FREE CHILDREN'S BOOK

Ariel's One Fine Day
By
Rick Kurtis

                                                                                         Chapter 1… A fine day indeed
 
It was a bright and shiny morning. The birds were singing, fluttering through the trees. When the sun rose, the castle’s shadow was cast upon the valley below. The sun glistened upon the dewdrops while the bees buzzed around the beautiful flowers. Ariel, the heart of our story, took a deep breath and stretched while he walked back inside for breakfast. Grandpa, Ariel's best friend, was already at the table waiting to eat. "Come, come sit down and enjoy the day with me." Grandpa said to Ariel.
"I would like to Grandpa, but I have a lot of things to do today. At least we can have breakfast together."Grandpa sighed, and gave a half smile. They sat and talked, while they ate their breakfast. Ariel got up and went down to the treasure room before he headed out. Then he came up with a wonderful idea.
Ariel came running back up the stairs, yelling, "The treasure is gone, the treasure is gone!"
Grandpa looked startled and put down his paper, "Who could have taken our treasure?"
"I don't know." Ariel replied, "But we're going to find out. Come on." With that, Ariel grabbed his sword, and both he and his Grandpa headed out to lower the drawbridge. "Help me lower the bridge" Ariel said as he grabbed the crank.
"Where are we going to start looking?"
"We'll take the road to Skull Mountain. Those two seem to know everything that goes on in the valley, even if they didn't do it."
"Do you think they stole the treasure?"
Ariel looked at his Grandpa and put his hand on his shoulder. "No, I don't think they would want to mess with us again, not after the last time we defeated them and banished them to Skull Mountain. We will be polite, and we won't accuse them. This way they might give us some information."  With that, Ariel and his Grandpa, went down to start their long journey.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Chapter 2… Skull Mountain 
Ariel and his Grandpa walked all the way to Skull Mountain. In front of the opening was a vicious lion and a guard. "Halt! Who dares to come to Skull Mountain?" said the guard.
Ariel drew his sword and shouted out, "It is I, Ariel Smith, and we will pass unharmed, or my name will be your worst nightmare. Which will it be?"
The guard dropped to his knees and trembled with fear, "I have no qualms with you. Please pass and leave me live."
Little did Ariel and his Grandpa know that it was a trap. On the other side, a patrol of soldiers was waiting at the base of the mountain. When they walked through the Skull cave entrance, Grandpa went to put his sword away, "Boy; that was easy. Even the lion let us by."
Ariel tapped Grandpa with his sword, "Don't put it away just yet, I have a sneaky feeling that we are not done yet." When they walked around the corner, they were ambushed by a party of thugs.
The biggest one stepped forward with his sword in hand, "If you want to see them, you have to get past us first."
Ariel looked at the big man from the tip of his boot, to the top of his helmet, eight feet tall and as big as a gorilla. Then Ariel looked at his Grandpa. Grandpa looked back at Ariel, "Like you always say, the bigger they are."
Ariel picked up his sword and charged, finishing what he was saying, "Yeah, the harder they fall."
The swords crashed together with such a force, that the big guy’s sword was cut in half. Ariel swung around in a circle and raised his sword and slammed it down into his helmet. He pulled the sword back, which pulled the helmet off of the guy’s head. Blow after blow, Ariel and his Grandpa defeated them all while they ran away one by one. Standing there with no one left to fight, they started to climb up the side of Skull Mountain.
Once at the top, they were greeted by a giant owl. "Whooo are you?" the owl cried out. Before they could answer, the owl raised its huge wings to knock them both off the mountain. But the masters of the mountain, raised their arms and with their minds, they controlled the beast bird and the owl let them pass. Ariel and his Grandpa walked over to the masters. "Ariel, Grandpa, to what do we owe this pleasure of your visit?" asked the Masters.
Grandpa said roughly, "Pleasure? Yeah, that was some welcoming committee you had for us down there."
The Masters turned and raised their hands as they replied in unison, "Well, yes, if we knew you were coming, we would've baked you a cake."
Ariel stopped his Grandpa from drawing his sword, "The reason for our visit is that our treasure has been taken and we call upon you, the Masters, to help solve the mystery."
The Masters replied, "Why should we help you?"
Grandpa hollered back, "Because we spared your lives!"
Ariel grabbed his Grandpa again, "Calm down, just calm down." then turned back to the Masters, "You will help, because it is in your nature."
"How true you are Ariel, how true you are. Let us confer and see what we can do." Then they turned away and walked off toward a fire pit. They stood around the fire, speaking in their native tongues, discussing what they were going to do. The fire danced while they thought, with big puffs of smoke and sparks billowing into the air off and on. The Masters knew that they could use this to their advantage and thought about a way to get something in return. With that, the fire exploded and went out. This blinded Ariel and his Grandpa. Everything was pitch black. Then the fire returned and the Masters were standing in front of Ariel and Grandpa. The Masters replied, "We had a vision. We can help, as long as you help us first."
Ariel thought for a moment then stood up, “What is it that you wish?"
The Masters replied, "Our son is in prison at Pinecone Cross and this year will be his twenty-first birthday. Get him out and bring him to us and we will tell you what you seek."
Grandpa stood up, "But we put him there to pay for his crime!"
The Masters answered back, "Then pay his fine and bring him here."
Ariel grabbed his Grandpa, "Come on, let's go." and down the mountain they went.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chapter 3… The Prison At Pinecone Cross 
The prison was a long way from Skull Mountain, but they had very little choice. Pinecone Cross was only a few miles on the other side of their home. On the way Grandpa asked, "How are we going to get him out of jail?"
Ariel answered, "I know the jail keeper, Tondar, a good man. He is governed by the law and is strict to abide by it, as we must abide by the law also. I will talk to him and make an agreement.”
Days later, they arrived at Pinecone Cross. "Tondar, my old friend." Ariel shouted across the way.
Tondar turned and saw them coming. He stretched out his hand and said with excitement, "Ariel! Come down and visit. I have wine."
Tondar didn’t get many visitors. So he was always glad to see a new face. While they sat down at the table, Tondar got a bottle of wine and a loaf of bread and placed it on the table next to the cheese block that was already there, "What brings you here Ariel?"
Ariel proceeded to tell Tondar the whole story while they ate…. "And so you see Tondar, we need to get Christopher out of prison."
Tondar stood up and went to his calendar and flipped the pages, "Well, he has served two years and seven weeks…." he paused, "For the remainder of his time that will cost you two gold corrubbian coins. That's the best I can do."
Ariel shook Tondars hand in agreement, "I thank you, for your food and your understanding. We'll be back in a few days to get him out. Thank you Tondar, you're a good man.
Ariel and his Grandpa said their goodbyes and headed down the road. Grandpa picked up a stone and threw it down the road, "Where are we going to get, not one, but two gold corrubbian coins?"
Ariel picked up a stone and took aim at his Grandpa’s stone, which landed in the middle of the road. He threw the stone, (Phew) and smacked Grandpa’s stone right off the road. Then he said, "I have some friends that owe me some favors. We will go and pay them a visit." and down the road they went.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chapter 4….Friends To The End 
Ariel and Grandpa made their way to Pit Falls, the home of the first friend of Ariel’s.
"Belzar" Ariel yelled out, "Belzar"
"Who calls out the name of the great Belzar?" he shouted back.
"It's Ariel."
Belzar came up to greet Ariel on the road. They grabbed each other's arms for a shake,
"Ariel my friend, what brings you so far from home?"
Ariel started to tell him the whole story from the beginning while they walked. By now, night had come upon them. Belzar listened intently, and looked up at the night sky, "Come, let's go in for the night. We’ll have a good meal and get a good night’s sleep and you can be on your way in the morning. Ariel, you may have all I have, but I only have one gold corrubbian coin, the one that you gave me so long ago. Come on, let's eat." They all went inside to eat and rest for the night.
Early the next morning, Belzar gave Ariel and Grandpa a packed lunch and handed Ariel the gold coin, "I hope this helps you as much as you have helped me. Thank you Ariel." Belzar shook hands with Ariel and they waved goodbye.
"Where to next? Grandpa asked.
Ariel threw his food pack on his shoulder. "Off to Pondery Lake to see the keeper of Molgara.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chapter 5…… Molgara 
Grandpa's eyes got really big, "Molgara? The sea creature?"
"That's the one!
The sun was approaching high noon. At that time, dark and stormy clouds started to move in and cut off the sunlight. The wind picked up and the dust from the road whipped into their faces. Grandpa yelled, "We better find shelter before we get washed away."
Ariel and Grandpa started to run as Ariel said, "Follow me!"
They ran down the embankment and into a cave at the bottom of a crevice. Just when they made it inside, a big flash of lightning and a loud roar of thunder hit above their heads. The ground shook and the rocks above the opening came falling down in front of the entrance. When the rocks stopped falling and the dust had settled, they could hear buckets of rain pouring down upon the ground. Grandpa yelled out, "Oh great, we're trapped. What are we going to do?"
Ariel sat down against the wall, "Yes, but we are dry and we have lunch." So Ariel and his Grandpa sat in the dark. They fumbled in their food sack and had something to eat. As fast as the storm came, the storm had left and the sun shined through the cracks of the fallen rocks.
"There!" Ariel pointed, "That's our way out." Ariel climbed up the pile of rocks and started to move them about. All of a sudden, because of the mud, the whole pile of rock slid down the cliff, opening the cave entrance. Ariel and Grandpa looked out over the valley. "There." Ariel pointed again, "Pondery Lake, and just on the other side is the home of Crowlos."
They gathered their things and started down the hillside, across the valley to Pondery Lake. The ground was soggy and the trees were still dripping with every little breeze. As they approached the lake, they could see a dark shadow that swirled beneath the surface of the water. The rocky shoreline jetted in and out. Grandpa was intently watching the swirl in the lake. While walking on the rocks, Grandpa lost his balance and fell into the water. (Splash) Just then, all of a sudden the water rippled and heaved up and off the shoreline. Ariel reached down for Grandpa, "Watch out!"
Grandpa scrambled back up onto the rocks as the ripples and bubbles came closer to the shore. They continued to the south side of the lake and arrived at a shack, Crowlos' home at the edge of the woods. Ariel knocked on the shack’s door and called out, "Crowlos, are you home?" There was no answer. Ariel tried the door to see if it was locked. The doorknob turned and the door opened. Ariel opened the door and stepped inside, "Crowlos, are you home?" Ariel called out again. Still no answer. "Well, I guess we'll wait for him to come back."
Grandpa walked in, "He shouldn't be far. Where could you go to around here?" Grandpa grabbed the water ladle from the bucket on the counter, "Hum, empty. I'll go and get us some water." he said as he picked up the bucket. Grandpa headed through the door and went outside in the still of the day. He wasn't outside but for fifteen seconds when they heard a really loud awful screech that rattled the pans and the furniture in the shack. Grandpa came running back in and dove through the door as white as a ghost. With eyes as big as day and with a tremor in his voice he asked, "What was that?"
Ariel walked to the door and looked out. While he looked out the door, to where the lake was, he saw a beautiful green fifteen foot high dragon. The dragon had little legs and webbed feet, a flat wide long tail and raised scales from his majestic head all the way down his back to his tail. The dragon lowered his head and sniffed Ariel with a mighty breath that almost pulled Ariel off balance. With that, the dragon took another deep breath and thrashed his tail on the ground with the tip splashing into the water. Then he let out another head splitting screech. Just then a man came running out of the woods with his hands held high in the air. "Mollara!" he yelled, “Cooley, Cooley Van Dewshee."  He started to push the dragon away from the front door and yelled again. "Cooley, Cooley Van Dewshee!" The dragon backed away from the shack, turned, and went back into the water of the lake. The man looked into the shack and saw Ariel, "Oh! Ariel, it's you. I’m sorry about that." the man apologized.
"Hey, not a problem. That's some watchdog though!" Ariel chuckled and started to shake hands with the man, "How are you Crowlos?" Grandpa crawled out from under the table. "Oh, this is my Grandpa, Grandpa, this is Crowlos and that was Molgara."
Crowlos stopped Ariel in his speech, "No, that's not Molgara. That's Mollara, his baby. Molgara is twice that size. He is very protective though."
Grandpa gasped, "He's just a baby? So that means Molgara is what, thirty feet high?"
Crowlos replied with a smile on his lips, "Yup, as tall as that tree." as he pointed to the tall oak tree near the lake's edge, "Do you want me to call him back?"
Grandpa answered back without hesitation, "No! That's okay!"
Crowlos laughed, "So what's up Ariel?"
Ariel put his hand on Crowlos' shoulder, "Let's take a walk. Grandpa, you can get that water now." So Grandpa went for the water pail and Ariel and Crowlos went for a walk down by the lake. Mollara flipped and splashed while he followed them along the lake's edge.
Upon their return, each of them had two big fish in their hands and smiles on their faces. Grandpa greeted them in front of the shack, "Where, or should I say how did you catch those?"
Crowlos flopped them down on the table, "We didn't, but Mollara is one good fisherman. Ariel, you can start the fire and I'll go to the garden for some vegetables." Grandpa pulled out his knife and started to clean the fish.
After supper they all sat back and watched the stars roll in through the night sky. The full moon shined bright while it danced across the lake, glistening the rippled waters where Mollara flipped in and out. Crowlos got up and went into the shack and came back out with the corrubbian coin, "Here Ariel, I hope it does you well."
"Thank you Crowlos. You are a true friend." Ariel beamed as he took the coin, "Now we must get some rest. We have a long way to get back to Pinecone Cross."
Crowlos looked at them with a strange glazed look and then smirked to himself, "Yes, rest now. I'll see you off in the morning."
When morning came, they could hear Mollara splashing around in the lake and singing with a high pitched screech. While they got ready to leave, they couldn’t find Crowlos. On the table, they found a note from him with a rolled up rope. The note read as followed; (Trust me. Each of you put on the rope harness and stretch the rope out between you, high in the air. Whistle when you’re ready.)
Grandpa was puzzle, "We don't have time for this." he said shaking his head.
Ariel started to put on the harness and threw the other end to his Grandpa, "Trust, Grandpa, trust. Just put it on."
With that said, Grandpa put on the harness. Then Grandpa and Ariel stood about ten feet apart to stretch the rope high in the air from shoulder to shoulder. Ariel let out a loud whistle, then said to his Grandpa, "Are you ready, Grandpa?"
"Ready for what?" All of a sudden, a shriek cried out and a very huge dragon was flying across the lake. Grandpa's eyes got really big. Then he covered his face with his hand. Grandpa felt a mighty wind and a jerk on the rope. His feet lifted off the ground.
"We're off!" Ariel replied in a half yelling voice, "You can open your eyes now Grandpa."
Grandpa took his hand away from his face very slowly and opened his eyes. The wind whistled past his ears as he looked down to see the whole valley below. The trees, the lake, and the shack. Even Mollara splashing in the lake, trying to fly up to his father. All these things were far below him and getting smaller as they flew higher. Crowlos hollered down, "How's everyone doing? We should be there in about an hour."
Grandpa looked up and saw Crowlos sitting on the dragons shoulders. "Ohhh we're fine!" he hollered back with a crack in his voice as he grabbed tightly to the harness.
Crowlos laughed. Then he commanded the dragon, Molgara, to go higher with a loud voice, "Dewshee. Deeny Ma Ha!" and up they went.
Grandpa looked over at Ariel, who was calm as could be. With a fear in his voice, Grandpa stated, "I thought Molgara was a water dragon."
Ariel replied, "Mollara was a water dragon, but as they grow to adulthood, their wings grow too. Just relax and enjoy the flight Grandpa. Live a little."
Grandpa looked at the ground below. It looked as if it was moving so slow. He saw the cave at the end of the valley that they were stuck in and he saw the road. There were people on the road and oxen's pulling carts. He chuckled to himself because they were so very small. As time passed, Molgara spread his wings and started to glide. With that, they could see Pinecone Cross coming into view. Lower and lower they went circling around. The tops of the trees were so close that they whiz by in a blur. When they came down to the road, Crowlos gave the command and Molgara arched upright and started to flap his huge wings fast with big broad strokes. They landed on the ground as gentle as a feather. Molgara flattened back out and with a mighty wind pushed back into the sky.
"Quick, take off the harness." Ariel said to his Grandpa. He gathered up the rope while Molgara circled overhead and with another mighty whistle the dragon swooped in. Ariel threw the rope up and Molgara caught it in its claws. "Thanks Crowlos," Ariel yelled.
Crowlos hollered back, "Be well my friend" and they both waved goodbye.
Ariel and Grandpa turned to walk down the hill to the jailers. Tundar was down by the jail, feeding the prisoners.
Ariel called out to Tundar as he waved hello, "Tundar!"
Tundar turned, "Ariel, back so soon? How about some breakfast. Have you had breakfast yet? I made plenty. Tundar turned back to his prisoner Christopher, gave him his bowl of breakfast, "Today must be your lucky day."
Ariel, Grandpa and Tundar went back up to the office now to eat. Within the hour, they emerged and went back to the jail cell where Christopher was being held. "Are you ready to go Christopher?" Tundar asked.
"I was ready to go a year ago!" Chris said excitedly as he packed up his role of clothes in a blanket.
Tundar opened the cell door and handed Christopher a sack, "Here's lunch to take along on your trip home." Then Tundar handed a sack to Ariel and Grandpa.
Christopher stretched out his arm and shook Tundar's hand, "I'll miss having you to talk to, Tundar." Thank you for your care. I'll be back, but not on the inside. No, never again! Maybe next time, I can be some help around here."
Tundar gave him a pat on the back, "You're a good kid Christopher, be safe."
With that, Christopher turned to Ariel and Grandpa and they all started to walk away. While they walked down the road out of Pinecone Cross, Christopher started to take a path to the left toward Mud Bogg Swamp. "Where do you think you're going?" Grandpa said as he grabbed Christopher by the shoulder.
Christopher turned and looked at Grandpa, "I'm going home. Tundar said you were taking me to my Dads, right?
Grandpa pointed down the road, "Yeah and it's this way." Ariel stopped to watch.
Christopher replied, "Well, I know a shortcut." he said as he stretched out his arm and pointed to the swamp.
Ariel came back to where they were standing, "You know a way through Mud Bogg Swamp?"
Christopher looked at Ariel, "Yeah, I grew up here, remember. I have gone this way all my life."
Grandpa looked at Ariel, "It's a trick!"
Chris turned back to Grandpa, "Why would I trick you? Sure, you put me in jail, but I deserved it. I was out of control and now you got me out early to take me home and I just want to get there. Even if I lost you, I would still go home. You would catch up to me later. I'm not your prisoner, right? I just know going this way will cut a day and a half walk."
Ariel took Grandpa's hand off of Christopher, "He's right, he's not a prisoner anymore and he can go as he pleases. If he says it will save a day and a half walk, then let's go that way. It will be a new adventure with Christopher."
Christopher and Ariel started to walk into the swamp. Grandpa reached down to pick up his pack and muttered to himself, "This whole trip is becoming an adventure."

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Chapter 6…. Mud Bogg Swamp 
Now, Mud Bogg Swamp was a dark and murky place that was full of strange and weird things. The tall swamp trees had vines, moss and snakes ready to reach out and grab you. If that's not bad enough, the saturated ground had quicksand spots that were hidden under the vegetation. While they walked the bog, some would move and squish, making them loose their balance.
Christopher looked back and saw that Grandpa was struggling, "Watch your step or you'll get stuck. Try to pick the bigger bog and step in the center firm, but lightly."
Grandpa got the hang of it and slipped only a few times. "Pick the bigger ones." he grumbled to himself when he slipped off again, "In the center, firm, but lightly." he mumbled some more.
When they reached the end of the bog, the trees were thick and very tall at the edge. This caused it to get darker because of the shade of the trees. The trees fanned out full of leaves with vines and green moldy moss that covered everything.
Grandpa caught up with Christopher and Ariel. Suddenly, a giant snake coiled down from the trees and wrapped itself around Grandpa. "Help! Help!" he cried out before the snake started to squeeze him.
Ariel and Christopher went back to pull on the snake. Christopher hollered, "It's no use, it's too strong for me." Ariel pulled out his sword and with a mighty blow, cut off the snake's head. The coiled snake's body and Grandpa dropped to the ground with a thud. Ariel sliced the coil of the snake and the muscles relaxed and released Grandpa from its deathly grip. Christopher turned to help Grandpa out, "Quick! Where there is one, there are more." Christopher pointed up and they could see as if the branches had come alive.
"There must be hundreds of them." Ariel yelled, "Let's get moving, and I mean fast."
They started off and ran deeper into the swamp, cutting at the snakes dangling from the trees. Christopher saw a clearing up ahead, "This way!" he yelled as he ran off.
Ariel and Grandpa followed Chris as fast as their feet would go. At the clearing, the ground dropped. Christopher ran and jumped as hard as he could and splat, he was waist deep in the swamp. Ariel, in a split second saw Chris fall into the swamp and stopped just in time at the edge with no time to think. He turned with a jolt and saw Grandpa running at him. In that same moment, Grandpa ran into Ariel, just as Ariel yelled, "Jump!"
Ariel grabbed his Grandpa and with all his might, threw him through the air across the swamp. Grandpa lands on the other side of Christopher and rolled to a stop. Not thinking of his badly bruised and battered body, Grandpa turned quickly and went back to help Christopher, who was sinking deeper into the quicksand. By the time he reached him, he was buried up to his shoulders. Grandpa grabbed a long stick, "Don't struggle. Just reach out for the tree branch" Grandpa instructed Christopher while he held out the long branch. Once Christopher had it firmly grasped with both hands, Grandpa sat up and dug in his heels into the ground and started to pull. Slowly, Christopher started to be pulled out of the quicksand. First his shoulders, then his chest. Christopher got his arms free from the deadly sand and pulled with all his strength.
Just then, Ariel reached for the branch in front of Grandpa, "Pull! Pull!" Ariel shouted to Grandpa and Chris. All three of them worked together, getting Chris out of the quicksand.
While they lied there to catch their breath and strength, Grandpa looked at Ariel, "How did you get across the quicksand?" he asked with a puzzled look.
"Buoyancy," Ariel replied, "I rolled across the top."
Grandpa gave Ariel a look of disbelief. They all stood up to continue on their journey. Chris grabbed his pack. With a skip in his step, he stated with a smile on his face, "It's all uphill from here."
As they walked along, they climbed higher out of the swamp. The trees started to thin, as the rocks protruded from the ground. They happened upon a small waterfall and a stream, where they stopped to wash off the swamp mud.
"Ooh, that's cold." Grandpa shivered, "but also nice," as he stuck his head under the waterfall.
After a short time of cooling off and cleaning up, they set things out to dry. They sat down to have lunch, in the warmth of the sun, to dry and relax for a little while. While they ate their lunch, the birds were chirping, and the squirrels scurried across the grass. All of a sudden the birds were silent, and the squirrels were gone. Then the birds took flight, soaring high into the air and out of sight. All was calm and quiet. Too quiet. They all realized that something was about to happen. Without a word, they all stood up at once and drew their swords. They looked around, their bodies were tense and ready for anything. All of a sudden they heard a rumbling. They waited for a few seconds and saw a herd of wild boars coming straight toward them. All three of them took off to the trees to get out of the way of the stampeding herd. The boars ran past them and the dust started to settle. Ariel's ears were alert and he heard another strange sound.
"Ariel…...Ariel......Help! Help!" Grandpa yelled.
Ariel climbed down from the tree that he ran up to escape the boars, "Where are you, Grandpa?"
"Over here!" Grandpa shouted back. "Over here!"
Ariel and Christopher got to Grandpa at the same time and saw that he was stuck in a huge spider web. Grandpa looked at both of them and pointed up to the corner of the web, "I have company."
A very large, giant spider came out of its nest and started its way towards Grandpa. Ariel and Christopher chopped at the web with their swords to draw the attention of the spider away from Grandpa. The spider dropped to the ground and started to fight with Chris and Ariel. The spider hissed and squealed, as it flailed its legs, all eight of them. Ariel couldn’t fight all of them at the same time and got hit in the chest and knocked to the ground by one of the hairy huge legs. Ariel said as he got up, "Okay. Now I'm mad." He wield his sword in the air and yelled, "AAAHH!” Bringing his sword down with a mighty force, he cut off one of the spider's legs, leaving just a stub. The spider dropped and squealed. But with a stumbling jerk it got up and turned and ran away, back to its nest. Christopher and Ariel swung around to Grandpa and cut him free from the web. "You'll have to wash up all over again, Grandpa." Ariel laughed, "Now that you are done playing with the creatures, we will have to be going."
Grandpa looked up and gave Ariel a smirk, "Ha, ha, ha."
 After washing off the sticky spider web, they grabbed their packs again and headed off, on their way.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chapter 7. The Treasure 
A mile after the stream and spider incident, Chris looked up ahead, "See, there’s Skull Mountain. We made it without any more problems."
As they got to the base of Skull Mountain, they saw a lot of people. "Oh no. Not another battle with those thugs again." Grandpa sighed.
Ariel chuckled, "Relax.... It's a barbecue!"
The eight foot tall man had a barrel of ale on his shoulder as he walked up to them. He handed them each a mug, "Welcome home, Christopher. How do you like your steak?"
"Cooked my friend, cooked." Christopher replied as he shook his hand.
The big man poured them each a mug of ale and then pointed, "Your Dads are waiting for you over there."
"Thanks Luther." Chris replied. Then he took a long refreshing drink, "Ahhh that sure is good."
The three of them walked over, past the tables and the barbecue pits to talk to the Masters.
"Look at all this food!" Grandpa said with amazement.
Ariel walked up to the Masters and shook their hands, "Well, here we are and here he is."
Chris sat down his mug and hugged his Dads as the crowd clapped and cheered. "It's good to be home" Chris stated.
Grandpa looked really puzzled and stepped up after Christopher and the Masters and Ariel have chatted for a while and he asked sternly, "Okay! Okay, he's here, so tell us what we came for."
The Masters looked at each other, then at Grandpa. Then they both closed their eyes and raised their arms and chanted, "Molly, molly, pumpkin holly, show us now a bunch of follies." Just then, the music had changed and a bunch of dancing girls came out to dance.
"Hey!" Grandpa shouted, as one of the girls spun him around.
The Masters laughed and smiled, looking at Grandpa, "The answer you seek lies within your friend. Ask Ariel where the treasure is kept. But for now, let's celebrate.
They all walked off into the party. Grandpa turned to Ariel, "What gives Ariel? What did they mean?"
Ariel put his hands in the air as to be on the defensive, "Well, I had to get you out of the house somehow. All you do is sit around and mope, (I'm bored, I'm tired, I'm hungry, and we never do anything anymore.) So there, we got out and had an adventure."
Grandpa looked at Ariel, "What about the treasure?"
"What about it? Did you look and see if it was gone?"
Grandpa thought about it for a second. "No, I took your word for it"…he thought some more. "So this was all set up, pre-planned, to just get me out of the house and have an adventure?"
Ariel laughed and hugged his Grandpa, "So now enjoy the party, then we'll go home."
With that said, Grandpa thought, and flashed back to all the adventures. After a while Ariel picked up the two mugs of ale and handed one to Grandpa. Grandpa smiled and toasted with Ariel, clinking the mugs together, while they walked back into the party. Grandpa saw all the people that he had met on this wild surprising adventure with Ariel.
                                (Make sure to check out more stories of children having great adventures.)