Jonathan’s Tales: Volume 1

By Tom Kissack

Jonathan’s Tales, Volume 1, is a compilation of 11 magical bedtime stories told verbally to my then 6-year-old son. They are enhanced written transpositions from the audio versions captured on my android phone numbering nearly 100 recorded stories. A list of additional stories is at the end of this book. The Tales, came to life after my son’s bedtime toilette, and he, snuggled in bed, arbitrarily drew from his head a binary subject and allowed me several minutes to ponder a story. These Tales located firmly in the magical realism genre were told with three principal aims. Firstly, entertainment. Secondly, erudition to increase knowledge on specific items of facts, or to whet my son’s appetite to seek out more information (the notations referenced at the end of the book for each Tale act as a starting aid). Finally, didactic, a way of subtly introducing a broader morality into my son’s world on an array of subjects including, but not exclusively, the power of love and friendship, of kindness and honesty and the importance of inclusivity recognising we are all, as individuals, very different.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Xlibris UK
• Release date: Jan 30, 2024
• ISBN: 9781669890577

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Jonathan’s Tales

VOLUME 1

TOM KISSACK

Copyright © 2024 by Tom Kissack. 856565

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.

Xlibris

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Library of Congress Control Number: 2024900394

Rev. date: 01/29/2024

Author Foreword

Jonathan’s Tales, Volume 1, is a compilation of 11 magical bedtime stories told verbally to my 6-year-old son recorded on my Android phone. They are enhanced written transpositions from the unedited audio version numbering nearly 100 recorded stories. The Tales, purely a product of my imagination, came to life after my son’s bedtime toilette, and he, snuggled in bed, arbitrarily drew from his head a binary subject and allowed me several minutes to ponder a story.

The stories gave me much pleasure to bequeath to my son who often interacted with the stories; sometimes vociferously protesting at the outrageous actions of the occasional villainous characters therein; sometimes being so enthralled with the storyline he remained quiet until the end, and, not infrequently as I came to the story’s dénouement, I heard a gentle buzzing sound as my son had fallen into deep slumber. I could not love my son more than I did at such times.

Of the 100 or so Tales located firmly in the magical realism genre I have chosen 11 to publish initially. They span a broad range of subjects. Within these subjects a degree of poetic license has been inevitably exercised in respect to real world facts, requiring the more discerning reader to temporarily suspend their belief.

One final point, I told the stories to my son with three main aims: entertainment, of which he, by his reactions recorded seemingly derived much pleasure; erudition, to increase his knowledge on specific items of facts, or to whet his appetite to seek out more information (the notations referenced at the end of the book for each Tale act as a starting aid); finally, didactic, a way of subtly introducing a broader morality into my son’s world on an array of subjects from the power of love and friendship, of kindness and honesty, and also the importance of inclusivity recognising we are all different. There was however, one other thing I deemed essential to convey to my son. In Jonathan’s Tales across a number of stories told, I tried to gift my son an understanding that in each and every one of us there are by differing degrees what I might call human weakness. Acknowledging such weakness, an acknowledgment that sometimes can originate from within, but in many instances through the love and kindness of others, individuals may find a power and strength to transform their lives for the better, if you will, becoming better versions of themselves, versions of themselves that were always meant to be. It is this final aspiration I wish and hope all my readers will see in my stories to my son.

So, now to Jonathan’s Tales. I sincerely hope you enjoy the journey of reading them, as much as I did bringing them to life in the written word.

Author’s Acknowledgements

•To my late daughter, in memoriam and gratitude for unwittingly prompting the creation of Jonathan’s Tales.

•To my Aunty Joyce residing in the frozen north of England, where I spent my formative years, whom, without her prompt, Jonathan’s Tales would be differently named.

•To my erstwhile American friend Pamela across the ‘pond’ for her indefatigable faith in my literary ability.

•To my dear vintage friend, Eve, in Thailand, whose support and encouragement over many years, by many and various comments, beget a belief in myself as an author.

•And finally, to my beloved son Jonathan, who almost on a weekly basis spanning several years and more, encouraged me to engage with him on Jonathan’s Tales at his bedtime.

Contents

The Dragon and the Window

The Toilet and the Toothbrush

The Butterfly and the Turtle

The Water and the Ice

The Elf and the Watch

The Rock and the Balloon

The Snowflake and the Rock

The Pig and the Egg

The Frog and the Potato

The Squirrel and the Fish

The Hammer and the Shoe

The Dragon and the Window

Father - "And you wouldn’t know it Jonathan, but there was a little orange and yellow and red dragon sleeping next to her on the pillow"

Once upon time……..a very, very long time ago there was a kingdom ruled by a wise and very kind King. The King had a daughter, a beautiful Princess who was lucky to live in a fairy tale castle, the family home. In her bedroom there were many delightful and interesting things, but one thing she was truly fascinated about from an early age was the middle window. In the middle window was an enchanting blue glass pane embossed with an orange, yellow and red dragon image. The Princess often gazed at this window and when she got a little older confided in her Daddy about the window, saying, I love that window Daddy. Yes, said the father, That window reaches back a long time. It represents some incredible family history. What do you mean by family history Daddy? replied the Princess, quite intrigued at her father’s comment. The window is over 500 hundred years old. But father, said the Princess, a puzzled expression crossing her handsome face, How do you know that? After breakfast, I’m going to take you to the library, said the father, It’s time you were introduced to our very interesting family history.

So, as agreed, they both went to the library and the King showed his daughter a beautiful leather-bound book. The book had heraldic symbols and the dynastic royal emblem of a dragon and a lily emblazoned over the front cover. Each book page was richly coloured with pictures of past times, but the main narrative throughout was the true family story, a history written hundreds of years ago. Reading the book, the Princess discovered how five hundred years ago the kingdom was nearly defeated by an army of ogres, giant, gruesome ogres. And it is here we shall briefly take up that story many years ago. The King at that time said to his Queen, Dear Gwendoline, the ogres are approaching some short distance from the castle walls having all but defeated our army. I think we should take our children and hide them, my Dear. The ogres if they capture the castle will do many things including probably eating the children. There are reports that is their habit. Yes, yes, said his wise and loyal Queen, I will hide them in the cellar my Lord. The mother, having secured her children with several ladies in waiting, thought of what other things she might do to help her husband. She had a momentary reflection thinking of the King, a man she had stood by for many years and yet, now he was in despair as all he loved and cherished was in grave danger. This gifted and intelligent woman with many facets to her personality ceased such painful musings and, in one sense, although some might say she was grasping at straws (¹) knew what she had to do and where to go to do it. One facet she kept hidden from most was a strong belief in magic. Leaving the Royal chambers, she made her way down to the castle’s Royal pond a few minutes’ walk on the edge of the castle grounds. Reputedly the waters held a magical essence within them. It was here she thought she would turn to for help. In what form this help might manifest itself she had absolutely no idea.

The Queen stood at the water’s edge and prayed for her family, and then cast her prayers wider. She prayed for protection for her husband’s army and prayed to keep the Kingdom safe. All she knew and cherished were now in mortal danger. Whilst she prayed she heard the soldiers and knights crying out in hopeless anguish on the hills surrounding the castle, valiantly trying to stop the fearsome ogres, alas proving an almost invincible foe. The Queen listened silently, overwhelmed with despair before musing, Our kingdom is doomed. With this thought she felt a crushing sadness as she stared in great anguish at the pond. Just at that moment a Fairy Queen emerged from the water. Noting the Queen’s melancholic demeanour having already read her thoughts she said, Do not worry dear Queen, your Kingdom is safe. The Queen looked up in great surprise, not the least as a fairy was in her presence. "How can it be safe? The ogres are not far from our castle, our army is all but defeated. I will show you, much-loved Queen of your people. She took out a little wand and said, Do look over at that lily your Highness, such a beautiful lily, do you not agree? Yes, said the Queen, I adore lilies, they are a treasured bloom in my life. I love them more than any other flower. Well, cast your glance closer dear Queen," said the fairy. The Queen stared across the pond with increased concentration and saw sitting on top of the lily a very small dragon with richly endowed colours of orange, yellow and red. The fairy flew across the pond and touched the dragon with her wand. Sparkling flashes erupted all around causing the Queen to turn away involuntarily, the brightness of flashes almost blinding her. When she looked back the diminutive dragon had transformed into a huge beast hovering above the pond.

The dragon quickly rose up into the sky flying high above with ease as he exercised his huge flapping wings. Then it flew to the castle courtyard where the King was planning a last stand against the invaders, marshalling a handful of loyal soldiers, his personal guard. The dragon landed next to the King and said, Get on my back Sire. The King had not seen a dragon for many years, in fact not since he was a boy. Legend told all dragons were now dead. Looking at the dragon he replied, I’m sorry? not quite hearing him clearly and failing to understand his meaning. Get on my back, repeated the dragon. The Queen by then had run back to the castle. Do husband! urged the Queen, Get on the dragon’s back. The King, although old now, was no coward; he came from a long line of proud warrior kings and, at his wife’s behest, immediately leapt on the dragon.

The dragon soared high above the castle, before banking downwards towards the battle raging fiercely in a shallow valley, just a stone’s throw (²) from the castle walls. Emitting a mighty roar above the advancing ogres, all on the battlefield stopped in their tracks (³) and looked up. The dragon breathed fire all over the leading ogres enveloping a number in a conflagration of flames. The ogres thus touched fell to the ground writhing in agony as they were being literally burnt alive. The remaining gruesome ogres became confused; gripped with fright seeing the omnipotence of the fire breathing dragon with the fearless King, his sword drawn high above him, riding on its back. Terror filled their breasts and turning back to observe some of their kind engulfed in flames, those that could then ran away. Only a few survived as they were chased by the dragon to the limits of the kingdom they had invaded, forever banished back to their own lands, never daring to return.

Meanwhile, the victorious army, or what was left of them as many had that day fallen in battle, crowded into the castle. The last remaining valiant general took up a position with one thought in his mind, to protect the Royal family. The children were brought up from the cellars where they had been hidden and all waited for the King to return shouting in joyous celebrations of victory over the formidable ogres. Then the crowd hushed and fell completely silent, for the fearsome orange, yellow and red dragon hovered high above the castle before landing, to settle down in the castle grounds gently flapping its wings, allowing the King to alight from its back to join his Queen. A tumultuous roar arose from everyone there enthusiastically cheering the King’s return, the battle now won. But the King and Queen knew who the true hero was, and with a strange dignity, they both fell on their knees in front of the dragon, bowing their heads saying, Thank you, thank you mighty dragon. The dragon said, "I am at once honoured by your homage to me, much loved King and Queen of your people, but I did only what was written and asked of me. And then he became smaller and was taken into the castle rooms by the eldest of the Princesses, she gently holding him in the cup of her hand.

Whilst in the Royal chambers the dragon related to the Princess about the Fairy Queen’s magical powers releasing him from his home in the pond one last time. The King and Queen hearing this awaited the arrival of the Fairy Queen knowing she would surely now come. And within the space of a minute the Fairy Queen emerged from the pond and flew in the window saying, Congratulations King Maddox on defeating your enemies. She then looked upon the Princess holding the dragon with obvious affection, Regretfully I promised the dragon he can go back to the pond. He is the last in his line of powerful dragons and his parents asked if he might live in peace and safety after much service to others. I promised them this. The little Princess hearing this exclaimed, NO! NO! NO! Please I want my dragon to stay with me always, he, he… saved us, we owe him our lives. The Princess started to sob pitifully in her sadness that the dragon was leaving. The Fairy Queen looked at the Queen and King, and then at the sobbing girl and pondered what to do. She had in that moment’s interval been communicating with the dragon, who had a very old soul having lived a full, exciting life for many centuries. The dragon, touched by the Princess’s pain, came to an agreement with the Fairy Queen. The Fairy Queen clapped her hands saying, Cheer up Princess, I will grant you the wish that you can see the dragon forever, but not until the morrow. The dragon flew out of the window escorted by the Fairy Queen and plunged into the pond again. From the Royal chambers the King, Queen and Princess saw all from a distance. Having said his farewells to the water folk, his beloved erstwhile friends, he did the Fairy Queen’s bidding. The next morning the Princess opened her curtains and there was a pattern of a dragon, a beautiful dragon of orange, yellow and red embossed on the middle blue pane of her window.

The King now in current time looked at his daughter and seeing she was reading the last page of the royal book said, That is the end of the story daughter, our family history enshrined in the window pane forever. Daddy, said the Princess, How long has the dragon been on the window? As I said some 500 years ago. "But I want that dragon to come back, I so want it to come back. I want it to be free; it is a beautiful panel I know, but is it not a prison for the poor dragon? The King smiled at his daughter’s view of the family fable, for she had cleverly read between the words unspoken by the Fairy Queen that the dragon had chosen voluntarily to be trapped in the pane. The Princess continued, I want to free –, but the King raised his hand and interrupted her somewhat abruptly, You can’t, I’m afraid. It is now lost in the midst of Time. It is now, well, just a legend. The daughter fell silent. There was an intense look of almost hurt resignation on her face at her father’s check on her words. Observing his daughter’s sad countenance, the King had an afterthought. He glanced down at the book again, and in a less harsh, much quieter tone, almost a whisper as not wishing to be heard beyond his daughter said, Daughter there is more, but it is a family secret that must never be disclosed, As it is, it is written at the end of the book, on the last back page you have not yet read, that there is another book somewhere in the castle, and whoever finds it will have the secret to awaken and free the dragon. Oh, said the little girl, her eyes wide in amazement, But where Daddy, where in the castle? Daughter, be assured, my men have tried to search the castle high and low (⁴), and I am confident countless others in our family through the ages have also tried, they have never found the book."

And so, time passed and the Princess grew up, never forgetting what her Daddy had said about a book, somewhere in the castle. Now a teenager, she was wandering around somewhat aimlessly, and happened to look up aloft. In front of her were some stairs leading to an attic, a little room hidden in the roof of the castle. She was drawn to the stairs, having a strange desire, almost a propulsion to alight the stairs and enter the room. Looking around, the room was empty, totally empty, nothing really to write home about. (⁵) Just then, the sun began to shine through a plain blue window pane, the only access to the outside world from the attic, save the stairs. Where the sun’s ray struck the opposite attic wall a little window in the shape of a door appeared, quite small, seemingly materialising from thin air. (⁶) The Princess thought, How very odd, what can this be? She walked over to door in the wall and noticed the door wouldn’t open. The door had a keyhole, but there was no key. Whilst pondering this problem she started as she caught a glimpse of a tiny figure from the corner of her eye. (⁷) The figure was not more than two inches high, dressed in green from head to toe, with funny jester-like shoes. He was sitting on the window sill which housed the blue pane. The little man was smiling and said, Princess, you want to open the door to the book? What? To what book? said the Princess, puzzled. To the book of the dragon, of course. Oh, the dragon book? DRAGON BOOK! What in good name are you talking about? The tiny figure started laughing, prompting the Princess who had been wildly thinking of many things to utter both cleverly and archly, Yes, you are right. I want to open the door, but I can’t, I have no key. Use me Princess. "What? What do you mean, use you? Well, just pick me up, said the little figure. Don’t be silly, and besides who are you anyway? I’m a leprechaun (⁸) and I’m magical. It’s been foretold that you are the one who will set the dragon free. I don’t understand, said the Princess, Set the dragon free from? And then she knew and put her hand to her mouth in shock, her eyes wide open and the little comical man’s next words confirmed what she was thinking. From the window in your bedroom, of course."

She was now trying to quell her excitement and wanted to know what this strange man knew in addition concerning her family history. But our kingdom is not in danger anymore? And I thought the book said the dragon went to the pond? He did go to the pond. But the Fairy Queen made a promise to the Princess at that time, saying to the dragon, ‘You must go to the window, and stay there until you are released. I promise she said in time, maybe many years later it will be so.’ And that’s why you have a dragon pattern on your bedroom window. Oh, said the Princess, So the legend was true. That is interesting. You talk of things exactly as my father told me when I was a little girl, many years ago in the library. But, can I really set the dragon free? You can if you pick me up and I will change myself to a key. How can you do that? It sounds rather a silly thing to do. She nevertheless walked over to the window sill and gently picked the little man up. Then she couldn’t believe her eyes. He turned into a key glowing orange, yellow and red. She walked over to the little door window, opened the door with the glowing key and saw a book, a beautiful book similar to the one in the library, leather bound with many similar symbols on the front cover, in fact mimicking those of the book in the library. She stood there in amazement, took the book and sat down absent-mindedly on the bare floor boards and opened it.

There was only one page in it. It told how to release the water dragon by going to the pond and picking white lilies. "Oh dear, there’s no white lilies now