Matilda glanced at her watch. It seemed that she had been in the attic for hours and there was a chance that her parents might come up to check on her. What would they think when they found her empty bed? More importantly, what would they do when they discovered that she had disobeyed them? She looked at her watch again and received a shock. Something was wrong; the hands hadn’t moved. It still showed the time that she had entered the attic. She shook the watch and put it up to her ear. The ticking of the mechanism showed that it was still working.
“That's right,” the voice from the speaker on the wall interrupted her thoughts. “While you are with us in the attic, time stands still. Your watch is of no use to you here.”
Matilda smiled as she realised that she could take as much time as she liked inspecting the boxes; all the time in the world without her parents knowing.
Looking up at the speaker she said, “Thank you.”
“You're welcome,” came the reply.
She continued to move amongst the boxes, lifting lids to see what was inside. She found ancient maps of unknown lands; diagrams of the heavens and galaxies that Matilda had never heard of; thick, ancient and heavy books of travels in far-off lands; artworks from distant civilisations; fossils of dinosaurs and much, much more. Whoever had assembled these collections, and it must have been the Professor, judging by the treasures downstairs, had obviously visited some extraordinary places. It was a museum of the ages and it was astonishing.
Finally she came to the last box. It was prettier than all of the others and was covered in Arabic writing. As Matilda lifted the lid, a cloud rose from the box and a bright light shone from within. She stumbled backwards in fright. The cloud rose into the air and was replaced by flashing lights with every colour of the rainbow, accompanied by music that sounded as if it came from the Far East. Taking a deep breath, Matilda moved forward and peered into the box. Nestled at the bottom was a neatly rolled carpet. She reached in and lifted it out of the box. Dust particles flew into the air and made her sneeze. She placed the carpet on the floor and unrolled it.
What she saw was awesome and she gasped with surprise. The designs on the carpet were amazing. It had a gold and pink weave with delicate patterns and more Arabic writing. But the most eye-catching thing was the motif of a sun in the centre. It looked like one of the Inca suns that Matilda had seen in her books, a golden orb with bright rays of sunlight shooting out from its sides. The colours gleamed and seemed to have a life of their own.
Matilda couldn’t help herself. It was as if she had no control over her movements. Her hand reached down to the sun and she began to gently stroke it. Suddenly there was another burst of bright light and a cloud of smoke as a huge figure began to appear above the carpet. Matilda rubbed her eyes and looked up to see a large, grey-bearded man standing over her. He wore a purple gown covered in glittering, gold patterns and wore a purple fez on his head. He had on gold shoes that were turned up at the toes; his arms were folded across his chest. As the smoke cleared Matilda saw him smile at her and her thumping heart began to slow down. It was the warmest smile she had ever seen.
Chapter 6
The Story Mat
“Hello, Matilda,” said the giant in a soft and gentle voice that did not match his size. “It is a pleasure to meet you. I have been waiting so long for someone with a pure heart and brave character to discover my treasures, and now it has happened. Others have tried but have failed the test because of their greed and cowardice.”
“Who are you?” asked Matilda in a trembling voice that was hardly brave.
“My name is Maximilian, Noble Protector of the Other Lands, and Master of its Treasures,” the man replied. “And the voice you heard from that speaker is the Keeper of the Treasures; a cranky old fusspot. Now please don’t feel afraid of me,” he continued as if he could read her mind. “That’s natural but you have already proved your bravery and your honesty and have nothing to fear.” Matilda thought of the pendant she had been tempted to take.
“I don’t feel very brave – or honest. I thought about taking that beautiful pendant,” Matilda confessed.
“But you didn’t,” declared Maximilian. “Everybody thinks of doing things they shouldn’t do. The real measure is whether they carry them out or not.”
“You’re very wise . . . er . . . Maximilian,” said Matilda, “but I disobeyed my parents by coming up to the attic. How honest is that?”
“Do not fret my little friend,” replied Maximilian with another soft smile. “It was your destiny to find me. You had no control over it so you have done nothing wrong.”
“Well that makes me feel a whole lot better . . . I think,” said Matilda with a sigh. “But what do you mean by ‘my destiny’?”
“You were meant to meet me and to have the use of my Story Mat,” answered Maximilian.
“Story Mat?” asked Matilda, puzzled.
“The beautiful carpet that you have before you is the Story Mat ”replied Maximilian, pointing to the carpet on the floor. “It will take you to marvellous places beyond your wildest dreams and allow you to help others in need.”
“How do I do that?” asked Matilda with a frown.
“As a lover of books you already have everything it takes,” stated Maximilian.
“What do books have to do with it?” Matilda enquired.
“I will prepare the Story Mat to take you on a special journey where lovers of books have never been before . . . into the stories themselves,” said Maximilian.
“Wow!” exclaimed Matilda. “You mean I can actually go into the stories and join in the adventures?”
“That is correct,” said Maximilian. “You simply place a favourite story on the Golden Sun in the centre of the Story Mat, close your eyes and fold your arms across your chest, and 'whoosh', the Story Mat will transport you into that book.”
“Unreal!” shouted Matilda, her whole body tingling with the thought.
“However,” interrupted Maximilian, “there are some rules.”
“Uh, oh! Rules. They usually spoil things,” said Matilda with a sad face.
“Not so,” continued Maximilian. “These are simple rules for your own safety and to give purpose to your adventures. Firstly, the Story Mat will only be prepared for five stories, one each day, so you must choose carefully. And, as you are only a learner with the Story Mat, they must be fairy stories that you have enjoyed. Secondly, during your journeys you will discover a secret jewel belonging to the stories. You must return the Story Mat at the end of your adventures and tell me what that secret jewel is. This will determine whether you have access to the Story Mat in the future, so keep your ears, eyes and mind open at all times.”
“Do I choose stories that mention jewels, then?” asked Matilda.
“Nothing that simple,” stated Maximilian. “The jewel of which I speak is not a physical one. That is your clue.”
“M-m-m, I'll have to think about that. It sounds difficult,” muttered Matilda.
Maximilian laughed, “I'm sure you will be up to the task, my little one. And there is something else that you must remember. You will have the power to change the stories as you go and use your natural gifts to make things better for the characters in each story. Use your talents wisely. And so, finally, I have something extra to assist you.” Maximilian clicked his fingers and a small fairy, about thirty centimetres tall, appeared on his shoulder.
“May I introduce Peri, my favourite Persian fairy,” said Maximilian with a smile. “She will accompany you on all of your adventures to protect you. I am sure that you will experience some dangerous situations as you enter your stories and Peri has special powers that will help you, in particular the magic wand that you can see she is carrying. While she has the wand she can also make herself invisible which may also come in handy. You only have to call her name and she will appear.”
“Peri,” whispered Matilda and the little fairy flew across to her shoulder.
“A word of warning,” said M
aximilian. “Peri's magic wand has a limit to its power and it requires some time after each use to restore its strength. Use it carefully.”
“I will,” Matilda assured him.
“Now you must officially decide whether or not you wish to take part in this adventure,” said Maximilian.
“Yes, yes, yes!” replied Matilda excitedly.
“Then take the Story Mat with you and begin your adventure. You must return to me in five days with your answer to the nature of the secret jewel. Oh, by the way, you should not worry about your parents missing you while you are away. Just as now, time will stand still while you are absent so your parents will know nothing of your experiences. And that is as it should be. Goodbye, my little treasure, and may you and Peri return safely.”
With that Maximilian gradually faded away. Matilda and an invisible Peri were alone in the attic.
Chapter 7
Book #1
Matilda crept back down the stairs with her torch in one hand and the Story Mat tucked under her other arm. She glanced at her shoulder.
“Peri,” she whispered and saw the fairy appear on her shoulder again. “Just checking,” she said with a smile.
“I’d appreciate some peace you know,” replied the fairy with a frown. “We fairies need our rest as much as anybody else.” And she disappeared again.
“Ooh!” thought Matilda. “Attitude.”
When she reached her bedroom, Matilda pushed the Story Mat under her bed. She made her own bed each morning and did her own cleaning so there was little chance her mother or father would discover it there. She had no idea what to do about Peri so she called her again.
“Yes?” frumped the fairy when she appeared on the bed. “How long are these interruptions going to continue?” She was going to make sure that this little girl, obviously Maximilian's favourite, wasn't going to take advantage of her with her pushy ways.
“I only wanted to ask you where you would like to stay,” replied Matilda. “I'm sorry if I've upset you. It's the last thing I would want to do.”
Peri sensed that Matilda was sincere and felt a little guilty. “Oh,” she said. “Here will be fine, thank you. I can sleep in one of those bedside drawers. Nobody will be able to see me if that was your worry.” A little bit of jealousy remained.
“No,” replied Matilda, opening the bedside drawer. “I simply want you to be comfortable. Now what can I get you to eat and drink?”
“We fairies don't eat very much, thank you,” Peri told her. “Some small squares of bread with honey would be nice – only twice a day. As for drink, I'd appreciate some water in a very small cup.”
“I have a tiny tea set from when I was little,” said Matilda with a big smile that melted the fairy’s heart. “That should do.”
“You're very kind,” replied Peri in a soft voice. “Now I'll just go back to my rest.” She flew over to the bedside table and disappeared. The ice had been broken.
With a yawn Matilda climbed into bed and fell into a deep sleep.
The next morning she put on her dressing gown and went downstairs for breakfast. Now that her mother could use the stove, the meals were improving dramatically. As she walked into the kitchen her mother looked over at her from the sink.
“What’s that cobweb doing in your hair?” she asked with a frown.
Matilda had to think quickly.
“Maybe a spider thought there were insects in my hair and decided to build his web there during the night?”
Her mother laughed. “Don’t be ridiculous. Spiders are much cleverer than that. Now sit down and eat your porridge. The school bus will be here soon.”
Her father was hidden behind a large book.
“Morning Daddy,” she said as she pulled out her chair.
“M-m-m-ph,” came the reply. Her father was not a good morning-person.
After breakfast, while her mother and father were out of the kitchen, Matilda cut up some small squares of bread and smothered them in honey. She filled a cup with water and hurried back to her bedroom.
“Peri,” she whispered, and the fairy appeared in the bedside table drawer. “I have some breakfast for you.” She poured water into a tiny cup from her tea set that she had found in a cupboard.
“Delicious,” said Peri as she tucked into the meal.
“I have to go to school now,” Matilda informed her, “but we'll start on our adventure as soon as I get home this afternoon. Okay?”
“Fine,” replied the fairy as Matilda put on her school uniform. “I'll wait for you here.”
The day at school could not pass quickly enough. Matilda was impatient to get home again and test the Story Mat with her first book. She had already decided which story she would use – a simple one to start with, to sort of ease herself in.
As soon as the bus pulled up below her house, she bounded out and raced up the hill. She burst through the door, kissed her mother and father on the cheek without stopping, and rushed up the stairs, leaving them both gob-smacked by the door.
“Have to get into my homework,” she shouted over her shoulder.
“And pigs might fly,’ mumbled her father.
“What was that all about?” said her shocked mother.
But they were both too eager to continue reading their books to bother following Matilda.
Once she was in her room, Matilda whispered, “Peri”, and, when the little fairy appeared, she crouched down and pulled the Story Mat out from under her bed. She unrolled it on the floor and, once again, was stunned by its beauty. Next she went to her bookshelves and selected the story for her first adventure – “Little Red Riding Hood”. After Peri had flown across to her shoulder and disappeared, she placed the book on the sun in the centre of the carpet then sat down, crossed her arms and closed her eyes. The Story Mat lifted gently off the floor.
“WHOOSH!”
It shot off, through the bedroom wall and out into the open sky. Matilda felt the wind blowing through her hair and opened her eyes for a moment to see . . . nothing. She was surrounded by a white light with colours flashing through it. Where was Red Riding Hood? She closed her eyes again and soon felt the carpet slowing down. It finally settled on the ground and Matilda opened her eyes to the most surprising sight.
She was in the middle of a forest. The sunlight dappled through the leaves and a soft breeze blew through the branches. Matilda heard people talking nearby so she hopped off the Story Mat. She watched as the mat rolled itself up and vanished, then crept through the forest until she came to a dirt track and hid behind a tree. Peeking out from her hiding place she saw Red Riding Hood standing in the middle of the track. She was dressed in her red cloak and hood, and carried a basket over her arm. Whatever was inside the basket was covered by a napkin. At first Matilda couldn’t see who Red Riding Hood was talking to so she stretched her head out a little more and saw – a huge wolf! Then she heard what they were saying. “I said, where are you going this fine day?” growled the Wolf.
“Sorry,” replied Red Riding Hood, “I have trouble hearing with this stupid hood over my head.” And she threw the hood back over her shoulders. “For your information,” she continued, “I’m off to Grandma’s house with some goodies my mother baked . . . as if it’s any business of yours. You see Grandma has been a bit off lately, arthritis, dicky knee, bronchitis, bad heart, blocked nose, sore gums, loose teeth….”
“Too much detail!” shouted the Wolf as he got a picture of Grandma in his mind. He was starving and could eat anything that moved but he didn’t want too much information about what was on the menu.
“And where does your lovely Grandma live?” he asked with a cunning smile, thinking of the pleasure of eating this little girl and her grandmother, together.
“At the end of this track, beside the woodcutter’s house,” Red Riding Hood told him. “It’s quite a pretty house really, just a few shingles missing off the roof, a leaking water tank, lots of weeds in the garden, two broken windows and a sticky door knob
. Other than that it’s…..”
“Enough!” screamed the Wolf.
“Temper, temper,” said Red Riding Hood.
The Wolf realised he had gone too far and needed to be a little more patient to get what he wanted.
“I’m so sorry,” he said in a sweet tone. “I’ve had a bad day and I didn’t get much sleep last night.
You were saying?”
“Oh, nothing more,” replied Red Riding Hood. “Just that Grandma is in bed and can’t get up.
That’s why I’m taking these goodies to her.”
“If she has to stay in bed, how does she answer the door?” asked the Wolf in an oily voice.
“Well she can’t answer the door can she? She just leaves the front door off the latch,” Red Riding Hood informed him carelessly.
“Mm-mm-mm,” said the Wolf. “Well you just hurry on your way and be sure to pass on my best wishes to your Grandma. Bye, bye.”
“Bye,” said Little Red Riding Hood and skipped off down the track.
Matilda saw and heard all of this from her hiding place. It was exactly the same as the story in her book – except for some of the conversation she had listened to of course. And she knew exactly what was going to happen next. She had to stop the Wolf if she was to help Little Red Riding Hood and her Grandma. She ran across the road and followed the Wolf who was obviously taking a short-cut to Grandma’s house.
The Wolf had nearly reached Grandma’s house by the time Matilda caught sight of him. She could see the little house down at the bottom of the hill.
“Hey, you, Wolf, stop!” she shouted. The Wolf turned around to see who was shouting and Matilda raced up to him.
“And who are you?” asked the Wolf with a nasty sneer on his face.
“A friend,” replied Matilda and, thinking quickly, added, “here to save your life.”
The Wolf started laughing. He laughed so hard he had to hold his tummy as he rolled on the ground. “You? Save me?” he finally managed to say. “I’ve never heard anything so funny in my life. And what monster are you going to save me from my little squirt? A dragon? An ogre? A witch, maybe?”