Fables from the Magic Tunnel
By Sandra Lee Stephens, Anita Miller, Jon Dickman and MSW
()
About this ebook
Learn how life has changed for each child in the 23rd Century as you experience their "rites of passage" in a dark tunnel and meet strange characters. Experience their passage and what it is like to face the unknown and your deepest fears.
For children, (age 7-12) "Fables from the Magic Tunnel" provides an entertaining journey of magic, mystery, and many strange denizens that offer aid and wisdom in the character's quest.
For adult readers the story offers simple, thought-provoking life reminders to be true to yourself, kind to others, and follow your dreams.
Fables from the Magic Tunnel awaits your arrival!
Related to Fables from the Magic Tunnel
Related ebooks
The Thing at the Edge of Blundertown: A Young Adult Novel Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCrescent Bound Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Ebrangle Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsTime in My Pocket Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Hidden Order: Can You See It? Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBecoming Jesse: Celebrating the Everyday Magic of Childhood Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDancing Home Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5By Book or by Crook: Solving Crimes with My Nephew, Sherlock Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA World of Mystery and Wonderment Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJorell: For Those Who Believe in Fairies...and Those Who Don't Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLOY: In the forests of the mind Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Crooked Smile: A Memoir Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStories for Ears to Hear: A Reimagining of the Parables of Jesus Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSee Through: Stories Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Teachings of Shirelle: Life Lessons from a Divine Knucklehead Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsDreaming Seasons: A Family's Secret Legacy Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Moon is Missing: A Novel Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMy Disappearing Mother: A Memoir of Magic and Loss in the Country of Dementia Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRaped by Clothing: The Nudophobic Society Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Other Forest Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsWhere the Magic Happens Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Pirate Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Into the Spotlight Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSeven Sisters: Messages from Aboriginal Australia Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Justice Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Heirloom Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBlack Rising Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Night Child: A Novel Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Twin Flames: Midnight Awakening Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5The Inheritance of Beauty: A Novel Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Children's Fantasy & Magic For You
Into the Wild: Warriors #1 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Secret Garden: The 100th Anniversary Edition with Tasha Tudor Art and Bonus Materials Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Chocolate Touch Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5House of Many Ways Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Howl's Moving Castle Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Coraline 10th Anniversary Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Hobbit Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Alice in Wonderland: Down the Rabbit Hole Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Silver Chair: The Classic Fantasy Adventure Series (Official Edition) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe: The Classic Fantasy Adventure Series (Official Edition) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Prince Caspian: The Classic Fantasy Adventure Series (Official Edition) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Coraline Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Flashback Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Fortunately, the Milk Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Phantom Tollbooth Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Alice In Wonderland: The Original 1865 Unabridged and Complete Edition (Lewis Carroll Classics) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCastle in the Air Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Bridge to Terabithia Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The School for Good and Evil: Now a Netflix Originals Movie Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Voyage of the Dawn Treader: The Classic Fantasy Adventure Series (Official Edition) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Neverseen Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Horse and His Boy: The Classic Fantasy Adventure Series (Official Edition) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Last Battle: The Classic Fantasy Adventure Series (Official Edition) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Dark Is Rising Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Nightfall Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Amari and the Night Brothers Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Keeper of the Lost Cities Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Indian in the Cupboard Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Exile Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Book of Three Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5
Related categories
Reviews for Fables from the Magic Tunnel
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Fables from the Magic Tunnel - Sandra Lee Stephens
behold.
Fable One
The Magic Tunnel
"…And the first function of the rites of puberty,
accordingly, must be to establish in the individual a
system of sentiments that will be appropriate to the society
in which he is to live, and on that society itself must depend
for its existence."
Joseph Campbell
Myths to Live By
Chapter One
The Unknown
There is a secret in the darkness and they know all about it. Humans don’t - that is, young humans. The secret begins in darkness that would scare the bravest of you. A young girl, with long hair the color of honey, stretches her small hand into empty air, whispering, Mama? Mama? Pudgie? Where are you? Are you here?
She screams at the top of her voice, WHERE AM I? CAN ANYBODY HEAR ME? I WANT MY MAMA!
The only sound is her voice echoing back in the darkness.
***
A man’s voice announces from a blinking red box, Keeper, she is through the gateway and in the reception hall.
A female figure in a long, shimmering gown stops petting a gray cat.
She waves her hand; a large screen appears on the tunnel wall allowing her to observe the reception hall.
Read her profile to me please, Rydel.
The voice from the box replies: "Name: Janelle Olivia Yachats, Life Code: J.O.Y. Descendant of Grandfather, John Olin Bern, Life Code: J.O.B., who completed the first space mission to Zebula and is credited with the return of the first alien life form to Earth and the Unification.
"Descendant of Father, Robert Allan Yachats, Life Code: R.A.Y. He perished several years ago on his last mission to Mars.
She resides with her mother and brother at Fourth sector, High Hills, Oregon, USA. Birth Date: November Fifteenth, 2289 A.D. Current age: Six years. End of file. Keeper?
Yes?
As she has arrived five years too soon, do you wish to proceed?
Yes I do, Rydel. I have reason to believe this child possesses the purest of hearts. If she prevails, it will be a quick passage.
Very good. I will inform her mother. Keeper...may I speak freely?
Continue, Rydel.
Does one ever get used to them being so upset?
The children always show fear and confusion at the outset. You will become accustomed to their initial reactions. We must remember: this is necessary so that their world can live in peace.
Thank you, Keeper. Under your watchful guidance, I am eager to learn.
Keeper disappears into a darkened passageway leading to the reception hall.
***
Turning around and around, her blue eyes fill with tears; the little girl pleads: I want my mama! Pudgie, where are you? Can anybody hear me?
Then, in a high-pitched voice she screams, MAMA, I’M SCARED. HELP ME, PLEASE. COME GET ME!
A calm, soft voice issues from the darkness.
Hello. I can help you. What is your name, Little One?
This voice sounds gentle, just like Mama.
Peering side to side to see if she can see anyone and wiping tears from her cheek, she answers slowly, Ja-Janelle. What-what is this place?
This is the Magic Tunnel.
Magic-magic Tunnel? Why...why can’t I see you?
I cannot tell you that right now. You must be brave.
But, I want my mama to come get me.
Your mama cannot be with you now.
Janelle puts her fingers to her forehead saying, I-I can’t remember how I got in here.
I know, Little One.
Am I...dead?
No, Little One, you are not. This is part of your life.
As a quick distraction, Keeper asks, Who is this Pudgie you call for?
Pudgie? Pudgie is my pretty kitten. And he's my very best friend.
And what makes Pudgie a pretty kitten?
’Cause he has really soft gray fur and his nose is all squished in like this.
Janelle takes a finger and pushes her nose flat.
Oh, I see,
Keeper replies, amused. Does this Pudgie with the pushed-in nose keep you company at home?
Nodding her head up and down, Yes, I wish he was here.
Talking about Pudgie reminds Janelle of home. Rubbing her eyes, she begins to cry, because home right now, seems very far away.
Janelle, Janelle.
Keeper tries to call her back from her despair. But Janelle covers her ears, retreating into her fear. Keeper pierces the girl’s self-imposed torment with a loud challenge.
JANELLE, LISTEN TO ME. DO YOU WANT TO STAY IN HERE ALL THE TIME?
NO!
she shouts at the top of her voice, defiantly striking her hands on her hips.
Ah, you do have spirit! This is good. Now, tell me, what do you want more than anything, right now?
In a firm, loud voice, she yells, I WANNA GO HOME!
Then you shall. Walk toward that bright, shining light way down there at the end of this tunnel, and keep walking no matter what you see or hear, and you will get back home to your Pudgie.
Janelle turns to see light shining far away at the end of the tunnel. She asks, And Mama, too?
Yes, Little One. Mama, too.
Janelle looks ahead into uncertainty, then behind into the dark stillness. I don’t want to go all alone. Please come with me.
I cannot, for I am unable to leave my kingdom.
Kingdom? Are you a king?
No, I am not. My Kingdom is of imagination. You see, I have imagination, and you do, too.
No I don’t,
Janelle snaps.
Ah, Little One, imagination is part of you. You will understand soon.
How?
Janelle asks.
I can only say this, remember it well: You possess a magic that will always help you when you need it. Now, you must begin your journey to go home.
No, I can’t do it. It’s too scary. Please come with me...please?
Janelle waits for the voice to reply, but there is only silence. She looks ahead to the light coming from the end of the tunnel far away. The light seems to be calling to her. She can even somehow feel warmth from its rays. A breeze comes from the darkness and pushes at her, as if it's giving an invisible nudge to go. It works. I guess...I guess I’d better go.
She starts walking but looking at her feet, she can’t see the ground!
Janelle hesitates, How do I see where to walk?
She remembers outloud, Mama says to always do what is hardest.
Reluctantly she raises her right foot and slowly puts it down in front of her, fearing it might disappear into the darkness. It doesn’t! Bravely, slowly taking another step forward, she looks down and gasps. Oh!
In the dirt, her footprints and even her shoes are lit up...bright as sunshine! I can see! I can see where to walk.
With just a thread of confidence, Janelle walks a little faster toward the bright shining light at the end of the tunnel and, hopefully, the way home.
Chapter Two
A Rescue
Janelle hurries through the tunnel, keeping her eyes on the light ahead. Suddenly, without warning something bumps her, setting her off balance. As she falls into unknown darkness, she reaches out grabbing at air; her hands catch onto something solid while her feet dangle into unknown space.
Terrified, she screams, HELP! MAMA!
Her swinging feet find a ledge to rest on. Her fingers hurt but she doesn’t dare loosen her grip on the rocks. There is only empty space behind her as she turns her head slowly from side to side to see if there is any other way off the ledge. She can no longer see the light from the tunnel. There is nothing but blackness all around except for the light from her shoes that reflect off the shiny rock ledge where she is suspended.
HELP ME. PLEASE! SOMEBODY HELP ME!
Then, another voice comes from the darkness. But this time, the voice is not at all friendly! In fact, the voice is so deep and loud that it shakes the whole tunnel.
WELL, WELL, the voice booms,
YOU’RE STUCK. YOU CAN’T GET OUT OF THIS, LITTLE GIRL. Now isn’t that a shame!"’
Who are you? Please help me.
Hah, me help you? I, Neg of the deep, helps no one.
But I’m afraid to move my hands and I can’t climb up by myself. Please help.
No. Maybe, you should just let go and give up.
Neg taunts.
No! I won’t. Why are you so mean to me?
Janelle asks.
Neg laughs gruffly. Because... you are mean to yourself.
What does that mean?
Figure it out for yourself. I already told you, I, Neg of the Deep, helps no one.
Janelle yells, MAMA, SERRIN!
Why do you call for your mother and brother? They are not here. And they’re not here because they don’t love you. If they did, would they let you be in here all alone?
Please stop saying mean things, please.
Why should I?
"Cause I