Bara Seal & Emily Too by Headline Books / Zoom Into Books

“Reading this book takes me back to the time when my children were very young, and you never knew what magic would come with the turn of a page. I knew that Tom was a man of many interests-- a rock climber, a first-class horn player and a driving force behind the West Virginia Youth Symphony. Now I’m delighted to find that he’s the author of this new book.” —Larry Groce, host of Mountain Stage “When Emily and her friend Bara Seal sneak away from home on a rainy day, searching for fish, they have no idea that they’re about to embark on a whirlwind, worldwide tour. Thanks to a dancing cat, kind strangers, and the magic of poetry, they return safely home. Along the way, author Thomas Beal treats his readers to a wealth of delicious imagery—sounds, smells, textures, and tastes that invite us to linger and savor the words that carry us from one place to another. This a book to read, reread, and read aloud.” —Colleen Anderson, author of Missing: Mrs. Cornblossom, a Moonbeam Children’s Book Award winner “Tom Beal’s concept of a brave, caring girl and her trusted seal friend began 10 years ago, evolving into an odyssey of beautiful sounds, color and light. Bara Seal and Emily seem an unlikely pair to leave the comfort of home for far-flung travels, but we will see that their hidden talents, compassion and resilience emerge as they help newly discovered friends find sustenance and solace. Along the way they encounter worlds of hidden beauty and song. We can only surmise that some events are imaginary, but the themes of friendship, family strife and resolution, are real enough, and will relate to parents and children alike.” —Jim McJunkin, MD, Pediatrician About the Author Tom Beal is an individual with diverse interests, ranging from classical music to chemistry. Tom studied music at Southern Methodist University earning a degree in French Horn performance and is currently a member of the West Virginia Symphony Orchestra. He is very active in support of the West Virginia Youth Symphony as well as music outreach in the surrounding communities. Additionally, he is the Senior Vice President of the chemical manufacturing company AC&S, Inc. Tom resides in Charleston, WV, where he enjoys hiking and rock climbing with his family.

About the Illustrator Eleanor Paybins was born in California but raised in West Virginia and is currently attending Marshall University with the Presidential Scholarship and the Bart and Doris Andrews Scholarship. She is majoring in Visual Arts with an emphasis in painting and will also earn a Minor in Japanese language. Eleanor has won the Marshal Juried Art Exposition and the US Congressional Art Competition. In pursuit of expanding her art and Japanese language skills, Eleanor studied at Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka, Japan, for the spring semester of 2018.

Tom Beal illustrated by Elea Paybins

Bara Seal, and Emily too by Tom Beal illustrated by Elea Paybins copyright ©2018 Tom Beal All rights reserved. This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents, except where noted otherwise, are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any other resemblance to actual people, places or events is entirely coincidental. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any other form or for any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording or any information storage system, without written permission from Headline Books. To order additional copies of this book, or for book publishing information, or to contact the author: Headline Kids P. O. Box 52 Terra Alta, WV 26764 Email: mybook@headlinebooks.com www.headlinebooks.com Ashley Teets—Art Director Lucas Kelly—Design/Layout Published by Headline Books Headline Kids is an imprint of Headline Books ISBN-13: 9781946664259 Library of Congress Control Number: 2018937763

P R I N T E D I N T H E U N I T E D STAT E S OF A M E R IC A

This book is dedicated to my daughters, Sara and Emily, and to the memory of my brother, Kenny.

Bara Seal and Emily watched from their window as the rain softly splashed on the slate roofs of the old wooden houses that lined the road. Their house, of ancient stone, sat at the top of a small hill that rose from the shore where waves splashed against a wharf. Listening carefully, they heard the voices of the ocean mix with the calls of sea gulls. The wind and rain spoke with the waves in a back and forth motion that made the houses seem to rock in a listless, uncaring way.

“I’m so hungry for fresh fish I could even bear getting wet to have some!” “Oh, Bara Seal, you know Mother won’t let us go out in this rain. We’ve asked her every day for three days and all she says is Nooo!” “Maybe our problem is that we ask, instead of just going. Did you ever think of that?” “Bara Seal! How could you think such a thing? We always ask Mother. Just think how mad she would be if we went out and didn’t tell her?” “Well, Emily dear, I’m going to get some fish. I want a ling from the Bay of Biscay, an albacore from Peru, a cobia from Senegal, a tarpon from Rio Panuco, and a bonito from Morocco!” “You silly seal, all they have at the wharf is codfish!” “That will do.” “Oh, okay. Let’s go. But don’t make a racket when we go out the door.”

Silently they left the house, not letting the door squeak as it shut. Being careful not to slip on the slick stones, they stepped onto the road. As they walked past the first few houses, the foggy sky shone bright in front of them. By the time they were halfway to the wharf, the morning sun filled the raindrops with color and chased the water from the roofs.

“Bara! I thought you were going to try and keep your fur dry and there you are splashing water all over the place while you flip flap though every puddle. Besides that, you’re getting me wet, and I don’t like it.” “But I don’t mind.” They were startled to hear the voice, for they thought no one else was around. Turning, they saw a large, strong, black cat covered with dust, except for where she had been splashed, which was now dripping with yellow mud.

“You see, I need some help washing this dust off and I hate a bath!” “Bu---, Bu, But how can you be so dusty when it has been raining for so long?” “Oh, little girl, can’t you see? I’ve been in Africa hunting kudu.” “Did you catch any?” “Certainly not! They are much too big! Splash me some more, I have three day’s soil to remove.”

“How could you get there and back so fast? Even a strong seal like me would take weeks to swim so far.” “It’s easy you see. All you need to know is the combination of the cobblestones. Enough of that though, wash me off and let’s find some food. Fish would be nice.” “Yes! That’s just what we need. I hope you like codfish.” “Codfish? Yeack! It’s wahoo for me.” “Where does one find wahoo?” “Ecuador of course. Let’s go!”

And with that the cat stood on her hind legs and did a whirling dance across a wild combination of cobblestones. The air and light gathered around them and pulled them spinning into a dance of light steps on swirls of weightless color and shadow. The dance slowly stopped and they saw they were a long way from home, but it sure did not look at all like Ecuador! They were under a majestic maple tree on the edge of a large park surrounded by incredibly high buildings. The bright, golden, sun was breaking through low clouds after a pre-dawn rain. The glow of sunrise was muted by the fogs and mists rising from this forest within the city. The trees and bushes, still wet, showed a vast variety of spring textures and greens. Flowers of trees, bushes, and bulbs were all glowing with pastel color.

“This is definitely not Ecuador!” Bara Seal exclaimed. “I believe you are correct my dear,” replied the cat. “Sometimes I misstep, sorry. This looks like Central Park to me. How about a pretzel?” “Sounds good to me!” Emily said with glee. As they started to go, they heard a gentle sobbing. Looking around, they discovered it came from above them in the branches of the tree. There, on a high branch, sat a little girl with a large backpack. They could see she was crying softly.

“Little girl, why are you up there and why are you crying?” Emily asked. The girl looked down at them and they could tell by her eyes she had been crying for a long time. “I am looking for my home,” she sobbed. “I can’t seem to find it, so I came here to search.” “Why don’t you come down? We can help you.” Emily offered. “We’re not really sure where we are anyway. Maybe we can find our way together.” Somehow, feeling safe and comfortable with her new friends, the girl climbed down to them. She was dressed in mismatched old clothes and her backpack showed the wear of much use. Her eyes now gleamed spring green with the joy of finding friends.

“Hi, I’m Wrenny,” she said. “I’m Bara Seal.” “I’m Emily.” “And I’m Yashee,” said the black cat to all. “I know the stars and the earth, so I’m sure I can help you find your home,” said Emily. “I know the sea and its songs,” said Bara Seal, “so I’m sure I can help you find your way.” “I have keen sight that can see through the most deceiving of fogs,” said Yashee, “so I’m sure I can help too! Can you describe your home for us?” “My home is by the sea, a large house with bright windows and merry gardens all about. From my bedroom, I can look out at the wonders of the world. My mother is brilliant, beautiful, and filled with grace. Her love for me is calm and trusting. My father is as handsome as can be and holds his family warmly in his generous heart.”

“Well, you say it is by the sea? If we can get to the sea, I’m sure it will know your song and can tell us where your house is,” said Bara Seal. “And if this is Central Park, then the sea is to the south. All we need to do is face the morning sun in the east and turn right,” said Emily. “Let’s go then!” they all said together. So they headed south, past building after gigantic building. People were everywhere. Walking, talking, and riding in cars, most of which were yellow.

“I had no idea it was so far,” said Emily, when the sun was low in the west. “Yes, perhaps we should find a place to stay for the night,” said Yashee, “and find the sea in the morning.” They were in front of an ancient cathedral and noticed a warm light came from around the door. Inside, there were people standing in a line for food. Hungry and tired, they quickly went in. The food filled their bellies and allowed them a good night’s sleep curled up in blankets in a large room with people on cots all about. They wondered if this was the way all people in the city ate and slept, or if these were just people like Wrenny in search of home?

In the early morning, the four travelers awoke and started out again for the sea. In just a few hours they came upon an old stone fort and saw lots of happy people waiting to get on boats. And just beyond, they saw the sea. At a quiet place next to the water, Bara Seal said, “Okay, Wrenny, sing to the sea so that it may know you and can lead us to your home.” In a soft, haunting voice Wrenny sang a song from her heart. Her eyes turned the deep grey-blue sparkle of a wolf’s eyes as she sang. The waves lapped more gently and the wind died away as the sea listened. 25

A field of wild iris, grey in the night, sways in the breeze with the poignant sound of soft leaves lightly touching. Their beauty is of variation and the patina of life. Bold aspect masks the fragility of this precious flower. The gibbous moon floats on thinning clouds, illuminating mists that steal across the ground and disappear into the forest.

In the heart of the garden burns a campfire of opulent colors. Great fern beds of ancient lineage fill this glen.

Standing at the fire, warming her hands, is a child clothed in naught, save her freckles and the sparkle in her eyes. Timeless in her youth, she tends this living garden, displays its wealth, and keeps its secrets well.

With the end of the song, Bara Seal leapt into the sea and listened for a reply. She came back shortly and with a huge smile on her face announced, “The sea knows that song well, for it has often been sung just north of here. I have called friends to take us there.” Suddenly three great dolphins leapt from the water and bade Emily, Wrenny, and Yashee to jump on their backs for a ride. Bara Seal, of course, was happy to swim for herself. In just a few hours they were at the shore described by the sea and all that was left to do was to find the house. They said thank you to the dolphins and walked up a road that led away from the shore as the sun began to set crimson in the west. Just as the road entered the woods, there was a beautiful house like the one described by Wrenny. Emily said, “Well, is that your home?” “No, not at all,” Wrenny replied. “We are close, though. My house is over this way.”

They walked farther along the road until Wrenny stopped behind some bushes in the yard of a little old house with an unkept yard. They could see into the kitchen window, which shone with a harsh light. Inside, they saw a man and a woman sitting at a table, the man yelling so loudly at the woman that the rumble of his anger could be felt even outside behind the bushes. His face was made ugly and frightening by his rage and the woman’s face was hollow with pain. “This can’t be your home!” exclaimed Emily. Wrenny bowed her head in sadness and said, “This is my house. My parents are often angry and that is why I travel in search of home.” 30

Yashee went to Wrenny’s side and said to her, “I see that your parents do not know the power of anger to destroy love. But, love is still within them and they need only see themselves through your eyes to know how blessed they are.”

Wrenny led them slowly to the kitchen door. She knocked softly with her secret knock. There was a great commotion inside and the door was flung open. Wrenny’s mother and father could not help but to look directly into her eyes that reflected a glistening rainbow. Joy and love filled their eyes, not just for her, but for each other. In the colors of her eyes they saw themselves as they once had been and understood that for love to endure it must remain simple, free of conditions, and selfless. “Why did you go away, Wrenny?” her mother asked. “I went to find my home, and with the help of my new friends, I think I have found it.”

They all went inside Wrenny’s home, lit candles all about, and with much talking, laughter, and singing, prepared a happy feast. Emily made a salad of varied greens, sliced pears, spiced pecans, dried cranberries, purple onion, and a touch of blue cheese all dressed in balsamic vinaigrette. Wrenny helped her father knead and roll pasta and then cut and fold it into ravioli stuffed with ricotta, salamino, butter sautéed spinach, Gruyere, parmesan, and a dash of nutmeg. The aroma of simmering spicy tomato sauce mingled with that of baking ciabatta enriching the kitchen air. Bara Seal watched the bread bake for she could tell exactly when the crust was perfectly done. Wrenny’s mother organized all and Yashee washed her paws.

When dinner was finished and the last piece of meringue cake gone, Emily said, “This meal was far better than the fresh fish we went in search of and it is very nice here, but we’ve been gone from home for a long time and we didn’t even tell mother we were going. We should go soon or she might be mad!” Bara Seal said, “You are quite right, we had better skedaddle home first thing in the morning! How do we get there Yashee?” “Easy!” said Yashee. “I just do the dance in reverse.” “Okay. But do it right this time, please!” Emily exclaimed.

In the morning, Yashee began her dance and in the next instant they were standing in the warm morning sunshine on the very cobblestones they had left two days before. Looking up in the distance toward their house they saw their neighbors, friends, policemen, all of their relatives, and their parents in the front yard. Then their mother, as mothers are wont to do, turned toward them, saw them, and pushing people out of her way broke through to the street and ran towards them. She picked Emily and Bara Seal up in one big hug and whirled them around, tears leaping from her eyes. She set Emily down and knelt in front of her looking deeply into her eyes, just to be sure that she was okay. Emily looked back with a smile and a sparkle in her wise eyes and said, “Mom, I found this cat...”

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