The Puzzle: The Bairns of Bren, #3

By Dennis Jernigan

Transported to the magical land of Bren, The Jennings kids must fight for the life of their grandfather, King Leonolis, and for the freedom of the land of Bren.

The evil sorcerer, Sepeleo Parkinson, has cast a crippling spell, called a mind claw, over the mind of the king. Though the spell is unbreakable, the children are tasked with seeking a way to save the king and bring freedom to Bren in the process. To do so, the children are each given puzzle pieces of their lives along the way.

Will they be able to uncover all the missing pieces and complete the puzzle in time?

With so many new foes to face and puzzles within puzzles to solve, the Jennings kids must stay united for the King's life to be spared.

The Puzzle is the third book in The Bairns of Bren series, which tells the tales of the many adventures of the Jennings cousins in the land of Bren - the place where it is Christmas all year 'round.

***

Author Dennis Jernigan lives with Parkinson's disease. In his fantasy series, The Bairns of Bren, his grandchildren are the heroes of these epic stories. In writing The Puzzle, it was his desire to teach his grandchildren, through allegory, how to face their grandfather's illness and how to find joy in even the most difficult times of life.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Shepherd’s Heart Music, Inc.
• Release date: Oct 7, 2022
• ISBN: 9781948772198

Dennis Jernigan

Known primarily for his worship music with songs like You Are My All In All, Thank You, We Will Worship The Lamb of Glory, and Who Can Satisfy My Soul (There is a Fountain), Dennis Jernigan is also known for having walked away from his former homosexual identity and into that of a heterosexual. Married for 34 years to Melinda, they have nine children and make their home in Muskogee, Oklahoma where they are now welcoming grandchildren. Having been walking in freedom from his old identity since November 7, 1981, Jernigan takes great joy in sharing the grace and love of God with any who desire freedom in their own lives. DJ spends a great deal of time encouraging others to embrace their true identity in Christ.

Book preview

1

THE PUZZLE

The land of Bren can be a dark and mysterious place, full of magic and hints of fairy dust. Yet it can be the most lighthearted, adventurous place a child could ever hope to explore, full of wondrous creatures and massively beautiful landscapes. There are forests to be walked through and mountains to be climbed. There are rivers to ford and swamps to be avoided—or slogged through! And the best thing of all? Every single day in the land of Bren is a day without boredom because every day spent there is a journey meant to be enjoyed.

Today was no different—except Ron would not be allowed to go into the magical Forest of Bren because he was alone at his grandma’s house. His siblings and cousins had all gone to school that day while Ron had stayed home with an upset stomach. Just to be safe, his mom had asked if Ron’s grandma could watch him at her home for a bit so she could run a few errands and, of course, Ron’s grandma had said, Yes!

While grandma sewed in the sewing room, Ronald decided it would be fun to put together a new puzzle. Upstairs on the bookshelf where grandma kept all the books and games and puzzles, he found the puzzle of the beautiful mountains he had put together before. He came across the puzzle of a beautiful white unicorn…he had put it together before too. Puzzle after puzzle, he realized he had put together every single one of them before!

Just as he was about to try and think of something else to do to fill his time, he spied something far back in the corner of the shelf. There was one more box. He could have sworn the shelf was empty just a few moments before but, no, he could see the corner of one more box hiding way back in the far-right corner. Straining to reach it, he finally got down on his belly and scooted his head into the shelf and was able to just get his fingertip on the corner of the box!

Now he was getting excited. This box he had never seen before seemed to be taunting him, Pull me out and put me together, Ron—if you can!

Finally able to scoot near enough to the box to get a good hold on it, he quickly pulled his hand away when he heard what he thought was a low, eerie growl! Crawling quickly from the shelf and standing upright, he looked around the hallway and saw nothing.

Cautiously, he got back down onto his belly and scooted in to retrieve the puzzle. Stretching as far as he could reach, he once again touched the box with his fingertip and once again heard the box taunting him. Is that as far as you can reach? Do you want to put me together or not?

This time he grabbed the top of the box with his finger and got his thumb beneath it. I guess you CAN reach me after all! Still the trick will be to see if you can piece me together!

Just as Ron pulled the box from the dark recesses of the bottom shelf, the most eerie sound began somewhere in the hallway. It started as a low, mournful bellow and grew steadily louder and louder until it became like the high-pitched howl of a wolf calling its pack together for a hunt!

Ronald quickly dropped the box, spilling all the contents onto the floor, and headed for the stairway. Just as he turned toward the stairs, he came face to face with the source of the howling, staring straight into the piercing eyes of…a wolf! Too afraid to make a sound—even though he wanted to call out for help— and too afraid to even blink a single eyelid, Ron just stood there staring into those eyes.

Of course, the rows of sharp teeth and the howling did nothing to calm Ron’s fears. How could this be? How could he stay still? How could he get his grandma’s attention? How could he stop trembling? How could the wolf howl so long without his grandma hearing that mournful, wailing cry? And then Ron stopped trembling when he realized the wolf was not baring his teeth in a snarl to bite him. This wolf…was…smiling at him!

Still too afraid to say a word or risk a sudden movement, Ron suddenly began to gaze into the piercing eyes of the wolf that, at first, had seemed frightening and menacing, but now appeared to be staring into his soul…appeared to be friendly…seemed to be…kind.

This caused Ron to finally release the breath he had been holding for so long and breathe out a sigh of relief. At least the wolf seemed friendly, but the howling—that long, mournful, sad-sounding scream—gave way to a voice and the voice sounded more like a song than a howl. And the song the wolf seemed to be howling suddenly had words! Ron could understand the howls of the wolf!

With a lilt and joy, the wolf sang, This way to freedom. This way to joy. This way to discovery for each girl and boy. Come to adventure. See life brand new. Join in the journey. Life is for you.

Awestruck and dumbfounded, Ron just stood there and listened as the wolf continued to sing the song. The more he listened, the less he feared. The more he listened, the less he wanted to cry out for help. By the time the wolf song ended, Ron felt braver and freer than he had ever felt before.

Who are you? asked the boy.

My name is Axel, replied the huge creature. I have been sent by the Founders of Bren to show you where your road leads.

His mouth wide open, Ron just stared at the wolf. The beast was at least five feet tall, his powerful body covered in the most luxurious coat of brown fur Ron had ever seen!

Your name is Axel? asked Ron. What does that mean…your name? My grandpa tells me that names have meanings and that having a good name is better than all the wealth and riches on earth.

Your grandfather speaks the truth of Bren. Having a good name is better than all the riches on earth. My name—Axel—means ‘father of peace’. I have been sent to help you piece together the puzzle of your life…to help you find peace in any situation or circumstance of life. Are you ready, Ron? asked Axel.

You’re darn tootin’, I’m ready! shouted Ron. Where do we start?

Well, replied the wolf, I always find it best to start at the beginning. Let’s put together your puzzle. Pick up the first piece and place the rest in this pouch.

Which piece is the first piece? asked the confused boy.

Whichever one you happen to pick up first is the first piece. Life is like that, Ron. Your greatest strength will come in knowing how all the pieces of your life fit together—even when none of the pieces seem to fit together at all, replied Axel.

Solemnly, Ron picked up a piece of the puzzle and put it in his pocket and then placed the remaining pieces in the pouch Axel had given him. Once he had the pieces in the pouch, he pulled the first piece from his pocket. I can’t tell what it is or where it goes, but it is the first piece. Where are we going to put it together? On the kitchen table? assumed Ron.

Kneeling, Axel replied, On my back, Ron! Let’s go!

Ron did not hesitate. Onto the back of Axel he jumped. He grabbed a tuft of the great wolf’s mane and held on for dear life just in the nick of time!

Axel, with Ron straddling his massive back, bounded down the stairs and straight out into the front yard of Ron's grandma’s house. In three strides, Axel made it to the fence and leapt over in an effortless bound! Ron knew where they were headed: to the land of Bren.

With the breeze blowing against his face and with the sheer joy of yet another adventure in the land of Bren, Ronald shouted to anyone who might be listening (mainly, he was shouting to himself and to Axel!), This is so satisfying!

Down the hill they flew. Around the big pond they sped. Up the opposite hill they bounded…and before Ron knew it, they had arrived at the entrance to the land of Bren, passing directly between the two stone lions. Around the first bend, Axel and Ron came to a screeching halt.

What’s wrong, Axel? Why have we stopped? queried Ron.

Of course! We are at the sign left to us by our grandfather! said Ron in answer to his own question.

Without being told to, Ron read the sign out loud. Stop here. Put down your logic. Put on your imagination…and proceed!

Place your first puzzle piece here, Ron, said Axel.

Reaching outward from the wolf’s back, Ronald placed the piece…into thin air! As the puzzle piece slowly turned around and around, it continued to grow and increase in size. Before Ron knew it, the puzzle piece had grown into a doorway! As the door opened, Axel said, Pull out the next piece of your puzzle, Ron.

Ron quickly obeyed and pulled out a random piece of the puzzle…at least it seemed to be random! No sooner had the boy placed the puzzle piece in his left hand than Axel bounded straight into the doorway the first puzzle piece had become.

Once through the doorway, Ron’s eyes met the most wondrous of sights! The pair of puzzle solvers were on top of a gentle rolling hill that was covered with bright yellow daisies. And the hill stretched out into a vast ocean of rolling hill after rolling hill of daisy-covered rises. And then they were off! Bounding through the fields of yellow goodness, Ron felt as if he were on an endless roller coaster, going up and down and up and down, hill after hill after hill after hill! The air had never smelled so good, and the sky had never felt so clear. It was as if he could see into forever.

After several miles of this continual bliss, Axel came to a sudden stop and said, It is time for the next piece of your puzzle, Ron.

Once again, the boy reached into the pouch and pulled out a piece. This time, before placing it into the air, Ron asked, Axel, how do we really know what the next piece of the puzzle is? What if I pull out the wrong one?

Life is like that, Ron. You never know which piece will come next…but you do have the assurance of the Founders that every single piece of life is meant to fit together perfectly…even when they seem out of order. You will come to see that what appears random to you is just a small glimpse into the perfect order of the way your life is put together. No matter what, the Founders cause all things to work together for your good. Place your next piece, boy, said the wolf.

Once again, Ronald placed the puzzle piece into the air where it, once again, hovered and grew until a new doorway appeared. Once the door began to open, Ron could see it seemed darker and more foreboding than the first doorway.

Are you sure we want to go in there? asked Ron. It seems awfully dark…

Ronald, you have lived long enough in the land of Bren to know that darkness must always bow down to light. You carry within you the royal light of the life of Bren placed in you by the Founders. You are a bearer— a carrier— of light!

Before Ron even had a chance to ask Axel to wait, the great wolf jumped into and through the next doorway. This time, they came into almost complete darkness. If it had not been for the full moon overhead, Ron would not have been able to see a thing, but once his eyes adjusted, what he saw made him wish they had never gone through that doorway.

This time, the landscape was almost barren…like a massive desert, with a few boulders scattered here and there and even less plant life. In fact, Ronald could see no life at all. The darkness was frightening enough, but what Ronald heard coming from somewhere—many somewheres—out in that barren darkness scared him even more.

As he bent his ear to listen, he heard…breathing. Not gentle breathing like the way a baby breathes when asleep in its crib, but a sort of wheezing, coughing, raspy breathing…like the way Ron imagined a monster might breathe. The more he strained to hear, the more he wished they had never entered that dreaded doorway.

Soon, the heavy, raspy breathing was joined by what seemed to be footsteps…how a slithering snake sounds when gliding across sand…or the way a dragon thuds across the dry ground with its tail dragging behind him…then complete silence.

The sudden stillness made Ron’s imagination run wild with thoughts of ogres and monsters and dragons and trolls until the silence was broken by a bloodcurdling scream that terrified Ron in the deepest place in his heart!

Run, Axel! Run! We’ve got to get out of here! screamed Ron.

But Axel just stood there.

Axel! Do something! Can you not hear! They are coming for us! Run! cried Ron.

Use the light, replied Axel with strange calmness.

What do you mean ‘use the light’? screamed Ron.

You can use your imagination for good or you can use it for evil. You always have a choice. You may not always feel like the puzzle of your life fits together—especially when scary times seem to be all about you—but you can always choose to see them from a different point of view, replied Axel.

The wolf continued, Do not allow your imagination to rule your life. Use it to further the kingdom. Where dragons threaten, be the warrior. Where ogres dare tread on your territory, you be the light that exposes them. Where trolls bring injury, use your light to bring about healing. There is always another point of view.

Without time for Ron to fully take in or even understand what Axel meant, a sudden bolt of lightning followed by a booming clap of thunder pierced the night sky as a sudden storm arose. Ronald held firmly to the Axel's mane, gripping tightly with both legs and hanging on for dear life with both hands.

How can I possibly be a light when my thoughts are going a million miles an hour?! screamed Ron over the stormy winds.

The pieces of the puzzle of your life will always come together. How they come together is up to your point of view. All the pieces are always there but it is up to you to trust the Founders to help you put them together, replied the wolf. Calm your mind now, boy. Just take control of all those thoughts running through your head. You be their master and allow them to become yours. The Founders waste nothing. And they have placed inside of you—inside of your mind—the strength to use them for good rather than for darkness. Just take one thought at a time and tell it what you want it to do. Tell it what you see.

So, Ronald did just that. He began to take his thoughts captive in a way…beginning with what he thought he was hearing. To those raspy breathing sounds he said, Even though you sound menacing to me, you are not going to defeat me. You are just that. Noise.

That feeling of calm—just changing the way he thought about that one thing—began to bring peace to Ron’s mind right there in the middle of the storm.

Axel responded to the boy’s peace with, That’s right, son. You have power over your thoughts. In fact, one of the keys to the kingdom of Bren is the truth that the power of life and death are in the very words we speak to ourselves and to others. Speak the truth—out loud if you need to!

Emboldened by Axel's words, Ron spoke: To any dragons out there, I am a Bairn of Bren. The light I bear within me is more powerful than the darkness within you. I am a Bairn of Bren, trolls and ogres! Even if you hurt me, I will rise up and be a beacon of light in the darkness!

Suddenly, Ron found himself a little less fearful and much more confident…not in himself, but in the truth of the Founders of Bren. I will not waste my imagination vainly on things that cause me fear but will use the gift of my imagination to use whatever evil is meant for me for the good of and for the sake of the kingdom! I am a Bairn of Bren!

With that, it was obvious that Ron was beginning to put the pieces of his puzzle together…at least to him it felt that way! Leaning upward toward Axel’s ears so the wolf could hear him over the continuous thunderclaps, Ronald said, Come on, Axel! I think it’s time for the next piece.

Turning his head back to the boy, Axel said, Storms of life will always come, son. They must be endured. You will always have storms to go through, but you never go through them alone…and they always work out for your best because of the truth of the Founders. They waste nothing…not even a storm. Hold on, young friend. We have a storm to go through. I suggest you practice seeing it from a different point of view!

So, the wolf turned and headed straight into the storm. Wondering how he could ever see a raging storm from a different point of view, Ron uttered a little prayer to the Founders under his breath. Dear Founders of Bren, I need some help with my thoughts. Would you help me see this storm from Your point of view?

As the wolf trudged bravely and resolutely onward, Ronald decided to open his eyes and his ears and all his senses to the storm raging around them and railing against him. As the wind rushed violently at his face, the boy realized he could use the power of the wind to stay upright if he held his body at just the right angle! As the rain pelted his face, he realized he could open his mouth and get a refreshing long drink of much-needed water. As the lightning flashed around him, he found it to be the most amazing light show he had ever witnessed…like a thousand fireworks displays at the same time…and he realized the lightning also lit their way in the darkness.

After a few hours of slogging onward through the storm, Ron found his fear and dread had been replaced with peace and, dare I say, joy! Once his little mind had come to that realization, Axel stopped right where they were and simply said, It is time for the next piece of your puzzle, Ronald of Bren!

Reaching into the pouch, Ron found the next puzzle piece and held it out into the prevailing wind…and let it go. Just as the others had done, it began to hover and grow and expand and open, even as the winds blew violently against it. Once the doorway was completely open, Axel, with Ron atop his back, stepped out of the storm and into the land of Bren…but with a grand view like none Ron had ever seen before.

As if being granted the ability to suddenly see his entire life all at the same time…from baby to boy to teenager to man…to marrying, becoming a dad and then a grandpa…to the time he met the Founders face to face, Ron had been granted the vision of seeing a brief but vast glimpse of what his puzzle—his life—might be like.

He saw times of laughter and saw times of tears. He saw times of despair but also of hope. He saw many storms but always found shelter in each one. He saw times of sorrow countered with times of comfort. But what impressed him the most—what he saw in this grand vista playing out before his life—was the Founders helping him put the pieces of his puzzle together…and he was amazed, no, mesmerized by the exquisite beauty his life was as it played out before his very eyes.

Tell me, son of Bren. What do you see? asked Axel.

I see that even though pain and sorrow are a part of life, they are part of the puzzle…but not the complete picture. They are simply small pieces of the bigger picture my life is meant to be. I see…that life is not always easy, but it is meant to be enjoyed like a grand adventure…and that I am never alone.

Without warning, Ronald stopped talking and began to laugh hysterically!

Why are you laughing? asked the puzzled (pun intended) wolf.

I see my brothers and my sister! They are part of the puzzle of my life…and they fit perfectly with me! I can see us laughing together and playing games together…I see Zella climbing into the bathtub with me and my brothers—with all her clothes on! I see Cullen playing basketball with me! I see Harry chasing me and trying to tackle me! And I can see my cousins! There’s Mark hiding in his treehouse! There’s Annabell laughing at her baby doll! There’s Theo climbing on top of his mom’s washing machine, playing with all the knobs! I can even see Elliott dancing a beautiful ballet and I can see Matilda dancing with G Pa and G Ma! By this time, Ron was laughing so hard he could hardly stay on top of Axel’s back!

What in the world is so funny, son of Bren? Axel asked Ron.

You should see Abigail’s hair! One side is all cut away! Mia found her mom’s scissors and cut her sister’s hair! It’s hilarious! giggled Ron.

And Mia! I see Mia…I HEAR Mia telling us stories about monsters and poop and giants and pooping dragons! She says the craziest things! exclaimed Ron.

Like what? asked the wolf.

Like ‘cousins ruin everything’! laughed Ron as he lost complete control and fell giggling to the ground.

After a few minutes of nonstop laughter, Ronald finally caught his breath and became quiet and serious. What is it, Ron? What do you see now? asked Axel.

Life is good…even when bad things happen. Life is to be enjoyed…even when sad times come. Life is meant to be shared…even when you feel alone. Life is good…no matter what pieces I am given. Life is good…

You know this is but a small glimpse of all the possibilities—the many twists and turns your life will take, right? asked Axel. And you know it’s time to get you to the real beginning of this adventure, right?

I know… said Ron, his voice trailing off in a wistful daydream of peace. I’m ready.

Even as he begrudgingly climbed back atop the great brown wolf, Ronald was glad he had decided to reach for that hidden puzzle. What he did not know…what he could not have seen…was the way his siblings and cousins would fit so perfectly into the puzzle of his life.

And what he had not seen was how Zella, Cullen, and Harry had found pieces of the puzzle Ron had missed at grandma’s house when they had come home to pick him up. What he had not seen was the curious way Mark and Annabell found their own pieces to their part of the puzzle. What he had not seen was how Mia and Abigail had discovered their pieces of the puzzle. What he could not have seen was the way Elliott and Matilda found pieces to the same puzzle their cousins had found…all the way over in Australia. What he could not have known was the unique way Theo found his own puzzle piece that would soon intersect with his own and how Theo’s little brother, Edison Jack (Sonny Jack to his cousins), had also stumbled into finding the first piece of his own puzzle as well. What none of them had seen was how well all their pieces would soon fit together.

What they could not possibly have seen was how their puzzles would all interconnect and how the story of the puzzle was just beginning.

2

ZELLA AND THE ZONKEY

After Cullen’s mom picked him up from school, they headed to grandma’s house to pick up Ronald. Zella and Harry were asleep in their car seats by the time they arrived at grandma’s house, but when they felt the bumping, clattering sound of their mom’s car driving over the cattle guard in the driveway, the little ones were awakened and excited to see they had already gotten there.

Once their mom had parked, Cullen, Harry and Zella all quickly released their seat belts and piled out of the car. It was always a race to see who could get to the back door first and give their grandma a hug! Today was no different.

Cullen, being the oldest and strongest, had made it first, but rather than bursting through the door, he decided to do something kind for his little brother and little sister. He held the door open for them! Harry raced right past his big brother and yelled, I’m gonna win, Cullen! I’m gonna win! Cullen just laughed because seeing his little brother so excited made him happy.

No sooner had Harry made his way through the door than Zella zipped right past her big brother and yelled, Nana-nana-booboo! I’m gonna beat you! Of course, this made Cullen laugh even more hysterically than before. Harry was fast, but Zella was gaining on him! Cullen waited until his mom had gone through the doorway before he closed the door and ran to greet his grandma.

Hi, grandma! yelled all three children at the same time.

Hi, my grandbabies! How are you today? asked Grandma Mellie.

Harry chimed right in with, I rode my scooter at the skate park!

Cullen, full of excitement, said, I learned how to multiply numbers in school today!

And, of course, Zella joined the chorus with, I climbed into the chicken house and gathered the eggs for mom…and I only broke one!

Grandma Mellie had to laugh at that one even as Cullen slapped himself upside his own head with mock exasperation as he said, Zella, you’re not supposed to break them!

Coming to her defense, grandma simply said, At least it was only one, right Zella? Such clamoring for grandma’s affection and the sheer glee of life exuding from the hearts of her grandchildren filled Mellie’s heart with so much joy.

Where’s Ronald? asked Cullen.

He’s been working on a jigsaw puzzle all day while I’ve been sewing in my sewing room, replied grandma. He should be at the kitchen table. He’s been pretty quiet all day, believe it or not.

Running into the kitchen dining area, Cullen saw the puzzle Ron had originally started that morning but saw no sign of Ron.

Grandma, Ron’s not at the table, said Cullen. And the puzzle is almost finished.

He probably went upstairs to find another one to work on. He’s put that puzzle together so many times before. I bet he just got bored with the old one and went to find a new one to work on. Check upstairs, replied Mellie.

Zella ran ahead, followed closely by Harry, and yelled, I want a new puzzle to work on!

Harry yelled, Me, too! and scurried quickly along behind his small but fast little sister. Bounding up the stairs and turning left toward the shelf where the games and puzzles were kept, Zella slid to a stop. Harry slid but could not stop before slamming into the back of Zella, sending her reeling into the shelf. As she fell forward into the shelf, the entire bookcase shook. Zella was unhurt…and Harry just laughed as usual when such things happened.

Harry! Watch it, bubba! scolded Zella. You just about caused the bookcase to fall over!

Sorry, sis! I thought we were racing—and stopping isn’t easy when you’re as fast as me! boasted Harry.

Just then, Cullen, who had been racing after his siblings, slid right into the back of Harry, sending Harry falling once again toward the back of his sister, once again causing the entire bookcase to shake and teeter.

Careful, guys! said Zella with her side eye zest she is known for. You’re gonna hurt someone! Just slow down!

YOU slow down! replied Cullen sharply.

YOU slow down, Cullen! came Harry’s retort.

Before they could continue their argument, Zella said something that brought an end to their head butting. Where’s Ron?

Grandma said he had come upstairs to find another puzzle to work on. Maybe he’s in one of the upstairs bedrooms or downstairs in the playroom, replied Cullen. After a quick search of all the upstairs bedrooms and of the playroom in the basement, the children met once again at the bookshelf upstairs…and this time, they noticed some things didn’t seem quite right.

Ronald is not here…but he must have been here…because the puzzles have all been pulled out. It looks like he even dropped a few pieces, replied Cullen.

We must have missed them in our hurry to get to the shelf, said Harry.

And he must have gone downstairs with the new puzzle… began Zella.

How do you know that, Zella? asked Harry.

"It