The Shadow Mountain

Scene 1

Into Kaal’s Tunnel

“Then run, little travelers,” Kaal hissed. “I have been waiting for you.” Behind him, the hidden tunnel opened wider, and cold air rushed from its darkness.

Boba, Fantu, and Laila dashed inside before Kaal could grab the glowing map. The stone door slammed behind them—BOOM!—and Kaal’s scratchy laugh followed through the walls.

The tunnel sloped deep beneath the island. Then Boba heard frightened voices ahead. “Help us!” they cried. The map flashed red and revealed two words: SHADOW MOUNTAIN.

Scene 2

The Hidden Prison

The tunnel opened above a huge chamber. Green torches hissed around cages filled with monkeys, deer, parrots, rabbits, and three worried porcupines. “Boba!” they cried. “You found us!”

BOOM! Kaal entered through a secret door. “Tell me every jungle path!” he roared. A parrot squeaked, “No!” then hid behind its own wing. “Excellent hiding,” whispered Fantu.

A ring of keys jingled on Kaal’s belt. “We need those,” said Laila. Boba’s ears popped up. “Then I need one wonderfully silly idea.”

Scene 3

The Cleverest Creature

Boba marched out. “Stop, Kaal! Only the cleverest creature in the jungle can read our magical map.” “That is me!” Kaal thundered.

Kaal laughed—HRAA-HA-HA-HA! Dust dropped into his mouth. “Koff! Koff!” Fantu whispered, “Big roar. Tiny cough.” A monkey went, “Pfffft!”

“WHO LAUGHED?” Kaal shouted. “The map,” said Boba quickly. Kaal stared at it. “Maps cannot laugh.” Boba smiled. “This one can do something even stranger.”

Scene 4

Boba’s Impossible Test

“To wake the map,” said Boba, “stand on one foot.” Kaal lifted a claw. “Easy!” “Close one eye.” Kaal obeyed. “Now stick out your tongue.”

Fantu blinked. “Is that truly necessary?” Boba whispered, “Absolutely not.” Then he called, “Spin three times!” Kaal spun—WHOOSH! WHOOSH! WHOOSH!

Kaal’s own tail slapped his nose. “Owww!” His mossy mane tickled him next. “Ah... ah... AAAAA-CHOOO!” What would that enormous sneeze hit?

Scene 5

The Blue-Moustache Monster

The sneeze sent Kaal tumbling into a bowl of blue powder. DOOFFF! POOF! He stood with a fluffy blue moustache across his snout.

“Why are you staring?” he growled. “You look very handsome,” said Boba. Fantu nodded. “For a blueberry.” Every cage burst into laughter.

“QUIET!” Kaal roared. The keys slipped from his belt—JINGLE! Fantu’s trunk stretched closer... closer... until Kaal’s tail came SWISHING back.

Scene 6

Click, Click, Rescue!

Laila looped around the tail. “Now, Fantu!” she called. Fantu grabbed the keys and tossed them. “Boba, catch!” BONK! They bounced off Boba’s head and landed in his paws.

“I meant to do that,” said Boba. CLICK went the monkeys. CLICK went the deer. CLICK went the birds and rabbits. “Faster!” cried Laila.

The porcupines waddled out last. “Our fast side is downhill,” one explained. Kaal wiped his eyes, saw the empty cages, and bellowed, “AAAAAAAARGH!”

Scene 7

Between Kaal’s Legs

Kaal charged. “Boba, this way!” cried Fantu. Boba zipped between Kaal’s front legs while Fantu ducked between his back legs. Kaal looked down, then backward, then down again. “Where did they go?”

His legs tangled. “Aaaaaaa!” Kaal toppled—DOOFFF! Fantu jumped aside and accidentally kicked the wall. THUMP! “Sorry, wall,” he said.

CRACK! An old roof stone dropped onto Kaal’s head—BONK! It sat there like a lumpy hat. Boba giggled. “Lovely crown, Your Grumpiness!” Kaal’s amber eyes opened beneath it.

Scene 8

The Invisible Map Trick

Kaal threw off his stone hat. “No more tricks!” Boba pointed into the biggest empty cage. “Too late! The map turned invisible and flew in there.”

“Maps cannot fly!” snapped Kaal. “A truly clever creature would check,” said Boba. Kaal rushed inside. The monkeys pulled a vine—CLANG!—and trapped him.

“Where is the map?” Kaal cried. “Probably standing on one foot,” said Fantu. Everyone laughed—but Kaal’s claws closed around a loose iron bar.

Scene 9

Kaal Runs Away

Kaal pulled—CREEEAK! The bar bent. He squeezed out and raced toward a secret passage. “Stop him!” cried Boba. “With what?” asked Fantu. “Another wall?”

Kaal tripped over his tail and rolled outside—BOOM! DOOFFF! “You have not seen the last of Kaal!” he yelled. A porcupine sneezed. “AAAAA!” cried Kaal, racing into the mist.

“Was he afraid of a sneeze?” asked Fantu. “A very dangerous sneeze,” said Boba. The animals cheered—then the map flashed silver in Boba’s paws.

Scene 10

Beyond the First Adventure

At sunrise, every rescued animal was safe. Drums went BOOM-BOOM, parrots sang, and a monkey danced upside down. “Is that dancing?” asked Boba. “I hope so,” said Fantu.

The map opened—WHOOOOSH! Beyond all its completed paths, a silver star blinked past the greatest mountains they had ever seen. “Was that there before?” Boba asked. Laila shook her head.

Boba packed mangoes. Fantu packed even more mangoes. Laila smiled at the distant star. Their first adventure was over... but what was calling them from beyond the great mountains?