Wow!

By James G. Devine

This book is a collection of wonderful short stories. The longer stories include a young boy who purchases a used trunk at the thrift store only to discover it is magical. Two brothers investigate a murder during the winter months while at the cottage. A bully takes control of life at school and one boy decides to stand up to her. A selection of stories from a book of Grimms Fairy Tales comes to life while a boy sleeps at night. The final story brings to a conclusion a story started in another book titled Echoes from the Classroom. This is definitely a book that once you start reading is hard to put down.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris US
• Release date: Dec 3, 2014
• ISBN: 9781503514577

Book preview

Copyright © 2014 by James G. Devine.

Book cover illustrated by Shari Campbell

ISBN:      Softcover      978-1-5035-1456-0

                eBook           978-1-5035-1457-7

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.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Thinkstock are models, and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Thinkstock.

Rev. date: 12/01/2014

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Contents

Part 1 Wishes And Dreams

Part 2 The Magic Trunk

Part 3 The Farmyard Trilogy

- A Farmyard Tale

- A Pig Tale

- The Branch

Part4 Seasonal Tales

- Summer Bugs

- Tricks More Than Treats

- A Christmas Tree Party

Part 5 Unusual Tales

- The Birdcage

- A Digital Easter

- The Card

- The Photograph And The Wish

- The Casket

Mouse Patrol

- The Visitor

Part 6 A Tale Of Murder

Part 7 Love Triumphs

Part 8 Household Tales

PART 9 The Spaceship

PART 1

Wishes and Dreams

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J ames Johnson was a typical elementary student who was satisfied with life and all that came his way each day. He was an above average student in his grade seven class, well-liked by his classmates but had a highly active imagination. Some people would think he was daydreaming to look at him but he loved to read various genres of books thinking of his own story lines. James liked to write stories about the things he wished for or dreams he had the previous night that were truly beyond the scope of the average preteen. Once his teacher understood James a little better she was more patient with his behaviour in c lass.

James had made a banner from the dot matrix printer he retrieved from the garbage that his next door neighbour was throwing out. When he plugged it in, it still worked and when he told Mr. Wilson next door the old man gave him a full box of paper and a couple of ink cartridges. He was now set to complete his school assignments, write stories and make the occasional banner like the one that now hung up on his wall. It read If you wish upon a star, your dreams will come true. Perhaps it was his youthful age or the banner on the wall that fuelled his desire to expand his imagination through writing.

Recently, though, writing stories had become an obsession with James and it started to influence him in other ways that had become somewhat of a concern. It seemed that whenever he wished for something during the course of the day, that night while sleeping, he expanding upon that wish in his dreams.

For example, just yesterday when his friends were over at his house watching TV, James had wished that he had an adventure in space flying through the galaxy. That night, while on board a space ship (something like the Millennium Falcon) he was standing in the cargo bay checking on the contents. He noticed a large crate that held a pumpkin which surely weighed over a hundred pounds. Next to the pumpkin was another crate. Inside this one was a much smaller object, a turkey, who did not look pleased at being there. It was at that moment that the Captain of the ship came on the intercom to tell the crew that the ship was suddenly under attack by aliens. He said that James should report to the bridge as soon as possible.

Watching a movie with his relatives Patrick and George on Saturday afternoon was always fun for James but watching a movie that brought about weird dreams that same night was not fun. Sometimes he woke up in a cold sweat while other times he woke up startled or slightly shaken.

He began to realize that this dream was something that suddenly appeared from nowhere and in time would disappear and never bother him again. Until then he would have to make the best of things and be very careful not to wish for too many things for he was sure they would come back to haunt him and that fact was as certain as the sun was shining in the sky.

On Monday morning, James met up with his cousin Patrick and walked with him to school.

You look tired this morning James. Did you stay up writing another story or reading from your Kobo? asked Patrick as they walked along the sidewalk on their way to school.

You really don’t want to know, replied James.

Try me. I’m a good listener. You should know that fact when I’m around George who is always talking about something he learned on the internet or heard from someone who knew someone important.

I forgot how excited our dear cousin gets. Sometimes I wonder if he really is related to us. Any idea what he has for breakfast? asked James.

I think it’s the sugar cereal he eats. It gives him a rush until recess time when he has another sugar fix of some kind that tides him over until lunch. I swear I can’t believe the amount of money that kid spends on junk food. It’s almost as if he had a magic trunk that when depleted, fills up overnight.

Anyway, what’s your problem? asked Patrick.

James began to explain to Patrick this new gift that he had. Whenever he wished for something it came back that night in a dream in some weird and extended way. It was fun at first because it gave him some food for thought and ideas for some interesting stories. Whenever he got an idea about something to write, it would take usually a week on average to bring that idea to an acceptable conclusion. Now, all he had to do was make a wish, wait until bedtime and when he woke up in the morning he had his complete story thanks to a well-developed dream during the night.

That sucks! said Patrick. It seems to take all the fun out of being a kid.

Tell me about it. I have to be careful what I wish for. There is one good thing though. Nothing happens unless I’m locked into wishing for something that lasts longer than thirty seconds; anything shorter doesn’t affect my sleep that night.

So, you could go around wishing for all sorts of stuff as long as you don’t dwell on anything in particular. That movie we saw last Saturday was probably long enough to become the basis for your dream and adventure inside that space ship while you slept.

That’s about right, answered James as he spotted a can in the gutter and gave it a kick to see how far he could make it move.

You know what James? Why not take a moment to wish something about that trunk I have at home. You know the green one with the various handles that I keep my comics and boxed sets of DVD’s inside.

What do you have in mind? asked James, looking at his cousin with his own suspicious expression. You’re not saying that I should make my wish right now do you?

Why not, there’s lots of time before the morning bell rings plus there’s no one around.

OK, replied James.

James stopped, closed his eyes and thought of the trunk upstairs in Patrick’s room. He also thought of the story about the magic trunk that whisked people away to far-away lands with adventure and love. He read about this story on the internet and he smiled and wished he too could travel to some distant land and have some fascinating adventure.

He opened his eyes and began walking once again with Patrick nearby.

Was it long enough? asked James.

You should be fine, replied Patrick.

Tomorrow I want you to tell me what happened while you slept and don’t leave out any of the details.

The discussion changed since Patrick noticed a remarkable improvement in his cousin’s manner. They approached the school yard and waved at their friends who called them over to spend a few minutes shooting hoops before the morning bell rang.

James had been distracted for almost the entire day and felt that this ‘wishes and dreams cloud’ that hung over his head had temporarily disappeared. He enjoyed his supper with his parents and even made a few jokes of his own that surprised everyone at the table.

That night James had his one wish become true as he fell into a deep sleep. He did go on an adventure but not the one he thought that would take place. Instead of flying off inside a magic trunk he was standing outside on the 17th green of some golf course. He wore a white set of coveralls and was holding a bag of golf clubs for none other than his cousin George who was lined up to make his final shot. The thought of being a caddy in a dream was not something to make you wake up in a cold sweat or be alarmed in any way. It was actually depressing to think of it.

When James did wake up he was confused. He had taken the time to focus on something of interest and make a wish. He had a dream in which his wish ‘sort of’ came true. There was however some exaggeration with the dream as well as other elements that he had not thought about during the previous day. What did this mean?

James wasn’t sure if telling Patrick on their way to school would help clear up the confusion he felt. He wasn’t sure how Patrick could help him make sense of everything. After all, Patrick was the same age and there was nothing exceptional about his cousin unless there was something in their genetic make-up that both of them were unaware of at this time.

After having a nice breakfast of toast, peanut butter and honey, a glass of juice and a bowl of cereal, James gathered his stuff for school, kissed his mother goodbye and left the house. He walked about a block before running into Patrick who was also burdened down with an overloaded backpack.

Well, how was your sleep last night? You don’t seem to be as tired as you were yesterday. Did the wish you made yesterday come true? Patrick stood on the sidewalk refusing to move any further until he had an answer.

Sort of, replied James.

James then proceeded to walk along the sidewalk while he explained what had happened.

Are you serious? George was playing golf. Wait until I tell him this. He just won’t believe it.

James stopped walking and turned to his friend. You can’t tell George. First of all, he won’t believe it and second I’ll never have any peace with all the questions he’s going to ask for the next couple of days, maybe even weeks.

"Fine, but that doesn’t finish our understanding of what is actually happening. We’re going to have to experiment more in order to find an answer. Maybe we can check out the internet and see if anyone else has experienced this phenomenon.

So, they divided their tasks up between the two of them. James would tackle the dictionary whereas Patrick would explore the internet and both would document the results they found. Neither boy thought it would take very long and perhaps both of them could handle their individual assignments sometime during the school hours and then meet in the yard right after the last bell.

James had library class just before recess and instead of looking for a book to sign out, he decided to check the Webster’s dictionary and see what results he found for the two words he needed a definition on.

He found the word wish – to have a desire. The second word was dream – a vision during sleep.

He wrote the words and their definitions down inside his notebook and sat at the table looking off into space until Winifred O’Reilly came up and sat down beside him.

Penny for your thoughts James, she said in a low sweet voice.

Winifred had always had a thing for James. He caught her several times in class looking at him as if he appeared to be something special before her young hazel-coloured eyes.

"Huh. Oh, hi Winifred. I was just thinking about the word wish and what it meant. I found the meaning in the dictionary but somehow I thought there would be more than just having a desire.

Really, maybe I can help you. Is there any particular wish you want to share or discuss with me? Girls have more experience with wishes than boys. At least that’s what my mother tells me.

As James sat there looking at this young classmate of his, a wish popped into his head; he wished that Winifred would shut up and not talk so much. She could be so annoying at times especially when you are in the library, of all places.

Suddenly the bell rang and everyone filed out of the room and back to class to get their snacks and go outside.

James smiled at Winifred and simply said, Thanks, maybe we can talk later.

Winifred almost fell off the chair as the expression on her face changed from infatuation to love. If James had only realized at that moment what a big mistake he had made.

Outside in the schoolyard, James met Patrick and they had a moment to share while the teams for basketball were being arranged.

I have the definitions, he said. Fine; I have library after recess and will see what I find out on the computer. I’ll meet you here right after the lunch bell; we can go grab a hamburger across the street and talk.

All of the boys were waiting for the two cousins to finish their conversation so they could play a little basketball. The clock was ticking and recess would soon be over. Everyone was anxious including James and Patrick but for different reasons.

When Patrick finally was able to find an unoccupied computer available to use in the library he type in a search for the two words – wish and dream. He consulted the Wikipedia dictionary first and found a hit. The online dictionary described the word wish as a hope or desire for something. In the second case, a dream was a succession of images, ideas, emotions and sensations that occur involuntarily in the mind during certain stages of sleep.

Patrick wrote both definitions down and then proceeded to wander around the library looking for something to sign out for his next book report.

Both boys met in the schoolyard once the lunchtime bell rang and they made their way across the street to purchase their lunch. They ate it in the small park next to the school.

Well, the first word seems to have the same definition, said Patrick as James sat beside him taking a large bite out of his hamburger. "It’s the second definition that we might be able to analyze a bit more. The dictionary says it’s a vision whereas the online definition says it’s a combination of images, ideas, emotions and sensations. I think we can focus our research here."

James nodded his head as he drank his coke through the thick straw.

If we go back to your last two dreams and look at them we might have a clue as to what to do, said Patrick.

Makes sense, replied Patrick.

If you look at the first dream that James had, there was an initial idea that formed an image and then it created an emotion. James wanted to fly in space and have an adventure. When it happened, there was a clear image of being inside a spaceship and cargo hold. Finally, there was the emotion once he discovered both the pumpkin and the turkey.

In the second dream, there was an image of a trunk that was magical and then the sensation of standing on the golf course followed.

The result held no definite pattern to make any conclusion. Patrick looked at James and shrugged his shoulders.

The only answer I have at this moment is to document your dreams over the next month or year and then come and talk to me. Maybe we can see a pattern and then decide what to do. Maybe you won’t have any more dreams based on strong random wishes.

The boys finished off their meal and threw the wrappings in the nearest waste bin.

I saw you talking to Winifred earlier in the day. You were sitting in the library and she had those sheepish eyes focused intently on you.

How did you know?

I was on my way to the washroom as most of the kids in your class came out of the library. I had a peek inside to see if you were anywhere about and saw the two of you.

Sometimes I wish I could scare the living daylights out of that girl. It’s as if someone cast a spell over her and every time I look at her she smiles at me and runs her fingers through that red hair of hers as if teasing me. One of these days I’m going to find the right prank to pull on her and then maybe she’ll find someone else to nag.

James stood up and was outside the park entrance before Patrick realized he was gone. Patrick rushed after his friend and put his arm about his shoulder and they both walked into the schoolyard as the lunch bell rang and they made their way over to their individual lines.

That night, while James slept he had another dream. In this dream his favourite girl, Winifred, was present. She took a can out of the package, which at first glance appeared to contain cookies. Winifred loved cookies and the smile on her face grew larger with every moment. There were only minutes left before the final bell rang. As Winifred finally loosened the top, it came off as well as the contents -

It was at that moment when James woke up. He was sweating. A smile crossed his face. He thought of the dream and wondered if dreams could come true. Now he was at the next step. First there was the wish, then there was the dream and finally everything came true. His smile disappeared because now he was worried that there could be consequences as a result of all of these factors.

James definitely didn’t want to have a confrontation with Winifred. He had done some research about women with hazel eyes and red hair. They had a temper and were definitely not the type of person to make fun of.

James got dressed and started off to school. He didn’t see Patrick on the way and thought that perhaps he was sick and he made a mental note to call him when he got home after school. Things went well during the day. He saw Winifred at school and actually made an effort to be nice to her. She was surprised and made even more of an effort to be friendly to James. This was not the reaction he was looking for but tolerated it at least for today.

When James got home he called Patrick to find out what was up.

"I had a doctor’s visit today during the morning