Stories of Life | KidsWrite | Poetry | Copyright | Submit
Author: Howard Buchin The Write Place
Ridley-Roo and Zelda-Lu
(Shortcut to Chapters 1-3 ...... 4,5)
Chapter 6 Missed chapters 1-5?
Ridley-Roo and Zelda-Lu's Wild Adventures Continue
We had just begun to relax and enjoy our ride through the colourful countryside when, all of a sudden, we heard a loud pop.
Zelda exclaimed,"Ridley, what do y'think that big bang was?" I replied, "I don't know Zelda, but it seems like the truck's slowing down and he's pulling over. I guess we better start hunkering down in case he comes walking 'round to the back."
Sure enough, the man had now pulled over to the side of the road and had started walking towards the back where Zelda-Lu and I were crouched down. He didn't see us as he was looking down towards the rear tires, and his expression told me that something had broken.
"Oh darn," he exclaimed, "looks like I got me a blown tire. Must've went clean over a spike back there on the road. I guess I'll have to pull out the spare and see if she's workin'."
Across his uniform shirt pocket was stitched the name Pete. Suddenly, Pete reached in to the back of the pickup truck as Zelda-Lu and I crouched further down in between the cages and the hay so as not to be seen. We could feel Pete pulling the big wheel out from the truck, and next, we heard a sound from the jack hitting the ground. Then there were several clicks and a cranking noise. The truck started to rise up higher.
There we were crouched in the hay and I noticed a crumpled piece of paper between us. "Hey Zelda-Lu , I whispered, "look what I found! It looks like there's some writing on it." I was getting excited. "Let me see. I think I can make out some sort of message."
Read this closely, & it may lead to treasures,
Coins of gold and other pleasures.
With eyes wide open, you may proceed,
Remember these words, to guide and lead.
There may be dangers that silently await,
In shadows and crevices, to seal your fate,
Remember, tread softly as you go
Through mountain passes and valleys low.
Follow a forest path that points you west.
Use these clues, to pass the test.
"What test, Ridley?" Zelda exclaimed.
Meanwhile Pete was working feverishly below with the truck up on the jack. He was starting to finish the tire change and was tightening the lug nuts on the wheel.
"Hey, Zelda-Lu," I exlcaimed, “this verse could lead us to some great treasures. I think now's the time to try and escape from Pete. What do you think? I say we heed this message, and on the count of three, we'll jump and we'll look for a path. Okay?" Zelda-Lu nodded her head in agreement. Just sitting around with these animal trapping cages was unsettling for both us.
"Okay. One, two, three - let's jump," I whispered to Zelda-Lu. Off we sprang over the side of the truck on down the forest pathway. "Let's make a run for it before Pete notices us. Look there's a path leading through the woods. I'll bet this one leads to that hidden treasure."
We began dashing down the path, the two of us whipping along. We must have made quite a sight. I looked back and I could see Pete still working, He was putting the blown tire back into the truck.
We were now on the outer edge of Wompous forest. "We just have to stay on this path, Zelda. I think we've got it made." At that moment, Zelda spotted a piece of paper half hidden in the trunk of a tree. I reached up and snatched it down and I read it aloud.
If you've followed well, you're on the path.
Continue ahead without fear of wrath.
In spite of creatures that may suddenly appear,
Never forget: the key is to be brave without any fear.
Zelda spoke out, "It seems like these notes are definitely leading us somewhere, but where?"
"This is really weird." I replied. "Zelda, if we just stay on the path we should be fine." I looked up ahead and there seemed to be an opening to a cave. The path was curving up towards a hill, and then we could make out a dark opening where it looked the entry to like a big cave. I remembered that the poem said to head west and this would be the right way. The opening did seem to lead into a dark cave.
Zelda asked, "Do you think we really want to go in there, Ridley?" It looked somewhat ominous. "Zelda, if you were going to hide secret treasure, wouldn't that be the first place you'd think to hide it?
Don't worry, Zelda. I know there's lots of little dips and rock ridges to trip over, but if we're careful, we'll be fine.
Zelda responded, "It's so dark in there, Ridley. If I fall, you might not find me in the darkness." Just then I spotted a shape of a human in the shadows beside a rock wall inside this cavernous place.
"Zelda-Lu try not to make too much noise."
"I'm right behind you, Ridley-Roo."
"And what do we have here? It's been a long time since I've seen any pussycats down this way." The stranger had a raspy, gravelly voice. He had spoken to us, but for some reason, I didn't feel scared.
I thought to myself, "Now..who might you be?" I looked over at my mate Zelda-Lu. The stranger continued, "My name's Gomer. And from the looks of ya's, you've not been down this way before." This man was tall and rangy with a thick mustache. "I live in these here caverns, so I knows my way around." Gomer continued, "If you like, maybe I can help you to find your way through to where you're going."
I whispered to Zelda, "Well, it's certainly is dark and scary in here. We really could use some help. What do ya think?"
"Oh I don't know, Ridley. Are you certain this Gomer isn't planning to play a trick on us?" Zelda-Lu seemed to be trembling just a little.
"Y'know, if he wanted to grab us, he would have done it already," I replied, "I say we see what Gomer can do for us." Zelda nodded and gave the okay.
I rubbed up against Gomer's leg and gave him my friendliest meow, so he would understand we'd decided to be friends with him. On we went, the three of us, trotting along through the darkened corridors.
"Oh yeah, I hope you two can swim, 'cause there's a little creek up ahead."
Zelda-Lu looked terrified. "No I can't Ridley! Of course I can't swim and I'm scared of water. Ridley, I say we turn around and go back right away."
End of chapter 6
(Shortcut to Chapters 1-3 ...... 4,5)
Notice: Copyright on all works posted on Scruffy Plume remains with the authors.
No reproduction is permitted without permission. Thank you
