Maynard and the Pumpkin Seed

By Caviar Mikals

Come visit the wonderful world of Maynard and his best friend Lance, two adorable little ants that you’ll love getting to know!
While playing soccer, which happens to be their favorite sport, Maynard and Lance make a startling discovery.
As they work together to understand this discovery, the two friends overcome adversity and face many obstacles. They don’t give up. They stay focused on this quest until they reach a conclusion.
No matter what age we are, whether we are young or old, we must all set goals in life.
We then carefully consider our decisions as we work towards accomplishing those goals.
Maynard and Lance were laser-focused on attaining their dream careers and didn’t let anything get them off track.
No matter what obstacles we may face, we must always believe in ourselves.
Life’s challenges will always bring out new and unfound talents that may be lying dormant within you.
Live your life to the full, keeping your goals in mind.
Maynard’s example is one we can learn from!

• Language: English
• Publisher: BooxAi
• Release date: Mar 8, 2024
• ISBN: 9789655788907

Book preview

AUTHOR INTRODUCTION

Caviar Mikals is a serial Entrepreneur and Business owner who holds a Degree in Business and Finance. He is a devoted Father, Husband, Writer, Author and Philanthropist. He has spent the last 10 years writing a collection of books that have spanned across all genres from children stories to adult fiction.

Having worked in the Finance arena for over the last two decades, it has given him a bird’s eye view of the issues that our youths face on a daily basis. Caviar has traveled extensively around the United States. Those travels have bestowed upon him the perspective of different cultures and lifestyles. In these travels, writing has brought him immeasurable joy and solace.

1

THE GOLDEN OBJECT

Just a typical day in the city of Sugartown. The sun was glowing brightly, providing warmth and nourishment to all of the vegetation. If you look close enough, you will be able to see the mockings of Maynard the Ant and his best friend Lance on this day as so many that had passed. You can hear Maynard and Lance laughing as they play soccer in the local park. It was the game point when Maynard kicked the ball past the goalie’s head, who happened to be Lance.

See Lance, I am getting good at this game.

I see Maynard, you are a natural David Beckham.

Thanks, Lance; you don’t play that bad yourself. I must admit that since I started practicing with you, my game has improved drastically. It is getting late Lance, we better head home.

Lance jumps on his bike and shouts, Hey Maynard, I will race you. The last one home is a rotten egg.

Lance started pedaling fast and looked back as he passed Maynard as he jumped on his bike.

Yo Lance, wait up.

You better catch me, Maynard, there is no way I am going to let you beat me twice in one day.

The two boys swerved and raced their bikes through the path until their focus was redirected to a foreign object that Maynard noticed in the distance.

Hey Lance, what is that?

I don’t know, Maynard. It looks very strange.

Let us go check it out, Lance.

I am right behind you.

Maynard rode his bike closer to the golden object. He jumped off his bike to examine the object closely.

Lance, what do you think it is? I have never seen anything like it. I wonder if Professor Jenkins would know. It would be awesome to take it for a show and tell on Monday. What do you think?

Maynard, we would be the talk of the school!

It looks heavy. Do you think we could drag it back?

Let's see how much it weighs. Hey Lance, get the right side. I will take this side.

Both Lance and Maynard try to use their strength to raise the foreign golden object.

"Hey, I got my side

Hey, I got my side too, Lance. I think we can carry it, but to do it all the way to our house will take too long.

"I got an idea, Maynard. Let's tie a rope around it. Let's tie one end of the rope to your bike, I will tie one rope around my bike, and we can pedal our bikes and drag it back to the house.

Spoken like a true engineer.

You know Maynard, it is all in my blood, he replied.

Well, let's go do it before it gets late.

After a few trips around the object, the boys had 2 ropes secured on the object.

You start first, Lance, and I am right behind you.

Within minutes the boys had the object smoothly dragging behind their bikes.

Hey Maynard, it is working. We will have it home in no time at this pace.

I am happy you thought of this, Lance. I don't think my muscle could have carried it such a long way. Even though I am a strong little ant.

Go ahead, Maynard. You are too funny.

The boys both laugh.

Lance, do you have room at your house?

No Maynard, my dad just bought some tools, and they are taking up most of the room in our shelf out back.

I guess that leaves my yard.

Maynard, you all live on a huge ranch. There just got to be some room.

You know, Lance we can put it behind the tree house. That's perfect, Lance. We can hold it up there out of sight until we take it to school for show and tell. That's all we need for the nosey neighbors to see it.

You got that right, Maynard.

Okay, Lance one more left, and we are on my street.

Both Maynard and Lance pedaled fast down the last stretch of the road to get to Maynard’s house and out of sight of those who may be looking.

Ok, let's get it around back now.

Perfect, we made it Lance. Did anybody see us?

I don’t think so, Maynard.

Hey, Lance, stand guard while I check the garage for my dad’s pulleys. I will be right back.

Maynard runs to the double-car garage and raises the door. Okay, now where would daddy’s pulleys be." -He looked all around the garage, and then he thought it was probably in the toolbox on Dad’s truck.

Maynard lowered the tailgate to his dad’s pick-up, climbed up on the bed, and opened the toolbox. Bingo, I found it. We are in business. Maynard grabbed 2 pulleys, closed the toolbox, jumped off the truck, closed the tailgate, and ran to help Lance. He was closing the garage when he heard a voice, Maynard, is that you?

Yeah, it's me. It was Maynard’s mother, Lucinda, calling.

What are you up to, boy?

Oh nothing, mother.

You know Maynard, it's almost time for supper.

I know, Mom, I will be right there, and I have one more thing to finish up with Lance.

Well, you hurry up, Maynard, and when you're done, get cleaned up for supper. Your dad has to work late tonight.

Maynard yells, All right Mom! As he runs back to the treehouse. What took you so long? My mom wanted me to hurry up, so I don't miss supper.

I understand.

Did you get the pulleys?

I have them right here. Lance put one around the tree lamp on the deck of the treehouse. I will hook the rope around the golden block. Lance climbed the tree and put the pulley in place. Maynard threw the rope up in the air, Lance grabbed it and placed it firmly against the pulley. Maynard, it's all set. Get up, and we can pull it up. Maynard quickly climbed up to the treehouse.

Okay, I'm in place. Let's do it on 1,2,3. It went like clockwork, and they pulled the golden block to the treehouse with ropes.

We make a good team. Hey Maynard, cover it up with that old blanket. We would not want anybody to notice it before we get to show it off in class. I better get home too, Maynard, before my mom starts looking for me.

Thanks again for your help, Lance.

No problem. What do you think friends are for?

Both boys slide down the firehouse pole attached to the treehouses. Lance jumps on his bike and yells, I will see you tomorrow in school!

I will see you, Lance!

Maynard rides his bike to the garage to put his bike up.

2

PICK YOUR PROFESSION

Iam all done Mom.

Good Maynard, food is on the table. When you get washed up, we can eat.

It will be a minute Mom.

Maynard entered his bathroom, and washed his face and hands. Slips off his T-shirt that got dirty dragging the golden block. He slips on a blue sweatshirt and proceeds to the kitchen.

I am so glad that you could join us, son.

Hey, Jared!

Hey, Maynard!

Jared, is that any way to speak to your brother?

Mom, I spoke.

Well, you should have sounded a little happier than that.

Yes, Maam!

Well boys, let’s say grace, bow your heads, Dear Lord, bless this family, bless the father who works to support this family. Thank you for the food we are about to receive for the nourishment of our body, amen.

Amen! Jared says followed by Maynard.

It smells good, mom. What are we having? asked Maynard.

We're having your favorite, meatloaf and mashed potatoes and gravy.

Wow, that is my favorite. This will hit the spot.

Enjoy boys. When you finish supper, make sure you finish your homework.

I don't have any.

That’s great Jared.

Can I watch TV then?

Yes, Jared but only for one hour, then it's time to take a bath and lights out.

What about you, Maynard?

Yeah Mom, I do.

What is it on, baby?

Professor Jenkins wants us to write a report on what career we want when we finish school.

Do you know what you are going to do yet?

I am not sure yet Mom. I have a few choices. I will narrow it down.

Well, whatever you decide, Maynard you will be great at it. I am going to finish the laundry. You know your father Lester will go and have a tizzy if his shirts aren’t pressed for his meetings.

Hey Maynard, I am going to be a motocross racer.

That sounds like a great profession for you Jared, racing motorcycles. I see how you are always racing the other kids in the neighborhood on your bike.

You know brother, I love speed.

Well Jared, I have a lot to think about. Your TV shows are about to come on.

I’m finished now.

Go ahead, I will clean up. Jared jumps up from the kitchen table and runs into the family room.

Hey, Mom!

Yeah, Maynard?

We are both done with supper. I will clean up the table, then I am going up to my room to do my homework.

Thank you, son, you are a lifesaver.

Maynard clears the table and loads the plates, forks, and cups into the dishwasher. He punches in the program for a light load and heads to his bedroom. Maynard searches his backpack for his five-star notebook. He lays his notebook on the desk and jots down.

Things I want to be as a career.

He lists first, Builder like his dad.

He lists seconds, A carpenter.

He lists third, An architect.

Maynard sits and ponders his career of choice.

My father is a builder; he works hard building the interiors of houses and builds. He does carpet, and flooring and even puts in walls and windows. But as an architect, he has the ultimate job; without his design, nothing could be built. He gets to use his imagination and see his thoughts come to life. I think that fits my personality better. I guess it is settled then- I will be Maynard, the architect. I better get to work.

Maynard pulled out his MAC laptop computer, fired it up, and waited for his internet connection. Within minutes the search engine BING.COM was displayed on his computer monitor. Maynard types architect in the search engine, and Bing sprung to life all types of homes from small ones to large skyscrapers, all styles and sizes were displayed. Even with futuristic versions of homes in Maynard's mind, he knew that he would have one great report to share with the class photos and all.

This internet sure saves time better than those old-time encyclopedias mom and dad grew up with.

After viewing a series of young architects and ancient ones, they all had one thing in common, passion and creativity, two of his strongest attributes. Maynard thought to himself, this is an A paper. Maynard had the report all typed and ready to go until he experienced a problem with his printer.

Oh my god, what could be wrong now, Maynard exclaimed. He quickly opened the printer to conclude that the ink cartridge was out. Hey, mom! Maynard yelled!

Yes, son?

Can you call Dad and have him pick up a printer cartridge?

I will send him a message.

Thanks, mom. I will print it out in the morning before I leave for school.

Ok, Maynard get some rest. It is getting late.

Ok, mom.

Maynard slipped into his black and white cowboy pajamas, slid into his bed, and was fast asleep. Somewhere between 11:30 pm and 12:00 midnight, Maynard felt the kiss of his father Lester on his forehead. Maynard rolled over groggy and noticed that it was his father standing next to him.

Hey, Dad!

"Maynard, don't get up. I wanted you