Hello Everyone!
I have just written my HUNDRETH PAGE of the book I'm currently writing!
And so to celebrate, I am going to give you the chance to read the first chapter of my new book, The Great Toy War!
Here it is:
Chapter 1
THE HERO OF THIS
STORY
Have
you ever wondered what it would be like to be a toy? If so, than this is the
book for you. This is the story of a boy who had the extraordinary experience
of being a toy. This is his story, and it begins at home.
It was
a Friday afternoon, school had just gotten out and Tommy Plinkerton was outside
waiting for his brother Charlie while he set up his toy soldiers in their
“Strategic Positions” in the grass right across the sidewalk. The green grass provided adequate cover to
hide his soldiers from the enemy. Finally, Charlie came outside holding a load
of tan toy soldiers in his bulging t-shirt. “Okay, give me time to set up,”
Charlie said as he started setting his troops up. Suddenly the sun went out.
“Tommy?”
“Yeah?”
“Is it me, or did mom and dad
forget to pay the sun bill again?”
“You’re crazy. Can’t you feel the earth shaking?”
Both
Tommy and Charlie looked up at the same time and immediately looked away when
they saw the meanest kid on the block and his little toady, Travis Patterson
and Andrew Dooley. Travis looked to be about three feet taller than Andrew and
even had the beginnings of a mustache.
This fact alone made Tommy wonder whether or not Travis was really the
appropriate age to be in the sixth grade. He had yellow stinking teeth and he
wore a Civil War era Confederate cap that he always claimed was “cool” and
honestly it was kind of was. Andrew was
about as tall as Tommy and Charlie, nearly five feet. He had light brown hair and wore a brown
leather jacket that was too big for him, and he was chewing a piece of gum obnoxiously
with his mouth open. Tommy was
immediately reminded of a cow chewing his cud.
Travis
bent over Tommy, his shadow looking menacing, “Hey, coward of the county,”
Travis let out a big roaring laugh, “Oh
good, at least the kid who wants to pound me to a pulp is a Kenny Rogers fan,” thought
Tommy. This brought no comfort.
“Listen
twerp, I think that you think you’re a high and mighty on this block. Well you know what? You’re not, and if you keep thinking so, we’re
gonna have problems, because I’m number one around here, the head honcho,
alpha, Kapeesh?”
As
Travis said this, he stepped on one of Tommy’s toy soldiers and broke it. Actually, he obliterated it.
“See ya later pipsqueak,” Travis
sneered sauntering off majestically.
Once the coast was clear and the
threat of the bullies was gone, Tommy and Charlie went back to playing. Tommy
picked up the remains what used to be his captain and shrugged. He placed it gently in his pocket. “Just ignore them Charlie, you know what they
say ‘Water off a duck’s back.”
“So whaddaya want to do later?”
Charlie asked continuing to set up his soldiers for the impending battle.
“Well we can’t do much. That new
couple who just moved in is coming over for dinner later, remember?”
“Oh, yeah, the Cramplocks. They seem nice.”
“Yeah, I guess so. Are we gonna battle or what,” Tommy said more
businesslike.
“Of course we’re gonna battle; just
let me finish setting up my guys.”
After a couple of minutes, Charlie
was ready.
Now these battles that Tommy and Charlie do
are not those typical five minute battles that so many children do where the
soldiers fight and then die, end of story. No, their battles are full of heart,
violence (you can’t have a toy soldier battle without violence), and full out
strategy. They also named every battle they fought. Let’s face it, important battles have names.
“So Charlie, are you ready for ‘The Battle of
Mail Box Grove,’” said Tommy. (The
battle was named this for they were right next to their mail box.)
“I am, Tommy, but remember if I
choose to retreat I have the entire yard, but if you choose to retreat, you
will have to jump into the gutter, which I think would be a little extreme for
your men, don’t you? That was probably a
tactical error on your part,” he said grinning.
“It’s a good thing I never
retreat,” said Tommy.
“You’re stubborn General
Plinkerton, that’s the thing that may cause your downfall,” said Charlie while
moving one of his soldiers and giving his best tough voice.
“We will battle for a while and
then we will camp for the night, got it men?” Tommy briefed his men. He made
them all say “Yes sir!” and then gave
some orders as if they understood. “Look! It’s the tannies! Fire when you get a good aim!”
“Return fire!” Charlie ordered.
The battle that ensued was fierce
that “First Day” with many casualties, Charlie’s men tried to push Tommy’s men
to the edge of the grass and into the rain gutter. But Tommy’s men fought back
valiantly with machine guns and took out many of Charlie’s men. But the Tan
Soldiers would not give up. They went back and fired their rifles taking out
approximately half the machine gunners.
Tommy and Charlie decided to have their armies camp out near the battle
fields for the night.
“What are you doing?” Charlie asked
Tommy.
“I’m writing ‘No Man’s Land’ on the
side walk.
“I see. Need any help?”
“Sure,” and with that Tommy handed
Charlie a piece of chalk and together they created a great-looking No Man’s
Land. There was barbed wire, which was an x, a spiral, then another x. There
were large puddles and even mines. By the time Tommy and Charlie were finished,
it was the next day of battle for their soldiers. Unfortunately, this day was
worse than the last, with many more casualties, but thanks to Tommy’s great strategy
skills, he won the battle. While distracting the enemy, Tommy flanked Charlie’s
men from behind. Eventually Tommy accepted Charlie’s defeat.
“How do you do that?” Charlie
asked.
“Do what?” replied Tommy.
“How do you do that strategy thing?
You have never lost a game of strategy.”
“I’m not sure; it just comes to
me,” Tommy replied casually.
Suddenly the front door opened and
Tommy and Charlie’s mother called for them.
“Tommy, Charlie! Come inside and
get ready. Quickly! The Cramplocks will be here any minute.
“Okay mom,” the boys said in unison
as they wiped their chalk-stained hands on their shirts.
They stood up and shook hands.
“Congratulations, General Plinkerton,” said Charlie.
“You, too, General Plinkerton. You are truly a worthy adversary,” he said
solemnly.
Together they picked up the toys
and rushed inside to get ready for a special visitor that unknowingly would
change their lives forever.
