Rem World by Rodman Philbrick

Author:Rodman Philbrick [Philbrick, Rodman]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Publisher: Scholastic Inc.
Published: 2013-12-26T16:00:00+00:00

THEY WERE AWAKENED an hour before dawn.

At first Arthur yawned and tried to roll over, but Morf reminded him that today was the day. There were promises to keep, and Arthur would be leaving a few moments after sunrise.

Arthur sat up as if he’d been jolted with electricity. “I wish it wasn’t today,” he said. “I wish it was tomorrow instead, or even yesterday.” But he knew he was wishing for the impossible, and so he dragged himself from bed and put on his blanket-wings.

Leela and her father had been up for some time, making preparations.

“Your breakfast awaits,” the Cloud Master announced with a smile.

On the steaming platter was a selection of food that Arthur never could have imagined. Cool melons cut out of rain clouds. Fluffy Sun flour waffles drenched in a dewdrop syrup. Bowls of porridge that glowed with the light of distant stars. Slices of toast so light, they floated above the plate, and plenty of moonberry jam.

“Eat up,” the Cloud Master told him. “You’re going to need all of your strength.”

They ate until there was only one waffle left.

“You have it,” said Leela.

“Oh, I couldn’t,” Arthur said.

“I insist,” said Leela.

But it was too late. Morf polished it off, and he sat there licking the nearly invisible waffle crumbs and looking very pleased with himself.

“Time to go,” the Cloud Master said, wrapping himself up in his wings.

· · ·

The sunrise celebration was by now familiar to Arthur, and he sang along with the others, welcoming the dawn. He was beginning to feel very much at home in the World Above, and he hated to leave. But as Morf reminded him, a promise is a promise.

Leela took his hand, and they walked to the edge of the highest cliff. Far below, the clouds seemed to beckon, as if they knew that something very important was about to happen.

“What will you do?” Arthur asked Morf.

“What do you mean, ‘What will I do?’” Morf looked startled. “I’m coming with you, of course.”

And with that, Morf jumped up and tucked himself inside Arthur’s shirt. His small, furry head poked out. “Ready when you are,” he said, grinning. “Off we go into the wild green yonder!”

Arthur was flooded with relief. It was selfish, he knew, but he’d been sick at the thought of leaving Morf behind. Besides, he was terrified to face the ordeal of Vydel’s Mouth alone.

It was Leela’s mission to guide him as far below as she possibly dared. She took the responsibility very seriously. “Remember,” she said, “wings out, head back. And let the wind do the work.”

Together they stepped off the edge of the cliff and fell toward the World Below.

· · ·

In the beginning, Arthur felt only exhilaration. The thrill of wind in his face.

The brilliant sun was warm on his back, and his blanket-wings thrummed with air.

It was glorious!

“This is the coolest,” said Morf. His head poked out from under Arthur’s chin.

They followed Leela, who was flying in great, slow spirals. Gradually she glided down toward the thick layer of clouds.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.