Jim Baghdadi - Zabee Zabee Doo

This book is dedicated to my two sons, Adam and Ryan. They were the inspiration for writing this book - JB.

- Chapter One

Just Another Day ... Not

Catch! Adam yelled at the top of his lungs at his younger brother Ryan.

Springing into action, Ryan chased the ball all the way down to the far end of the old park in Coogee.

The ball had fallen into some thick shrubs and not afraid of a challenge, nine-year-old Ryan entered the thick bushes, looking for his favourite footy. As he was searching for the ball, he stumbled onto an old sandstone wall. Looking up, he thought the wall was well over three metres high. Overgrown with weeds it looked like it had been untouched for many years.

While surveying the wall, Ryan found his footy. It had been lodged in a crack in the wall and was just out of his reach. Excited at the discovery and needing the help and height of his brother, Ryan called Adam to come and help. Adam ran over and spotted the ball stuck in the crack. As he gripped the ball to pull it out, the wall began to shake and half of it crumbled down, right before their eyes. The pair fell backwards from the force and when they shook off all the dust from their clothing,
Ryan noticed that a metal plaque lay next to him. Being the adventurous one of the pair, Ryan instantly grabbed the plaque and brushed off the wall remnants with his white sleeve.

The plaque was a bronzy-gold colour, about the size of his school ruler and there was some ancient writing on it.

What does it say? asked Adam apprehensively.

Ryan was trying to make out the strange words on the old plaque.

Zabe Zabe Oo, he read.

Theres more, Adam said to Ryan. Read it all.

Using his white sleeve yet again, knowing that Mum would not be impressed, he continued to clean the plaque until he could see the letters more clearly.

Zabee Zabee Doo, Ryan read out loud.

All of a sudden, the boys heard a rumbling noise and closed their eyes and ears ... even Ryan was afraid.

When Ryan opened his eyes, he saw a bright white light coming from the part of the wall that was still intact. The bright light swirled around and around and sounded like the crashing waves at the beach near their home.

Realising it was a portal, Adam was so excited that he grabbed Ryans trembling hand and pulled him into the swirling gateway. In a blinding flash of bright white light, the brothers were transported to another world.

- Chapter Two

A Whole New World

Standing there, they looked around and noticed that the grass was a bright blue and the sky was a smoky shade of light green.

Where are we Adam? Ryan asked with a trembling voice.

Not sure, but hey, look over there, Adam pointed.

In the distance, they could see a winding gravel pathway.

Lets go.

The two ran over to the path and began to follow it. A faint noise could be heard. Continuing along the path, the noise got louder and louder.

Rushing towards them was a golden chariot that was being pulled by four snow-white dogs. There was a girl riding in the chariot, her long brown hair glistened and swayed as she got closer to the boys.

As she neared them, the girl yelled stop to the angelic dogs and the chariot came to a halt next to Ryan. Adam was entranced by her beauty and could not utter a word.

Hey, you two, the beautiful girl said, where are you from?

Her voice was as pure as her face. Looking at them intently with her deep green eyes, Adam perked up and mumbled, Maroubra.

Puzzled, the girl asked, What part of Trowsfield is that in?

Adam told the girl that it was not part of Trowsfield and explained to her that Maroubra was far, far away from here.

What is your name? he asked her daringly.

I am Princess Cassandra, she replied and waited for the boys to introduce themselves.

Gathering his courage, Adam thought about it a while and said M mmy my name is Prince Adam and this is my brother, Prince Ryan.

Delighted, Princess Cassandra smiled, showing off her sparkling white teeth.

Did you say Ryan? At long last, we have been waiting for you for hundreds of years! Our King, the all-seeing Prophet, said the Little King was coming to save us from the evil Brunkies.

Ryan was shocked.

Me, a a a King? he stuttered.

- Chapter Three

The Revelation

Adam whispered to Ryan to play along with the Princesss story, so Ryan asked who the Brunkies were.

The Brunkies are zombies formed by the wicked Bunker, a dark wizard who transforms ordinary people into his army, the Brunkies, she explained. He does this by touching them or spraying them with his evil potion of green, gooey jelly. Once they are under his spell they are hypnotised and follow all his wicked commands.

Princess Cassandra stared hard at Ryan as she continued her horrendous tale.

The Brunkies are on their way to the castle of St Michael, where the all-seeing Prophet and the rest of the townspeople are hiding so they do not fall under the evil Bunkers petrifying Brunkie spell!

Finding his voice after being mesmerised by the Princesss woeful story, Adam asked why Princess Cassandra thought that his younger and somewhat lanky brother Ryan, was the one she believed was here to save the people of Trowsfield from the evil Bunker.

The all-seeing Prophet said Little King Ryan is the one we have been waiting for. It is written in the book of Talise. With his magic Lollie, Little King Ryan will save Trowsfield.

Bewildered, yet somewhat thrilled that the beautiful Princess believed him to be The One, Ryan asked the Princess where and what a Lollie was.

Princess Cassandra pointed to Ryans pocket and said that the all-seeing Prophet had foretold that Ryan would be carrying it in his pocket.

Ryan put his hand deep into the pocket of his favourite footy shorts and pulled out the bronzy-gold coloured plaque he had found when the wall crumbled.

That is the Lollie! she said breathlessly. Point it at my dogs and see what happens.

Ryan pointed the Lollie at the Princesss snow-white dogs but nothing happened. Impatiently, the Princess told Ryan that he must chant the magic words. Ryan was worried and looked at his older brother for help.

In a stroke of genius, Adam said, Ryan! Remember how you opened the portal. You read out the words on the Lollie.

A little afraid, Ryan mustered up the courage, pointed the Lollie at the canines and in the calmest voice said, Zabee Zabee Doo Dogs.

In an instant, a flash of blue light emanated from the lollie and encircled the hounds. They swirled mid-air and began to transform into large, glorious horses.

Their tails were long and plush and their eyes shone a perfect blue, reminding him of Maroubra beach on a summers day. Even Princess Cassandra was captivated at what Ryan had just accomplished.

Ryan beamed with surprise and with a sense of strength, told the Princess and Adam that he would save the people of Trowsfield from the evil wizard and bring peace and happiness once again!