A Child from Nowhere

By Ann Lannin

Sometimes a big problem calls for a hero or two, or maybe even hundreds of tiny heroes.

In this magical story there are large and small creatures that safeguard the forest and the old twin rivers. You will meet a shy horse with a heart of gold, a talented bat named Ivan and a chatty fish that glows.

They all know there is something very wrong in the forest but feel helpless to stop what is happening. So, they mysteriously summon a child who will help them solve a riddle. The question is, will they figure out this riddle in time to save the rivers?

Do we really listen to our children? If so, we can read them a story about the world we live in and send them out to change it. After all, isnt that why they are here?

• Language: English
• Publisher: iUniverse
• Release date: Sep 13, 2011
• ISBN: 9781462023455

Ann Lannin

Ann Lannin lives in Vallejo, California. She enjoys submitting articles for her local online newspaper/blog.

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Copyright © 2011 by Ann Lannin.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced by any means, graphic, electronic, or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, taping or by any information storage retrieval system without the written permission of the publisher except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, names, incidents, organizations, and dialogue in this novel are either the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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ISBN: 978-1-4620-2347-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4620-2346-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4620-2345-5 (ebk)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011908505

Printed in the United States of America

iUniverse rev. date: 10/24/2011

CHARACTERS%2c%20SHADED.pdf

for Ruth Karas… my white horse

Every summer, our family comes to this big house near the lake. We all want to see how the children have grown and what each person has experienced during the time we have been apart. During the day, some of us play games, like volleyball or soccer. The front yard is so big you can play many different games at the same time. Or, you can swim in the clear blue water of the river. At the edge of the front yard, there is a rope hanging from the branch of a huge oak tree so, it’s fun to swing high and let go, to see who can make the biggest splash when they hit the water.

At night, there is always a barbeque in the back yard. Sometimes, Uncle Ray plays his guitar and Aunt Ellie sings… but the best part is always the stories. After everyone has finished eating, and the music and singing has ended, Big Betsy gathers the children and makes sure everyone has taken a bath and brushed their teeth. All the children sleep in the huge attic. There are bunk beds, small beds, twin beds and one very big bed for Betsy, so the little ones could sneak into bed with her.

When everyone has settled down, Betsy always turns off all the lights except for the tiny night light, for those who are afraid of the dark. When it gets very quiet, so quiet you can hear the sound of crickets down below, Betsy will start her story, and it always starts the same way…

It all happened right here, my dears, in this very house, says Betsy, and this is where it ended too. Every one of you is part of a mystery from long, long ago. This is a story my mother told me when I was just a little thing and it’s a story you should remember to tell your own children. Then, Betsy would make us all repeat the same thing she always said before a story begins…

It only takes one person to start a miracle.

Now, it’s my turn to tell you our family story. You can tell your own children and, with your help, we can keep the miracle alive.

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Into the dark forest came the color of morning and the black sky began to glow, while the sound of crickets slowly faded.

Under a mighty tree, a group of ants gathered around their leader. His name was Commander Waldo Smartz and he was trying to explain what was about to happen in their forest.

A child is coming, troops, shouted Commander Waldo, a child like none you have ever seen. She came here long ago, before any of you were born, and she promised to come back if we needed her help.

Waldo looked down at the ants that were gathered around him and continued to tell his story. I don’t know how she found out about the river but this morning I found this note at the entrance to our ant hill.

Waldo lifted a big leaf high above his head, so that everyone could see what he was holding, and he read the message out loud for every ant to hear. The red and gold leaf had turned brown in spots and spelled out these words… I can help… see you at dawn and it was signed… K.

Who is K?" shouted one ant.

I’m afraid of people! shouted another. She might try to squash us!

One tiny ant squealed, What if she tries to EAT us?

Suddenly, all the ants were running in circles and bumping into each other. Some of them ran to the ant hill, where they grabbed some ant eggs and quickly started to carry them up a tree.

Commander Waldo rolled his eyes and reached down to the whistle hanging around his neck. With one giant breath of air he blew that whistle so loud every ant stopped moving.

Enough! shouted Waldo. Get back to your positions NOW!

"Put those