Once there was a rubber duckie. This was no ordinary rubber duckie mind you. This was a MAGICAL rubber duckie. The rubber duckie was owned by a small peasant boy. Of course the boy didn't know his rubber duckie was magical...yet. The boy lived with his mother who happened to HATE rubber duckies. The old hag through her son our into the street all because of his love for the rubber duckies.

The boy traveled with his beloved rubber duckie. They went near and far, left and right. Finally the rubber duckie said to the boy,"I'm thirsty and tired." The boy pondered the magical rubber duckies words and came to the conclusion that they should stop and rest. So they sat and sat. Suddenly a wagon came rolling down the dirt road. The boy and his rubber duckie were startled and jumped to their feet.

"Good day," said the old man in the wagon. His beard flew in his face so the words were muffled. The boy stood starring at the ugly sight blankly. The rubber duckie tugged on the boys pants, but he took no notice. "Would you like a ride to the city," asked the man. The boy did not reply. He simply jumped on board the wagon with his rubber duckie in hand.

They wagon creaked as they drove along slowly. The bearded man looked over his shoulder at the boy. "So what were you doing in the road," he asked him. The boy just looked at him blankly again. He decided it would be ok to answer the old man's question. "I don't know." The man was looking in front of him steering the wagon. He scratched his head from under his hat. "What do you mean you don't know?" The boy did not answer.

Awhile later it started to get dark outside. The man and the boy *with his magical rubber duckie of course* still had a long way before they got to the city.

"Are you hungry," the old man asked the boy. "Yes sir," he replied. The man grabbed a bag that was sitting at his side and tossed it back to the boy. "You can eat all that's in there. We're near Morlun Jo's house. He will give us shelter for the night. We will continue our journey to the city in the morning." The boy looked inside the bag. There was a sandwich inside with a jug of water. He started munching away at it instantly. The rubber duckie looked up at his owner. "I don't know that we should be trusting this man Sam," the rubber duckie said. Sam looked down at his rubber duckie. "Don't worry. I think he is going to take care of us."

Not long after that they arrived at Morlun Jo's house. They got out of the wagon and approached the door. The old man knocked on it. It was minutes before the door opened.

"Ah! Domre Shacklin! How great to see you," Morlun exclaimed.

"Likewise."

"And who is this little lad?" Morlun had never seen Sam before although Sam had recognized him.

"My name is Sam..."

"Well please come in. Make yourselves at home!" At that Domre and Sam entered the small house. Sam was holding on to his magical rubber duckie. Morlun didn't notice it before but now saw it's entising power. Sam saw Morlun starring at his precious item.

"What is that you have there," asked Morlun.

"Now Morlun, I don't think that is any of our business," interrupted Domre. He knew what it was Sam had and knew it would be unwise for Morlun to know.

With all that said, the three men went to sleep. At least two did. Sam could not sleep. He did not trust Morlun. He had seen him in his city before and knew of the trouble he caused. Why Domre was friends with this creature, he did not know.

Sam layed in his bed thinking. He didn't know what to do. He was so tired. He tried to look at his rubber duckie, but it was too dark to see his hand an inch away from his face. He began singing...

Rubber duckie...you're the one.
You make bathtime lots of fun...

Before Sam could do anything, he had fallen asleep.

Next chapter

Retrace your steps