The Magical Adventures of Inky and the Gift

By Hasaan and Myrna Newberry

The Magical Adventures of Inky and the Gift is a wonderful animated story set in a fantasyland that will capture your imagination. As the story develops, it teaches us how to value inward character as opposed to outward appearances. Through the tale of a lovable elephant born to be king, it depicts how true treasure lies within the heart and soul, and how value is rooted in love and not ego. It shows true life experiences, such as deception, bullying, lies, and weaknesses. The characters in this story all have their inner battles that show up as behavioral traits in real life. Inky's relationships teach the importance of friendship and loyalty. This story takes you on a captivating journey that shows how strong character is developed through perseverance and why we should never judge a book by its cover.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Christian Faith Publishing, Inc.
• Release date: Jan 6, 2023
• ISBN: 9781638442813

Book preview

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The

Magical

Adventures of

Inky

and the

Gift

Hasaan and Myrna Newberry

ISBN 978-1-63844-280-6 (paperback)

ISBN 978-1-63844-281-3 (digital)

Copyright © 2022 by Hasaan and Myrna Newberry

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods without the prior written permission of the publisher. For permission requests, solicit the publisher via the address below.

Christian Faith Publishing

832 Park Avenue

Meadville, PA 16335

www.christianfaithpublishing.com

Printed in the United States of America

Dedication

This book is dedicated to my brother Kevin Newberry who departed from us August 20th 2021. You always believed in me and in my vision. Thank you for the light you shone on this project. My only regret in completing it is that you are not here to see the finished product. You were an inspiration for this book in that your gift of knowledge and gentleness went unseen by others, hidden by the outer shell of paranoid schizophrenia. You may feel that you left this world and that your dream of being a teacher was never achieved but, know this, you unknowingly taught us how to love unconditionally and never give up on your dreams. Your sweet kind voice will forever echo through my mind encouraging me to push forward and that, not only will it happen but, it will be great!!! So, to my biggest supporter I say, here it is my brother. I pushed through and I never gave up.Your dream to become an educator will live on through Inky as he teaches and encourages the next generation, through his adventures, to stand up and be heard. To Kevin… Brothers for Life.

Long ago, there was a beautiful, exotic island called Mailu.

No man ever set sail nor foot on this wondrous piece of land for centuries. The island was like no other, boasting crystal clear waters, pink sands, and trees that were bountiful in tropical fruits that existed nowhere else. The trees were so tall that their branches reached out and kissed the clouds.

Many different animals lived there, the most powerful of these being the elephant clan called the Zin. Now Zin was a mighty mythical warrior and leader of all the animals on the island. He was strong and possessed wisdom that the animals trusted and lived by.

Mailu was a peaceful island until, one day, her giant trees were spotted by a group of intruders sailing far away in the deep blue waters who wanted to see what they were. Upon discovering the island and its bounty, they plotted an invasion to plunder the island and its treasures. Zin quickly gathered the animals and fought off the intruders. Overpowered by the animals, the intruders finally fled. Unfortunately, there were many killings, and Zin was seriously injured. Knowing his fate, Zin asked to be taken up to the sacred mountains where he prayed to the gods to protect the island from future invaders. As Zin breathed his last breath, the gods granted his wish and cast a sacred mist around Mailu, keeping it hidden from the rest of the world and safe from human invasion, or at least that was the intention.

Chapter 1

Ragda’s Wish

Past the mist and beyond the horizon, far, far away from Mailu, there existed a land called Krone. Krone was an unusual land in that it consisted of men, women, and all types of creatures who spoke the same language, walked, worked, and lived comfortably together. You could say it was a magical island. At the center of this unusual but grim and gloomy land lived a beautiful, powerful, and evil sorceress named Ragda who was admired by all for her beauty and strength.

Ragda lived in a dark and gloomy palace surrounded by crashing waves and howling winds. She possessed the gift of magic; but because of a curse that was placed on her years ago, she was forbidden to use the magic. To ensure that she didn’t, the magic was encased in a purple bottle that was to remain on a shelf deep in the palace’s dungeons and guarded by a mystical spirit queen called Kattar. Kattar was to be summoned only in case of true emergency and would have to give her permission for the magic to be used.

Ragda ruled the land, and she looted and stole from other lands to keep her palace beautiful and bountiful. There was always plenty of food and clothing for herself, her servants, and her soldiers. Ragda wanted her palace to be full of young people who could work hard. Her soldiers had to be strong young men who were capable of fighting or going into battle if needed, for many other lands wanted to go to war with Krone because their queen constantly stole from them and took all their young to work in her palace. Once they reached a certain age, she got rid of them by sending them back to where she stole them from to live out their old age. She would then recruit younger, more youthful ones to take their place. The people of Krone had to report any newborns immediately so they could be raised to serve in the palace. However, the one thing Ragda could not steal from other lands or replace was her own youth. As the years passed by, Ragda grew old. Her skin started to droop and was full of wrinkles. Her hands were getting so skinny all her rings would slip off. She didn’t have the energy she used to have, and she began to notice that her people were not admiring her the way they used to. She began to stare at herself every day in the mirror and grew sadder and sadder with the way she looked.

One day, while she was staring at herself in the mirror, her servant named Drunes, who was a dwarf, stood by her side, looking at his queen watching herself in the mirror. Oh, Drunes, she said sadly, look at me! My palace is so young and vibrant, but I am old and gray.

Drunes was unhappy to see his queen this way and thought of an idea. My queen, he said with enthusiasm, why don’t you use the potion?

Ragda pushed him away. Don’t you think I’ve thought of that? Ragda walked over and sat on her throne as Drunes followed her desperately, thinking of how he could make things better. This wretched curse! Ragda screamed. It has forced me to use my magic only in true emergencies. She put her head on her hands and sobbed. Why did I abuse the magic? This never would have happened if I didn’t get greedy!

All of a sudden, Drunes had another idea. Wait! he said with excitement. This is an emergency.

Ragda got up from her throne and screeched, How is this an emergency?

Drunes backed away a little, for he knew when Ragda got mad, anything could go flying around the room, including him. Just think about it, my queen, he said. Your people don’t respect you the way they used to. They don’t see your strength and courage anymore. They are losing faith in their leader. Soon they will look for another queen!

Ragda began to pace the room as she tapped her head with her finger, thinking about what Drunes just said. Suddenly, she stopped and yelled, Well, that’s an emergency to me! Krone is in jeopardy of losing their queen. There’s nobody fit to take over.

Drunes fell back, startled, then began to jump up and down with joy as he yelled, Can I get it? Can I get it?

Ragda looked at him with her beady eyes and an evil, cunning grin. Yes, indeed, my loyal servant. Bring me the potion.

Drunes ran down to the dungeons. He was so excited that he forgot the dungeons were a little spooky. Halfway down the creaky staircase, he stopped and listened. He could hear whispers but realized that it was the wind howling. He continued down the stairs as the waves crashed against the palace walls. Drunes pulled his collar up around his neck as he felt the chill of the wind and began to shiver. Okay, where is that potion? I want to get out of here. He opened several doors, and they were empty. Suddenly, he pulled on a door, and it was locked. As he looked up at the giant wooden door, he saw the writing that said Do Not Enter in big red letters. Drunes let out a big sigh. Well, how am I supposed to get in there? I’m sure that’s where the potion must be.

Out of the darkness, he heard a voice say, Who are you, and why do you want to come in?

Drunes’s eyes opened wide, and with a trembling voice said, I’m Drunes, servant of Queen Ragda.

A gust of wind blew with a whoosh! And the voice now became a green light that moved around him. Why have you come? said the voice.

Drunes closed his eyes, for he was not sure what the light would do.

I have come for the potion.

All of a sudden, the entire hallway lit up in green, and the voice boomed! For what reason do you disturb me for the potion that is forbidden!

Drunes took a big gulp and lay on the floor, covering his head, and yelled, Ragda has an emergency! She needs your permission to use it!

The light went out, and it was dark and silent. Drunes got up and brushed himself off. Well, he said to himself, I’m guessing that’s a no, and he began to leave.

Just then, the door clicked open. Drunes looked up at the door that had become ajar, and he opened it slowly. The room was completely dark, except for a green light illuminating a path, leading to a purple bottle on a shelf. Drunes ran in, grabbed the bottle, and holding it tightly so as not to drop it, ran out from the dungeon without looking back. He slammed the door behind him and stood there with his back against the door for a while, panting and out of breath. Phew, he whispered to himself, that was scary.

He brought the potion to Ragda who was sitting on her throne with anticipation.

What took you so long? Bring it here. She snatched the bottle from her servant’s hand and glared at it. She clutched it close to her and said, "Oh, Kattar, goddess of darkness, oh, evil one, my people no longer have faith in me. I have to become the queen they once admired and loved once more. I long for the blood of the young to run through my veins. Grant to me the strength and beauty of my