The Magical Flight of Dodie Rue Read Online Free PDF Page B

existence.
    Dodie wiped his eyes. He prayed with all his might for a miracle. He wished with all his might for Taj’s life to be spared. But again he knew it was no good. He had nothing to wish on, no one to grant his wish—
    Dodie sat up.
    An idea shot through his brain. There might be one way to have his wish granted, but it seemed impossible.
    But the more he thought about it, the more he realized it was the only way to save Taj. And only he could do it.
    The problem was he couldn’t do it.
    It was physically impossible.
    Unless .  . .
    Dodie ran downstairs, out of the house, and down the street. He arrived at the alchemist’s house once again out of breath. This time he didn’t bang on the door; instead he went down a tight alley to the side of the house. He picked up a few pebbles and threw them up at an open window on the second floor.
    â€œOuch!” Binni popped his head out the window and looked down.
    Dodie waved. “I need your help!” he said in a loud whisper.
    â€œWhaddaya need?” asked Binni.
    â€œThat new potion you made for me.”
    Binni’s face lit up in the blue darkness. “You want it now? Sure! It’s all ready and I’m sure there aren’t any side effects on this one .  . . ”
    Dodie could hear Binni’s voice trail off as his friend disappeared into the heart of his house. A minute later Binni joined him outside in the alley. He held up a small glass vial. Even in the gloom, Dodie could see the bright pink hue of the potion. He noticed a new cut on Binni’s lip. He appreciated the trouble Binni went through to find him a remedy.
    â€œThis is one dose, but I can make more,” said Binni as he handed the vial off. “It will last about twelve hours.”
    Dodie pulled out the cork stopper, gave Binni one last quizzical look, then threw back his head and downed the potion. It was quite bitter. He stared at Binni.
    â€œShould I feel different?” he asked.
    â€œProbably not—except when you’re flying a carpet!” Binni said gleefully.
    â€œThere’s only one way to know.” Dodie took off running back home.
    â€œLet me know if it works!” Binni called after him.
    Dodie ran back to the emporium, and lit a lamp. In the back room behind the green drape he found his family’s Caravaner. He grabbed it under his arm and dragged it to the street. The eastern sky was already lightening. He held his hand over the rolled carpet and whispered, “ Dune Cruiser .”
    The Caravaner, a fifteen foot runner rug of gray and yellow, unrolled. Dodie climbed aboard, tucked his knees under him, and took a deep breath. The carpet started gliding a few feet above the ground. Dodie held on tight and waited for a queasy feeling to set in, but it didn’t. He coaxed a little more speed from Dune Cruiser . He still felt fine. He decided to take a chance and gain some altitude. Dune Cruiser was not a racer rug, so could only rise about twenty feet, but typically that was high enough to get Dodie’s stomach churning. This time he didn’t feel the slightest flutter. He was growing braver by the minute.
    He took a sharp turn, he dropped suddenly, he rose quickly. He felt fine—more than fine, he felt great! He felt free.
    Dawn was breaking, the sky turning from deep blue to soft rose. Doors were opening, voices were greeting, and animals were stirring. Dodie drove Dune Cruiser back to his home. He hopped off, waited for the runner rug to roll up, then dragged it back inside and leaned it in a back corner of the shop. He bounded upstairs.
    He found his father sitting by the window and staring out of it vacantly. His grandfather was boiling water for tea. Dodie felt his insides wiggling, but not from carpet flying.
    â€œI know how we can save Taj,” he swallowed. “We can wish for his life.”
    Nadar looked fondly at him. “If only, my grandson.”
    â€œIt’s the only