Rubinia Marvel Heart – The Sparkly Stone A chapter book for Story Time by Karen Christine Angermayer, illustrated by Elke Broska 2019 © Loewe Verlag GmbH Sample Translation from German How Beautiful Magic is! (pp. 11-19) It was early in the morning. Rubinia Marvel Heart, the little forest elf, loved to be on the move in the forest at this time of the day. The first rays of sunshine shimmered through the branches and the birds trilled their first concert under the leaf canopy of the trees. The busy water elves were already hard at work: they collected all the dew drops from the flowers and grasses. With circling movements of their wands they guided every single drop from the petals and stems into their pottery vessels. “Good morning, Rubinia!” they called and waved happily at the little forest elf. “Good morning!” Rubinia waved back warm-heartedly, flew on and came across two flower elves who were also out at this time of the day: they were turning up the plants which had been buckled by the rain or hasty paws. The magic of the wands helped them: they turned them around the stems. Little stars whirled up and it didn’t take long for the flowers to lift their heads again and stretch towards the sun. “Hello everyone!” Rubinia called. The flower elves and the flowers greeted back smiling. “Those elves have a nice task,” Rubinia thought. “And such nice wands!” Rubinia’s heart did a little looping in her chest. Today was the big day that she had been waiting for such a long time. Today, she would finally know which task she would have in the forest. And she would receive her own wand! She imagined how she would soon speed through the forest with the sparkling wand and make it twinkle through her magic: she would conjure little rainbows here and there through which the fawn and other animal babies would jump and laugh. Flowers and trees would grew towards the sky and beam in all colors… she couldn’t wait. In the afternoon, the magic grape blossom feast began. It was the biggest and most beautiful feast in the elf empire that the inhabitants were looking forward to all year. It took two days and all the little elves received their task from the eldest of the counsel. The grand opening was right after school… Loewe Verlag GmbH, Bühlstraße 4, 95463 Bindlach, Germany, www.loewe-verlag.de/rights
Suddenly, Rubinia shivered. She flew slower and rubbed her arms. She realized only then that there was dense mist around her. Mist? Oh no! Rubinia was frightened. She had not paid attention with all her day dreaming and had entered the dark part of the forest – with the mist elves! A dense, gloomy wall of fog separated the empire of the mist elves from the empire of the forest elves. This dark part of the forest was strictly forbitten for elf kids! Rubinia knew that there had been a great conflict between the mist elves and the forest elves that had still not been settled. Oftentimes the mist elves were doing mischief with the forest elves. This is why they were feared. Rubinia looked around. The mist had surrounded her threateningly. How could she get out of here quickly? “Rubinia, Rubinia, where are you?” she heard someone call. It was Enja’s voice. Enja was Rubinia’s best friend. Rubinia followed her voice. She saw her outline close to her. Hastily, Rubinia flew towards her. But she overlooked a branch and her red brown hair got stuck. “Come on, we’ll be late!” another voice called. It was the elf boy Lorian. “I’ll be right there!” Rubinia yelled and wriggled herself free with difficulty. Then she flew towards her two friends who were waiting on a tree nearby. Enja pulled a few leaves out of her hair which was sticking out in all directions. Lorian, the round elf boy with brown curls chuckled: “You look like you’ve been stuck by lightening!” “And you look like you’ve fallen into a pastry bowl!” Rubinia shot back with sparkling eyes. “Let me guess: blue berry pudding?” “How? What? How do you know?” Lorian looked down on himself caught in the act. Rubinia pointed at his mouth. Lorian wiped his mouth with his hand and looked on his palm. “Indeed! No idea where it came from!” “I do!” Rubinia said and pointed at the croissants that showed from his vest pocket. She knew Lorian’s passion for delicacies from Florentine’s forest confectionary. He liked to nibble and was more of a cozy person which you could tell from his little belly and chubby cheeks. A tiny yellow butterfly landed on his shoulder. “Hey, come on, little one!” Gently the elf boy let him climb his forefinger, held the finger in the air and the butterfly flew away.
Loewe Verlag GmbH, Bühlstraße 4, 95463 Bindlach, Germany, www.loewe-verlag.de/rights
Rubinia noticed that Lorian was wearing a nice vest. He never did that. Enja was also wearing a beautiful blue shimmering dress. Her blond hair was combed silkily smooth and braided on the sides. “Did we need to dress up today?” Rubinia asked frowning. Enja nodded. “We need to go on stage separately when they distribute the tasks, remember?” Rubinia hit her forehead. Of course! She hadn’t thought about that. She had put on her practical forest clothes like always: an orange top without arms, the green pants and her solid boots that she had made from reed and moss. And her windswept hair … uh oh. Rubinia thought about it. Then she said: “Whatever! I will go just like I am. The eldest ones from the council won’t distribute the tasks according to our outer appearance but to our skills, right? Lorian and Enja exchanged a look. Hopefully there wouldn’t be any trouble! The elf council had some really strict elves. The three friends headed towards the forest school.
A big disappointment (pp. 24-35) In the wide tree crowns and under the roots of several beeches were the classrooms for the different elf classes. There were also classes about nature and life in the forest for squirrels, beetles, birds and other animals. All of them flew, crawled and pattered hastily to their teachers. “Hey, stop this!” the little beaver Baldur yelled indignantly. Two bigger badger brothers had bumped into him. But the badgers just laughed maliciously and copycatted him: “Hey, stop this …” Baldur stared after them and looked hurt. “Stop this right now!” the slicing voice of teacher Severine resonated as she was flying past them. Severine was a very strict elf. She was high built and wore tiny round glasses. She had tied up her hair into a solid black knot and her ears could hear even the lowest rustle and whisper. Maybe this is why they were even more pointed than the ones of other elves. Baldur and the badger brothers steered towards the tree root that was their classroom. Rubinia, Enja, and Lorian followed Severine towards a branch fork further up. They sat down quickly. All the elf children were already there. “May I ask for silence!” Severine called often today. But despite the warnings no one was listening closely today. All of them were excited, whispered and could only think about the grape flower feast. Four
Loewe Verlag GmbH, Bühlstraße 4, 95463 Bindlach, Germany, www.loewe-verlag.de/rights
hazelnuts plus seven hazelnuts? How much was that and did a pine have leaves or was it evergreen – no elf kid or animal child wanted to know that today! All of them took a deep breath when the bellflowers at the foot of the school trees finally sounded at 12 o’clock. “School is over, hip, hop, hooray!,” everyone yelled. Severine shook her head sighing. Together, the long train of elf kids and animal children moved towards the fairground. The fairground was on a hidden clearing that the other forest inhabitants didn’t know about. The flower elves had spread countless white and red rose leaves on the forest ground. The leaves formed a wonderful pattern with a red carpet that lead up to the stage. Rubinia was standing in the audience with Lorian. All around them there was excited chatter and laughter. Enja and Lorian waved their parents who were also within the audience. “Good luck, child!” someone said into Rubinia’s ear. She laughed and hugged Florentine, a cheerful, corpulent elf that managed the forest confectionary. Rubinia was not her natural child, but ever since Rubinia’s parents had died in a big storm in the forest, Florentine took care lovingly of the little elf. “I am so proud of you!” Florentine said and wiped a tear out of her eye. “And now I need to take care of my tartlets or they will all be gone before the feast has started!” she looked at Lorian reproachfully and flew away. Then, Enja set foot on the stage. She would start the feast with a piece on the spiderweb harp. Enja began to play. Her delicate fingers slid over the almost see through spider web strings and produced the purest and most beautiful sounds. The whole audience was banned. Even the trees seemed to listen and rocked their leaves gently to the beat of music. While Enja was playing, the council of the eldest elves floated on the stage. They looked impressive in their long dark blue robes with silver collars. After Enja had received enthusiastic applause for her play, it began. One of the eldest elves named Vidoria stepped forward.
Loewe Verlag GmbH, Bühlstraße 4, 95463 Bindlach, Germany, www.loewe-verlag.de/rights
“This year we can be looking forward to a colorful and diverse program,” she said after she had welcomed the elves, animals, plants, and trees. “But before, we want to distribute the tasks to our young elves.” All elves in the age of Rubinia, Enja and Lorian held their breath. Vidoria continued: “the task is the contribution that every one of us makes to the success of our peaceful community.” Rubinia’s felt her heart beat. Lorian was shifting from one leg to the other. Enja had joined them again and Rubinia whispered to her: “I’m sure you will receive a task with music or art!” Enja was not just talented in music but could also carve special figures from wood and bread flower garlands. Her friend smiled flattered. “And you will surely also receive a special task. You are so brave and always follow your heart, no matter, what the others say!” Someone cleared their throat behind them. Enja fell silent. Lorian was called on stage first. He was shy and didn’t dare at first. Rubinia gave him an encouraging push. “Come on, you can do it!” The elf boy flew towards the stage. Vidoria put a medal around his neck that showed animal children. “Lorian, you always treat the animals very affectionate and cautious. It will be your task to take care of the little animals in the forest!” Lorian beamed. Rubinia was happy for him. That fit perfectly. Ricky, the taxi-squirrel, would be in his side. It would take him as fast as possible to the place where his help was needed. Lorian also received a wonderful wand. Proud and a little clumsy he mounted Rickie’s back. Finally, it worked and the two of them jumped from the stage in applause. Lorian’s cheeks glowed from happiness. Rickie seemed to be really proud as well: “I you take everywhere! Wherever want you to go!” he called out. Ricky always talked fast and excited, so that he mixed up the words of the sentence. After Lorian there were several elf children that would take care of young trees, the forest ground and the school garden. Two other elf children would give Florentine a hand in the forest confectionary. Everyone was happy and observed their beautiful wands they had received fascinated. Some of them tried them out immediately, which not always worked. Then it was Rubinia’s turn. When she flew on the stage, a few villagers whispered because she was not dressed adequately. Also, a few members of the elf council gave her disapproving looks. Rubinia noticed it and combed her scrubby hair with her hands, which didn’t really help much. She smiled at the eldest kindly.
Loewe Verlag GmbH, Bühlstraße 4, 95463 Bindlach, Germany, www.loewe-verlag.de/rights
Marandor, a big elf with shoulder long white hair, approached her with a medal. The laugh lines around his eyes showed that he had humor. “Rubinia, today you will receive a new task that had not existed until now. But the council has agreed that someone needs to do the task from now on, as things in the forest have changed. Changed a lot,” he said and made a meaningful pause. Rubinia swallowed. What did he mean? And where was her wand? Had he forgotten it? “Despite all the joy we experience today, there have been gloomy occurrences in the forest.” Marandor looked into the distance, in the direction of the dark part of the forest where Rubinia had gotten lost this morning. The wise elf continued: “It is utterly important that finally there will prevail justice, truth, and harmony in this forest.” The forest inhabitants applauded euphorically. No one heard that he added in a low voice: “And that one day there will be light in the dark …” Rubinia became impatient. What did he talk about? Truth, justice and what had been the third one? Haaa … hazelnut? Hair shampoo? And when would he finally talk about her task? “And exactly this task will be yours, dear Rubinia!” He turned towards a young elf that handed him a dark blue velvet cushion. It had a palm sized disk from noble wood on it. Shaped like a flower, there were seven different gemstones on it: a big ruby in the middle and the other six around it. “To support you in your task you receive this amulet,” Marandor continued. He handed her the noble wood disk. Rubinia looked at the disk. Admittedly, it was very nice but where was her wand? Would she not receive one? “Yes, but what about my magic?” she asked. The audience murmured. No one dared to ask a question to a member of the council. But Marandor understood in this case and answered: “You have a pure, unbiased heart. And this is exactly what you need for this task. The amulet cannot perform magic like a wand but it has a different kind of magic. You will find out yourself in which way it will be at your service.” He looked at her for a long moment. Was there something uneasy in his eyes? “May all the good forces of the sky and the earth protect you.” Then he turned around and left.
Loewe Verlag GmbH, Bühlstraße 4, 95463 Bindlach, Germany, www.loewe-verlag.de/rights
Jubilation and applause rose up. All inhabitants of the forest were enthusiastic about Rubinia’s task. Except Rubinia was standing on the stage and did not know what to say. No wand … “I have the least magical task that exists,” she thought. Through her tears that suddenly filled her eyes, she could see that Enja and Lorian waved at her and signaled her to join them. But she rose and flew away above them. She would have liked to know which task Enja would receive but she couldn’t bear it one more second. She had to leave this place as quick as possible!
Rubinia does something forbidden (pp. 37-43) The velvet soft roots that were overgrown with dense moss were perfect to rest and think. Cornelius was an ancient oak. He noticed immediately that his little friend was sad but he didn’t ask and just stroked her hair softly with a few leaves. The tree knew already what had happened on the stage. The trees in the forest carried important information with the rustle of their leaves. This is how Cornelius had long known about Rubinia’s task. “Justice, truth, and harmony are important for a community,” he explained to her, even before she said something. “Hmm,” Rubinia muttered. “Everything in live makes sense,” he added encouragingly. “Hmhm,” Rubinia muttered negatively. “Of course! Even strawberry doughnuts make sense, probably even the biggest sense at all!” Lorian called who had appeared unnoticed beside Rubinia. He fell into the moss, got a strawberry doughnut out of his bag and offered it to Rubinia. Rubinia shook her head. The elf boy didn’t think much but took a bite himself. “Mhmm … Florentine is simply the best!” Then he cleaned his hands on his vest and got up. “Oops, I almost forgot: we have to go. The feast will continue and the flowerbox race is about to start. That will be exciting. Come on!” Rubinia didn’t move. “Go with him.” Cornelius cracked his roots under Rubinia so that she was pushed up. “The nice feast will distract you.” Loewe Verlag GmbH, Bühlstraße 4, 95463 Bindlach, Germany, www.loewe-verlag.de/rights
“And we promised it to Baldur!” Lorian reminded her. He was right. They had assured the little beaver that they would cheer for him at the race. Slowly, Rubinia got up. Together they flew back to the feast. Usually she was much faster in the air than Lorian, but today she was so sad that she struggled along. Enja was already waiting for her and hugged her friend. “There you are, I was already worried. Are you any better?” Rubinia sniffed and shook her head. “And you? Do you also have such an exciting task as me?” She pronounced the word ‘exciting’ as if she meant ‘stupid’. “I am allowed to decorate the alley that leads up to the castle,” Enja said proudly. “The council asked me for carved figures and flower garlands for all trees. That will take me a while!” Enja laughed. “Wow, that is cool!” Rubinia was sincerely happy for her friend. Then she saw Marandor and another wise elf stride through the crowd. Without thinking, she flew up to him. She knew that it was forbidden to address the eldest just like this. You had to make an appointment with a messenger elf. But she could not wait so long. Besides, there was no messenger to be seen around. Marandor was deep in conversation with the other elf. Rubinia flew next to him and cleared her throat noticeably but the two did not pay any attention to her. She coughed louder. But even that they did not notice. Feisty, Rubinia tugged Marando’s robe. He stopped and looked at her frowningly. A few bystanders observed the situation eagerly. The little elf was pretty brave! Rubinia took a deep breath. “I – I want to ask for a different task,” she said. Now it was out. Marandor looked at her silently for a moment. He liked the little elf, but he could not treat her different to the other forest inhabitants. He waved to a messenger who had appeared next to him and said to him: “Let the forest elf Rubinia Marvel Heart know that the tasks have been distributed. There has never been a change. And it will always be like this.” Then he left. What? Rubinia looked after him desperately. She wanted to yell something after him, but Enja held her back. “Come on, now, or you will be in big trouble.” “I already am in trouble!” Rubinia scolded and stamped her foot. “Why do I have to receive the worst task of all?”
Loewe Verlag GmbH, Bühlstraße 4, 95463 Bindlach, Germany, www.loewe-verlag.de/rights
“You have received a very special task,” Enja said encouragingly. “Your task has never existed before.” “Great! Because no elf needs it – and least of all me!” Rubinia yelled angrily and stormed away.
Fraud in the flowerbox race? (pp. 45-55) “Hey Rubinia! There you are, I already thought you wouldn’t come!” The little beaver Baldur who was already waiting at the start with the other race participants was visibly relieved when he saw the little elf. Rubinia tapped his shoulders. “A promise is a promise …,” she said and Baldur joined her: “… and will not be broken!” Proudly, the beaver pointed to his box that he had painted fire red. There was the head of a golden eagle on it. And because the flowerboxes always had to have something to do with flowers, it was the rule, Baldur had painted a daisy into its peak. “You don’t actually think that you will win with this tiny box?” the badger brothers called from close by. Their boxes were a lot bigger than Baldur’s but they were definitely not pained as creatively. Rubinia looked at the little beaver encouragingly and lifted her thumb: “You can do it!” The racecourse went down a steep hill. Many woodlanders had gathered to see the original race boxes and cheer for the riders. Rubinia knew that it was already the third time Baldur took part in the race. She really hoped that he would win this time. “Three, two, one … GO!” Otto otter, the referee yelled and swung a black and white chequered banner. The racers pushed their boxes forward, jumped in – and off they went! Rubinia could see a weasel, two badgers, four hedgehogs and Baldur, his two bigger beaver brother and a few small animals. The badgers jeered loudly. “Move, you babies! Is this a kindergarten race, or what?” they yelled. A few spectators were shocked by this. Baldur’s flower box was small, but very fast and agile. Effortlessly, he swerved around one of the badger brothers, skillfully, he overtook one of the hedgehogs … “Baldur, Baldur, Baldur! … Rubinia and Lorian called simultaneously.
Loewe Verlag GmbH, Bühlstraße 4, 95463 Bindlach, Germany, www.loewe-verlag.de/rights
Baldur waved at them – then it happened: his box began to spin out of control and raced towards a row of trees that was on the left of the racecourse. Baldur turned the wheel desperately to the right, but it didn’t react. The trees were only a few meters next to him … “Help! He yelled. “Help!” The spectators screamed terrified and held their breath. Almost no one noticed that Didi badger just passed the goal. Almost everyone stared at Baldur. Luckily, the little beaver missed the trees by a hair’s breadth and crushed with his box into a big bush. Leaves swirled up. Then it was silent. “Pooh, that was close!” Lorian sighed. “This is the end of the exciting race! Tomorrow in the victory ceremony …” Rubinia did not listen anymore what Otto otter declared. She flew towards the bush with lightning speed “Baldur? Baldur!” they both yelled. The little beaver was nowhere to be seen. “Baldur! Are you okay?” Rubinia called again. And there he sat, huddled next to his box, the head buried in his paws. His box was laying upside down in the grass. It had lost one side as well as a wheel and the former noble eagle looked pretty scuffed. Lorian put a hand on Baldur’s shoulder. “My box was so good! I worked on it for three months!” the beaver child cried. “And then the steering fails – just like this! Jinxed bollox!” Rubinia observed the battered flowerbox and thought about it. Baldur was good with his hands. It was unlikely that had made a mistake in the construction of the box … on the bottom of the box she saw many tiny lines and holes. What was that? Her heart suddenly began to race. What did that mean? Before she could think more about it, Baldur’s brothers showed up scolding noisily next to them. “We will pay them back!” they yelled and lifted their fists in the direction of the badgers that were celebrating Didi’s victory. “Wait,” Rubinia soothed them. “You cannot blame the badgers before you have proof,” she said. “Boo!” one of the beaver brothers responded. “The badgers always play up, wherever they are. Just with their presence they kick up a fuss!” Rubinia waved Lorian towards her. Together they helped Baldur to pull his box out of the bush and push it into the village where the feast was in full swing. Loewe Verlag GmbH, Bühlstraße 4, 95463 Bindlach, Germany, www.loewe-verlag.de/rights
But Rubinia was still thinking about the flowerbox race and barely noticed the lovely dances and songs. She went to bed early. Florentine checked on her like every evening. She patted her head when she noticed that the little forest elf was very sad. “Tomorrow the world will look better,” she said and kissed her forehead. “Goodnight, my darling.” “Night,” Rubinia murmured thoughtfully. When Florentine had flown back to the others, Rubinia looked outside through the tree hole of her housing. The full moon was big. It turned the forest into a silver light and made it seem even more magical as it already was. Magic … “Why did I not receive and magic?” Rubinia asked herself and immediately was sad again. A tear ran down her cheek and seeped away in her moss cushion. She thought about the moment when the tasks had been distributed … and she thought about the flowerbox race. Did the badgers have anything to do with Baldur’s accident? They had been so mean several times … suddenly Rubinia remembered something, but she couldn’t exactly recall it. Something about the box had stroke her attention. What had it been? The ruby on her amulet suddenly light and her heart began to beat loud and fast. What did this mean? “The truth!” she whispered. And then she said: “I need to find out the truth!” She jumped out of her soft moss bed. It was forbidden to young elves to be alone in the forest at night. But everyone else was busy with the feast. No one would notice her. Also, Baldur needed her help urgently. She took a few sun flower seeds for the way, attached the amulet on her belt and flew off.
Night at the beaver river (pp. 57-59) Rubinia loved the forest. She was not afraid of it, not even in the dark. The full moon lit her way. Close to her she heard the gurgling of the beaver river. At the river everything was silent. The beavers in the dam seemed to be sleeping. In the moon light Rubinia found Baldur’s race box. She flew towards it. Then a big furry shape blocked her way. “Look at this! Such a small elf on her way at night? And all by herself? Should you not be in your soft bed?” The voice sounded hoarse and threatening. It was Didi badger. What was he doing here? “I, I am just on a night walk!” Rubinia responded quickly. “That is my homework – for school!”
Loewe Verlag GmbH, Bühlstraße 4, 95463 Bindlach, Germany, www.loewe-verlag.de/rights
“Oh, really? And where is everyone else from your class? Well, you can tell the night patrouille who will be here any moment tell about it. I already smelled them!” He sniffled with his huge black nostrils. Rubinia was terrified. The night patrouille was a stinking black troll that Rubinia preferred to avoid. She would have to come back during the day to find out more about the box. But what had Didi been doing there?
On the search for traces (pp. 61-65) “How many pine cones are left when the squirrels take 13?” Severine’s strict voice interrupted Rubinia’s daydreams. The teacher pointed on a wooden blackboard with many pine cones drawn on it. “Ehm, seven?” Rubinia asked. She had guessed wrong. “Wrong!” the teacher called. “Three!” the little beech branch whispered that supported Rubinia’s slate. Beeches were really good at math. Severine had heard it. “Now, now, no prompting, please!” While Enja was called who knew the right answer, Rubinia’s thoughts started to travel again. Who could help her to solve the riddle of Baldur’s box? She thought of Feodor. She had to see Feodor! Right after school Rubinia flew to him. Feodor was a ferny and lived with his big family on the edge of the forest. He had an upscale manner that made Rubinia laugh often. “Mylady, how is your worthy condition?” he called immediately when she arrived and made a wide bow as he was tilted his splendid leaves towards the ground. “I’m good, thank you,” Rubinia said. She didn’t have much time. “Listen, I need to ask you something important.” In few words she reported about the incident at the race. “Have you heard or seen anything extraordinary?” Feodor asked. “Oh, I have heard and seen a lot!” the ferny answered. “At the grape blossom feast the forest was so full of sounds and chattering, you can’t even imagine! The mole ballet is supposed to have been the killer and the –“
Loewe Verlag GmbH, Bühlstraße 4, 95463 Bindlach, Germany, www.loewe-verlag.de/rights
“No, no,” Rubinia interrupted him quickly. “I mean, has anyone said anything about Baldur and his accident?” Feodor thought quickly, then he shook his leaves. “I don’t know anything. But ask Mozzarella. He was in the race!” Rubinia thanked him and flew on. Mozzarella, the hedgehog from Italy, was just taking his nap. “Ciao, bella!” he said sleepily, but happy to see Rubinia. “What can I do for you?” he asked. “Were you at the flowerbox race yesterday?” Rubinia asked. Sì, naturalmente,” he yelled. “Four of my cousins took part! How sad about the little beaver, right?” Rubinia listened carefully. “Have you noticed that there was a fight before or something?” The hedgehog thought. “No. The badgers and a few other big animals have made their jokes like always. But except for that I don’t know anything … oh, wait, aspetta … Baldur laid his ear on the box before the race, as if he heard weird sounds …” Rubinia pricked up her ears. Sounds? What could that mean? The ruby on her amulet lit up again and in the same moment she could hear her heart beat faster. What did it want to tell her? The forest elf flew back to the fairground quickly.
Fight in the stem (pp. 67-69) Today, on the second and last day, there were fanciful performances at the grape blossom feast. After they had watched the dance of the dragonflies and a very funny ribbit-concert of the frogs, Rubinia, Enja, and Lorian strengthened themselves in the shade of the leaf trees with woodruff lemonade and raspberry cupcakes. Suddenly there was turmoil. The beaver brothers cudgeled with the badger brothers. A few strong big helper elves tried to separate the fighting ones. “It’s your fault that our brother lost!” you could hear a big beaver yell. “Cry me a river! His doll buggy failed, and that’s it!” Didi badger responded. Rubinia shook her head. Fight would certainly not repair Baldur’s box.
Loewe Verlag GmbH, Bühlstraße 4, 95463 Bindlach, Germany, www.loewe-verlag.de/rights
Then she heard a quarrelsome female voice. “Heribert, this new tree is horrible! I want to go back to my old home immediately!” Where did the sounds come from? Rubinia looked around. Her friends had apparently not heard anything. At the same moment, a beetle woman appeared out of the tree trunk next to her. “Heidegunde, wait for me!” a male voice yelled, which was apparently her husband’s voice. “No, I am leaving now. I don’t want to miss the owl quiz!” The beetle woman rose and left hurriedly. Rubinia recognized that they were spider beetles whose larva looked like little worms. They were also called woodworms. Rubinia finished her lemonade and flew up in the air. “Where are you going?” Enja asked. “I’ll tell you later!” Rubinia called. Now that everyone was at the feast was the perfect opportunity to take another look at Baldur’s box. Enja also stood up, she was about to have another performance with her harp. Lorian stuffed the rest of his cupcake in his vest pocket and followed her.
The trace to the wood (pp. 71-77) Rubinia flew towards the slope where the flowerbox race had taken place. Carefully, she observed the grass. There must be a hint somewhere, why the steering of Baldur’s box had failed … but she couldn’t find anything. She was just about to leave when she saw a little wooden disk with a whole in it. She took it in her hand. Was it part of Baldur’s box? There was nothing unusual about it, but she took it with her. When she was about to fly away she noticed that the ruby on her amulet began to twinkle again. This time is was stronger than usual. And exactly at the same time her heart began beating stronger in her breast. Did her heart and the ruby want to tell her that she was close to the truth? But what did the disc have to do with it? She didn’t have much time, because on the stage they were already preparing the award ceremony of the competitions. Fast like the wind Rubinia flew to the beaver river. This time no one blocked her way when she observed Baldur’s box. She turned it upside down. There they were: the tiny traces and holes that she had already noticed the first time … but what did they have to do with the broken steering? Loewe Verlag GmbH, Bühlstraße 4, 95463 Bindlach, Germany, www.loewe-verlag.de/rights
Rubinia took the little wooden disk that she had found on the racetrack from her belt and held it to the thin branch that connected the two front wheels. Yes, there it had been attached and had apparently fallen off. But why? Then Rubinia realized that the branch that had held the disk was completely corroded. It seemed like a few woodworms had had a little banquet here … many thoughts went through Rubinia’s head at the same time, but she couldn’t find the solution. Quickly, she flew back to the feast. Baldur was not sitting with the audience. He was standing offside at a tree and cried bitterly. Lorian was with him. Rubinia felt empathy for the beaver. How difficult it must be to see the award ceremony now! She flew up to them. “Yes, the disk is part of my steering. Where does it come from?” Baldur said surprised when she showed him her find. Rubinia told him. A young elf on the stage asked the audience for silence. Enja played on the spiderweb harp again and again, it sounded wonderful. “We can’t see anything!” two little frog twins, who were sitting next to Rubinia und Lorian on the forest ground, complained. Lorian grinned, took them gently in his big hands and placed them on his right and left shoulder. “Any better?” The frogs nodded overjoyed. Rubinia had to smirk. Lorian had found two animals that he could help today. Heidegunde, the beetle woman, was sitting behind them on the tree trunk. Heribert joined her. “Darling, don’t be mad,” he pleaded. Rubinia looked at them for a moment – and suddenly the scales fell from her eyes. “Sorry, did you use to live at the beaver river?” Heidegunde nodded. “Yes, we lived in a wonderful red box, but my husband –“ Rubinia interrupted her quickly. Her heart jumped. “Thank you.” She turned to Baldur. “I have the solution,” she said smiling. As if it wanted to show its agreement, the ruby on her belt shone in a radiant red. That meant: Bingo! No doubt: She had found the truth! Quickly, she explained to Baldur and Lorian what she had found out: Heribert and Heidegunde had been living in Baldur’s box with their children and unintentionally
Loewe Verlag GmbH, Bühlstraße 4, 95463 Bindlach, Germany, www.loewe-verlag.de/rights
perforated it so that the wooden disk had fallen off. That is how the steering had failed in the race. Heidegunde, who had heard everything, was deeply sorry that the accident was her family’s fault. And suddenly she realized that her relocation was even positive: if they hadn’t moved, they would have been taking part in the race involuntarily! Thankfully, she hugged and kissed her husband who didn’t know what was happening. While the animals were chattering excitedly, Rubinia flew towards the stage quickly. She had something important to do!
A special award (pp. 79-83) She found Marandor together with the other wise elves in the first row of the audience. Rubinia flew up to him resolutely and whispered something in his ear. A few members of the council looked at her censoriously. This little elf took too many liberties! Rubinia told Mandor everything that had happened. The more she said, the softer became his look. She went on. Marandor made a surprised face: “But that is not possible,” he said loudly. “The race is over and the winner has been determined. I’m sorry.” He indicated Rubinia to leave. Disappointed, she flew away. She did not notice that Marandor waved to a messenger … At the same time, Didi badger received a gorgeous trophy. He received his applause with high chest. Rubinia who was standing next to Lorian and Baldur again, noticed, that the beaver was fighting with tears again. It hurt her heart. She would have loved to just conjure a smile on his face! Then Marandor’s messenger appeared on stage. He whispered something into the elf’s ear. “I was just informed that this year there will be a special price for flower boxes with extraordinary beauty and originality,” the elf said. “And it will be for … Baldur beaver!” Rubinia and Baldur looked at each other – had they heard correctly? Yes, it was true! Overjoyed Baldur sped to the stage. Amid loud applause he also received a wonderful trophy. He beamed over his whole beaver face. Rubinia twinkled at Marandor: “Thank you!” The young elf stepped aside respectfully when Marandor himself stepped on stage. “Also, we would like to thank a young elf who has accomplished her first task today,” he said ceremoniously. He waved at Rubinia and indicated her to come on stage.
Loewe Verlag GmbH, Bühlstraße 4, 95463 Bindlach, Germany, www.loewe-verlag.de/rights
Rubinia looked surprised at Enja and Lorian. Doo-de-loop! Her heart made a little ribbon inside her chest. “Rubinia, you have cleared an incident that had caused a lot of turmoil and false accusations and have restored harmony. Harmony is not only important during a nice feast but for the whole coexistence in the forest. You have already accomplished your first task and we want to thank you for that!” Again, there was thunderous applause. Rubinia stood there thunderstruck. “Congratulations, little lady,” the tall wise elf said to Rubinia, put a hand on his chest and bowed down. Then he said in a low voice so that only she could hear him: “But in the future you will abide by the rules, ok?” “Of course,” Rubinia promised and laughed. She looked at the crowd of elfs, animals, and plants that cheered to her and understood in this moment what her task was. And suddenly she knew, that she would love to do this talk for all these dear creatures. This forest and all its inhabitants were her home. Magical things happened every day, if you could do magic or not. Rubinia wanted to do a little pirouette out of happiness, but as she was not a ballet elf, she stumbled. She had to laugh herself, bowed quickly and left the stage. All forest inhabitants laughed with her. At night in her little moss bed Rubinia stroke her amulet gently. They would have many exciting adventures together, she could feel it. And she was already looking forward to her next task!
Loewe Verlag GmbH, Bühlstraße 4, 95463 Bindlach, Germany, www.loewe-verlag.de/rights