Every Hero Has a Story: Summer Reading For the Fun of It

By Mark Binder

A flash flood rips a Prince and Princess from their carriage. Lost and alone in the deluge, they find refuge in a barn filled with strangers. Gathering around the fire to keep warm, one by one these unknown women and men began to tell their stories.

From Giant Killer Jack and The Last Voyage of of Sinbad to the World's First Story, this chapter book of adventures will keep you turning pages.

"You've heard of books that are meant to be read across an entire state? This is a book that can be read across an entire family."

New and classic stories from around the world written by Mark Binder, an award-winning author and professional spoken-word storyteller.

• Language: English
• Publisher: BookBaby
• Release date: Jan 1, 2015
• ISBN: 9781940060149

Mark Binder

Audie Audiobook Award nominee Mark Binder writes and tells stories for readers and listeners of all ages. His work is eclectic. He is the author of more than two-dozen books and audio books for children, families and adults. He tours the world as a performer for children and families, transmitting the joy of story across boundaries. He also performs work for adults that include, “stories of drugs death, love, theft, humor, hope and happy endings.”A writer who creates at least one new project every year, whether it’s a printed book or an audio book, an ebook or a play. Mark is constantly pushing boundaries, while keeping his diverse audiences of readers and listeners engaged.A performer with more than twenty years of programs in schools, libraries, theaters and festival for nearly 200,000 listeners of all ages. Every year Mark gives more than 100 presentations across the United States and around the world. Recently, he was featured in the Amazon/Audible series, “Story Live.” His audiobook Loki Ragnarok was nominated for a 2019 Audie Award for Original Work.Education... Mark studied mythology with T.E. Gaster and storytelling with Spalding Gray at Columbia University, mime and dance with the Adaptors Movement Theater. He earned an MA in English and Writing, Acting and Directing from Rhode Island College and the Trinity Rep Conservatory. He holds a third degree black belt in Aikido, studies centering and internal power, and promises not to throw you across the room.Entertaining, Inspiring, Challenging Whether written or told, Mark’s stories are always fresh and new. Some are pure fun, while others address issues, soothe fears and inspire change. Because he has such a broad assortment of stories, books and audio, he can work from a theme or offer “Omakase” stories that suit the day and the audience. Everyone who listens or reads is transportedA Teacher and Leader Mark knows how to teach by listening and coaching, by example and assignment. His goal is to inspire students to do more and better work than they thought possible. He has taught martial arts in a dojo, “Telling Lies” at the Rhode Island School of Design, and writing and storytelling in dozens of elementary, middle and high schools for young people and adults of all ages.And more... Mark is the founder of Light Publications, an independent publishing company. He co-created Bright Night Providence, and founded The Real Fun Theater Company and the American Story Theater. He has worked as the editor of magazines, designed books, and produced award-winning books and audios. He has been programming computers since 1977, and is constantly learning and adapting to changing technology. He has twice run for political office, and came frighteningly close to winning once.

Book preview

Once upon a time…

The Prince and the Princess were traveling home from a visit with their grandparents. It was a dark afternoon. The storm clouds had come in rather suddenly, and when the rain finally came with a great thunderclap it was no surprise. Sheets of rain battered the roof of their compartment. The glass windows quickly fogged, as the temperature outside grew cold.

It’s frightening out there, said the Princess. She wasn’t really afraid, just making conversation, breaking the silence with her brother.

He nodded and shrugged and stared into the distance. He didn’t have much to say. His tutors said that he was thoughtless and carefree, but he knew that it was exactly the opposite. His mind was wandering, imagining battles and swordfights, courtroom intrigues and gunplay. In each short scene, he was the hero, saving the day, rescuing the maiden, thwarting the Prime Minister’s sinister plots, or slaying a dragon.

The Princess smiled and patted her brother’s knee. She never knew whether he was her friend or not. Her tutors said that she was studious and careful, but she knew it was the exact opposite. She studied because everyone expected her to, and no one wanted to discuss real and important things with her. She felt that if she could only learn enough, she would be able to connect with anyone on any subject. She saw herself drinking tea and eating pastries with Kings and Queens and Presidents from far away countries, having dinners with Prime Ministers and Bank Managers, enjoying brunches with shop girls and factory floor stewards. A thought occurred to her and she briefly wondered why no one had ever thought to teach her how to cook.

Suddenly, the compartment shook.

What’s that? the Princess asked.

Nothing, the Prince shrugged.

There was another jolt and then the entire vehicle began to float and drift to one side.

Their driver was furious with himself. He hadn’t realized that the weather was going to get so bad so quickly. The road to the Capital city twisted and turned, rose and fell through the foothills.

At the trough of a deep gully, the flash flood had caught them and now everything was spinning out of control.

Water started flowing into the vehicle.

The Prince blinked and began to pay attention. Hear, hear! he shouted, banging on the driver’s window. What’s going on?

The driver did not answer. He was struggling to regain control, but the water was rising too quickly to manage.

Do you think everything will be all right? the Princess asked.

Get out! the driver shouted. The Prince and the Princess were good swimmers. They might be washed away, but they would not drown. He wasn’t sure this was the right thing, but he knew that if his young charges were trapped inside the vehicle they might not be able to escape later.

Come on! the Prince shouted at his sister. Now water was pouring in through the doors and the windows. Soon there would be little air left in the compartment.

The Princess banged on the driver’s window. Are you going to be all right?

But there was no answer.

Her brother had opened the door. He pulled at her, and reluctantly she came with him.

A flash flood happens when a huge amount of sudden rain or runoff gathers and collects at a narrow and low point in the landscape. It is like an instant ocean wave or a river of rapids flowing over a previously dry patch of land.

Outside the royal vehicle, the world was a wet and chaotic swirl of rain and mud and water and debris, of sticks and twigs and leaves and even small animals.

Still, the Prince was mindful enough to hold onto his sister. Once, as they spun and twirled, she slipped from his grasp, but she managed to catch hold of his belt and gave him a push upwards, because he had been flipped over and had begun swimming down.

A moment later their heads broke the surface, and a moment after that the water was gone, and they found themselves soaking wet, sitting on the side of the road.

Do you know where we are? the Princess shouted.

The rain was still falling hard, but beginning to lessen as the storm and floodwaters passed.

I’m not the expert in geography, the Prince snapped back. In his thoughts, he was cursing himself for not having paid better attention in class.

No need to be snippy, the Princess said. Do you think our driver made it out?

The Prince frowned. We have to take care of ourselves now. Worry about him later.

We won’t be able to help him later, the Princess said. She was beginning to cry.

The Prince and the Princess were twins. Even though she was ten minutes older than him, he felt that he was responsible. He needed to be in charge.

The Prince scanned the area. Do you see anything anywhere? he shouted. The rain was still loud. I don’t. The best thing we can do is to get ourselves to safety and find help. Come on.

He stood and tried to brush some mud off his trousers, but they were soaked and filthy and the gesture was empty.

He reached his hand out for his sister’s.

The Princess also stood. She turned slowly, looking in all directions for any sign of their vehicle or driver. At last she sighed, took her brother’s hand and they began, setting off, up hill and out of the gully.

Their shoes squished as they walked.

The Prince and the Princess Find Refuge…

It might have been five minutes, it might have been ten. Just before a bend where the road veered off to the left, was another road, perhaps a driveway, barely visible in the dimming light as afternoon faded and darkness grew near.

Which way should we go? asked the Princess.

I don’t know, said the Prince, frustrated with himself. He had never noted the landmarks on the ride home, at least not until they came to the statue in honor of the fallen on the outskirts of the city. He should have paid attention. They’d gotten so turned around during their unexpected swim. The capital city could be forwards or even backwards

Let’s go up this driveway, the Princess said. Maybe there’s a house.

Her voice was quieter now. The rain was hard but steady, no longer pounding down on their heads.

I don’t think we should, the Prince answered. If we stay on the road someone is bound to come along. But truthfully he wasn’t sure. No one had gone past, and if the rains were this bad, no one was likely. If their driver had been badly injured or killed, he couldn’t have called for help, and no one would yet know that they were missing.

If we go on, we might find help, the Princess said. Let’s.

All right, he finally agreed, but if we find someone, let me do the talking.

Why you? the Princess said, with a laugh.

The Prince ignored her and stormed off ahead.

A flash of lightning and crack of thunder came in rapid succession, brightening the countryside with an instant glare that left an afterimage tingling in their eyes.

A tree crashed not far away.

I see a building! the Princess said.

We’d better hurry if we don’t want to be electrocuted, said the Prince, taking off at a run.

The Princess paused to take off her shoes and then ran. She caught up with her brother just as he stopped suddenly in front of an open door.

She banged into him, and they both fell inside.

Well well, said a woman’s voice. Look what the rain’s brought.

Two children, said another voice, a man’s. They’re soaked. Come over here by the fire.

The Prince and the Princess stood