The Pearl Box and the Seahorse by Ann Wilson (books to read for 13 year olds .TXT) 📕

Title Page

 

THE PEARL BOX AND THE SEAHORSE

 

 

 

Ann AriEl Wilson

2007

http://www.annariel.com/

 

 The Pearl Box and the Seahorse

© A. Ann Ariel 2007

 First Printing: 2007

©Registration: L-29472/2007

ISBN: 978-1-365-08463-8

Price: $ 5.66

 

 

To My Readers

 My chief concern is to entertain children without sending cold shivers through their delicate spines.  This novella emphasizes the importance of love and unity among the creatures of the world with entertaining magic.  Also, two other books are soon to arrive about the enchanting Island of Peace and the Oyster Kingdom.

 I hope that the Island of Peace will inspire children to create a peaceful future.

Ann AriEl Wilson

September 3, 2007

1.AT THE SEASHORE

  Rosemary Evans was gazing at the gorgeous waves desperately, during her evening walk along the seashore, facing her father’s elegant Sea Castle. 

Being the only daughter of Sir Gerald Evans, one of the wealthiest English men of the time, she was not so happy since her father’s marriage with the widow of the Earl of Pearlsbury.

Her mother, Lady Evans, died of a fever whilst Rosemary was ten years old, and her father was her only consolation since then. 

She has never felt much neglected ever before since her mother’s death.  Tears rolled down her eyes as she prayed to God for consolation.

 Suddenly, she stepped forward to have a better look of what seemed to be quite strange at the shore.

  There was a tired seahorse lying beside a beautiful little box.  Rosemary took the box in her hand, and to her astonishment, the seahorse was shining bright that she closed her eyes being unable to look at it.  When she opened her eyes, there stood a beautiful white horse.

She was scared for a moment though she did not see what really happened.  “Perhaps,” thought Rosemary, “It must have come just now”, as she gave a sigh of relief.

She then walked towards the Castle with the box.  To her surprise, the horse followed her as if it was hers.  She looked around and found no one to claim.  Hence, she took it with her, placing her beautiful hand on the soft, hairy neck of the elegant white horse, for she did not have a heart to abandon it.

2.A ROYAL GUEST

The guards were overjoyed on seeing Rosemary with a snow-white horse.  After repaying their salute, she said, “I found it at the seashore and there was no one around to claim.  Hence, I brought it to shelter.  I want you to treat it with kindness.  It seems to be tamed and clever.”

“At your service, Miss!” they replied and bowed down as she graciously moved into the Castle.

After a while, she gave orders that the horse be groomed and fitted with an ornamental saddle, stirrups, and accessories in bright white matching the horse and also wanted it to be ready for a ride in a week.  Rosemary then secured the little box in her room along with the other jewels and kept the keys safe.  She did not attempt to open the box or dared to, as she had suspicions about it.

The horse was treated with much hospitality by the men as per her orders.  It was given the best food and it looked extraordinarily beautiful than the other horses at the stable.

There was much happiness that evening in the castle as they had a royal guest admired by everyone including Sir Gerald Evans and his new bride.  Lady Evans expressed her desire to ride on it with Sir Gerald, and also thanked Rosemary for bringing in such a spectacular creature.

  Laura, the Governess, was not much impressed by the idea of anyone riding it, and she expressed her suspicion that it might be a wild horse.   “It seems to be friendly to my eyes,” said Rosemary, as she persuaded her father to allow her for the ride and at last was happy that he agreed.

  Laura was unhappy and powerless, for she knew the sportive spirit of the Evans very well.

  It was a wonderful evening at the Sea Castle for everyone except the governess.

3.A PLEASANT RIDE

 

 

After a week’s time of careful monitoring and training, the horse was finally ready for a ride and Rosemary woke up early before daybreak, and got ready with the help of her maids in her traveling clothes and cloak.  She gave orders that everything be fine on the ride.  The governess was ready to ride on another horse with Rosemary, as she used to do since Rosemary had her first ride on a pony when she was scarcely thirteen years old.

  They were followed by ten of their men, who were well-armed to protect the ladies.  The governess was a strict lady, who never allowed Rosemary to ride fast, fearing that she might get hurt.  She still gave the same instructions that she had been giving for five years right from Rosemary’s first ride, and Rosemary was quite familiar that she can repeat them without missing a word or a phrase.

  Rosemary rode like an angel that people on the way did not take their eyes off her.  After a little later, everything appeared clear and bright.  It was a spectacular sight to see the mist disappearing slowly by the warm touch of the sun.  The flowers bloomed and gave their scent as if they welcomed Rosemary. 

Little drops of dew fell on them from the trees that stood gorgeously on either side of the way.  It was evident that Mother Nature blessed her with much benevolence.

  It was a heavenly ride and Rosemary was surprised as she has never had such a smooth ride in her life.  She was a little faster that the governess was not able to ride at her side continuously, and was crying now and then to Rosemary to ride slow.

  “It must be a wild horse,” she said, “God save Rosemary.”

4.REVELATION

Rosemary was a few yards ahead of the governess and the men.  Suddenly, she was not able to control the horse.  It took a different way galloping as fast as light, but Rosemary was wondering how she did not feel even a little tired or agitated. 

Finally, itstopped under an oak in the woods, and Rosemary was quite confused about what was going on, and was disturbed thinking if she had made a mistake by taking this unknown horse as hers.  

Suddenly there appeared a flash of light, and she heard a melodious voice calling her name,

“Rosemary…..Rosemary,” in a musical and clear tone.

  “Who is this,” cried Rosemary, and she continued “I find things quite unearthly.  If the horse belongs to someone, I swear to give it back.”

  The voice said, “The Seahorse is yours until you are glorified in the Island of Peace and you shall not fear to keep it till then.  It will leave the island and go back to the ocean once the mission is accomplished.  The box you took from the horse is a pearl box, which is a token of a promise, which would give glory and wealth to the people of the Island of Peace.

  The Witch of the Dark Woods has planned to snatch it away from your Sea Castle with the help of Sir Grey Winkle, who had been invited to the ball this evening.  You have to take it from there and secure it in your father’s Rock Castle, amidst the evergreen woods, where you lived whilst your mother was alive.  You have to do this alone. 

Don’t step your foot down until you reach there, lest you would be lost.  The pearl box is a promise and a symbol of purity, which would save you with its own powers.  Hence, do not entrust it to anyone.  Help will come on your way and you will find your love.  Wish you all success.  God be with you.”

  The light disappeared, the voice spoke no more, and Rosemary hurried back to the Sea Castle.  On her way she found the governess and the men searching desperately for her.  They were delighted on seeing her after a long search and followed her to the Sea Castle.

5.A HASTY LEAVE TO THE ROCK CASTLE