The Boy Who Couldn't Lose
The Boy Who Couldn't Lose — an illustrated stories story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Books.
Page 1
The lighthouse stood tall against the swirling painted sea, its lamp a beacon in the swirling sunset. Kenji, perched on the railing, squinted at the horizon. "Think anyone's coming today, Elodie?" he asked, his voice barely audible above the crashing waves. Elodie, beside him, shook her head. "Probably not. It's been weeks since we've seen another boat."
Page 2
Kenji sighed, grabbing a small, worn wooden ball from his pocket. He bounced it absently. "Maybe we should just focus on the Lighthouse Games," Elodie suggested, trying to sound encouraging. "You know, the big race! The jump for height! The challenge for endurance! The big tournament in the sand!" Kenji looked up, a flicker of excitement in his eyes. "You mean... practice?"
Page 3
Elodie nodded, pointing to an old, dusty book lying open on a nearby table. "Remember what your dad always says?" she asked. Kenji groaned. "'Practice makes perfect'?" Elodie grinned. "Well, he also said that the old lighthouse keepers used to compete in crazy games!" Kenji picked up the book, noticing a faded diagram. "Hey, this shows how they used to make special jumping sand using seaweed!"
Page 4
"Seaweed sand? For jumping?" Kenji asked, his brow furrowed. Elodie laughed. "Apparently, it makes you jump higher! Let's try it!" They gathered seaweed from the shore and mixed it with sand, following the book's instructions. But when Kenji jumped, he barely lifted off the ground. "This is useless! I can't even lose at jumping! I'm already the worst!" he exclaimed, throwing his hands up in frustration.
Page 5
Elodie placed her hands on her hips. "Maybe you need to try harder, Kenji! You always give up so easily!" Malik appeared from behind the lighthouse, carrying a fishing net. "What's all the commotion?" he asked, his straight black hair combed back neatly. "We're trying to make jumping sand, but it's not working," Kenji grumbled. Malik chuckled. "You two always arguing," he said, shaking his head.
Page 6
"It's not my fault!" Kenji protested. "I'm just... not good at losing! Or winning!" He kicked at the sand. "That's the most interesting part, isn't it?" Malik said, quoting the famous French writer, Marcel Proust. "He understood that life is rarely about absolutes. It's finding joy in between. But... I can't help you make the sand, it's no good! It's a natural phenomenon that's already here! I use it to run across the beaches! It's down by the Southern Cliffs! But... don't tell anyone!"
Page 7
"Special running sand?" Elodie asked, her eyes widening. "Why didn't you tell us about this before, Malik?" Malik shrugged, avoiding her gaze. "It's a secret! Besides, you two are always so competitive, you never ask for help!" Kenji hung his head. "He's right. I guess I'm afraid of looking... weak," he admitted softly. Elodie smiled. "Asking for help isn't weak, Kenji. It's smart!"
Page 8
Together, the three friends raced towards the Southern Cliffs. Malik showed them the patch of glittering sand, infused with minerals from the cliffs. "This is it," he said. "Try running on it!" Kenji hesitated, then took a deep breath and sprinted forward. He felt lighter, faster, as if he were flying! "Whoa!" he shouted, leaping high into the air. "I can't lose here!" He thought back to the diagram and realized they didn't realize that the sand only worked when the tide was at its lowest!
Page 9
Elodie and Malik cheered, amazed by Kenji's speed. "You did it, Kenji!" Elodie shouted. "You found your advantage!" Kenji grinned, panting. "We did it! Together!" he corrected. He realized then that winning wasn't about being the best, but about working as a team. "Thank you, Malik, thank you, Elodie." Kenji smiled and bowed. "Your support is more valuable than gold."
Page 10
As the sun set, painting the sky in vibrant hues, Kenji, Elodie, and Malik walked back towards the lighthouse, laughing and talking about the upcoming Lighthouse Games. "So," Elodie said, nudging Kenji, "ready to practice?" Kenji grinned. "Ready to practice... together!" he replied. They all knew that, win or lose, they would face the games as a team. One thing was for sure: the lighthouse games would never be the same.
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)