FALCOM
CHAPTER 1
Twelve-year-old Tabby Mathews stopped at the box marked 27-B, in the apartment building in which she lived. As she walked up the stairs to the small apartment she shared with her mother, she browsed through the mail. Nothing for her, as usual; just bills, a letter in an orange envelope for her mom, and a check from her father. Her parents were divorced when she was two, and from what her mother had told her about her father, she didn't really care.
Tabby didn't hear her mom say hi as she walked in, because she was too busy daydreaming about who the letter in the orange envelope was from. "Maybe it's from the president, and he's asking us to dinner," Tabby fantasized.
"Tabby," Ms. Mathews said louder this time.
"Oh, sorry mom. You got a letter in the mail today. You also got a check."
"Is that all?" her mothe rquestioned.
"Well, there's some bills, but that's all," Tabby said carelessly, searching the fridge for some food.
"Oh Tabby," Ms. Mathews said excitedly, reading the letter that was in teh orange envelope,"this is from my cousin, Lily. She wants to know if you want to come and stay with her in her mansion in the country."
"Isn't she the lady that was dripping with diamonds at Grampa's funeral?" Tabby asked, getting excited now, too.
"Yes, she is. She's forty-six, but has spunk, and is a lot of fun."
"Boy, I sure do want to go! Can I?" Tabby asked, now totally thrilled.
"Of course you can go. I"ll call and make hte arrangements with Illy right away. Let's see, you get out of school next week, so if you want, you can go the week after that."
"Great, I can't wait!"
CHAPTER 2
Tabby felt magically wonderful as the warm summer sunshine came down through the window of the bus and played on her arm whenever the bus turned a corner.
She was finally on her way to cousin Lily's. The past two weeks had seemed like two years! She had spent all of last week packing. Her mother had even taken her shopping to get some new clothes. She had gotten terry-cloth shorts and tops (which she had always wanted), a sundress, sandals, and tennis-shoes. Her mother said she should have some "decent" clothes to wear, although Tabby would've been perfectly satisfied with her old cut-offs and tee-shirts.
After about an hour and a half, the bus arrived in Porterville. It was a small town, surrounded by woods.
Tabby glanced at her watch. 12:30 p.m. The bus tride had taken exactly two hours.
She gathered up her bags and suitcases with much difficulty. Tabby managed to waddle off the bus.
Then she saw a black limosine and started toward it. A lady that must've been cousin Lily came to her.
"You m ust be Tabby," Lily said happily. "Let me help you carry some of that."
"Oh thank you!" Tabby said gratefully, feeling the weight on her right arm ease.
"I've been looking forward to your coming. It gets so boring out here, being by yourself all the time." Lily paused and then added, "Although I do have the servants."
"I'm really glad you invited me. My summers get boring, too."
Tabby and Lily got acquainted on the way to the mansion, and by the time they reached it, they felt as if they had known each other for years.
CHAPTER 3
When they arrived at the mansion, Lily told Tabby to leave her luggage in the limo and a servant would take care of it.
Tabby was amazed at the size of the mansion. Lily showed her through the main part of the huge house, and told her the name of it was 'Oak Wood.'
Tabby gasped with pleasure when Lily showed her hte room that was to be hers. Itw as all yellow and natural wood. There was a huge canopy bed, a big oak wardrobe, a hutch, and a dresser with a three-way mirror on top.
Tabby walked over to the gigantic window, with drawn back curtains, and gazed out. From the window, she had a perfect view of the magnificent forest beyond.
"Oh Lily, it's perfectly beautiful!" Tabby exclaimed.
"I thought you'd like this room best. Now come on, we'll go have lunch."
They went down the shiny marble stairs and through many beautiful rooms, till at last they reached the dining room. The table was a big long wooden one, like the kind in a fairy tale.
When they sat down at the great table, Lily rang a bell and lickety-split, a man that appeared to be cardboard was there.
"We're ready for lunch, Jenkins." Lily said with superiority in her voice.
"Yes, mawdam." Jenkins answered in a flat tone.
Soon he and several other servants returned, carrying a silver tray with a lid over it. They set these on the great table and took the lids off. Steam puffed out and Tabby's mouth started watering. And when they were finished eating, in came the dessert! Tabby could tell this was going to be a wonderful summer!
CHAPTER 4
Tabby and Lily were playing a game of backgammon.
"Well Tabby," Lily signed, "I just don't think I can beat you. I'm beat, so I guess I'll go to bed."
Tabby looked over at the huge old grandfather clock sitting in the corner. 10:45 p.m. "I'm going to bed now, too, Lily," Tabby said through a yawn.
They each went on their separate ways to bed. When she got to her room, Tabby dragged herself into her p.j.'s and crawled into bed.
Tabby was suddently awakened by what, she did not know. She slipped daintily into her slippers, tucked her long golden hair behind her ears, and pullon on her robe. It must've been 1:30 in the morning.
Tabby didn't know why she was doing it, but she slowly walked toward the window. When she reached the window, she looked out. What she saw was the most shocking and beautiful thing she had ever seen.
It was a horse, but not just an ordinary horse. It was a glowing shade of emerald green. Tabby couldn't tell if it was really glowing, or just beautiful golden moonlight that made it appear that way. Although the color was magnificent, the most inredible thing about it was the elgantly folded up wings at the side.
Swiftly, Tabby turned around and walked out of her bedroom. She walked down the stairs and through a number of rooms, until she got to a door that lead to the backyard. She quietly opened the door and walked out, with her robe floating behind her.
CHAPTER 5
As Tabby walked forward to the beautiful creature, she heard a voice.
At first the thought someone had heard her come out. But then she heard it again. A strong but soft voice calling her to come. That's when she realized tha tthe voice was coming from in front of her.
"Come, Tabby. Do not be afraid," the beast calmly said.
Tabby wondered how he had known her name. (You might wonder why she wasn't shocked at hearing him talk. But if you had seen it, you wouldn't have been surprised, either.)
"How do you know my name?" Tabby asked.
"That is not important. Just climb upon my back. We have many things to do." Tabby did as he had told her, for somehow she knew he was a friend and could be trusted.
He started moving. Slowly at first, but then started up to a smooth canter. Before Tabby realized it, the long graceful wings spread out, and soon they were in the air.
Both were silent as they glided through the peaceful night. Tabby stared down at the countryside below. The moon was so bright she could see everything below her clearly. They went over farms and meadows, forests and streams.
Finally, the beast broke the silence. "My name is Falcom," he said.
Tabby didn't know what to say. He already knew her name. So she replied, "That's a very nice name. But where do you come from?"
"From a world unknown to you. We will be visiting it tonight."
CHAPTER 10
What seemed like hours later, Tabby managed to stop crying. Lily led her upstairs to her room, and tried to persuade her to get some sleep.
As if in a trance, Tabby crawled into the giant canopy bed.
Lily glanced wearily at her diamond-studded watch. 2:30 a.m.
"Please Tabby, try to get some sleep. It's too late to talk tonight, but we can have a long talk tomorrow." Lily sighed.
Tabby said nothing, but nodded in response.
Lily gave one last shake of her head in despair, and walked sadly back to her room.
Tabby was awakened, and she sat up in bed with a jerk. She had a queerly familiar feeling. She crept our of bed and shuffled to the window. Joy filled her, until it bubbled out all over.
For out her window, she saw, magical Falcom.
(I won a prize for this story in elementary school.)
Twelve-year-old Tabby Mathews stopped at the box marked 27-B, in the apartment building in which she lived. As she walked up the stairs to the small apartment she shared with her mother, she browsed through the mail. Nothing for her, as usual; just bills, a letter in an orange envelope for her mom, and a check from her father. Her parents were divorced when she was two, and from what her mother had told her about her father, she didn't really care.
Tabby didn't hear her mom say hi as she walked in, because she was too busy daydreaming about who the letter in the orange envelope was from. "Maybe it's from the president, and he's asking us to dinner," Tabby fantasized.
"Tabby," Ms. Mathews said louder this time.
"Oh, sorry mom. You got a letter in the mail today. You also got a check."
"Is that all?" her mothe rquestioned.
"Well, there's some bills, but that's all," Tabby said carelessly, searching the fridge for some food.
"Oh Tabby," Ms. Mathews said excitedly, reading the letter that was in teh orange envelope,"this is from my cousin, Lily. She wants to know if you want to come and stay with her in her mansion in the country."
"Isn't she the lady that was dripping with diamonds at Grampa's funeral?" Tabby asked, getting excited now, too.
"Yes, she is. She's forty-six, but has spunk, and is a lot of fun."
"Boy, I sure do want to go! Can I?" Tabby asked, now totally thrilled.
"Of course you can go. I"ll call and make hte arrangements with Illy right away. Let's see, you get out of school next week, so if you want, you can go the week after that."
"Great, I can't wait!"
CHAPTER 2
Tabby felt magically wonderful as the warm summer sunshine came down through the window of the bus and played on her arm whenever the bus turned a corner.
She was finally on her way to cousin Lily's. The past two weeks had seemed like two years! She had spent all of last week packing. Her mother had even taken her shopping to get some new clothes. She had gotten terry-cloth shorts and tops (which she had always wanted), a sundress, sandals, and tennis-shoes. Her mother said she should have some "decent" clothes to wear, although Tabby would've been perfectly satisfied with her old cut-offs and tee-shirts.
After about an hour and a half, the bus arrived in Porterville. It was a small town, surrounded by woods.
Tabby glanced at her watch. 12:30 p.m. The bus tride had taken exactly two hours.
She gathered up her bags and suitcases with much difficulty. Tabby managed to waddle off the bus.
Then she saw a black limosine and started toward it. A lady that must've been cousin Lily came to her.
"You m ust be Tabby," Lily said happily. "Let me help you carry some of that."
"Oh thank you!" Tabby said gratefully, feeling the weight on her right arm ease.
"I've been looking forward to your coming. It gets so boring out here, being by yourself all the time." Lily paused and then added, "Although I do have the servants."
"I'm really glad you invited me. My summers get boring, too."
Tabby and Lily got acquainted on the way to the mansion, and by the time they reached it, they felt as if they had known each other for years.
CHAPTER 3
When they arrived at the mansion, Lily told Tabby to leave her luggage in the limo and a servant would take care of it.
Tabby was amazed at the size of the mansion. Lily showed her through the main part of the huge house, and told her the name of it was 'Oak Wood.'
Tabby gasped with pleasure when Lily showed her hte room that was to be hers. Itw as all yellow and natural wood. There was a huge canopy bed, a big oak wardrobe, a hutch, and a dresser with a three-way mirror on top.
Tabby walked over to the gigantic window, with drawn back curtains, and gazed out. From the window, she had a perfect view of the magnificent forest beyond.
"Oh Lily, it's perfectly beautiful!" Tabby exclaimed.
"I thought you'd like this room best. Now come on, we'll go have lunch."
They went down the shiny marble stairs and through many beautiful rooms, till at last they reached the dining room. The table was a big long wooden one, like the kind in a fairy tale.
When they sat down at the great table, Lily rang a bell and lickety-split, a man that appeared to be cardboard was there.
"We're ready for lunch, Jenkins." Lily said with superiority in her voice.
"Yes, mawdam." Jenkins answered in a flat tone.
Soon he and several other servants returned, carrying a silver tray with a lid over it. They set these on the great table and took the lids off. Steam puffed out and Tabby's mouth started watering. And when they were finished eating, in came the dessert! Tabby could tell this was going to be a wonderful summer!
CHAPTER 4
Tabby and Lily were playing a game of backgammon.
"Well Tabby," Lily signed, "I just don't think I can beat you. I'm beat, so I guess I'll go to bed."
Tabby looked over at the huge old grandfather clock sitting in the corner. 10:45 p.m. "I'm going to bed now, too, Lily," Tabby said through a yawn.
They each went on their separate ways to bed. When she got to her room, Tabby dragged herself into her p.j.'s and crawled into bed.
Tabby was suddently awakened by what, she did not know. She slipped daintily into her slippers, tucked her long golden hair behind her ears, and pullon on her robe. It must've been 1:30 in the morning.
Tabby didn't know why she was doing it, but she slowly walked toward the window. When she reached the window, she looked out. What she saw was the most shocking and beautiful thing she had ever seen.
It was a horse, but not just an ordinary horse. It was a glowing shade of emerald green. Tabby couldn't tell if it was really glowing, or just beautiful golden moonlight that made it appear that way. Although the color was magnificent, the most inredible thing about it was the elgantly folded up wings at the side.
Swiftly, Tabby turned around and walked out of her bedroom. She walked down the stairs and through a number of rooms, until she got to a door that lead to the backyard. She quietly opened the door and walked out, with her robe floating behind her.
CHAPTER 5
As Tabby walked forward to the beautiful creature, she heard a voice.
At first the thought someone had heard her come out. But then she heard it again. A strong but soft voice calling her to come. That's when she realized tha tthe voice was coming from in front of her.
"Come, Tabby. Do not be afraid," the beast calmly said.
Tabby wondered how he had known her name. (You might wonder why she wasn't shocked at hearing him talk. But if you had seen it, you wouldn't have been surprised, either.)
"How do you know my name?" Tabby asked.
"That is not important. Just climb upon my back. We have many things to do." Tabby did as he had told her, for somehow she knew he was a friend and could be trusted.
He started moving. Slowly at first, but then started up to a smooth canter. Before Tabby realized it, the long graceful wings spread out, and soon they were in the air.
Both were silent as they glided through the peaceful night. Tabby stared down at the countryside below. The moon was so bright she could see everything below her clearly. They went over farms and meadows, forests and streams.
Finally, the beast broke the silence. "My name is Falcom," he said.
Tabby didn't know what to say. He already knew her name. So she replied, "That's a very nice name. But where do you come from?"
"From a world unknown to you. We will be visiting it tonight."
CHAPTER 10
What seemed like hours later, Tabby managed to stop crying. Lily led her upstairs to her room, and tried to persuade her to get some sleep.
As if in a trance, Tabby crawled into the giant canopy bed.
Lily glanced wearily at her diamond-studded watch. 2:30 a.m.
"Please Tabby, try to get some sleep. It's too late to talk tonight, but we can have a long talk tomorrow." Lily sighed.
Tabby said nothing, but nodded in response.
Lily gave one last shake of her head in despair, and walked sadly back to her room.
Tabby was awakened, and she sat up in bed with a jerk. She had a queerly familiar feeling. She crept our of bed and shuffled to the window. Joy filled her, until it bubbled out all over.
For out her window, she saw, magical Falcom.
(I won a prize for this story in elementary school.)
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