Their journey began with a steep climb up the bank of Rutabaga River. When they reached the top, Little Lauryn Lollipop’s heart sank. Ahead of them stretched a dusty desert as far as the eye could see.
“Ah, yes,” said Pico, squinting at a tattered map he had pulled from his suitcase. “Looks like we’ll be crossing the Desert of Mournful Meows.”
“The Desert of Mournful Meows?” said Lauryn. “Why do they call it —” Before she could finish asking, she had her answer, as a howling wind whipped up, sounding like the dreadful wailing of a seriously sad cat. “Oh. I see.”
The mournful meows matched how Lauryn felt about the way forward.
“Don’t worry,” said Pico, trying and failing to put her mind at ease. “All we need to do is avoid sinking into the quicksand, get past the scorpions, find our way through the cactus maze, keep out of the scorching sun during the day and stay warm in the freezing cold when it gets dark. Easy peasy.”
Lauryn plopped to the ground, sending up a dusty cloud about her. “I can’t do that!” she howled (not unlike the wind). “How are we supposed to get through so many different obstacles?”
Pico thought for a moment, before snapping his fingers. “I’ve just the thing!” he declared. Popping open his suitcase, he stuck his head in, nearly disappearing inside entirely — which seemed impossible given the suitcase’s seemingly small size.
A few moments later, he emerged and held out his hand triumphantly.
Lauryn looked down, unsure about what she saw. “It’s … a bean.”
“Not just any bean!” Pico declared. “It’s a Ballyhoo Bean!”
Lauryn scratched her head. She slowly reached out and plucked the mysterious legume from Pico’s outstretched palm. I am hungry, she thought, moving the bean to her mouth.
“WELL, DON’T EAT IT!!!” shouted Pico, snatching the bean back. “A Ballyhoo Bean isn’t food. It’s an enchanted shapeshifter that takes the form of whatever you need it to be.”
Lauryn took a closer look. And sure enough, she found herself looking at a little creature in the shape of a bean. “Hello!” the bean squeaked, nearly drowned out by the mournful meows.
“Sorry for nearly eating you,” Lauryn said.
“No worries!” replied the bean. “Happens all the time.”
With the Ballyhoo Bean leading the way, the three unlikely companions began their trek across the scorching desert sands. And very quickly, Lauryn realized how happy she was that she hadn’t eaten the enchanted shapeshifter. Because as the sun rose higher, Lauryn could feel her legs getting weak under the intense heat.
Then, just when she thought she could go no further, the Ballyhoo Bean transformed into an umbrella, giving them the shade they so desperately needed.
By noon, they arrived at the Quicksand Seas — a sprawling swath of sinking muck too dangerous to walk through and too wide to walk around. So the Ballyhoo Bean transformed again, this time into a jetpack that flew the crew to solid ground on the far side of the quicksand.
An hour later, Lauryn started to hear clicking sounds over the mournful meows. “What’s that?” she asked Pico. She got her answer as the crested the next dune. Ahead of them, ten giant scorpions blocked their path, their stingers glistening with poison.
“On it!” shouted the Ballyhoo Bean. And in the blink of an eye, it transformed into a battering ram on wheels that plowed a path through the scorpions.
Next came the cactus maze: a dense, prickly labyrinth that stretched on for miles. The thorns of the cacti threatened to skewer the travellers at every step. That is until the Ballyhoo Bean did its thing, encasing Lauryn and Pico inside a puncture-proof bubble so they could safely navigate the twists and turns.
By the time they emerged on the other side of the maze, the sun had set — taking all the warmth of the world with it. By comparison, the icy waters of the Rutabaga River were positively hot. Shivering uncontrollably, Lauryn turned to the Ballyhoo Bean. “Got any other tricks up your sleeve?”
The shapeshifter huffed and puffed, clearly exhausted after a long day of shapeshifting. “You bet,” it replied. “But I fear this may be my final transformation before I need to rest for a while.”
With a SWOOSH, the bean then turned into a roaring fire, keeping Lauryn and Pico nice and toasty as they made camp for the night.
The next morning, the Ballyhoo Bean had returned to bean form, thoroughly spent after a hard day and night of tremendous transformations. Pico picked up their helper and gently placed him back into the suitcase.
“We made it,” said Lauryn. And indeed they had. Behind them lay the Desert of Mournful Meows, a shimmering wasteland of sweat and sand. And ahead of them? A large lake under a sky full of low, dark clouds.
“Ahoy!” someone called out from down the beach. Lauryn turned to see an old man standing next to a boat. “I’m Captain Codger. Need a lift?”
Lauryn looked at Pico. “I guess it’s time to set sail,” he said. And so, Little Lauryn Lollipop and her pal the lompa-kazoo made their way down to the beach to begin the next leg of their journey.
.
Ideas for your own journey!
The Ballyhoo Bean showed Lauryn how valuable it can be to have helpful tools with you when you’re facing obstacles — whether it’s an umbrella, jetpack, battering ram, puncture-proof bubble or toasty campfire.
Whatever challenge you’re tackling, think about the resources you could use to help you get through it. Make note of the tools that are already available, as well as the ones you’re missing and how you might be able to get your hands on them.
For example, if you’re studying for a big test, it could be your textbook, a tutor or noise-cancelling headphones to help you focus. If you’re sick, it could be a big bowl of soup or some medicine from your doctor.
Or perhaps you’re dealing with conflicts with your family, friends or other people in your life. If that’s the case, maybe a meditation app could help ease your anxiety. Or having a safe space you can go to so you can catch your breath. Or support from a helpline.
Bottom line? Prickly problems demand well-equipped problem solvers. And gearing up with the right tools and resources can make all the difference in the world.
WHAT’S IN YOUR TOOLBOX?
Try this exercise to take stock of the tools you’ll need on your journey.
- Step 1.Identify a goal you’re trying to achieve or an obstacle you’re facing (for example, a big project or a health challenge).
- Step 2.Make a list of all the tools and resources that would help you accomplish your objectives.
- Step 3.Go through your list and identify which items you already have access to — and which ones you don’t.
- Step 4.Distinguish between the “must-have” items and the “nice-to-have” items. For example, if you’re training for a big race, the latest GPS smartwatch could help track your practice runs, but it might not be absolutely necessary.
- Step 5.Review your list and make a plan for how to get your hands on the tools and supports that will help you achieve your goals.
NEXT: CHAPTER 3 – LAKE TUMBLES
PREVIOUS: CHAPTER 1 – RUTABAGA RIVER
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