the kingdom of the flowers

author’s note

I had an enormously good time writing this story. Most of all I fell in love with the characters—even with Megan, who gets the story rolling by pushing her brother, Daniel, over a cliff. Without her we’d have nothing. And without her (and also Lappidoptra) the next story—more about that later—would not be a story at all.

It’s difficult to describe the Kingdom Of The Flowers in a few words, but if I must, it’s about a boy named Daniel whose friendship with God leads him to unexpected places. In this case it is the kingdom of Kroodneega.

Now this might sound to you like a place on another planet, but it’s not. It’s right here, on our planet, an imaginary kingdom that, if it were real, could well populate our history books. It is not, therefore, a place with dragons and evil wizards and talking animals and small people with hairy feet (I have nothing against stories like these, I just don’t want you to be disappointed if you don’t find them in this story), but is from a time several hundred years ago, so there are no planes, trains or automobiles.

What’s odd (and also sad) about Kroodneega is that it’s an incredibly beautiful land where it’s not so beautiful to live, especially if you’re a child working in the king’s palace. If you make one little mistake, you’ll up in the dungeon. Lappidoptra was there because she forgot to wipe her muddy feet before entering the palace. Queequee made the mistake of giving the queen a bouquet with a bee in it that stung her on the nose. Wagnifee was caught sleeping on the king’s throne. (Who could ever believe a king’s throne could be so comfortable?)

Of course, Daniel didn’t know any of the things I am telling you when he was led in bonds to Kroodneega. He does know God, however, who is a stranger to everyone in this country. Daniel is, therefore, a messenger of hope. And since the Kingdom Of The Flowers is a Tale Of Hope, it makes perfect sense for him to be in Kroodneega.

I was sad at having to say goodbye to the characters in this tale, so sad that I’ve invited most of them back for a sequel. Unfortunately, an uninvited villain has also returned, but I suppose that is the nature of villain. But not matter what happens, it is sure to be another Tale Of Hope.