Jelani's Quest

• Julian Ferrone, Grade 5
• Short Story
• 2010

One day Julian a courageous, strong 9 year old boy was comfortably sitting in bed flicking through ‘The Encyclopedia of Ancient Africa’. A large, heavy-set book which was magically embossed by Chizoba, a 300 year old Ape elder – keeper and protector of a mysterious, magical structure created the day the earth was born. But Julian didn’t know this he was just reading it as part of his year 4 homework. As he dozed off; Julian’s hand brushed against the amulet set on the front of the book. The amulet started to glow and suddenly the room started spinning around him. He felt his body being sucked into a vortex of time and space. At that moment, he blacked out.

When Julian opened his eyes the ground felt damp and muddy against his skin. He looked around, he was in the jungle! Dazed and confused he heard a rustling in the leaves of a bush. A small ape-like creature emerged. Julian remembered his sling-shot was still in his pocket. He drew a smooth stone from his pouch and took careful aim but before he had the chance to release it the creature announced-
“Do not fear me, I am not your enemy.”
Julian let out a sigh of relief and the creature continued.
“My name is Chizoba which translates to God protect us. I am the protector of the Totem. Gwandoya and his tribe of hyena thieves are trying to steal….”
“But who is Gwandoya?” exclaimed Julian, interrupting the small creature.
“Gwandoya is a thief who steals relics from our world to create wealth. He is trying to steal the Sacred Golden Totem of Gorillas.”
“What is so important about a totem?” asked Julian.
“It keeps the immortal Ape elders like myself from rapidly aging and dying” answered Chizoba. Julian replied “I think I will help you”

So, the two set off for their trek in the jungle. Hours later Chizoba suddenly stopped and whispered “Be quiet, we’re close”. Julian peered through the reeds and saw that Gwandoya and his hyena thieves were scattered through the runes- ancient pillars of stone surrounding the huge totem. A shimmering, scarlet, foul-smelling haze encircled them. Julian launched a stone from his slingshot towards the tribe of thieves. The stone just ricocheted off the haze with a metallic ‘ping’- it was a force field! Gwandoya cocked his head towards the sound but Julian and Chizoba ducked for cover. Chizoba whispered “I have an idea. I will cast a spell to disarm the force field for a few seconds, during that time launch stones at Gwandoya and his thieves.” Chizoba quietly muttered a spell and the force field vanished taking the thief tribe by surprise. Julian immediately fired a round of rocks and as they hit each hyena they shrank to the size of a flea and scurried away. Chizoba’s spell had temporarily given the sling shot magical powers. Julian and Chizoba ran towards the totem and Chizoba cast another spell to secure the totem from intruders. Once secure, Chizoba then named Julian “Jelani” the African word for mighty one because he had helped defeat the enemy.

“How do I get home?” asked Julian. Chizoba replied “touch the golden amulet on the totem and you will teleport home”. Julian did as the wise creature said and was teleported back home. He was sure that when he glanced back at the amulet on the front of his book that he could faintly see Chizoba’s face winking at him!