The following is a sample chapter from Ron Phillips' book "The Travels of Plymouth". This chapter is protected by copyright laws. You may not copy, distribute, print, or use in any manner this chapter without the express written permission of T.S.I. International Ltd.

Chapter 2– Swept into Adventure

Plymouth loved his car. It seemed like an old friend. He named the car "Woody" as it seemed like the natural choice. By the end of summer Woody was such a part of Plymouth's life that having a car didn't seem like any big deal.

The days of the Indian summer were filled with work and lots of cruising. Plymouth used every excuse to take Woody for a spin, and there were always friends eager to accompany him. Soon summer ended and Plymouth prepared for the routine of the school year.

When school began Plymouth was surprised how some of the kids went on and on about his being so lucky to have such a cool car. Of course they didn't know how hard he had worked, first to pay for the car, then to earn the money to restore Woody and finally to satisfy his parents' requirement of insurance and savings. He felt he had earned the privilege to own this great car. But he acknowledged that he couldn't have done it without the help of his friends and family. Radino must have asked Ruby about the car in the first place, and then Ruby had offered him a way to pay for the car and to make some money as well. His parents, (who surprised him with flash new seat covers and floor mats for Woody), had been supportive and gone without his help at home over the summer. And without Mr.Woodhead donating his time, tools and expertise Woody wouldn't be cruising around town. Plymouth was too grateful to get a swelled head.

While Plymouth preferred the social aspect of school, he always gave one hundred percent to his academics and sports. He tried his best and did well. Not great, but pretty well. He was on the second team in football and basketball, and his grades were mostly B's. He wasn't really fantastic at anything; although he was always a model of hard work and good sportsmanship.

Where Plymouth excelled was in the area of relationships. Everyone liked him simply because he was so likeable. He was always friendly and encouraging to others. He never bad rapped people. If something needed to be done or someone needed help they could count on Plymouth to be there. He lived the 'First Tenet'* everyday.

His parents often shook their heads in disbelief as they marvelled over Plymouth's recent change in behavior. When people would remark, "What a terrific kid!", they would sigh and say, "Well, he wasn't always like this. There was a time when he was a real ratbag. Then one day he just changed into a decent person. We don't know what motivated the turn around but we're certainly thankful. Now we have a close relationship with him, which is sure different to always being on his case!"

In actual fact there had been a major change in the whole family since Plymouth's return from the Land of Confusion.* The biggest impact to the family was the birth of Jennifer and Angela. Mum's priorities changed. She now told everyone her first priority was raising her children; she'd realised it is the most important job in society. Dad also made changes that affected the family for the better. He changed his priorities so that work promotions requiring more time or relocating weren't even given a second thought. He worked fewer hours and put more of his time and energy into the family.

Family time was often spent up at their property on the lake. They had decided to buy forty burnt-out lakeside acres as a family project. A wild fire had ravaged the entire forest on the north side of the lake down to the water's edge. Before the fire, the property had been covered in stands of beautiful old oak, pine and fir trees. Now only charred, naked trunks remained.

The first phase of the project was the construction of a large garage which, when not in use as sleeping quarters, served as a storage shed. They had running water and a toilet; camping without roughing it. They all loved being at the lake property and looked forward to the weekends and holidays that could be devoted to the project.

The construction of a green house by Plymouth and his dad was the second phase. Here they raised the seedlings to reforest the land. The grand scheme was to grow stands of exotic trees on the property. The first planting was in a valley of about four acres where they planted trees from New Zealand; rimu, totara, kauri and cabbage palms. They flourished from the start. Next they planted native trees around the parcel where the house would eventually be built. More exotic seedlings were purchased and potted up in the green house for planting the next sections in the spring.

Plymouth's mum decided to go back to work, but only for a few hours a week. Instead of trying to get back into the high-powered accounting firm she had been with, she took a part time position at a residential treatment facility for displaced children. She loved working there because of the relationships she developed with the children. Almost every time they went to the lake one or two of the boys from the home came with them. It was great for the boys, because, in addition to having fun with the family, they had the opportunity to work and earn some money. Since they were paid according to the number of trees they planted, what they earned depended on how hard they worked. Most of the boys were eager to earn money, but it didn't matter to the family if they just wanted to play around and enjoy the lake as long as they followed Mum, Dad, and Plymouth's instructions and the safety rules of Camp Re-Creation at Lake Mateo.

As the family got to know each of the boys, they realised that although they all had similar problems, each boy was unique. In spite of their troublesome issues, each of these boys had special talents and attributes that could be appreciated and encouraged. Plymouth and his mother took a special interest in these young men. Sometimes they carried on conversations way into the night, discussing their ideas about what made these boys behave as they did and what could be done to help them.

"You know, Mum," Plymouth said thoughtfully, "everyone needs love and to feel like their life is going somewhere. Just like they need to eat and sleep."

"Too right, Plymouth," Mum replied, "It seems that all these boys, different as they are, need the same things."

Plymouth and his mum agreed that each of the boys had good reasons to be angry. But somehow they had to be able to forgive those who had hurt or disappointed them. As they talked Plymouth always remembered the words of the Frogman.* But could they experience it simply by being told? He wondered.

"Mum, unless they can be honest with themselves and forgive they will never be able to cast off the lies they believe. They're destined to stay stuck in the behavior that will destroy their chance of a happy life. We've got to figure out how to help them. They are so worth it!"

Plymouth's mum marvelled at his concern and the depth of his insight into the boys' problems. "Plymouth, what happened to you? You've changed so much."

"Mum, if I could take all the boys on the journey that I took, they'd all change."

"What do you mean?" asked his mother.

"I took a trip that was kind'a like the one Alice took through Wonderland. It was a journey through a land called Confusion. I changed because I saw myself as others saw me instead of the kid I thought I was. I realised I had to do something or be forever stuck in an attitude of misery and blame. I looked in a mirror, Mum."

His mother sat still in total amazement. He is telling me something very deep and very personal, she thought.

Finally, shaking her head she asked, "Why didn't you ever tell Dad or me?"

"I think I have. I've let my behavior speak."

She thought a moment and then said, "You're right, Plymouth, you sure have." "Someday," she added, placing a hand on his shoulder, "when the time is right, you need to tell your whole story."

"Maybe I will," he said, thoughtfully.

The next day Dr. Blane, the director of the treatment facility, asked Plymouth's mother to meet him in his office after the coffee break. She brought a pad and paper, thinking he probably wanted figures put together for the monthly Board of Trustees meeting.

"Sara, I appreciate how you and your family have taken a special interest in the boys. They benefit more than you might know from being with your family," said Dr. Blane, relaxing back into his chair.

"Well, we just get so attached to them. We want so much to see them helped with their problems, so they can make a success of their lives."

"Yes. I realise this and I want to ask you about your son, Plymouth. Does he have time for a part time job?" The director leaned forward across his desk. "I would imagine his school work takes up most of his time, but I was hoping we could employ him as an enrichment counsellor to work with some of the older boys. Judging from what I have seen, he has great rapport with the boys and a sensible head on his shoulders. Do you think he might be interested? I wanted to run it past you first before I spoke to him."

Smiling, Plymouth's Mum responded quickly, "Oh, I'm sure he'd be interested. He's been looking for part-time work now that he and his Dad have finished the green house at the lake."

Plymouth was keen to start work straight away but first he had to go through the necessary background checks: fingerprints, references, driving clearance and health check. One month later he started his enrichment activities. On Saturdays he would take one boy out from the facility and they would spend the day together. Sometimes they would go out to the lake to work and to enjoy the outdoors. Often they would take the sailboat out on the lake.

One Saturday in March Plymouth was scheduled to take a boy named Jimmy for enrichment. It was just a few minutes after nine when Plymouth arrived for Jimmy. In some ways Plymouth dreaded this day because Jimmy was so angry and rude. Plymouth secretly hoped he might have been grounded so he could take someone else. But no such luck, for there was Jimmy waiting out on the green as Plymouth drove into the grounds.

"Bro!" Jimmy yelled out as he swaggered towards the car. "I want to go to the video games, none of this mountain climbing shit today. Got it bro?"

"Yes, but no, if you know what I mean," responded Plymouth with a smile. "It's out to the country or stay here. Pretty simple, Jimmy."

"Okay, I'll do the nature stuff if I can stop and buy some smokes."

"Sorry, I don't buy smokes for kids," retorted Plymouth, deciding to continue the conversation without getting out of the car. "How old are you, Jimmy?"

Jimmy stuck his head through the open window on the passenger's side of the car, and firmly planted his fists on the door. "What are you, the Police or ‘somethin'?"

"How old are you? It's a simple question." Plymouth looked Jimmy in the eye. He wasn't in a mood to be messed with and asked again. "Your age, and don't lie about it."

"Man, you're too rigid," snorted Jimmy with a scowl on his face. "I don't want to go with you."

"Your choice," Plymouth said putting his hand on the key and looking over his shoulder.

Jimmy thumped his fists on the doorframe and turned to walk away. After a few steps he turned back and shouted, "I changed my mind. We can go sailing in that Penguin boat of yours."

"It's a Pelican. And maybe we can go, but first you have to answer my question." Plymouth sat back in the car seat and folded his arms. He could wait all day for the answer. He had the time.

"How old am I? Between eight and fifteen and that's the truth," said Jimmy with a smirk.

Plymouth smiled and said, "Get in."

Jimmy, very pleased with himself, laughed loudly and jumped into the front seat. The drive to the lake was full of jive talk.

At the lake, Jimmy predictably declined doing any work. So they pulled the Pelican out of the garage and launched it into the little bay the family had named Sunset.

As they sailed to the north the clouds became black and heavy. Plymouth didn't take too much notice. He was too deep in thought about the night before and the perplexing dinner he had had at Radino's.

Why had Radino told him specifically to put his cloak in the boat when he went out today? He couldn't figure it out. Just before he had left last night, Radino said, "Wait here a moment, there's one more thing." He raced upstairs and returned carrying a wooden box slightly larger than a shoebox. "Put your cloak in this and stow it in your boat where you can get to it in a hurry. It's your passport to adventure." Before Plymouth could ask questions Radino placed an old leather pouch on top of the box. "It's deer skin," he said.

"What's it for?"

"Look inside."

Plymouth pulled the drawstring and reached into the little bag. He pulled out a large, perfect pearl, and looked up quizzically at Radino.

"Put it back for now. It's the Pearl of Inquiry. It is essential, young man, to strive for wisdom. Keep the pouch with you in your cloak and tie the drawstring to the neckpiece. You'll need both of these on your next learning quest. Now get outta here!" Radino ushered Plymouth out the front door without another comment.

Plymouth was jolted from his deep thought by Jimmy shouting and pointing to the horizon, "Look man, what is it?" Plymouth looked up and recoiled in horror and surprise.

- - - - - -

Standing in front of her living room window, high over the beautiful lake, Celeste was admiring the view and thinking of the exciting prom night ahead. She had just finished with her hair and was ready except for putting on her ball dress and heels. She noticed a little sailboat making its way across the lake.

Above the boat the sky to the North was pitch black.

'A tornado!' she gasped. The huge, swirling tornado zigzagged along the lake, stirring the water into a gigantic tidal wave. Celeste watched helplessly as the wave swept straight towards the little sailboat. Dropping her hair brush she raced out of the house and down the trail to Lake Mateo.

Plymouth grabbed Jimmy with one hand and at the same time let go of the rudder and pulled the cloak from the wooden box at his feet. A huge wave hit the boat and pitched them into the churning waters. Plymouth held on to Jimmy and the cloak. They surfaced with only time to gasp half a breath before another huge wave engulfed them, sucking them under into the dark depths of the lake.