Mark Mulhearn
11-08-2014, 05:22 PM
This is one of my short stories for young children. It has been published and is in libraries. Hope you like it.
JC's Island Hopping Adventure
I have had many exploits before but maybe none more challenging, exciting or rewarding as my recent Island Hopping Adventure. I was called to the mysterious island of Millport to experience the strange custom of selecting from a large choice of weird and wonderful bicycles from a vast array of shops, each one offering particular enchantments.
The journey over involved boarding a ferryboat where we were packed like organised cattle. The water across was choppy and if it hadn’t been for my good sea legs gained from previous work in ‘The Case of the Underwater Trophy’ it could have ended my investigation before it ever began! We saw huge sea liners that were able to create tidal-like waves. Wind farms appearing like propellers on planes. Police boats circling the beaches, as if they were on high alert at all times.
We arrived on Millport Island and immediately went in search of places to find bikes. In our chosen bicycle establishment there were single ones for adults, colourful ones for children and some for two or three people. I even saw one that looked more like a bus than a bike with 8 people working together in harmony! The bike I chose was one where I guided Dad from the back with my feet as he steered and peddled. I motivated and encouraged him with my many tunes and large repertoire of nursery rhymes, known songs and my own inspired melodies in English and French.
No sooner had we stopped for lunch that I noticed something peculiar. People were talking in groups, others just ate ice creams, the sun was shining brighter and there was lots of laughter. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, as was our family. It seemed that this island had an hypnotic appeal. There was no catch. Riding around the island was the norm. Why? The bikes must hold the answer. I didn’t. There was nothing at fault. That seemed to be the mystery. I was ready for home.
As I said from the beginning some cases are more inconclusive and contradictory than others and this is certainly one of them.
JC's Island Hopping Adventure
I have had many exploits before but maybe none more challenging, exciting or rewarding as my recent Island Hopping Adventure. I was called to the mysterious island of Millport to experience the strange custom of selecting from a large choice of weird and wonderful bicycles from a vast array of shops, each one offering particular enchantments.
The journey over involved boarding a ferryboat where we were packed like organised cattle. The water across was choppy and if it hadn’t been for my good sea legs gained from previous work in ‘The Case of the Underwater Trophy’ it could have ended my investigation before it ever began! We saw huge sea liners that were able to create tidal-like waves. Wind farms appearing like propellers on planes. Police boats circling the beaches, as if they were on high alert at all times.
We arrived on Millport Island and immediately went in search of places to find bikes. In our chosen bicycle establishment there were single ones for adults, colourful ones for children and some for two or three people. I even saw one that looked more like a bus than a bike with 8 people working together in harmony! The bike I chose was one where I guided Dad from the back with my feet as he steered and peddled. I motivated and encouraged him with my many tunes and large repertoire of nursery rhymes, known songs and my own inspired melodies in English and French.
No sooner had we stopped for lunch that I noticed something peculiar. People were talking in groups, others just ate ice creams, the sun was shining brighter and there was lots of laughter. Everyone seemed to be enjoying themselves, as was our family. It seemed that this island had an hypnotic appeal. There was no catch. Riding around the island was the norm. Why? The bikes must hold the answer. I didn’t. There was nothing at fault. That seemed to be the mystery. I was ready for home.
As I said from the beginning some cases are more inconclusive and contradictory than others and this is certainly one of them.