Memorable Worlds: The Kingdom of Wisdom

The Kingdom of Wisdom

My Experience with this World: 

The Phantom Tollbooth was one of those books that sat on my shelf for far too long because I didn't like the cover. One day, my mom handed it to me and told me that I would like it, so I grudgingly picked it up and discovered that the dog on the cover was not, in fact, the titular tollbooth, and was actually a rather nice fellow, and the world itself was quite fun. It then spent a few days hidden under my desk while I read it instead of doing my school work. *coughcough*

Also, when I was babysitting the cousins who live across the yard from me every week last year, they had me reading this book to them. They named a cat Milo as a result.

I have the movie on my Android, but I haven't watched it yet. Know what, I think I'll go hunt it down and watch it right now to put me in the mood. There. Found it. They're singing about what's to become of Milo right now.

Origin:

This world doesn't really have a creation story, but according to Faintly Macabre, it was originally a barren country called the Land of Null until a young prince came sailing over the sea of knowledge and founded a city and pushed back the demons and monsters. The city grew into a country, and he got married and had two sons, Azaz and the Mathematician and later found two baby girls, who he named Rhyme and Reason. The two boys, after his death, dived the country and declared themselves enemies, banishing Rhyme and Reason when they opposed them.

Geography:

This is the map in my copy of the book. (It's actually my mom's, but I pretend it's mine.)

The Kingdom of Wisdom is another very diverse country, and we get to travel through most of it. First we make a stop in the marshy doldrums where it's easy to get lost, then there are the foothills of Confusion where it's also easy to get lost. Then there's the city of Dictionopolis, and then the Forest of Sight with Point of View and Reality and Illusion. In the north there's the mountains and the Number Mine, and then the mountains of Despair. Oh, and the isle of confusion. Can't forget that!

Peoples and Culture:

There is no rhyme or reason to anyone in the Kingdom of Wisdom. Most of the inhabitants are humans, but there are the humbugs, the watchdogs, and the spelling bees buzzing around. Even the humans can be quite interesting.

As to the culture, the only thing that you have to remember is that it makes sense if you take it literally. Everything is literal. Oh, and don't forget that King Azaz and the Mathematition haven't agreed on anything since the Princesses of Rhyme and Reason were kidnapped.

What I like about this world:

The sheer insanity. The world is wonderfully described, yet not overbearing, and the people ... oh the people!

What I don't like:

My only complaint is that there was never a sequel written. The book doesn't need one, I know ... but ... I wanna go back!!!!

What I learned from this world: 

The Phantom Tollbooth was one of my first introductions to puns. I may have encountered a punny book before it, but it's not likely. It's not the book that made me put it into Bookania, but I'm sure it was a factor. I think it also had influence on the Land of Numbers.

These world-building posts are for the promotion of the upcoming release of my book The Ankulen. Feel free to do one yourself, just make sure you refer back to my blog and let your readers know about my upcoming book. If you do write a post, post a link in a comment somewhere on my blog and I'll add you to a giveaway for a copy of my book. Multiple entries are allowed, and one out of every three may be a world of your own.

Robin Shrunk!

We've been going through the heroes of faith of Hebrews 11 at our Wednesday night church things, and were at Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (They aren't mentioned directly, but they are the ones that come to mind with "Quenched the Violence of Fire") 

So we  made shrinkydinks.

Here are the ones I made

Wrong side of the Daniel in the Lions Den. I didn't draw this, it was one of the pre-drawns. I just colored and signed my name.

Here's the right side. Yes, I know my name is backwards, but that's the thing about shrinkydinks. The side you draw on is the wrong side.

After I colored Daniel and his lion friends and gave them to Mrs. J to bake, I decided to get a bit more creative. I got a piece of blank shrinkydink plastic and started drawing.

This is what came out. Yup. Robin. I just don't know what it is about her, but she's always getting me to draw her. There's only one character I have worse than her ... and she's ... well, I can't tell you about her yet. She's not born yet.

Anyways ... 

I'm quite pleased with how she came out. Despite the fact that Robin NEVER wears her hair down, I like how I managed to capture the motion with her hair. The sword came out pretty good too. And, actually, having her sword in her right hand works. Robin fights with both hands. Learned it from Inigo Montoya ... er ... I mean ... never mind.

On a completely unrelated note, you see that flower design on my thumbnail? My cousin Terri (the one mentioned in the acknowledgements of Sew, It's a Quest) sent us a box of stuff the other day - including a bottle of fine-tipped fingernail polish. 

EGGS!!!!!
Unfortunately, these only count as one.

Thanks Cousin Terri!!!

Thankful Thursday - Cousins

I have a LOT of cousins. I have over twenty biological cousins, and quite a few unofficial "adopted" cousins. I'm not sure how many of the last category I have, because I'm always getting more!

I love my cousins. While some of them I haven't seen in nearly three years, and some I've never seen, I have others that live just across the yard. I enjoy the time I spend with all of them. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I always get along with them perfectly, because I ... don't. We're all human, and I've gotten into an arguement with almost every single one of them, with the exception of most of the ones I rarely see, the ones I've never seen, and the babies. It's very hard to fight with a baby. Even the "adopted" cousins I've had disagreements with, although the newer ones not so much.

But that doesn't mean that I never get along with them! Far from it! One of the ones I fight with the most, at other times I get along with the best. He's my playpartner! (and also seven years younger than me).

So I'm thankful God gave me as many cousins as he did. I'm also thankful that he gave me the sort of family that just absorbs people. I love all of my cousins, and I'm glad I have them.

The Eagle Olympics

We're studying about Ancient Greece in school.

So the other day, I decided to hold an Olympics for the littles.

There were six competitions, and six littles.

First off, running. The distance wasn't far, just from the stage area to my dad's old car and back. Alex won. Mt, who was barefoot, walked the whole way. B didn't participate.

Then we had the discus throw. I couldn't find a Frisbee (I think they're all in the very slimy swimming pool) so I had them throw a bucket lid. Joel won.

Then the javelin throw. We didn't have a javelin, so we used the straightest stick I could find. Mt won.

Then the long jump. Marriana won, although I think I fudged a little.

Boxing - B won, I know I fudged that one.

We finished with the chariot race. Unfortunately, I didn't think the neighbors across the street would lend me her horses so I was the horse. I didn't time me, so I just declared the one who hadn't won yet the winner - Av.

I was one tired horse - and it was only the distance I had had the kids run (six times with a heavy kid on my back).

The prize was a fudgy no-bake. Every one got one.

Even the horse.

Shelia and Vincent

Once upon a time there was a short, but charming, Prince.
There also was a tall, but beautiful, Princess.

One day they each set out on a quest. The Princess's boat was overtaken by a terrible storm. She soon found herself suspended from one of the beams sticking out of the main mast.

The prince, hearing her cries of distress, hurried to her aid. He steered his ship right into the thick of the mess, and, grabbing a rope, swung down and -
Whacked into the mast.
The princess lost her grip and fell down down into the frothing waters. The prince, still holding the rope, dived in after her. He caught her and had his men pull him back on board his ship. After dumping her on the deck, he jumped to the wheel and, crying, "Let's get out of here!" successfully got them out.

Then the princess started coughing, so he sprang back down to where she was. She opened her eyes and instantly sprang up. "Where am I?" she wondered, quite loudly.
"Why, on my ship of course," answered the prince.
"And who are you?" she asked
"I am Prince Vincent, I rescued you from the ship wreck," answered the prince, "Who are you?"
"I am Princess Shelia," the princess answered, "I am very thankful. Could you tell me if this boat is headed anywhere in the direction of the Kieray Ruins and if not, how I could find a vessel that is?"
"Today happens to your lucky day," Vincent answered, "That happens to be exactly where I am going."
"It is!" Shelia cried, "Oh, that is so fortunate! You see, I am - was - engaged to a prince, but he died in a great fire a few weeks ago. LeEtta, my guardian (who happen's to be a fairy) said that I must go and fetch some 'lost stones' from there so she can choose for me a new prince."





"You know," Vincent cried, "That is not unlike the reason I am going! I was engaged to a princess, and she died in great earthfall. Roonto, my guardian (He's of the elves), said I needed some 'Lost Jewels' for the same reason"
"What a strang coincidence," Shelia remarked.

Time passed and they were soon at the entended location. The first thing either of them noticed were the people, especially the women. They were dressed oh so strangly. The women were wearing pants and - gasp - shirts that did not cover them completely. They talked funny too. The princess figured the accent out, finally, and translated the speach to Vincent. This is the story, as she understood it, of the place.

The place used to be two magnificent castles. A princess would live in one and a prince in the other. The two of them were said to have owned magic items. They never saw each other untill the day of their marriage. However, one night, a dreadful earthquake occured and caused an earthslide to destoy the princess and fire to to destroy the prince. That was five hundred years ago. Now they were excavating the place, looking for clues to the past. Shelia asked permissio to search for something, this was granted.

They went first to where the jewels were supposed to be and - they wern't there. So they went to where the stones were supposed to be. They wern't there either.

Then Vincent noticed some jewels around Shelia's neck. Shelia noticed some stones around Vincent's. "That's what I'm looking for!" They yelled at the same time. Each then asserted that they had had their string ever since they had been choosen for their position.
It was Shelia who finally figured things out. The prince and princess who had lived there had each been placed under a spell that made them sleep for five hundred years.
And they weren't just any one.

They were themselves.

Vincent soon caught on.
"Will you marry me?" he asked.
"Yes," answered Shelia.
And they ran off into the sunset and lived happily ever after.