Book One - Story Concept

Natasha’s Wood is an adventure story. Natasha and her friend, Fern (he believes in water dragons), discover a secret portal into a magical bush-land - a forgotten forest of magical fairy wonder. But a horrid storm has arrived and it's destroying this ancient forest's musical paths, fairy-bower homes, art galleries that come to life - and most precious of all - the oldest enchanted tree - the twisted eucalyptus library tree(that protects children's wishes and dreams), is dying. Yes, something creepy has arrived - stealing leaves. Destroying homes. Snatching the magical music, the art, the dance... The land of magic is fading away...

 

If Natasha is to help the fairies overcome the evil forest foe then she will have to face all her fears of the darkness - and play her magical violin. But will her music be powerful enough to stop the foe? Or...

 

Is this the end of magical music, dance and art?

Are these the final moments of the enchanted old tree? IS this the end of children's wishes and dreams?

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Can a shy, anxious little girl play her violin perfectly and protect the ancient world of magical music in the enchanted bush-land bower?   

 

...For wings of glory are not born from bone but gifted to those with hearts as good as gold...

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Book One Of The Adventure

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(Unedited Version)

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The footsteps of the dancers on the wooden stage above the two children's heads echoed about the dimly lit storage room. The dancer's steps sounded like soft thunder from an approaching storm.

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Natasha raised her violin’s bow - her fairy wand. She was ready and so was her friend Fern. He held his paintbrush high above his head. 

The secret room the two children had discovered last night lay just beyond the old, blue chipped door. The portal in the fox and a fairy hanging tapestry, was waiting…Would they answer the call to help the enchanted land?  Or would they turn away...?

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Chapter One

Believe…

 

Natasha had tried very hard not to drop paint on the classroom floor. But there they were, little pools of glistening drops. She held her open palm out under her dripping paintbrush but the paint leaked through the gaps in between her little fingers. 

 

     Splat!

 

     Another drop of paint. This time the wet paint dripped onto her new sparkling shoes. 

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     "Fairy-pranks! Tap. Tap. Tap," Natasha's said in a low voice.  

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     Just then the wind made a quick whistle through the half open classroom window. Then...silence.

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     Natasha had heard the whistle but her painting called her back. She switched to another paintbrush and eyed her canvas that was waiting on the three-legged easel. She was trying to make her flower painting as colorful as possible.

 

     More sparkly pink and purple paint? Yes. Natasha added another dollop of glittery, pink paint to her flower painting.

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     Good, she thought. But she let her paintbrush hover for just a moment too long and the pink paint rained down and splattered onto the floor.

 

Plop-plop-plop.

 

     The droplets joined the pond of growing floor-art. Yellow, pink, blue and purple paint was splattered all together.

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     What a mess...

 

     Natasha knelt and tried to scoop up the paint drops with her brush and her fingers. But she only managed to smear paint everywhere. Natasha sighed and gave the pool of colors another swipe. Then she stopped.  Something had caught her eye in the paint on the floor.

 

     "Oh, what is that?" Natasha whispered to the messy

pool of paint at her feet. 

     She looked quickly over her shoulder.

     Was she being watched? No...

     She bent down and very quickly added wings to the

image on the floor. 

 

     There was a strange colorful fairy image emerging. 

She added more paint to the wings. Long black curly hair.

Sparkly shoes. Very colorful. Natasha painted a symbol

beside the fairy >i< 

     "The sign of the fairy..." she whispered to the floor-art.

 

     A girl’s giggle from across the classroom made Natasha snap upright. No one seemed to be looking at her. Were they? She looked back down at the fairy image on the floor and the symbol she had made next to it. Then she looked at her hands. They were smeared in paint.

 

     Would she get any extra marks for finger painting? Probably not.

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     Natasha allowed a couple more drips of paint to drop onto the wings of the fairy image on the floor.  

 

     Another outburst of laughter from across the classroom. Someone must have seen Natasha paint on the floor with her fingers. She nervously swept her long, black curly hair back from her face. Paint from her hands stuck to her hair. Unknowingly, Natasha had also smeared paint across her face. It looked like she had a colorful, sparkling heart-shaped symbol on her cheek. 

 

     More sounds of giggles came from the other side of the classroom.

 

     Natasha took a quick peek over the top of her canvas flower painting on the easel. On the other side of the room a group of girls were all huddled together around an easel. The group were whispering in hushed voices. One of them looked over toward Natasha’s direction and grinned.

 

     Were they laughing at her?

 

     Natasha shyly lowered her head. Being the new girl at school was always hard. It made Natasha feel anxious which wasn't a good feeling, at all. This school was Natasha's third primary school. Her father was in the Navy and so they had moved to many new places . Her father had sailed away a  month ago and wouldn't be back until the New Year. Natasha missed him already. This was a new town for Natasha. A new school. Her mom and Natasha had just moved into an old apartment building - another home. But at least Natasha's elderly Grandmother lived in the apartment building, too.  

 

     “Girls, back to your own easels, please,” announced Ms Petal. 

 

     The teacher was very nice, thought Natasha. She had shiny, long black hair and she reminded Natasha of a young, kind witch. There was another good feeling that Natasha got from Ms Petal - the teacher hummed throughout the day and liked to play classical music to the class first thing in the morning.

 

     Ms Petal slowly made her way around the classroom, humming,  while looking over the children’s shoulders at their paintings. She stopped when she got to the boy with the red spiky hair. His painting seemed to really interest Ms Petal.   

 

     This kid must be pretty good at art, thought Natasha. Ms Petal was making quiet the show of warm nods to the boy’s chatter about his art work. His arms were very busy and he was making wild looks with his face.  Ms Petal's arms suddenly shot up toward the ceiling as she listened to more of the story about the boy's painting! Goodness, this boy's painting must be a masterpiece.

 

     Natasha looked over her canvas flower painting and made a face. She sighed. Not good enough! Natasha added more purple paint. 

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Drip. Drip. Drip.

 

     Ms Petal finally came to stop beside Natasha. Natasha held her breath. Held her paintbrush very still. Then her hand began to shake. So Natasha put the brush down and then she bravely took a quick peek at the teacher's face. Ms Petal had placed one finger over her lips while she quietly took in Natasha’s art. Her face finally melted into a warm smile which quickly told Natasha that her teacher liked her flowers. Natasha took a deep breath and felt a soft golden light glow in her heart. Hope was a good feeling. 

 

     The teacher hummed loudly. "Wow! That’s a very colorful flower painting, Natasha. You certainly have an eye for color combinations. I love all those colorful flowers...White petals. Pink drops of paint. Yellow. Green. Purple!" 

     

     Natasha looked down and shuffled her feet...

 

     Then Ms Petal looked down. Then she bent lower... Lower still. 

Oh, no, thought Natasha. That little golden glow in her heart was shrinking. And Ms Petal had stopped humming.

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     Silence. 

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     But then the humming started up again quite cheerfully! Ms Petal said, "Is that... a tiny fairy that you've painted on the floor?"

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     Natasha took a quick breath and said, "Yes, it’s a pollen-fairy."

 

     More stifled giggles from the other side of the room. Were the girl’s still laughing at her? Natasha quickly lowered her head. Ms Petal stepped closer to Natasha. 

 

     "I love fairies," said Ms Petal. "And look at those amazing wings.

They remind me of a tropical Croton plant’s leaf colors. A Rushfoil. 

There are many varieties of the Croton plant. They all have different shaped leaves and magical color combinations. Perhaps we should look at plants as a school project?... Plants and magical creatures?"

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     Ms Petal certainly got Natasha's attention when she mentioned the word "magical!"

 

     The golden glow was growing brighter. Natasha turned toward Ms Petal. "My Grandmother is reading a very old fairytale book to me! It's full of strange beings... sprites... magical creatures. They live in a secret forest. And there’s an enchanted tree that has lots of secrets. Sometimes I write my own fairy stories, too."

 

     Ms Petal smiled warmly at Natasha. “Would you ever consider reading some of your stories to the class?”

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     Natasha's eyes popped wide open. Yikes!  

 

     "I guess, I could. If they wanted to hear them?" Natasha was shocked by the teacher’s request. Could she read to the class, out loud? What if they didn’t like her fairy stories? What if all the kids laughed at her?

 

     "No. I don't think the class would like my stories…"

 

     "Natasha, I think they would love your stories," Ms Petal hummed.

 

     Ms Petal gave Natasha an encouraging smile. Then she moved toward the center of the room. "Class, I’d like our first semester in art to be themed on a secret forest and... magical creatures."

 

     Ohhs and ahhs sprung up from all the children in the classroom. Everyone seemed very excited about this news. Their positive reaction gave Natasha a warm golden feeling all over her body. She hummed a little tune to herself. First day at school wasn’t going too badly after all. 

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     Ms Petal turned and motioned toword Natasha.

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     Or was it?

 

     "And we have a real storyteller of a magical secret forest in our midst."

 

     All heads turned toward Natasha. Natasha felt herself shrinking. Ohhh, no! She tapped her foot three times on the floor. 

 

     And that's when the boy with the red spiky hair shot his arm up toward the ceiling as fast as an arrow. "Ms Petal...?"  

 

     "Yes, Fern...?" 

 

     The boy named Fern said, "Ms Petal, does this storyteller believe in Water Dragons?" Ms Petal turned toward Natasha. Natasha shrank. And that lovely golden feeling like maple syrup slipped away. Oh, no. No... 

 

     "Natasha, are there Water Dragons in your stories?"

 

The first day at school was going well – until now. All eyes landed on Natasha. She squirmed and shuffled her feet in a nervous dance. Natasha let her long dark hair hide her eyes.

 

     "Dragons...I guess so. But, no Water Dragons. I've not heard of Water Dragons...Are they real?" Natasha felt her throat getting tighter. She let her right shoe move some of the paint blobs around on the floor. She could hear more whispers from the other children. They were certainly talking about her now!  

 

     Natasha nervously tapped her foot in the wet paint at her feet.

 

     Tap-tap-tap.

 

     The boy, Fern, let out a loud sigh as he turned his canvas around toward Natasha. Natasha stared at his art work. The boy’s art was amazing. Awesome... It was a large dragon. Green-blue eyes with a red center. Patterned, dotted skin. Spirals of colors. And there was a tiny fairy balancing on the dragon's nose! Cool...thought Natasha. Very awesome. fairy-cool.

 

 

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"Water Dragons are real. I’ve found their ancient symbol. The Water Dragons put out fires and save lives, homes and forests," Fern stated. There was no doubt in his voice at all. "And I’m pretty sure that there’s a W-W-Water Dragon hiding, living, somewhere in my apartment building…"

 

     Fern had a stutter but he didn’t seem to notice it. His confidence was as big and bright as his painting. "Really, I believe there’s a Water Dragon hiding in my apartment…W-W-Waiting for the call to action."

 

     There was a low rumble of disbelief from the other students.

 

     "Water Dragons are real. Believe me…" Fern was adamant.

 

     "I believe that there are Water Dragons," said the Japanese girl at the back of the class. "Japanese fairytales have Water Dragons in them. They have three claws, just like your dragon, Fern."

 

     "I guess there could be Water Dragons," Natasha muttered to her feet. "There’s also lots of music in my magical land."

 

     "I like music, too." Said the Japanese girl. Her smile was fast but Natasha noticed it.

 

     "Me too. I love music. I tap-dance to music," stated a boy with a black and red t-shirt on. The boy that tap-danced smiled warmly at Natasha. 

 

     "Sounds like we have a class full of very creative and talented kids," Ms Petal happily announced. "We could decorate our classroom with art depicting secret forests and magical creatures for reading week and Halloween."

 

     Natasha looked up at Ms Petal. She was humming. And so was Ms Petal. 

 

     "And, if we are very lucky, perhaps Natasha could read one of her magical stories to us for reading hour on Halloween?"

 

     Natasha tapped her foot three times squelching the paint into messy blobs.  Then Natasha heard someone tap their paintbrush on their easel three times.

 

Tap. Tap. Tap...

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     It was the boy, Fern. And he was staring right at Natasha as he tapped his paintbrush again.

 

Tap. Tap. Tap...

 

Natasha's mouth fell open. What! No way!

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     The teacher looked at her watch then pinned a blank, poster-board sheet to the classroom’s notice board. "If anyone would like to use this classroom at lunchtimes, to start a club, please use this board to write the club’s name and it's members on it. This club could help us to get to know each other better. The start of a new school year is an exciting time to make new friends."

 

     Natasha was sure that Ms Petal smiled at her when she said these words. "Maybe there are fun hobbies that many of you have in common," Ms Petal added cheerfully.

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     The bell rang and the students packed up their art supplies for the day. Most of the children left the room in groups, huddled together, chatting happily. Friendships from last year had already been made. 

 

     Natasha looked down at the floor. She had made quite the mess. But the pollen-fairy with the black long curly hair was still there, smiling up her. Suddenly, another set of shoes stopped in front of Natasha's. These other shoes were covered in pencil outlines of dragons and the word "roar" was scrawled across the top of both shoes.

 

     "Knock, knock, knock, tap-tap-tap," said the boy's voice. Natasha looked up. It was the boy with the red spiky hair, Fern.

 

     "I like that painting." Fern announced.

 

     Natasha looked at her flower painting. "It’s ok, I guess…"

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     "Sure. Yeah..." the boy said. "But I mean that one. That painting...The fairy you painted on the floor. It’s awesome."

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Natasha smiled.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chapter Two

The signs were everywhere...

 

Natasha’s Grandmother was waiting for her at the school’s front gate. The elderly woman’s hair was silvery grey and pulled up into a long ponytail. She gave Natasha a warm hug. "Natasha, how was your first day at school?" the Grandmother had a gentle, warm voice.

 

     Natasha shuffled her feet. "It was ok. I guess." Natasha fiddled with her fairy backpack.

 

     "Did you make any new friends…?" 

 

     "Ummm…maybe. No. I don’t think so…"

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     "Natasha!" His voice was so loud. It was the boy, Fern. He was running through the playground toward them. "Natasha!" He yelled even louder. "Fairy girl. Wait up!" 

 

     The giggly group of girls from Natasha’s class just happened to be passing by when Fern yelled out Natasha’s name. The girls looked at Fern, then at Natasha. Then they put their heads together and whispered to each other as they walked by. Tailing behind the group was the Japanese girl. It was just a blink of a smile - but Natasha saw it. 

 

     Natasha dropped her head. She shuffled her shoes in the dirt. "They seem like a fun group of girls. Are they from your class, Natasha?"  Natasha nodded. "I... guess so..."

 

     Fern dropped his backpack at Natasha’s feet. "Great. So, you are Ms Bea’s granddaughter. I knew it! We’re neighbors! You can tell me more about that magical fairy place you write about on our way home."

 

     Natasha made a questioning face at her Grandmother. "Fern comes to my apartment after school. His father is a fireman." Natasha’s grandmother said happily. "I’m so happy you two are in the same class together. And your apartments are right next door to each other."

 

     Natasha took in Fern’s canvas backpack. The boy had covered the surface in dragons – of course. Big, water spurting dragons. Fern noticed Natasha looking at his backpack. "See those three upside down v’s? That’s the ancient sign of the Water Dragon." Fern pointed at the water dragon symbol ^^^ 

 

     Natasha looked away. Did the boy ever talk about anything else but Water Dragons?

 

     "Some Water Dragons are very colorful…" Fern said. No, apparently not, thought Natasha.

 

     "Have you guessed what sound Water Dragons make?" Fern questioned Natasha as they followed her Grandmother. Natasha shrugged.

 

     "ROAR," shouted Fern. Natasha jumped and Fern laughed. "Try it," said Fern. "It’ll make you feel powerful."

 

     "Do you look after Fern every day after school?" Natasha asked her Grandmother.

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     But it was Fern that answered. "Roar. Yes, we’ll see each other every afternoon after school. Cool, right?" Fern jumped about like a dragon and growled at cars as they drove past them. Natasha was sure she saw one of the giggly girls from their class looking at her from one of the passing cars.

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Oh, noooo...

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    It was going to be a long walk home, everyday. And long evenings - months - if she had to listen to nothing but Water Dragon tales, every, single day.

 

     "Believe…" said Fern.

 

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Chapter Three

Somewhere in the building a dragon lives

 

Natasha’s Grandmother opened the heavy door at the apartment building’s front entrance. It was an old brass door and very heavy to swing open. Just as Natasha, Fern and her Grandmother stepped through the door a wind whipped up the falling autumn leaves and sent them whooshing into the entrance way.

 

     The Grandmother gently scooped a few of the leaves and looked at them closely. Fern scurried up beside her. He was so eager to see each leaf. 

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     "See any Water Dragon symbols, Ms Bea?" Fern asked Natasha’s Grandmother. Natasha’s Grandmother’s first name was Beatrice but everyone called her Ms Bea.

 

     The Grandmother moved the leaves round in her fingers. "No. Not today…"

 

     "What are you looking for on the leaves, Grandma?" Natasha wanted to know.

 

     "Ancient fairy symbols." The Grandmother said. "Water Dragon symbols." Ms Bea carefully turned the leaves over in the palm of her hands. No. No signs...

 

     Natasha eyes grew wide. "Do you really believe in Water Dragons, Grandma?"

 

     Ms Bea had a twinkle in her eyes. "I believe…" Fern let another loud ROAR.

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     Natasha pushed the button for the elevator. And then she saw the "Out of order" sign. Three flights of stairs to walk up. Three flights of ROAR! 

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Chapter Four

Stairwell Wall art

 

It was on the second floor that Natasha stopped so her Grandmother could get a breath that she noticed Fern staring oddly close at the wall. The paint on the stairwell walls was a dull grey and chips of paint had flaked off the painted bricks. The graffiti symbols were quite fresh and added some relief to the sad grey tone.

 

     But Fern wasn’t looking at the graffiti, he was looking at something smaller. Something tinier. Fern noticed Natasha's interest. He pointed at the marks in the corner as he smiled at Natasha, gleefully. "See, more signs. Once you’ve found them – you’ll keep seeing them everywhere."

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     Natasha rolled her eyes up toward the lone light fixture on the ceiling. But Fern tapped the wall three times. Strong willed. Confident.

Tap.

Tap.

Tap. 

 

     Natasha gave in and stepped in closer to where Fern was pointing. Sure enough, there were three ^^^ signs on the wall. Fern didn’t roar at Natasha this time. He just nodded his head happily and ran up the stairs ahead of Natasha and her Grandmother.

 

     Natasha’s Grandmother grinned happily at her and gave her the leaves. "Maybe your eyes can find the sign of the fairy?"

 

     Natasha was about to toss the leaves away - but something made her have one quick look. Just in case...

 

     There was no sign... "I'm too old to believe in fairies and dragons, Grandma. I'm nearly ten, after-all. Symbols on leaves?" Natasha frowned and let the leaves fall from her fingers.

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     Natasha ran ahead up the stairs. But over her shoulder she watched her Grandmother scoop to pick them all up. 

 

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Chapter Five 

The unicorn’s den

 

Grandmother Bea had always been a unicorn fan. Her apartment was a wall to floor unicorn-museum. The four legged horses with their sparkly horns were everywhere.

 

     But it was her Grandmother’s apartment balcony that Natasha loved best of all. It wasn’t a very big balcony but every inch of it was a great place to free the imagination. A miniature fairy forest seemed to stretch into unknown palaces. The balcony collection of flowers and potted plants were dotted with tiny ceramic houses and statues. There were hanging plants too. Scattered about the hanging garden were colored glass wind chimes, seashells, birdhouses, dragons, fairies, unicorns - sprites and odd little clay creatures. 

 

     Fern and Natasha sat quietly eating their afternoon snacks surrounded by the balcony forest and its winged creatures. Natasha was far away in her imagination when she noticed two very small birds swoop into the bushes in the big clay pot. They sat there quite comfortably watching Fern and Natasha. As tiny crumbs dropped to the floor the birds quickly swooped down and picked up the tiny treats.

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     That's when Natasha noticed how Fern was happily swinging his legs back and forth under his chair. That was until the screaming firetruck on the street below bellowed down the city street. 

 

     Fern instantly dropped his snack on the floor and stood quite rooted to the spot.

 

     "Fern..." Nothing. He didn't move. "Grandma...!" Natasha shouted. "Something is wrong with Fern..." But Ms Bea was already through the balcony door and she gently wrapped her arms around Fern.

 

     "Fern, dear. It's not your father's fire engine." Fern filled his lungs with air. And breathed. "I believe in Water Dragons," Fern said quietly. Ms Bea nodded and whispered in his ear, "I know. Good for you, Fern. I believe, too."

 

     Fern didn't say another word, he simply picked up his pencil and began to write on the eucalyptus leaf on the table. He wrote "Dragon" across the leaf's surface. Then Fern retrieved his paints from his backpack and started painting the leaf.

 

     Natasha picked up a pencil, too, and she added paper to the table. The two children quietly looked at each other. Fern's legs began to swing back and forth... And Natasha began to hum. 

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     "I play the violin," said Natasha. 

     "I know," said Fern. "Your violin music sounds magical." 

     Natasha and Fern smiled at each other. Yes, Natasha had found a friend on her first day at school.

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     "My dad is in the Navy and he's hundreds and hundreds of miles away..."

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     Fern's legs stopped swinging. "Do you miss him?"

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    "Yes," said the little girl.

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     Fern reached out and touched her hand, quickly, but it was just enough to tell Natasha, I understand. 

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     "Sometimes, I'm afraid that the ship will sink."

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     "Sometimes I think my dad will fight a fire that's just too big. My dad rides a Water Dragon." 

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     Natasha nodded. Now she got it. "Roar," she said quietly.

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     "Roar..." said the boy.

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     "Fern, would you like to see some of my pictures I've drawn for my fairy stories?" 

 

     "Ahhh, YES!" exclaimed Fern happily. 

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     Without hesitation Natasha whipped a well-used notebook from her backpack and flipped it open to the inside page. She had captured her imaginary world in sketches and watercolor. She began to read the story out loud to Fern.

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     A new leaf had landed in the magical woods. The creatures quickly gathered around the new-found leaf and began to sing and dance as the twiggy librarian, Mr Crank, began to decipher the symbols on the leaf. "This is indeed a fabulous child's wish!" Mr Crank announced. "There's a wish here. A dream - about music. Violin music. A human girl wishes to play her white violin for our Fairy Queen. But, she's too shy to play in front of an audience..."  

 

The gathering of magical creatures ooo'ed and ahhh-ed." This was indeed a very special wish - a dream - with  exceptional strong power. Who was the human girl? And where could they find her?"

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