And Off We Go

By Barbara Lapajne Predin

And Off We Go is a collection of stories lending wings to our curiosity and taking us through space and time! The first one introduces us to the Vikings, who taught their children how to coexist with the frozen seas and respect the animals. In the second tale we visit the African Bushmen and get to know their very special way of learning how to hunt. The third one takes place in Japan and describes how a samurai preserves the honour of a persecuted princess, while in the fourth we learn about understanding dreams with the Navajo, a native American tribe. The stars in the fifth story bring together two girls – a Masai and an Australian – marked by fate in the same manner.

Through these tales we learn how to listen to the wind and how to understand people different from ourselves.

The goal of these stories is for the readers to become fascinated by fantasy journeys. The young readers will take their own knowledge of the world and their family with them on these journeys, and learn about different ways of life full of similar mutual relations and identical fears and joys. They will learn that many different peoples or groups of people live or have lived in the world, that every group has certain peculiarities we can look up to and make use of living in the today's world, or simply discover what people can find their own little shares of happiness in.



However, the most important message is the realisation that we are all very much alike despite all the differences. We love our nearest and dearest, we laugh at a funny story, and we are upset by injustice, regardless of when, where in the world, and what family we were born into.

The collection of stories And Off We Go will help you discover at least some of your secret wishes and chase away prejudice and fears.

These five stories will change your outlook at the world. For the better.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AUK Kids
• Release date: May 27, 2014
• ISBN: 9781782342915

Book preview

1988.

Navajo

Slovenia - a small European country with tall snow-covered Alps; the Pannonian Basin, which used to be the bottom of a sea; and the Adriatic Sea. Its capital is Ljubljana, and it has love in its name - SLOVENIA - and is the shape of a chicken.

Slovenian letters:

C - pronounced ch, as in cherry

Š - pronounced sh, as in shirt

Ž - pronounced as the J sound in the name Jacques

Utah - a western state in the United States of America. Its capital is Salt Lake City, where the 2002 Winter Olympics took place.

National parks - the United States boasts a large number of beautiful national parks, preserving its pristine nature. Bryce Canyon, Zion National Park and the Grand Canyon are all just pieces of a work of art created by the best artist in the world - Nature.

***

A dusty but comfortable car slowly skirted the road, which whirled through the sandy, red landscape. A playful breeze, known as Light Wind to the locals, swept the dust of the windshield through which the black-eyed boy could see bags, books, maps, portable tables - all of which told him that the family inside were on the road for quite some time.

Shhhhhhhhh.

What was that? Water! The driver wet the windshield and the wind.

Brrrr. The wind blew over a red rock gate in the road, and then back towards the car, so that he could hear a male voice sing:

Here you are, wild and free

like a magic flower bee.

Black eyed girl, look at me!

Don’t you be so gaudy.

The male voice was answered by a female:

Nor am I a gaudy one,

neither am I midnight sun.

I am just a lucky girl

with a golden ring on finger.

Light Wind swooped around the car, embracing it, observing as the male driver winked at the woman in the back seat.

Mummy, what does gaudy mean? asked the black-eyed boy.

It means show-off, answered his older brother, jumping at the question more quickly than his mother. She sat next to his father, who had an enormous map open in his lap.

The black-eyed girl isn’t actually showing-off. She is just happy because she is in love, and she has received a ring from her sweetheart, explained Mum.

But you aren’t black-eyed, argued the little boy.

No, Crt, I’m not. But I am happily in love and I have a black-eyed son! answered his mother, laughing.

Bryce. The sign says Bryce Canyon! exclaimed Crt, happily

Yes, only five more miles before we reach our destination! added Mark, the navigator. Let’s stop by the sign, suggested Mum.

Dad parked the car by the large sign and they got out the car. For a moment Light Wind stopped too, before continuing around the sign and stealing Crt’s cap.

Hey, you, Wind! laughed Crt and ran after the cap. That’s mine!

Light Wind slowed down and gently dropped the cap on the ground. After Crt had collected it, he cheerfully waved at the wind.

Crt, Mark, came a very silent call from their father, who was gazing out over a nearby pasture.

I don’t see anything, whispered Crt.

A hummingbird! exclaimed Mark.

Shhhhhhhhhhh! the others silenced him through their teeth. They crept toward the small bird, which was the size of a big bumblebee. It floated in the air, drinking nectar from a flower. Blades of grass swayed in the distance. The culprit was a large grey cat, which slowly reared itself in front of the small bird. But Light Wind dashed the cat’s plans by blowing the little bird to safety. It looked like the wind was carrying the bird in its gentle embrace.

Let’s keep going, suggested Dad. They returned to their car and continued their journey.

I can’t wait to see the canyon! said Crt as they neared the overlook.

It isn’t really a canyon, you know, said Mark, correcting his younger brother. Canyons are created by rivers, so Bryce is actually just an amphitheatre created by other types of erosion.

What’s erosion, Mum? asked Crt.

Allow me, offered Mark. It’s the process of rocks and dirt being moved or washed away by rain, wind, earthquakes, gravity, or rivers. Erosion changes the shape of the surface of Earth. That is how canyons and amphitheatres like Bryce Canyon are created.

The car stopped and Crt announced happily: We’re here!

Now you will see what wonders Mother Nature can create! said Mark, as he ran to the edge of the viewing point and suddenly stopped in awe:

Come see this!

Following Mark’s call, the rest of the family quickly ran toward him. They, too, were awestruck.

Before them lay a giant canyon, filled with countless red sandstone statues and silhouettes. They carefully moved closer to the ledge and at the base of the red pillars they could see a forest. A green carpet filled with red pillars. They stood in amazement by the safety of the guard rail and enjoyed the sight.

Crt took a walk by the fence at the ledge of the canyon. He found a pathway which led into the natural wonder. By the side he found a board, which said: Navajo loop.

Mum, what’s Nav-a-yo? he asked the woman walking behind him.

Nav-a-ho, an unknown female voice corrected him. He turned