The Adventures of Wandala by Headline Books / Zoom Into Books

After a cataclysmic earthquake breaks Wandala's world apart—a world of five different, fighting cultures—she dreams of bringing her world back together in peace, and sets out on a quest to accomplish this impossible feat against great odds

“The Adventures of Wandala is the kind of story I really like, a journey of discovery by a young girl and her magic dog across a strange, new world filled with challenges. I loved every page. Once I got started, I couldn't stop reading until the end. Highly recommended.” —Homer Hickam, Author Rocket Boys/October Sky THE ADVENTURES OF WANDALA

“West Virginia’s Danny Boyd successfully mixes lofty themes of peace and brotherhood with cock-eyed, zany humor in The Adventurers of Wandala. He ventures into the world of children’s books with this brave and heart-felt fantasy whose hope in these dark times should be welcomed by us all.” —Marc Harshman, Poet Laureate of West Virginia “The Adventures of Wandala by Daniel Boyd, introduces a quietly confident, inquisitive girl. Young readers will admire her under-stated spunk as they thoroughly enjoy her adventure. Older readers may get an eerie, this-fiction-doesn’t-feel-too-far-off, vibe as they appreciate the tenacity and resolution of someone who learns to keep her head, but follow her heart.” —Book Review by jv poore for Goodreads

DANIEL BOYD

Daniel Boyd is an acclaimed filmmaker (Chillers, Strangest Dreams, Paradise Park), a two-time television regional Emmy nominee, a multi-nominated graphic novelist (Chillers I & II, CARBON, SALT, and playwright (Paradise Park the Musical, Space Preachers the Musical, Miss Dirt Turtle’s Garden Club Musical.) A retired media studies professor at West Virginia State University, Boyd also taught around the world including in Tanzania as a three-time Fulbright scholar. He continues to serve as Artist in Residence at WV State University’s Economic Development Center.

THE ADVENTURES OF

WANDALA DANIEL BOYD ILLUSTRATED BY

HECTOR MEXIA

The Adventures of Wandala by Daniel Boyd illustrated by Hector Mexia copyright ©2021 Daniel Boyd 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 Lucas Kelly—Design/Layout Published by Headline Books Headline Kids is an imprint of Headline Books ISBN-13: 9781951556266

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020942463

PR 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

For my Wandalas, Danielle Elizabeth Boyd and Georgia Boyd Powell

1 Once upon a time, a long time ago, far into the future, lived a girl named Wandala. She lived in the town of Centrailia, which was appropriate because it was smack dab in the center of the world. But it hadnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t always been. Long before Wandala was born, there were five continents made up of five very different people. They quarreled over everything, especially who was the best. There were terrible fights with ugly words between the groups. One day a massive earthquake shook the ground so violently that most of the planet broke apart and fell into the sea â&#x20AC;&#x201C; leaving only one island: Centrailia. Those who survived rushed to the island, each quickly staking a place, far from each of the other groups. There was North, South, East, West, and Centrailia in the middle. They created five separate countries, keeping it the same as it was before the big Boom-Boom. But instead of quarreling with the other peoples as before, they pretended they were the only people of this new world, ignoring the others as if they did not exist. There was no communication between the groups and none dared to venture across the borders. 4

Wandala was ordinary in every way… except one. She dreamed of faraway places. Every night she had the same dream, where out of the fog would appear a brand-new bridge that would lead to new lands. Where people welcomed strangers and bought them pizza. Well, she made up the pizza part, but the rest always remained the same. A bridge. Her dream always interrupted the same way. Her dog, Rodney, licking her face to let her know it was time to go to school. She loved Rodney, but she thought he had bad breath sometimes. Of course, she would never tell him. She didn’t want to hurt his feelings. At breakfast one morning, she told her parents about the dream. Her father, Leonard, was the manager at the local Tire King, and her mom, Betty, told her that dreams were nonsense. And anyway, “Why in the world would you want to go anywhere than here? Everything is here where we live in the center of the world.” Wandala loved them very much, but she kept having the same dream. She knew if she told any other grownups, they would be angry, and the other kids would make fun of her. But there was one special person she could talk with: Super Eddie.

2 Wandala found Super Eddie at his janitor’s closet as he was preparing his mops for the morning at school. “Good morning, Wandala,” smiled Super Eddie. “I’ve been expecting you.” Super Eddie was Wandala’s friend and every kid’s friend in the school. That is if they wanted his friendship. Most ignored him, dismissing him simply as the old, peculiar janitor. But not Wandala. He always seemed to understand her more than the other kids and teachers. They called him Super Eddie because he was the Superintendent of Custodial Affairs at the school. He never minded being called that even though he was the only janitor. During their many conversations, Wandala discovered that Super Eddie was a revered Wiseman before the big BoomBoom. He was the keeper of history and wisdom in the country. But after the big Boom-Boom, there was no need for Wisemen. All books about the other countries were erased, pretending that they were the only people that matter in their “Center of the World.” In their long conversations, Super Eddie would tell Wandala that in their books were many bad things that needed to be remembered, but there were also many good things about 8

the diverse people around the world. But after the big BoomBoom, all the words about the foreign people disappeared from their pages. There would be no talk about anything or anyone who was not Centrailian. After that, there was no need for Wisemen, so Super Eddie became the school janitor. He very much missed the books, but he liked his new job. “You’ve been dreaming about the bridge again, haven’t you, Wandala?” “How did you know?” Wandala asked. “Rodney told me.” Wandala was very confused. “Rodney is a dog. Dogs don’t talk.” “Maybe you should listen closer,” Super Eddie smiled. “I know the bridge is there. I see it clearly in my dream. And I know that I must cross it, but I don’t know which way to go.” “Only you know, Wandala. Even if our books came back, this one is yet unwritten.” “Can you be a little more specific, Super Eddie? I really must find it.” “North, South, East, West, go the way you think the best.” At least Wandala had four options, four directions to search. She would sneak out of her house late the next night and head North.

3 In the dead of night, Wandala quietly crawled out of her room. She knew her parents would worry, and that made her feel bad, but she had to try and find the bridge in her dreams. Once she was out of her town, Wandala began to climb up into the mountains toward the North. She was startled when she heard in the darkness, “Did you think you would leave without me?” Wandala jumped back and only saw her dog, Rodney. “Who is there?!” she demanded. But there was no one but Rodney. Returning her attention to Rodney, “Bad boy! Go home!” Rodney calmly replied, “I am neither bad nor am I going home. My job is to protect you.” “Oakey-Dokey then.” They began together up the mountain. “So, when were you gonna tell me that you could talk?” “When I needed you to hear me. And about that ‘Boy’ thing, I’m much older than you are. In dog years.” “Sorry, Rodney.” “It is forgotten,” Rodney replied, and they moved higher up the mountain.

Wandala mumbled under her breath, “Who says a dog can’t learn new tricks.” Overhearing her, Rodney replied, “You ain’t seen nothin’ yet,”

4 As they climbed higher into the mountain, it got colder and colder. Living her whole life in Centrailia, Wandala had never experienced cold. As they began to descend the northern slope, Wandala’s teeth were chattering, a new sensation for her. As the dawn broke, the sky opened with snow covering North’s endless tundra. Wandala became so cold she could barely walk. “Oh no, Rodney, I will die…” “Not on my watch!” When Wandala turned to see, Rodney had transformed into a giant Siberian wolf. “Rodney? How… what? “Adapting. Climb on.” Wandala was too cold to resist and she climbed on as they galloped through the cold tundra. After hours through the barren landscape, Wandala was at her human limit. “Let me down, Rodney. I need to rest.” “No, you will freeze to death. I see a fire in the distance. Hang on!” And indeed, there was. They arrived at a campsite with a well-tended fire. The lone person there, covered in fur coat and 16

hat, rubbed his eyes as if he imagined this incredible sight. As they slide to a stop, Rodney called out to the boy, “Help her, this girl is freezing!” Still startled, the boy obliged by helping her down and wrapped her in furs he brought out from his tent. As Wandala warmed, the boy demanded, “Who are you?!” “I am Wandala, and this is Rodney. Thank you for saving me.” “It was lucky that I came across you way out here. I have been scouting the outer territories for my father, Ivan the Magnificent.” “And you are?” Wandala asked. “I am Ivan the Nearly Magnificent. But folks just call me Junior. Where did you come from?” “Centrailia. I am searching to see if there is a bridge to the outer world from North.” “Centrailia! It is forbidden for outsiders to come to North.” “And why is that?” Wandala asked. “We are the One People. You are weak. We hold the world together with our strength.” Offended, Wandala was about to lash back, but Rodney nudged her to keep her cool. “Okay, Junior, just tell us if there is a bridge from North to the outer world and we will be on our way.” “I have traveled every shore of North and there is no such bridge.” Wandala’s anger changed to sadness. She could not hold back tears and wept in front of the fire. “Oh, I know there must be more out there. In a better place.” Now feeling sorry for her, Junior gently held Wandala. This was very strange because he had never felt that emotion before. “Where did you see this bridge?” 18

Wandala sobbed, “In my dream. But I never see where it is. I know it sounds crazy.” Feeling affection for this strange girl, Junior confessed, “I too have felt that there is more out there. But I would never tell my father that.” Wandala stopped crying and looked into Junior’s caring eyes. She had never had that feeling before, especially from a boy. “Won’t you come and help us find the bridge?” Junior hung his head, “I cannot. It is forbidden.” But Junior did guide Wandala and Rodney safely to the border. “I will miss you, Wandala.” Afraid of crying again, she could only nod back. Junior watched them leave and watched long after they were out of sight. As they were further away, Wandala asked Rodney, “Which way do you think?” Rodney had turned back into his standard dog form. “As Super Eddie said, “North, South, East, West, go the way you think the best.”

5 As Wandala and Rodney reached East, everything looked very different. The strange animal and bird sounds seemed to scream fear and danger to the two travelers. “We must move cautiously and carefully here.” When Wandala turned to respond, she jumped with a start. Rodney had transformed again, into a… a big fox? “Adapting?” she asked. “Better to observe,” Rodney replied. “What the heck are you?” she asked. “A Tibetan fox. I saw one watching us as we passed through the jungle. Felt appropriate.” As they passed, the craggy jungle mountain jutted up in front of them. When they looked up, they saw what looked like a lone person sitting motionless above a cliff. “I think he needs help!” Wandala said. She began to climb the cliff toward the person. “Maybe not a good idea,” Rodney replied, but he followed. As they reached the person, they saw he was just a boy. He sat eyes closed, motionless. He didn’t even seem to be breathing. Worried, Wandala said, “You okay, buddy?” No response, so 21

she gently shook his shoulder. Definitely a bad idea. The boy’s eyes flashed open and he screamed… “AHHHHHHHH!” He turned angrily to them, “You scared the crap out of me!” “We thought you were dead,” Wandala responded. “Dead?! I was meditating, you barbarian!” And as if he was counting in his head, his anger grew. “I was one day short of a yearlong meditation without speaking! ONE DAY!” “Why in the world would you do that?” Wandala asked. “Who are you?!” the boy asked. “I am Wandala of Centrailia, and this is my dog, Rodney.” “Well, that explains it, you are a barbarian. Your people are forbidden here.” Wandala fought back, “You sit still with your eyes closed for a year, wearing a diaper, and we’re barbarians?! Feeling embarrassment, “It’s not a diaper.” “Sure looks it to me. And that is no way to treat someone who is trying to help you.” The boy’s mood shifts, “I’m sorry. Sometimes I get grumpy when I wake up.” Wandala softened as well, “It’s okay, sometimes I get grumpy when I wake up, too. What is your name?” “I am Wiseman, of the East,” he proudly responded. “Named for the vast wisdom that we possess here.” “We are looking for the bridge to the outer world,” Wandala told Wiseman. “I have dreamed it so clearly, but it never shows me where it is. Certainly, someone as wise as you know where it is.” “I am very sorry, Wandala, but I trekked around every shore of East and there is no such bridge.” Wandala began to cry, “Maybe it is just a stupid dream.” 22

Being the emotional type as well, Wiseman put his gentle arms around the sad girl. “No dream is stupid. I, too, have felt that there is more out there.” And East wept right along with her. They cried so much that the ledge began to pool over the ledge. Rodney was afraid that the two kids might wash over the edge. He dug his claws to secure them the best he could. Then, Wandala had a thought. “Why don’t you come with us? Someone as wise as you could surely find the bridge.” Wiseman hung his head. “It is forbidden.” Wandala pleaded, “But I like you, Wiseman.” “And I like you too, Wandala. Very much. But I cannot.” Without a word spoken, Wiseman guided his two new friends to the next border. “Good luck finding the bridge,” Wiseman said as he stopped. “I will miss you, Wandala.” Like with North, she could only nod as she and Rodney headed on their way. It was odd to her that she had felt an emotion that she had never had before. And now, twice. Her heart hurt.

6 As Wandala and Rodney journeyed further into South, it became hotter and hotter. Chattering monkeys swung through the surrounding trees as if singing a cheery chorus of an unknown language. As they waded through the tall tropical grasses, they came across another most peculiar creature. At first startled, they quickly sensed that the giant animal was gentle. The giraffe stared down its long, long neck at them. It seemed to be smiling. “What is that?” Wandala asked Rodney, who was following from behind. “Heck if I know,” Rodney replied. When Wandala turned to her trusty dog, he was no longer a dog. “A monkey?! Seriously, Rodney?” “Monkey see, monkey do,” he replied. Suddenly, a giant commotion erupted around them. The giraffe ran away in a panic. The monkey’s singing became squealing as they fled through the trees. Before Wandala and Rodney could react, a huge lion pushed through the tall grass, now finding his new prey – Wandala and Rodney! “ROOOAR!” said the lion as he moved toward his next meal. Even the brave Rodney hugged Wandala around her neck. They were frozen in fear. 26

Just as the lion moved to launch at them, hidden nearby in the tall grass, another roar, even much more ferocious than the other, shouted his warning. “ROOOOOOOAR!!! Like a scared kitty, the first lion ran away as quickly as his four paws could carry him. Wandala and Rodney’s shock now became the realization that an even bigger and meaner creature was coming for them. Rodney hugged Wandala tighter as they watched the tall grass parting toward them. But out stepped was not a creature but a boy. The two gawked at the ordinary boy, carrying only a spear. “He will not bother you again,” the boy said. “I am Braveman, son our mighty Chief, Braverman,” “I am Wandala. Daughter of Leonard, of Tire King. And this is Rodney.” “Your father is a king?! From what tribe?” Not knowing what to reply, “The Kingdom of Centrailia.” Braveman rolled his eyes, “That explains how stupid you are.” “Now wait just a minute! We are not stupid!” Wandala yelled. “You saved our lives and now you call us stupid?!” “I did not save you because of your stupidity. I saved you because that is what we do. Why are you in our forbidden land?” Braveman demanded. “We are searching for the bridge to the outer world. We’ve looked in North and East, and now we are looking in South.” “And how do you know there is such a bridge?” Braveman asked. “I have dreamed it so many times that I know that it must be real.” Braveman thought for a moment. “There is no such bridge. I hunted and fished every shore of our kingdom. There is no 28

such bridge from any land as there is no land beyond ours since the big Boom-Boom. What stupid thing tells you that there is?” Putting her hand on her heart, Wandala began to cry, “My heart tells me. I know that there must be more out there. More magnificent places.” Braveman was truly confused. He had never seen this emotion. He stepped closer to her and carefully touched the tears on her face. He then gently placed his hand on Wandala’s heart. As he felt her beating heart, a very strange and alien emotion grew through his whole body. He also began to cry for the first time ever in his life. Through his tears, he asked, “What is this feeling?” “Sadness,” Wandala explained. And they felt it together. “I, too, have felt that there is more out there. But I dared not tell anyone. Especially my King.” Wandala warmed to Braveman’s heart, as he to hers. They both felt the same sadness, but there was something else they both were feeling but did not understand. “Won’t you please help us find the bridge?” Wandala asked. “Certainly, someone as brave as you could find it.” But just like the other two, Braveman hung his head. “I cannot. It is forbidden.” Braveman bravely guided his two new friends across the territory until he stopped at the border of West. “Good luck finding the bridge. I will miss you very much, my dear Wandala.” And just as the other two before, she could only nod back. Is this what a broken heart feels like? she thought. Braveman watched them go until they were far out of sight. And then he watched longer.

7 As Wandala and Rodney walked, it got hotter and hotter and the desert seemed to last forever. “It is so hot, and I am so tired,” Wandala said, “I don’t think I could take another step on my two feet. “Then climb aboard my four,” Rodney replied. When Wandala turned back, Rodney had turned into a camel. “You have truly outdone yourself this time!” exclaimed Wandala. “A dog’s gotta do what a dog’s gotta do,” Rodney smiled, that is, if a camel can smile. They rode all day and all night, finally arriving in the morning at the seashore of West. On the beach sat a beautiful boy strumming an elegant stringed instrument. Wandala had never heard such lovely music. Sensing someone was there, the boy turned with a start seeing a strange-looking little girl on a camel. “The music… it is so beautiful,” was all that Wandala could say. The boy responded confidently, “I know.”

As she climbed down, she could see that he truly was a beautiful boy, wearing the most stylish clothes that she had ever seen. His carefully quaffed hair accented his lovely blue eyes. “What is your name?” is all she could mutter. “Ty,” the boy replied aloofly, “Ty, the singer, songwriter, actor, and sometimes, Interior Designer.” “Cool,” Wandala said. “Yes, I am.” Wandala could not tell if he was putting her on or if he really was that sure of himself. “I am Wandala and this is Rodney. We are from Centrailia.” Ty rolled his eyes, “That explains it.” “Explains what,” she asked. “How provincial you are,” as if dismissing them. “We are not!” Wandala objected. “Even if I knew what that word means, we are not!” “Case in point,” Ty said, affirming his position. Rodney leaned down to Wandala’s ear and whispered, “unsophisticated, common, limited knowledge of intelligent ways.” “Well, I never!” Wandala blew. “Of course, you didn’t,” Ty smirked. “Okay, Mister Smartypants, just tell us where the bridge to the outside world is and we will be out of your precious space!” Wandala demanded. “You silly girl, there is no bridge from the outside world. I have cruised on my yacht every shore of West and there is no bridge.” “You have a yacht?!” “My dad and mom do. They let me use it when I’m good,” Ty confessed. 32

Wandala began to cry, “My dreams lied to me. I have been to North, East, South, and West, and there is no bridge.” Rodney would have hugged her, but he had no hands as a camel. “Dreams?!” Ty responded in shock. “You dreamed about this?!” Through her tears, “Yes. Every night. It was so clear. I was certain it was real.” “In West, our dreams are woven into the fabric of our lives. Why didn’t you say so? All my art comes from my dreams. I am so sorry that I called you provincial. How can I make it up to you?” And then he thought, “I will write you a song about your bridge!” On the spot, Ty began to sing and play the most beautiful song Wandala had ever heard, which made her cry harder. Before he could finish, Ty began to cry too. He felt the pain this beautiful girl felt. Ty and Wandala rode on Rodney all the way back to the border of Centrailia. He held her close all the way. Wandala liked it. When they reached the border, Ty dismounted. “I am so sorry you did not find your bridge. I will miss you very much, Wandala.” “You could come with us, Wandala said with tears. “That would make me happy.” Ty hung his head, just as the boys of North, East, and South did. “That would make me very happy too. But it is forbidden.” He watched them leave as far as he could see. And then Ty watched some more.

8 “We’ve been to North East South and West, been to all the rest. There is no place left to go.” Rodney gently said. With nowhere else to go, Wandala and Rodney returned to Centrailia. Wandala grieved. It would have been better to keep hold of the dream rather than the reality she found. What could she dream now? She’d only had her dreams. Now back as his usual dogness, Rodney could find no words for this child he loved so much. As they reached the town square, suddenly the earth began to shake violently. All the people rushed into the street, fearing another big Boom-Boom was coming, this time to submerge the last remaining land on this world. The rumble became louder and louder, and it seemed to come toward all the four corners of the land. As the growing sound grew closer, the ground began to shake so hard that the people found it difficult to stand. This truly must be the end! As the booming four corners came to meet in the center, Wandala and Rodney had only a moment to realize that the sounds were coming from the running of Junior, Wiseman, Braveman, and Ty, all rushing together to get first to their true love – Wandala. Just as they crashed together, Rodney was barely able to pull Wandala out of the collision. When the four collided, the atoms 36

split into a huge explosion. A thick cloud from the impact grew so big that Wandala and Rodney could not see what was inside. The ground stopped shaking, and as the smoke cleared, there stood alone a single boy. But he had the features of all people of the four corners. It as if Junior, Wiseman, Braveman, and Ty had melded into one being. The new being looked to Wandala and took her hand. “We are now one, will you join me?” Hugging him, “Oh yes, I will!” Wandala exclaimed. Just as soon as their embrace, the ground rumbled again. This time much more violently. This truly must be the final big Boom-Boom! But instead of Centrailia sinking into the ocean, all the lands of the previous world began to rise back up as it was before. The people stood amazed, not believing this miracle. “You have built the bridge, Wandala,” the new being said. “And it came from your love.” “I knew you all, but what is your name now?” Wandala asked. “I don’t know. Who shall I be?” Thinking, “How about Newman?” Smiling, Newman said, “Works for me.” Rodney barked his approval. All the people of the four worlds journeyed to Centralia to celebrate and had a potluck dinner. All the old words reappeared in Super Eddie’s books. He was reappointed as Centralia’s Wiseman. But he still would clean the school. He loved that job. People of their worlds unanimously proclaimed Wandala as their new united Queen. But she was unable to accept. She, Newman, and Rodney had already left for vacation. Destination unknown. 38

DANIEL BOYD