Sunbeam: Vol. I: Weather Wonders

By H. Benarrosh

This is the story of a King who met his Queen on the evening of a lunar
eclipse. They fell madly in love and a few months later, during a solar
eclipse, the Prince Sunbeam was born. They all lived in a large castle, at
the heart of a beautiful Kingdom. Sunbeams bedroom had a moon, a
sun, clouds and a bright blue sky painted on the ceiling. Sunbeam was
a brown-eyed, brown-haired baby, extremely calm and smiley. He never
cried. He spent the first months of his life in the sunniest Kingdom
anyone had ever known. No one had ever seen such good weather in
a very long time. There was not one cloud in the sky and a light breeze
cooled the air down to the perfect temperature: never too warm, never
too cold.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Jan 4, 2012
• ISBN: 9781456856175

Book preview

Sunbeam

VOL. I

WEATHER WONDERS

H. Benarrosh

Copyright © 2011 by H. Benarrosh.

ISBN:          Softcover                                 978-1-4568-5616-8

                   Ebook                                      978-1-4568-5617-5

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the copyright owner.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to any actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

This book was printed in the United States of America.

To order additional copies of this book, contact:

Xlibris Corporation

0-800-644-6988

www.xlibrispublishing.co.uk

[e-mail]

301341

Contents

PART ONE

Chapter 1 The birth of Sunbeam.

Chapter 2 First steps.

Chapter 3 One year old.

Chapter 4 On horseback.

Chapter 5 The Great Scientist.

Chapter 6 Who is the craziest?

Chapter 7 The Great Scientist finally has something to say.

Chapter 8 After the revelation.

Chapter 9 Some love for real!

Chapter 10 Snow.

Chapter 11 After the tempest.

Chapter 12 Rainbow, first attempt!

Chapter 13 Rainbow, second attempt!

Chapter 14 Scientific rainbow, first attempt.

Chapter 15 Scientific rainbow, second attempt.

Chapter 16 The Queen’s great party.

Chapter 17 The decision.

Chapter 18 The departure.

PART TWO

Chapter 19 The cornfield, Romeo and Juliet.

Chapter 20 Pop-maize.

Chapter 21 Rayn.

Chapter 22 Spiced lightening!

Chapter 23 Tomorrow lunchtime.

Chapter 24 The man with the hat.

Chapter 25 New start.

Chapter 26 Explanations.

Chapter 27 Rabbits and clouds.

Chapter 28 The conductor.

Chapter 29 The pendant.

Chapter 30 With a cloud of milk, please!

Chapter 31 Gold and glare.

Chapter 32 Rayn’s crystals.

Chapter 33 Right foot and right side head.

Chapter 34 I-fog.

Chapter 35 Familiar faces.

Chapter 36 Sleeping out.

PART THREE

Chapter 37 The Great City.

Chapter 38 The Great Library.

Chapter 39 Astronomy and Civilisation.

Chapter 40 The invitation.

Chapter 41 The Mayor and the voice.

Chapter 42 Discussions in the middle of the night.

Chapter 43 Still at the Library.

Chapter 44 The answer.

Chapter 45 The separation.

Chapter 46 The Commandor passing.

Chapter 47 In prison.

Chapter 48 Philoctene.

Chapter 49 Deal!

Chapter 50 Thank you Rayn.

Chapter 51 Free in a flash.

Chapter 52 Ball of fire.

Chapter 53 Ball of fire, last and final.

Chapter 54 Looking for Rayn.

Chapter 55 Insane asylum.

Chapter 56 The getaway.

PART FOUR

Chapter 57 Wakening.

Chapter 58 Second wakening.

Chapter 59 On the way.

Chapter 60 Some news, at last.

Chapter 61 The Ocean.

Chapter 62 The Harbour.

Chapter 63 The pirates.

Chapter 64 Holly.

Chapter 65 The hearing.

Chapter 66 Show time!

Chapter 67 Sunbeam, the Green.

Chapter 68 Preparations.

Chapter 69 Vision.

Chapter 70 Munching-gum.

Chapter 71 Etar’s books.

Chapter 72 Prepare to board!

Chapter 73 Rayn, my hero!

Chapter 74 The pocket cannon.

Chapter 75 The pirate party.

Chapter 76 Rude awakening.

Chapter 77 Preparations.

Chapter 78 He’s back.

Chapter 79 Hide and seek.

Chapter 80 Flash.

Chapter 81 End of the eclipse.

Chapter 82 Face to face.

Chapter 83 Last week.

Chapter 84 Speech.

Chapter 85 End and Beginning.

To my Sun and my Star,

Arny & Stella

Part One

Chapter 1

The birth of Sunbeam.

This is the story of a King who met his Queen on the evening of a lunar eclipse. They fell madly in love and a few months later, during a solar eclipse, the Prince Sunbeam was born. They all lived in a large castle, at the heart of a beautiful Kingdom. Sunbeam’s bedroom had a moon, a sun, clouds and a bright blue sky painted on the ceiling. Sunbeam was a brown-eyed, brown-haired baby, extremely calm and smiley. He never cried. He spent the first months of his life in the sunniest Kingdom anyone had ever known. No one had ever seen such good weather in a very long time. There was not one cloud in the sky and a light breeze cooled the air down to the perfect temperature: never too warm, never too cold.

Chapter 2

First steps.

The Prince Sunbeam had grown up and was watching people around him walking on their two legs. This made him want to do the same. He got up on all fours, pushed on his hands and feet and for the first time in his life, he stood up. His parents were very proud and urged him to walk. The Prince took a step forward, swayed and « Smash » he fell. He started crying, even if more from fright than hurt. At that same moment the rain started to fall. The Queen worried about her son whom she had never seen cry before and the King worried about this sudden change of weather. Sunbeam soon calmed down and the Sun came back.

Chapter 3

One year old.

To celebrate the first year of the Prince, the inhabitants of the Kingdom organized a very special party, while the King gathered all his advisors and did an overview of the past year. The Kingdom was carrying itself well, primarily due to the weather. Indeed, except one small shower it had been sunny and mild each day. The seasons had suddenly disappeared; it was spring every day! The harvests had been fruitful and the people were happy and tanned! Even if nobody could explain such continual good weather, everyone was joyous about it. Sunbeam’s birthday took place under scorching heat. The Kingdom was joyful and the little Prince was very excited by all the gifts and cakes he was being offered. He opened all his presents and ate more sweets than seemed possible. That evening, he felt heavy and had a stomach ache. An indigestion of chocolate cake! Meanwhile, a storm was picking up outside… Everyone thought that Sunbeam had been lucky as his birthday took place under such lovely weather. And during the four days of rain that followed, Sunbeam stayed in bed. The Queen worried about her son whom she had never seen ill before and the King worried about this sudden change of weather. But soon, Sunbeam healed and the Sun came back.

Chapter 4

On horseback.

Sunbeam was now five years old. He had mid-length brown hair and his eyes had lightened to green. He was a very happy, healthy and beloved child. One day, Sunbeam decided he wanted to horse ride. He asked his mother, who refused:

-You are too young, Sunbeam!

Sunbeam was very disappointed, he went to see his father and asked him if he could horse ride.

-No, Sunbeam, you are far too young. It would be dangerous. And look at these sudden clouds; it’s going to rain. Get back inside quickly not to get drenched. ordered the King.

Sunbeam was furious not to be allowed to horse ride, he started to cry:

-I want to horse ride. I want to horse ride. I want to horse ride!!

A storm broke the sky and thunder rumbled at the very same moment the King and Queen had scolded their son for making such a fuss! Sunbeam, who was red with rage, was forced to calm down in his bedroom until the next morning. It rained all night and violent storms scared the people. The Queen worried about her son whom she had never seen angry before and the King worried about this sudden change of weather. Sunbeam apologized and the Sun came back.

Chapter 5

The Great Scientist.

The next morning, the Advisors came to speak to the King about this strange and rather unusual night. Everyone had been very scared of the storm. It wasn’t normal; why had this violent tempest arrived so suddenly when it had been sunny every day for years? To reassure the Kingdom, the King decided to call upon the Great Scientist and asked him to find out the reasons for these weird weather changes. The Great Scientist directly got to work. He studied the flight of the birds, the colour of the grass, the direction of the wind, the inclination of the trees, etc etc. After several months, the King and his Advisors asked him for his first results:

-Nothing. answered the Great Scientist.

-Nothing? asked the Advisors in harmony.

-Nothing! Absolutely nothing here can explain this weather and the lack of seasons. I don’t understand the situation, but I will not stop my research until I have found a good explanation. said the Great Scientist.

Chapter 6

Who is the craziest?

The years passed and the Great Scientist was searching but still finding nothing. He spent day and night locked up in his laboratory so no one could disturb him. Sunbeam had often insisted on getting a glimpse of his research but the Great Scientist had always refused. One day though, Sunbeam managed to sneak into the laboratory.

-What on earth are you doing here? asked the Great Scientist, whom Sunbeam had crept up on.

-Hum… I… I just came to see where your research was at. stuttered Sunbeam.

-You have no business here! Were you spying on me? Is that it? To tell the Advisors that my research is still not yielding any results? Leave now! Go on, out! I don’t have time to waste on you. shouted the Great Scientist dragging Sunbeam by the ear.

-Ouch! You are hurting me! I am not a spy! I just wanted… shrieked Sunbeam, struggling to free his poor ear from the hands of the Great Scientist.

At the same time, clouds appeared from nowhere. The Great Scientist stopped immediately. Still holding Sunbeam’s ear, he looked out of the window.

-Where are these clouds coming from? This is not possible. This is not logical. whispered the Great Scientist.

-Ouch! Yes! Okay, if you want! Now, can you please let go of my ear? It’s starting to really hurt. cried Sunbeam.

-The clouds are getting bigger now! This is not possible. This is not scientific. said the Great Scientist madly waving his hand over his head.

-Ouch, ouch, ouch! My ear! Let it go, now! screeched Sunbeam who was suffering more and more.

-The rain! Here comes the rain! This is not possible. This is incredible! cried out the Great Scientist.

-Stop that! Give me back my ear or I am going to complain to the King, my father! yelled Sunbeam, losing patience.

-Look, now a storm is coming! It happened so fast, so suddenly! How? Why?

-Great Scientiiiiiiiiiiiist! screamed the Prince.

-Whaaaat?? screamed the Great Scientist.

-Brrrrrrrrrrroum!! screamed the storm.

-Let go of my ear! ordered Sunbeam.

-Your what? Ah yes, your ear! Here. said the Great Scientist, freeing at last Sunbeam from his strong grip.

Sunbeam massaged his painful ear with relief; outside, the storm died down. The Great Scientist looked at the sky and then stared at Sunbeam.

-Why are you looking at me like that, Great Scientist? Is it because of my red ear? asked Sunbeam.

The Great Scientist didn’t answer. He was stroking his chin without taking his eyes off Sunbeam.

-What is your problem? exclaimed Sunbeam.

The Great Scientist stayed silent. Then suddenly, throwing himself on Sunbeam, he pulled his ear again.

-What are you doing? Have you lost your mind? You are hurting me again. This time, I am going to tell my father! shouted Sunbeam.

Without paying any attention to a word he was saying, the Great Scientist dragged Sunbeam to the window and looked at the sky. He gazed from the clouds to Sunbeam, then from the rain to Sunbeam who was going increasingly cross.

-This is not possible! It may be neither logical, nor scientific, nor credible! Have I finally found the solution? Sunbeam, come with me, we are going to see your father.

Still firmly grasping the Prince by his ear, he led him towards the castle, under the pouring rain.

-My King, I need to speak to you! shouted both Sunbeam and the Great Scientist in the throne room.

-Not both at the same time. asked the King.

-The Great Scientist is mad! cried Sunbeam.

-Sunbeam is unbelievable! exclaimed the Great Scientist.

-What are both of you talking about? Great Scientist why are you holding my son’s ear? inquired the King.

-I finally found the solution to your weather problem!

-It is about time, have you seen that strange storm? Well, let me call the Queen and my Advisors. And can you please let go of my son? said the King.

Chapter 7

The Great Scientist finally has

something to say.

Once everyone was gathered, the Great Scientist began his speech:

-King, Queen, Advisors, I am finally able to explain the mystery of the Kingdom sky. For many years now, I have studied your Kingdom from the most minuscule water droplet to the biggest cloud, from the tiniest insect to the largest bird. Despite all that, my research was not successful.

-Ha ha ha! We know that! sniggered an Advisor.

-I have studied the intensity of the Sun rays, the Moon beams and the stars. And yet still nothing.

-Come to the facts, I beg you. pressed the King.

-I searched for an explanation at the end of the universe when it was evolving just in front of my eyes. Sunbeam, would you mind coming over here, please?

-I told you, father, this man is completely crazy! exclaimed Sunbeam.

-I can announce that here, in this Kingdom, it is Sunbeam who is the Master of the weather! said the Great Scientist victoriously.

A silence followed this big revelation.

-What are you saying, Great Scientist? We were awaiting rational explanations from you, not ludicrous accusations. cried the Queen.

-My Queen, if you allow me, I can prove it. said the Great Scientist, pulling once again on Sunbeam’s ear.

-Ouch! Not again! Father, Mother, do something! Stop this man! said Sunbeam.

Everyone in the assembly started to protest.

-Now everyone, I know it may seam surreal, but please look at the sky: at the precise moment I pinched the Prince’s ear, these big clouds appeared; it’s even starting to rain. Now I am going to let go of Sunbeam, and watch the results. said the Great Scientist, freeing Sunbeam who rushed to the arms of his mother.

-Now look at the sky: the rain has calmed down. I can repeat this experiment several times to show you that I am right. Now, I would like to try another one, less painful may I say. Sunbeam, close your eyes and think of something pleasant, something that fills you with joy.

Sunbeam was scared. He didn’t understand what was happening and why every one was staring at him like this. His mother held him tightly in her arms and kissed him to reassure him. Then, gently, she asked him to think about pleasant things to calm down. Sunbeam closed his eyes, breathed slowly and thought about the moments he enjoyed spending with his parents. After a few minutes, he opened his eyes and saw a ray of sunshine cutting through the room.

-Did you see? Now, do you understand the situation? When Sunbeam is happy, it shines. When Sunbeam is angry, it rains. And I wonder what can happen when he is ill or sad. It’s simply extraordinary! concluded the Great Scientist.

Everyone started to whisper, staring at Sunbeam. Speechless and scared, Sunbeam ran out of the room.

Chapter 8

After the revelation.

Sunbeam was sad and frightened and, as predicted by the Great Scientist, it was raining outside. He locked himself up in his room and refused to see anybody for a week; so followed a week of bad weather, of course. Sunbeam thought a lot, staring at the sky that was painted on the ceiling of his room. When finally he decided to come out, he went to see his parents who were extremely worried about him. His mother held him in her arms:

-Sunbeam, my dear son, are you all right?

Sunbeam didn’t answer. His father, the King asked him:

-My child, is the Great Scientist right? Is it really you who decides on the weather? In that case, it is a very big responsibility that you have here. What can we do to help you?

-Do you know why… why I have… this power? whispered Sunbeam.

The King and the Queen looked at each other silently and shook their heads. Sunbeam added:

-"Never mind… Mother, father, I don’t want to change my life.