Fastball Friends Forevermore
Fastball Friends Forevermore — an illustrated stories story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Books.
Page 1
"Ready to scorch some sand, Bolt?" Rio asked, adjusting his goggles. Bolt, a small but determined tortoise, gave a grunt of affirmation. The pair stood at the precipice of the Shifting Sands Speedway, a vast expanse of dunes painted in hues of crimson, ochre, and sapphire. They were about to begin their journey across the painted desert, hoping to win the Golden Gear trophy.
Page 2
Rio pointed to a shimmering mirage in the distance. "Legend says the ancient Sand Surfers used those to find hidden oases," he explained. Bolt squinted, unconvinced. "Bah! Old wives' tales!" he grumbled. Rio, undeterred, pulled a small, tarnished compass from his satchel. "I read about this in Old Man Fitzwilliam's travel journal, the needle is supposed to lead us to the lost oasis that holds the key to shortcuts through the speedway."
Page 3
"We need every advantage we can get," Rio insisted. "Remember what Leonardo da Vinci said, 'He who is fixed to a star does not change his mind.' We're fixed on winning!" Bolt chuckled, a deep rumbling sound. "Alright, alright, lead the way, kid. But if we end up swallowed by a sandstorm, I'm blaming you."
Page 4
The compass led them towards a towering mesa striped with vibrant colors. "Looks like the Whispering Cliffs," Rio shouted over the wind. As they approached, a swarm of Sand Snipes swooped down, pecking at their supplies. "Scatter!" Bolt commanded, retracting his head into his shell for protection.
Page 5
After the Sand Snipes dispersed, Rio noticed something glittering near the base of the mesa. "Look!" he exclaimed, pointing to a small cave hidden behind a curtain of shimmering sand. "According to Old Man Fitzwilliam's journal, the Sand Surfers used to leave offerings here, hoping to appease the desert spirits. See those glowing crystals? The journal says they can amplify a compass's signal to pinpoint an oasis."
Page 6
As they entered the cave, a deep rumbling sound echoed through the passage. "Uh oh," Bolt whispered, his voice trembling. The ground began to shake violently. "Sand Worm!" a voice boomed. A weathered old gnome with a long white beard, wearing a brown leather vest and goggles on his head, scurried into the cave. "They can smell your compass! It's drawing them in!"
Page 7
"We need to hide the compass!" Rio yelled. "Quick, Bolt, use your shell!" Bolt, understanding instantly, retracted further into his shell. Rio carefully placed the compass inside Bolt's shell. "According to Old Man Fitzwilliam, Sand Worms rely on metal detection. No metal, no worm!"
Page 8
The Sand Worm's tremors grew closer, and then abruptly stopped right outside the cave's entrance. The gnome gulped. "It's working!" Rio shouted. The sand worm waited and then slithered away into the desert. The gnome smiled, "You've proven that persistence can ward off any challenge! Now go win that Golden Gear Trophy!"
Page 9
Bolt peeked out of his shell. "That was too close! Thanks for hiding the compass, Rio." "Anytime, Bolt! That Old Man Fitzwilliam really knew his stuff!" Rio replied with a grin. The glowing crystals inside the cave pulsed with light.
Page 10
Together, Rio and Bolt raced across the Shifting Sands Speedway, using their newfound knowledge of the oases to secure shortcuts and ultimately win the Golden Gear trophy. "We really make a great team, Bolt!" Rio exclaimed. Bolt smiled, "Indeed, friends forevermore!" Now they were both experts on the shifting sands.
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)