The Curious Case of Missing Moonbeams
The Curious Case of Missing Moonbeams — an illustrated stories story. 10 illustrated pages, free to read on Wonder Books.
Page 1
Deep beneath the cobblestone streets of Willow Creek, lived Pip, a glowbug with an insatiable curiosity. "Have you seen the moonbeams, Flicker?" Pip asked, his antennae twitching. Flicker, a cautious earthworm, peeked out from a mushroom. "Moonbeams? Here? Absurd, Pip!" He burrowed back into the damp earth.
Page 2
Pip ignored Flicker and buzzed toward the Great Geode, a shimmering crystal cave. He noticed a peculiar lack of sparkle. "This is most unusual," he muttered. On the floor, he spotted a dusty, leather-bound book. He picked it up, blowing off the dirt. It read: 'The Moonbeam Thief: A Guide to Lunar Lore.'
Page 3
"Someone is stealing the moonbeams that power our world!" Pip exclaimed, skimming through the book. Flicker poked his head out again. "Moonbeams power the world? I thought it was mushroom juice!" Pip shook his head. "As Leonardo da Vinci said, 'Study the science of art; study the art of science.' The moonbeams are essential, Flicker. We must find the thief!"
Page 4
They followed a trail of shimmering dust deeper into the caves. The path led them to a rickety bridge spanning a chasm of bubbling mud. "I don't like this, Pip," Flicker squeaked, clinging to Pip's leg. "We need to cross carefully," Pip agreed, testing the first plank with one wing. "One at a time. And Flicker — whatever you do, don't look down." Flicker immediately looked down. "Oh," he said in a very small voice. "That is a great deal of mud."
Page 5
The wind revealed a hidden passage behind a waterfall of glowing goo. Pip, ever curious, peered inside. "Look, Flicker!" he shouted, pointing with a wing. Inside the passage was a miniature laboratory.
Page 6
Suddenly, a net dropped from the ceiling, trapping Pip! "Help! Flicker!" Pip cried, struggling against the tightly woven threads. A shadowy figure emerged from behind a large machine. "So, the little snooper finds my hideout," a raspy voice cackled. The figure pulled back their hood, revealing a grumpy-looking cave cricket with goggles and a net launcher.
Page 7
"Run, Flicker, run!" Pip yelled, but Flicker stood his ground. The cricket advanced, net launcher in hand. "Now, now, little worm, no need to be hasty," the cricket sneered. Flicker remembered the book. "Pip said the book mentioned something about cricket weaknesses!" He thought back to the passages about echo-location.
Page 8
Flicker took a deep breath. He began to tap his tail rapidly against the cavern floor, creating a high-pitched vibration. The cricket winced, dropping his net launcher. "My sensitive antennae!" he shrieked. "That's it, Flicker! The book said crickets have super-sensitive antennae!" Pip cheered from above.
Page 9
Pip chewed through the net with his strong mandibles. "Now it's your turn, cricket!" he shouted, diving towards the machine powering the moonbeam siphon. The cricket scrambled to stop him, but it was too late. Pip smashed the machine with one swift kick. A wave of pure, silvery light flooded the cave.
Page 10
The Great Geode glowed brighter than ever before, bathing the underground world in radiant light. "We did it, Flicker!" Pip chirped. Flicker smiled. "I suppose even an earthworm can be a hero," he chuckled. "As Nelson Mandela said, 'Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.' Thanks to reading, we knew exactly what to do!"
About this story
- Audience: kids (ages 6–12)