Jumpy Jabaris Journey

By Oishika Ganguly
Age 11

Jumpy Jabaris Journey

In the small country of Dreamantis lived the Swahilian Farmton Ghost family. Mr. and Mrs. Farmton were well respected as clever, brave and kind ghosts. They had won many bravery awards and were always willing to help others. They had a four year old boy whose name was Jabari but everybody called him Jumpy Jabari. He was very clever, too and was renowned for his ability to solve problems. The Farmton family led a happy and peaceful life. But..

Mr. and Mrs. Farmton would always bring gifts for their son and in return he would go to the park to play. Now, that must seem strange to you. You see, Jabari was a pan phobic boy ghost! He was scared of falling of the swing, tumbling down the slide, getting lost on a treasure hunt and even scared of being stung by a butterfly. Little things alarmed him and made him jump out of his skin. Other ghost children teased him and called him Jumpy Jabari. Mr. and Mrs. Farmton were very sad and troubled about Jabaris phobia and often thought how unlike his

name he was and how different from his other ghost friends. Jabari was very polite and intelligent but far too unnerved and it made them morose, at times. Mr. and Mrs. Farmton were professional actors and they loved their job. They acted in a theatre close by in school hours so that they could come home in time to be with their beloved son. As they were at home for Jabari when he returned from school, Jabari thought his parents never went to work at all. One day Mr. and Mrs. Farmton got late at work and when Jabari came back home from school, he couldnt see his parents anywhere. He went into the house and searched high and low but couldnt find them anywhere! Bewildered, little Jabari went out of his home and walked down the street, looking for his parents. As he turned round the corner, he noticed the theatre. Intrigued, he crept through the back entrance and what a frightful sight met his eyes. Mr. and Mrs. Farmton were looking so evil that Jumpy Jabari nearly jumped out of his skin, again! They were doing all sorts of frightful things!

Oh no! cried little Jabari as he watched them do horrible and nasty things to other ghosts around them. What am I to do? What has happened to my parents? I am so good at solving problems but when facing one right now, I feel so afff- afraid wailed

poor Jabari to himself. It never occurred to him that his mother and father were acting. He fled from the scene looking so pathetic that even a hungry crocodile wouldnt have eaten him. He ran as fast as his little ghost-tail could carry him and didnt even notice where he was going. Soon, he found himself in a huge forest. He stopped short and realized he had lost his way. Now, Jumpy Jabari was getting distressed again. Do I really have to go through here? Jabari asked himself. I suppose I must, if I have to find my way back home he said bravely. But the forest turned out to be scarier than Jabari had anticipated. Strange noises followed him everywhere and dark shadows whizzed past him. Cold water droplets from tall trees above fell on him and trickled down his neck and there was no ghost in sight. Just as Jumpy Jabari was getting cold feet, he saw a huge elephant. It made such a loud noise as it raised its trunk to greet Jabari that Jabari thought the sky was going to fall on his head!

Ewaaaaaa bellowed Miss Elly, the elephant as she played with her friend Betty Butterfly. Ple-Please dont eat me! poor Jabari wailed much to Ellys surprise. Elly Elephant was only greeting Jabari and she was trusted by everyone in the forest. But even before Elly could open her mouth to talk to Jabari, he was gone in a flash. As Jabari ran deeper into the forest, stranger sounds followed him. He shivered in

fright at the howls and moans around him. He met many other ferocious animals including a snake an eagle and a- a- a-

-a LION!!!!! Jabari screamed. Mr. Lazy Lion snoozed idly in front of Jabari with a butterfly perched in his tail. Jabari noticed that Lazy Lion was not perturbed or scared of being stung by the butterfly and even Elly Elephant was playing with one. He thought to himself, In that case, maybe butterflies are not that wicked after all. Just then, Lazy Lion opened his content eyes as he heard scuffling sounds from the otherwise speechless Jabari. He was amused to see a little boy ghost. He smiled and opened his mouth to ask Jabari if he was lost but before he could say anything,

Mummy!!! shrieked Jabari as he sped off again on his little ghost-tail. It tired him a lot and soon he found himself stumbling over the soft green grass.

Just when he was about to give up he saw a sign. The sign looked old and battered. It said The Clever Children House. Jabari looked beyond the sign and saw a rather peculiar house. It was a tree with many windows. Nervous but curious, Jabari dragged himself up to the house and opened the creaky door.

As soon as he entered, Jumpy Jabari heard a rustle of leaves outside. It must be the wind blowing outside Jabari assured himself. BOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! shout a dozen voices together. Aaaaaaaah!!!! Jabari yelled as he cowered. He sat in a ball as he heard voices saying: I wonder what he hisPoor fellowMust be quite a scared catDo you think we should poke him to see if he responds-

Jabari slowly opened his eyes and noticed many warm faces looking at him eagerly. They were animal children from the forest and suddenly they didnt look scary anymore to worn out Jabari. In fact, they looked so happy and friendly. Jabari stood up and mumbled My-my name is Jabari. I ran away from home because I found out

that my parents do horrible things while I am at school. I am sure they will come to get me. Please let me hide here. The baby animals looked at each other. They were clever animals and thought that there must have been a reason for Jabaris parents strange behavior and they all listened to his story silently to let things unfold. They offered hot food to Jabari and put on a warm bath for him. After a short nap, baby giraffe let Jabari slide down his long neck so many times, that Jabari got over his fear of slides. Mischievous Monkey taught Jabari a few tricks on swinging and Cute Caterpillar showed off some good dancing moves, too. The baby animals told Jabari about their parents and he realized that actually the parent animals were as harmless as these animal children. Jabari began to enjoy his time with the children and was really pleased to be able to overcome his fear, too. But, he was still missing Mum and Dad. In the meantime Jabaris parents had realized that Jabari was nowhere to be seen. He had disappeared from the neighborhood and no one knew where Jabari was. Mr. and Mrs. Farmton were very worried for Jabari. Where on earth could Jabari have gone? Mr. Farmton asked himself for the hundredth time. I know!!! his wife said brightly. How about going to the Wise Girl Wendy? Maybe she can help us Good idea replied Mr. Farmton as he nodded in agreement. So off Mr. Farmton went to meet the little girl Wendy.

A loud crash greeted Wendy as she entered her kitchen. My, my, who could visit me at this time? she thought. She was not at all surprised to see a ghost beaming down at her. Why, hello! What may I do for you on this fine day? she asked politely. Mr. Farmton bowed and replied My son has gone missing. He is scared easily and my wife and I are quite worried. We thought you might be able to suggest where he is and why he ran away said Mr. Farmton as he narrated the whole days episode to Wendy. The little girl shut her eyes in thought for a while and then asked What do you do for a profession Mr. Farmton? My wife and I are actors. Right now we are acting as an evil king and queen who want to rule the world. The show will continue for the next seven days. He told Wendy rather proudly. Hmmm. She thought for a while and said I think I know why your child ran away! she paused and Mr. Farmton allowed her to continue. You see I think Jabari came back home and found that nobody was at home. He must have thought you were out and probably went to the nearest public place, the theatre. He must have seen you and your wife acting as the evil king and queen and being quite afraid ,he ran away. So where did he go? Mr. Farmton asked, worry lines creasing his usually calm forehead. I think he might have run into the forest just outside town and could probably be found at the clever childrens house .It is a safe and magical place in the forest where clever baby animals play until parents return from work to take them back home in time for dinner. You do think that Jabari would be safe there, dont you? Mr. Farmton asked with fear in his voice. Of course Wendy assured him. After thanking the small girl he rushed back home and told his wife everything that Wendy had told him. Well I think we should go look for him, she said. Mr. and Mrs. Farmton rushed out of the house. Hang on. Mrs. Farmton said skidding to a halt. Where exactly do we have to go? Mr. Farmton groaned. I forgot to ask! Just at that moment a small ghost boy came up to them and said in a squeaky voice My friends elder sister, Wise Girl Wendy, asked me to tell you that you had forgotten to ask her something. She asked me to give you this note. He said passing a note in Mr. Farmtons hands. It said:

Dear Mr. Farmton, I think you have forgotten to ask me where the clever childrens house is. If you enter the neighboring woods you just have to follow the magical path that lights itself up for those who truly love their children and parents. Sincerely, Wendy

Thank God!!! Mrs. Farmton exclaimed, sighing in relief. Yes. Mr. Farmton nodded his head. That girl is quite smart. Mr. and Mrs. Farmton entered the eerie woods. Trees around them whispered and animals made noises. To little Jabari all of this would have been very frightening thought Mr. and Mrs. Farmton. After a while they found the lit path.

It was a very long trip but finally they reached a sign saying The Clever Childrens House. Mr. Farmton peered beyond the sign and said incredulously, Its not a house. Its a tree!!

Yes. It does seem like one. Mrs. Farmton replied as they walked. When they reached the tree Mrs. Farmton shouted HELLO! IS ANYONE THERE?? At her voice a dozen heads shot out of the strange tree.

Hello. We are the Farmton Ghost Family. Have you seen a small baby ghost by any chance? He is called Jabari? Mr. Farmton asked while swiveling his head around to see if Jabari was there. Yes!! chorused the animal children. Hes in the garden. Mr. and Mrs. Farmton rushed to the garden where a lovely sight met their eyes.

Jabari was playing in the garden looking quite content. Unable to restrain herself Mrs. Farmton rushed to Jabari and embraced. Jabari, thank goodness you are alright. She said. Mummy, daddy you arent bad ghosts after all!! Jabari exclaimed looking surprised. No indeed! Mr. Farmton chuckled joining the family hug. Mr. and Mrs. Farmton thanked all the animal children profusely for taking care of Jabari. Jabari was full of tales of how he had enjoyed the company of the baby animals and how they had looked after him at the house. He told them how he was not scared of anything anymore, not even butterflies. Jabari promised to come back to the forest again to meet his new animal friends at the house again. So, Jabari was reunited with his parents in the end. The best news, however, was that Jabaris adventure had given him the courage to be brave and not afraid!! Mr. and Mrs. Farmton were very happy and proud of their son as he now lived up to his name. Indeed, for Jabari means the brave one in Swahili. Jabaris friends were proud of his courage, too and no one called him Jumpy Jabari, ever after. This little folk tale is told to the children of Dreamantis to this very day.