The Stick

By Victoria Wundram

A young girl, Max, is taken by her parents to meet her grandmother, who lives alone on an island somewhere in the Puget Sound. Grandmother tells Max an old family story and gives her a magic driftwood stick.

The adventure begins when Max goes off on her own looking for berries, taking her magic stick with her.

Max is unhappy to be taken from home to spend the summer away from her friends. She is not interested in the idea of living on an island or in meeting her grandmother. When she explores the island looking for berries, she becomes lost. With her magic stick and the help of animal spirits, she learns that she can overcome obstacles and find her way back home. She gains a new respect and love for nature, and realizes the importance of family.

The story was inspired by backpacking trips taken with family members on the West Coast Trail of Vancouver Island, B.C. While there, I found a wonderful piece of driftwood. I strapped it to my backpack and carried it out. I keep it to remind myself of those great trips and of the knowledge that I am able to accomplish difficult tasks as long as I trust my instincts, work hard, and keep putting one foot in front of the other.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Victoria Wundram
• Release date: Jan 21, 2011
• ISBN: 9781458008978

Victoria Wundram

I am an artist with a life full of experiences that seem best shared through a combination of media. My latest effort to express my perspective is in the writing and illustration of a children's book, "The Stick". I love travel and have lived in many places, including England, Japan, and several parts of the U.S. I moved nearly two years ago from Maui, HI to Redondo Beach, CA, where I live with my husband and our cat.

Book preview

The Stick

Story and Illustrations by Victoria Wundram

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my husband who keeps believing in me, and reads all my drafts and admires all my drawings.

I also wish to thank my Mother and remember my Cousin Bob who were the fearless leaders on many backpacking trips, including the ones on the West Coast Trail of Vancouver Island, B.C. where I found the wonderful driftwood stick which inspired this story.

The Stick

By Victoria M. Wundram

Published by Victoria Wundram at Smashwords

Copyright 2010 Victoria M. Wundram

The Stick

Chapter 1

Just sit with me here for a little while. I have a story to tell you.

It all happened a long time ago. began the old woman as she settled herself on the edge of the old dusty mattress in the room upstairs. The windows were streaked with dirt. The curtains were mostly gone, and what remained was hanging in tatters. The wallpaper had a hint of a flower pattern on the torn and stained brownish field.

Her granddaughter sat with her and waited to hear the story.

It began on a rainy summer day, as a small boat carrying Max and her parents, rushed through the ocean toward the island - and surprising adventures.... began the grandmother.

❦ ❦ ❦

Max stood apart from her parents on the deck of the boat, trying to keep her balance as it was tossed through the small waves. She peered off into the fog trying to catch a glimpse of what was ahead. The wind stung her face with the tiny drops of rain that fell from the grey sky. It was very cold. She hugged her rain jacket closer around her shoulders and wished she was wearing another sweater.

Great summer! she thought to herself sarcastically.

Through the mist ahead, she could begin to make out a dark shape. It was the island. Then as the boat continued chugging forward, the old house came into view.

It was on a hill, up a plank walkway from the dock. Its shingles had turned silvery grey in the salty ocean air. The big front porch sagged a little on one end. The front door was painted a dusty blue. There were hydrangeas and rhododendrons growing near the front of the house with masses of blue and pink blossoms. Buttercups were scattered across the lawn in places that caught