, Sherry
Craigmyle, said she checks the site many times a day for new additions.
She is just one of the many who has kept up with Brianna’s
story since the beginning and is anxious to get a chance to visit
Brianna again.
“Last time I saw her she was probably at her lowest point,”
Craigmyle said. “I cannot imagine a 3-and-a-half-year-old
going through this.”
Craigmyle has taken many of the pictures that appear on the site,
including the ones featured with this story. The other person
in the picture is Brianna’s “Yellow Nana,” her
maternal grandmother, Carol Perkins. Brianna’s site and
fairy tale mention many things about “Yellow Nana”
and also “Brown Nana,” Brianna’s other grandmother,
Debbie Cook. The names were given to the women by Brianna’s
older brother, Laine, who is 6 years old. The colors correspond
to their hair color.
Brianna is a little girl with a lot of love around her. Since
the minute she became ill, the prayers and wishes coming her way
have not let up.
“I never lost faith or hope she’d be healed,”
Craigmyle said.
Though Brianna is not completely out of the woods yet, the last
few days have been joyful ones for her family. Originally supposed
to be released from the hospital on Sept. 18, Brianna was sent
home a day early, on Sept. 17.
There are still concerns about exposure to illnesses and she is
starting to lose her hair, as she continues chemotherapy. She
will have to continue hospital visits for the next two years and
two months. Her care page will still be running, not only for
updates on her condition but for messages as well.
With so many caring people in her life, Brianna will have no shortness
of support or attention as she continues to heal. On her care
page, it says when she heard her mother say how excited she was
that Brianna was going home, Brianna said “Mommy! I’m
escited too!”
She is not the only one. So many people love and pray for her,
for her to be able to overcome this illness, it makes them pretty
“escited” too.
Brianna’s
Fairytale Story
Characters:
Princess Royal Andrea the village scholar
Duke Ryan a steward of the land
Duchess Allison keeper of the village wealth
Duchess Michelle the songstress
Knight Travis master archer and slayer of dragons
Maiden Jodie the village baker
Sir Sky a village marksman
Master Clinton forger of metal
Maiden Lorrie the keeper of village records
Grand Duchess’s Beatrice, Dottie, Irene and Blanch all matriarchs
of the village
Clergyman James
Count Tim the town crier
Countess Sherry the educator
Baron Robbie the astrologer
Baroness Leslie promoter of royal images
Sir Curtis, Robin Hood Florian, Maiden Mae, Lass Susie, Merchant
William, Sea Captain Arthur, Maid Marian, Sir Floyd, Maiden Barbara
are all angels that will be watching over her from above.
Once upon a time long ago (January 5th 2003) in a land far away
(Frankfort) a beautiful little girl was born. She was brought
into the world by the village sorcerer (Dr. Kenner) and it was
proclaimed that she would be called Brianna. The tower bells rang
and the jesters performed and the news of a great celebration
traveled throughout the land.
There was to be a feast by the lake and the pixies Hannah, West,
Madison and Landen were busy flying around collecting beautiful
flowers and greenery for the decorations. They strung strands
of daisies, lilies and ivy and made grand decorations for the
tables and hung the garlands in the trees of the magic forest.
The lightning bugs all gathered together and the lake and forest
erupted in a magnificent glow.
The swans performed a beautiful dance on the crystal clear water
and the forest animals played. The elder ladies brought baskets
of breads, fresh vegetables and meats and delicious pies and sweets.
Family came from far and wide to welcome her to her humble home
and take her into their hearts and love her.
Sir Gary delivered her to the celebration in a beautiful chariot
pulled by white horses adorned with plumes of beautiful feathers.
Family and the village feasted, danced and rejoiced to the birth
of the young maiden.
Born to noble parents (Phillip & Amanda) and the sister to
their eldest son (Laine) the fair maiden was destined to take
magical adventures. It was known from the beginning the maiden
would be a force to be reckoned with, she had a large appetite
for nourishment and not wanting the world to pass her by she didn’t
waste her time in slumber.
The father of this young maiden traveled many miles to bring goods
to the village to ensure his family’s daily necessities.
The mother labored to ensure a loving home and worked in the village
at the edge of the magic forest. The brother was destined to be
the leader of the village and protect the fair maiden.
The princess grew to be a beautiful little girl with big gorgeous
blue eyes and long brown hair. Brianna loved her long hair although
she didn’t like for anyone to brush her hair (she was very
tender headed). She learned to play with the other fairies and
enjoyed playing with them at castle gatherings.
One night Brianna stayed with her cousin in the barn-fort and
they played all night long. Brianna and her cousin Madison enjoyed
staying with each other; (they always wanted to go home with each
other). But that was the first night Brianna had stayed in the
barn-fort and she was restless; she loved being at home in her
own bed with her mommy close by.
Cousin Travis and Michelle took turns sleeping with her in the
hay loft on the master hay pile. The next morning Brianna and
Madison had cereal and fruit snacks (the kind that stick to your
teeth) for breakfast. After breakfast the two fairies went up
the hill (upstairs) and got in the creek to bathe. They two enjoyed
this very much. Cousin Madison was very sad when Princess Brianna
had to go home and the adventure ended; but she knew she would
see her again at “Kids Palace” where they would play
again together.
One day while lying in her cradle, lovingly made at the time of
her elder brother’s birth by maid Barbara, she saw hovering
above her two faces. She was not sure at this point just why but
felt that these two faces would play a very important part in
her life.
It was sometime before she started to recognize the names that
were to be put with these faces however; it would come to pass
that she would understand that her brother had proclaimed these
two as Queen Mother Brown Nana and Queen Mother Yellow Nana.
Although the maiden would definitely carve her own destiny there
are just some things that the eldest brother will always be responsible
for in her life. And so it was to be.
The Queen Mothers path in life was to love, nurture and cherish
the eldest brother and the maiden and they spent many days in
the magic forest with the children soaking in all of its wonders
and knowing that they would be strong for the children in all
life’s obstacles and trials.
Although the red leprechaun (Dellie) who lives in the forest by
the Davis Lake has never spent time with the Princess Brianna
she has know of her spirit and determination. For after all, they
share the same birthday, January 5, although the years may be
centuries apart. Dellie also knows about the little Princess’
great-grandfather, the Robin Hood of the great Breck Forest, who
could commune with the animals.
Behind the two Queen Mothers you will find the King Fathers: King
Father Papal Barry and King Father Papal David. Now in real life
the King Father would never be standing behind the Queen Mother
(but this a fairy tale after all). They are patiently waiting
their turn to gaze upon the beautiful face of the maiden and reassuring
the eldest son that there is enough love to go around and that
the birth of the maiden really was a good idea.
As the Queen Mothers path is to love, nurture and cherish the
children the King Fathers followed different paths. King Father
Papal Barry strived to prepare the eldest son Laine and maiden
Brianna to face life’s challenges and unforeseen obstacles
and to make them strong and courageous. So he retreated to his
kingdom and constructed a mighty obstacle course that would take
then to great heights and along the way they would experience
the challenges of making it to the top.
There were also swings to let them feel the freedom of flight
and soar with the eagles and see the world from above. Some of
the villagers had come to see this great creation and the bravest
of the brave had asked King Father, “How will you ever deliver
this to the eldest son and maiden’s village?”
The King Father Papal Barry in all his wisdom now had his own
obstacles to over come. How would he get the mighty course to
the children’s village? But never fear, for he is the King
Father Papal Barry so he called upon his servants to heave the
creation onto a large moveable frame with many horses attached
to it and away they went.
It was a treacherous journey through the Black Forest which lay
between the Kingdom and the children’s village and while
passing the Dark Forbidden Swamp the Swamp Thing emerged from
the murky waters and surrounded the obstacle course. The King
Father Papal Barry commanded the horses to run, summoning all
their speed. They emerged from the swamp leaving only a few pieces
of his creation behind.
The Queen Mother Yellow Nana says the Brave King Father Papal
Barry returned to the swamp to search for the missing pieces but
the last time maid Barbara visited the great course of challenges
it looked a little incomplete.
The King Father Papal David’s path was to introduce magic
into the children’s life and he thought long and hard. How
could he teach them how to live life to its fullest and know and
experience the magic they could find in each day of their lives?
For maiden Brianna the answer was a magic blanket and with it
she will take many magical adventures. Too bad King Father Papal
Barry with all his wisdom didn’t know about the magic blanket.
He wouldn’t have had to travel through the dark forbidden
swamp.
In the forest not far from where the Princess Brianna lived was
a dragon by the name of Luke. All of the Princess’ White
Knights, Westley, Hannah, Landon, Laine, Spencer and Ellie, fought
to slay the dragon named Luke. Eventually, it was the Princess
Brianna who slay the dragon named Luke with the mighty Sword of
the Lord.
And so when Princess Brianna was born, someone up above decided
she would look just like her Queen Mommy Amanda. (Identical to
be exact.) And all the people in the village remember when Queen
Amanda was little and encountered a bad accident; although maybe
not quite as serious as Princess Brianna’s battle with the
dragon Luke, but at the time, to those around, it was scary! But,
thanks to many prayers then, Queen Amanda healed and grew to be
a normal healthy QUEEN, just like Princess Brianna will do!
Once upon a time, on a day when things were particularly good,
Princess Brianna and Prince Laine came to the castle of Queen
Mother Yellow Nana and King Father Papaw Barry for a visit. The
traveling group was a big one and Queen Mother Yellow Nana could
see them coming from a distance.
At first, with her fading eyesight, she thought it might be a
bad army so she waddled away to warn the castle guards, known
in the village of “Todd” as “Rainey” and
“Taz”. These guards were not known for their courage
and beat Queen Mother Yellow Nana to the turrets to hide.
From high up in the castle Queen Mother could see Fair Steed Polaris
Blue Bell and sitting high and proud was Prince Laine. Queen Mother
Yellow Nana was so happy as she ran...okay...walked fast... to
greet them at the castle entrance. Both children were excited
when Queen Mother Yellow Nana declared the day a day of adventure!
She had the court jester read a proclamation describing to all
people far and wide that on this day, Queen Mother Yellow Nana
and Princess Brianna would ride Fair Steed Polaris Green Bean
(aka Green Bean) while Prince Laine would ride Blue Bell on a
grand adventure into Shadow Forest.
The castle kitchen prepared a picnic under the direction of maid
Barbara. Unfortunately, Maid Barbara, distracted by the attention
of Sir Gary aka “Cotton Head” who she thought was
very handsome, failed to ensure napkins and forks were packed.
With a large picnic attached to Green Bean’s saddle, the
three left the castle as the villagers and King Father Papaw Barry
cheered.
The Shadow Forest, a creepy place with bugs and vines and treacherous
hills was just ahead when Yellow Nana reined in Green Bean and
slowed Prince Laine who was galloping everywhere on Blue Bell
in total joy. She asked Princess Brianna how she was doing as
she sat comfortably on the saddle in front of Yellow Nana and
she said “I’m getting sleepy Yellow Nana.”
Yellow Nana hugged Princess Brianna and said “You must stay
awake for we are entering the Shadow Forest and if you sleep you
will surely miss seeing the Red Leprechaun (Dellie) who flits
around and plays tricks on unsuspecting travelers (you know the
type). We must all be on look out for this pesky little creature.”
Prince Laine promised he would see her first and catch her on
Blue Bell. With that, the threesome set off into the forest dark.
At first it was hard to see as their eyes adjusted to the gloomy
light that peeked through the overgrown trees. Prince Laine stayed
close to protect Yellow Nana and the Princess Brianna.
There had been reports of a Dragon named Luke living close by
and Yellow Nana was also very watchful. Princess Brianna was most
interested in watching the rocky path for her fairy pixie friends
- Westley, Hannah, Landen, Spencer, Ellie, Millie, Madison, Haleigh,
Mallory, Autum, Ellie, Molly Grace and Nathan that she had no
thoughts of dark dragons or silly Leprechauns.
As they made their way down a steep, rocky hill deep in the forest,
Prince Laine saw a creek and a path off to the right. “Please
Yellow Nana - may I go explore this path?” he cried. Yellow
Nana looked closely at the trees and forest floor and sensing
no immediate danger she gave him a nod and said “You must
meet us on below as the paths cross.” “There,”
she explained, “we shall eat our picnic and rest awhile.”
Prince Laine promised to meet her there and set off. Queen Mother
Yellow Nana and Princess Brianna could hear Blue Bell charging
through the forest and Prince Laine Crying out with delight as
he traveled along the path.
As they continued on the main path, Brianna yelled “Nana,
look!!” As yellow Nana looked in the direction Brianna was
pointing, she caught a glimpse of Red Dellie scurrying through
the trees. They quickly made their way to the crossroads with
Yellow Nana and Princess Brianna catching glimpses of Red Dellie
as she followed along, skipping and singing, though the trees.
Prince Laine arrived shortly after with a twig in his hair and
a smile on his face.
The three agreed they were very hungry and began to unpack the
picnic. With a blanket to sit on, Yellow Nana placed all the picnic
goodies in one corner of the blanket...and then turned to help
Princess Brianna settle in a nice spot.
When she turned back she saw Dellie scurry behind a tree with
what looked like a bag from the picnic! Yellow Nana cried out
“Dellie! You worrisome creature! Bring that back!”
She knew however, the bag and its contents were gone as she heard
a giggle from deeper in the forest.
One beautiful day when Princess Brianna is feeling strong and
adventurous, she and Laine and King Daddy will visit the beautiful
Lucky 7 farm. Queen Amanda will use the time to bathe in the palace
hot spring pool and relax. While King Daddy and Servant Danny
talk about the might metal steeds they use to haul steel, Servant
Anna will take Prince Laine and Princess Brianna to play with
some of the toys on the farm.
The Prince knows about them. They will look at the beautiful horses
and with King Daddy and Servant Danny’s help, they will
ride the horses. The Prince has done this before. He will show
the Princess all the hills and creeks he has crossed on the magnificent
spotted horse named Brandy. What a fun day that will be!
One fine day Princess Brianna decided to take her magic carpet
out for a spin. As it would happen, she made a wrong turn at the
Castle Hamilton and flew south for about an hour. Suddenly she
saw the most beautiful castle, with a lot of kids milling about.
She decided to fly down to take a closer look and lo and behold,
she saw Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse and Goofy.
She spent the day at this magical place and then decided to fly
home. She flew and flew over lots of water and saw this leaning
tower. Where could she be? But never fear, she has her cell phone
and she can call King Father Papaw Barry to find out where she
is and how to get home.
One day there was a horrible commotion at the edge of the lake
and in the Magic Forest, there were animals scurrying everywhere
there was feathers flying in the air and chirping and squawking
and as the maiden Brianna and all her pixie friends ran to see
what was going on. They saw eggs rolling around and tug of wars
between the ducks, swans and chickens and the rabbits, squirrel,
chipmunks, skunks, bears, cougars all the forest creatures were
in an uproar.
They ran and found Sir Sky the village marksman thinking surely
there must be something horribly wrong to have caused such a scene
and they would need his ability as a marksman to defeat some horrible
creature. He searched the forest and for the longest time they
did not know what was going on or why the animals were fighting
over the eggs.
Then something caught their eye with all the antics they had almost
failed to see what was very likely the cause of the confrontations.
Yes, there she was watching with a mischievous smile on her face
(drum roll please) the red leprechaun “DELLIE”.
Sir Sky called upon Sir Gary the keeper of the village steed to
ride through the forest and lasso the leprechaun. Dellie dashed
around the trees and through the brush desperately trying to outrun
the mighty horse but at last Sir Gary dropped the lasso around
her waist and brought her back dangling from the saddle horn kicking
all the way.
After a little pressure and a few tasty snacks she was convinced
to confess. Her mischievous act had two purposes: first she just
likes to see everything in turmoil and second she wanted to be
a Queen herself.
She had studied long to come up with a way to cause such commotion
and she planted an idea in the forest animals’ heads.
She sprinkled the forest animals with leprechaun dust so they
would collect all the eggs they could and color them gold and
she was going to place them in a pot at the end of the rainbow
so all her leprechaun friends would admire her and declare her
Queen of the Leprechauns. Sir Sky and Sir Gary broke the hold
the leprechaun dust had on the animals and told them of Dellie’s
plot.
The forest animals were not very happy with Dellie and did not
appreciate her devious plan to become Queen of the Leprechauns
but decided since they had collected the eggs they would talk
with the ducks, swans and birds and maybe they could come up with
a way for all the village to come together and celebrate. So they
all met between the lake and the forest and they agreed to paint
the eggs vibrant colors, colors of the rainbow and they would
hide the eggs and all the children and fairies and pixies would
come together to search for the eggs. There would be a feast (you
will find a lot of feast in this Fairy Tale because the “Village
People” really like to feast) and among them were the best
cooks in the land.
Sir Sky, Sir Gary, Maiden Brianna and Pixie Hannah, West, Madison
and Landen all returned and told the King of the mornings events
and what the animals were doing and he declared that day to be
a day to feast and seek treasures. He sent for the Duke Ryan the
steward of the land and told him to have his servants bring grains,
vegetables and fruits from the fields and deliver them to the
Grand Duchesses Beatrice and Dottie and the Maiden Jodie the village
baker and they along with all the village maidens would prepare
a grand feast. Knight Travis, Master Clinton, Count Tim and Baron
Robbie would deliver the feast to the Magic Forest.
The King had the pixies spread the news that all the village was
to dress in their finest garb and to gather between the lake and
the forest.
As the villagers approached, Count Tim the town crier, announced
the arrival of the King Fathers and Queen Mothers and proclaimed
the festivities could begin. The upcoming day’s events were
blessed by the Clergyman James and the entertainment and games
commenced. Countess Sherry the educator and Princess Royal Andrea
the scholar shouted out words of wisdom and cautioned the village
people about the perils of playing tricks and telling untruths
to your friends for your own gain.
The King Fathers and Queen Mothers presided over the gathering
on their portable throne and in the corner sat (yes, you guessed
it, Dellie.) She was perched on the royal time out throne. If
she listens well to the educator and the scholar and she learns
her lesson about deceiving others and dedicates her life to doing
good she might well be the Queen of the Leprechauns some day.
The eldest son Laine, maiden Brianna and all the pixies, fairies
and children of the village gathered around Baron Robbie the astrologer
and he told stories about the stars, moons and the planets they
saw after dark every night. They made wishes upon the stars. I
know you’re not supposed to tell your wish but the children
gathered together and made one mighty wish.
The wish was, that Leprechaun Dellie would behave herself and
only play fun tricks and they asked the King Father to allow her
to join them. And so he did. With the help of Duchess Michelle
the songstress, they sang and danced and reveled in the beauty
of the lake and the forest and friendships that were being built.
The children, Dellie and even some of the elders spent hours in
the Magic Forest searching for the brightly colored eggs and they
emerged with baskets filled to the brim. They all carefully lay
their baskets to the side and the feast begin, you could hear
moans from the villagers as they ran around the lake trying to
make room for more of the delicious food.
After the feast Duchess Allison keeper of the village wealth revealed
to the children the blessings they had been given that day, and
Leprechaun Dellie realized the wealth was not in the gold she
wanted painted on the eggs and placed at the end of the rainbow
but the wealth was the rainbow itself. The vibrant colors given
to us by God and shared by all of us was, they thought, the ultimate
treasure of the day.
But then they heard cracking sounds and once again Sir Sky was
put on guard for they could not imagine what the sound was. Then
they heard faint chirping sounds and the village searched until
the eldest son Laine squealed with delight there in the baskets
filled to the rim with eggs were hundreds of tiny chickens, ducks
and swans and they were spilling out coming to meet the villager’s
and their animal friends in the Magic Forest.
Everyone was delighted and they knew that they had witnessed many
blessings that day and they called upon Maiden Lorrie the keeper
of the village records to put pen to paper and to record the days
events. The King Father summoned Baroness Leslie promoter of royal
images and commanded her to preserve the image of the day for
this was truly his royal family. (Even worrisome little Dellie.)
It was the summer of
the Maiden Brianna’s third year and a grand adventure was
planned by the noble mother and father; they would make the long
trip through the land to the mighty ocean at the edge of the village
Panama. The eldest son Laine along with Duke Ryan, Duchess Allison,
Pixie Landen, and Squire James would also accompany the maiden
and her parents on this adventure.
On the day they were to leave their home many preparations were
made for the long voyage and when the time finally arrived the
noble father, mother, the eldest son Laine and Maiden Brianna
climbed on the mighty white chariot propelled by the power of
many horses. They made their way through the Magic Forest to the
Dukedom of Duke Ryan, Duchess Allison and Pixie Landen where Squire
James had arrived to join the caravan.
They also boarded their chariot and the caravan was off. It was
a long hard trip through many different terrains, they struggled
up and over high mountains it seemed they could touch the sky.
The caravan had to stop many times to feed the mighty horses that
pulled the chariots on which they traveled and for the members
of the caravan to receive nourishment.
You often heard the words echoed “Are we there yet? Oh noble
mother and father, how much further? Can we enter the mighty waters
as soon as we arrive? Can we play in the sand?” And there
was always the occasional cry; eldest son Laine touched me or
Maiden Brianna won’t play with me. The excitement was building
the longer they traveled and the closer they came to the mighty
water.
The travelers tried to find an inn to rest but there were no rooms
so they trudged on tired from the long journey, but excited with
the anticipation of reaching the end of their journey.
As they made their way the land became very flat and the soil
was now sand and the trees were very different from what they
had ever seen in their lives. They had moss hanging from them
and they looked like large swamp creatures looming in the darkness.
They saw beautiful cranes and other water fowl and alligators
with their mouths wide open just waiting for someone to make a
move in their direction.
But never fear for the eldest son Laine, Maiden Brianna and Pixie
Landen were always watched and protected by the elders of the
caravan. Then there was this unforgettable smell, it was the smell
of the ocean and as they rounded a bend in the path there it was
in all its magnificence the crystal blue waters of the mighty
ocean. The children squealed with delight and ran with the speed
of gazelles to the edge of the waters, but then a mighty wave
that looked as high as the mountains they had crossed on their
journey came crashing down and sent water and sand up to the waist
of the children and they turned and ran back to the noble parents.
After catching their breath they told of their heroic charge made
on the mighty wave and how just their presence made the wave break
apart and run back into the ocean. The elders listened to their
tale and praised their courage and they all returned to the edge
of the water.
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