The Adventures of Starbright

Some time between 1986 and 1989, my sister Faye and I decided to write a book. Many hours were spent in front of my Dad's (new, exciting, 386!) computer as we turned our 7-9 year old thoughts around and tried to fashion stories. My Dad recently found the old archived documents and sent them to us to read. The documents are kind of jumbled and wierdly formatted, but we could retrieve 6 chapters telling of the adventures of Starbright, a lovely young planet who was also an ace detective. I laughed out loud re-reading them: my sense of humour has not matured in more than 20 years: I STILL think it's funny that we named Starbrights' mother MArs . Here's chapter 2 (unedited and unabridged)... to give you a taste:

THE FALSE CASE

Starbright, who was on holiday visiting her mother, MArs, was rather confused because she was sure that she had brought her rainbow dress but she could not find it. "I'm positive I packed it," she mumbled, scratching through her dilapidated suitcase "I know I packed it! Or is it still in the washing machine?" Starbright remembered putting her dress into her suitcase, so it had to be there! She emptied the suitcase out on the floor and began digging frantically for her dress, but it wasn't there! Soon Starbright forgot about her dress and began to browse through an old magazine she had discovered at the bottom of her suitcase. The magazine was dated the 31 October 1956. The date rang a bell somewhere at the back of her head. "Why of course!" she cried, "That's Halloween!" She read the magazine with great interest but one article caught her eye. "Fool to be tricked." it read, "The great magician Merlin has made it known that a certain person will discover a certain copy of this magazine after a long period of time while hunting unsuccessfully for a lost item of clothing. This person will be known as the "Sherlock Holmes" of the time. It is said that this person will find the true story about the legendary city of Atlantis." Starbright was stunned. "This has to be me!" she exclaimed, wild with excitement."I found this magazine after looking for my missing dress. And I have

often been referred to as the Sherlock Holmes of my time. This just has to be me!" Starbright could hardly believe what she had just read. "Just imagine," she whispered quietly to herself. "Just imagine discovering the real truth about Atlantis." Starbright rushed downstairs to tell her mother the amazing news. MArs smiled sweetly and continued knitting the green sweater for Venus's birthday. "Don't get too involved dear!" advised her mother, "It could be dangerous." MArs then turned away and began to knit again. Starbright started immediately on her latest case. She first went to see the archeologist who had first even had a clue that Atlantis had once existed. "My word!" exclaimed the old man, "Very unusual indeed!" he remarked after Starbright had explained the whole situation to him. "Yes, I was the first man ever to suspect that Atlantis existed," said the old man, stroking his beard in thought, "And many people supported my theory. I am prepared to help you on this exciting expedition. Dill's the name. Robert Dill and you are?" "Starbright!" "Ah ... Well we will be working together so you are please to call me Rob." "O.K!" replied Starbright, extending her hand to Rob. The old man hesitated but soon was shaking Starbright's hand heartily and telling her all about his discovery. * * * * Meanwhile, back at home MArs was speaking to Jupiter over the telephone.

Yes dear. I will make sure that Starbright, our daughter, will not find out that I have her dress and that I stuck the article on Merlin in...............................................................

Are you sure? ..............................................................

Yes I'm sure my darling Jupiter. ..............................................................

Well, my sugar-plum fairy, what if by accident she does find out? .....................................................

Then, my sweetie-pie we suffer the consequences! ..............................................................

And what, my sunflower princess, are the consequences? ..............................................................

Being known as disloyal parents!!! Now will you stop asking those silly questions? She will not find out!!!!! (BANG)

Rob and Starbright started on their quest to find the real truth about Atlantis but where would they start? Starbright remembered that she had some information on Atlantis at home so she insisted on stopping by. Starbright could not remember where she had last seen her Info-File so she started to scratch around in her drawers. She didn't find her file but she did find the tape which had accidentally been left recording during her parents' conversation. Starbright decided to play the tape and was amazed at what she heard."Well I never!" she muttered to herself in fury. "My own parents playing a trick on me!" She explained the situation to Rob. He said that he was sorry that such a mean prank had been played on her. Then he left. Starbright had a bone to pick with her parents but the moment she opened her mouth to complain......... "Starbright, your mother and I have played a mean trick on you." "I know", whispered Starbright to herself, "And you and mama are forgiven." Starbright's feelings were hurt but she was glad that her parents were honest with her.