~ Mashu and the Mystery of the Missing Image ~

by

Michael J. Davies

It was difficult for Mashu and Cassi to hold back the tears. They’d lost all the five special objects from Big Tulie. Softy the teddy bear was also gone. What could they do?

"Wipe away your tears."

Mashu looked around to see who had offered these words of comfort. It was a little tulie in a full suit of armor. As Mashu looked closer, he could see at least one hundred little tulies all dressed as knights.

"No time to talk or explain," the first little tulie continued. "It’s time for action. Little tulies to the rescue," he commanded.

"How can you catch that whirlwind?" Cassi half sobbed as she wiped away her tears.

"The birds, dear Cassi, the birds. You helped to save their home in Birchtree Woods and now they will help you."

Almost immediately, thousands of birds started to flock around the little tulies. From their beaks they trailed silver threads, which the army of little tulies wound around themselves.

"And you two," called one of the little tulies who had a brilliantly colored plume in her helmet.

Mashu told Pickle to go home and wait for him. He and Cassi wound the silver thread tightly around each other. The myriad birds flew high in the sky with the tulie army, Mashu and Cassi flying along with them.

In the distance, and now swirling in the valley between the hills, was the monstrous wind.

"Head ‘em off at the pass," shouted a little tulie with sword and shield.

"Sounds more like a cowboy posse than ancient knights," Cassi called to Mashu.

The swift flight of the birds soon had them within a short distance of the gigantic pillar of malignant power. Half the mighty flock of birds flew above the menacing tornado and the rest of them, with the little tulies, closed in from each side.

The huge army of birds flapped their wings. Such was their number that the force trapped the whirlwind between the hills. From the sides, the rest of the birds attacked so that the tulies could prod and stab with their swords and lances.

The column of horrible wind snarled and tried to evade the tulie army.

"Keep it confined in the valley," commanded a little tulie dressed in a noble robe and crown. "It doesn’t like the heat of the sun."

The battle raged, with the whirlwind twisting and emitting hideous noises. The birds and the little tulies stood fast. Mashu and Cassi were instructed by the chief little tulie to stand to one side and just be ready. They did not know for what.

"Give up that which you have stolen," shouted the little tulie of the crowned head.

The pillar of evil seemed to deeply groan. From its inner core fell an abacus, a ruler, the marble, a fluttering envelope and the glass vial of dew. Best of all, Softy flew through the air.

"Catch them," shouted Cassi.

As the little tulies, the birds, Mashu and Cassi were distracted, the terrible tornado accelerated out of the valley and disappeared into the azure blue sky. Some of the birds and the little tulies wanted to pursue it.

"Let it go," called the leading little tulie. "Its evil has been tamed for a while."

At the demise of this furious action, Mashu had caught Softy, and all the five mystic objects were safe and unbroken.

They sat down exhausted and, shading their eyes from the sun, looked into the sky, slightly fearful that the whirlwind would return.

"Are you okay?" Mashu asked the distressed looking bear.

Softy brushed his worn patches of golden fur and managed a weak smile. "Don’t worry about me," Softy reassured them. "I’m made of sterner stuff."

"Cotton wool, fabric and two glass button eyes, to be exact," a little tulie grinned.

It was probably a funny remark but at the moment, Softy wasn’t amused. Cassi gave Softy a cuddle. The bear looked embarrassed at this soppy display.

"No time for this. Back to Birchtree Woods," the little tulies called in triumphant chorus, now that they had regained their energy.

The birds flew high and straight. Soon they set down the little tulies, Mashu and Cassi on the ground. There were many fond farewells.

"And now, brave knights, we must go back to the Knights of the Round Table... sorry, I mean little tulie land," said their crowned leader for this day. There was much laughter and cheering as the little tulies marched into the woods with their armor gleaming in the evening sun.

"Come on Mashu," Cassi said. "Tomorrow we must be up early and think how we can help Big Tulie by solving this riddle of the five objects."

They strolled back to their houses. Pickle greeted them warmly, both with licks and tail wagging.

Mashu winked at Cassi in great friendship. "See you in the morning, Cassi."

"Sure thing, Mashu," she grinned.

Softy still looked shaken but remained resolutely silent. Probably because the adults were about.