Door to Kandalaura (3 page)

Chapter 4

DAD, CAN I GO?

A
NDRON
DIDN'T TAKE
long to master my roller blades, skateboard, scooter, and bike.
He had the most fun on my pogo stick. His agility and coordination were amazing.
Ben and Mary joined us. Ben told Andron how well Herby was doing. He even showed
us his new aquarium. Andron loved watching Herby. It gave me a feeling of pride to
see how much he was enjoying himself on our planet.

When Mom came home, she saw Andron and gave him a big hug.

“I'm so glad to see you,” she exclaimed. “It's been way too long.” I could tell she
was as attached to him as Dad and I. That gave me hope. I don't think Dad told her
about
Andron's request till after we were all in bed that night. At one point I thought
I could hear her crying.

“Don't worry,” said Andron. “I know they'll let you go.”

“I wish I could be so sure,” I said. “You already know how emotional Mom is. My parents
love me, and they want to protect me.”

“That's just it,” said Andron. “Their love for you will outweigh their fear. They
won't want to deprive you, especially after your father studies everything I gave
him. I know you're going. Just trust me.”

“Andron, you amaze me. You're a kid like me one minute, and the next thing I know
you're talking like a grown-up. You have so much confidence. I sure hope you're right.”

The next morning Dad said he wanted to talk with me alone.

“Son, I need to know how badly you want to go. We can't be sure of how much his scientists
really know. We don't know what kind of tests they've run concerning our planet and
our DNA. And what if it's a trap? Andron seems sincere and truthful. But there's
still enough risk for your mom and I to say no. I need to know. Are you willing to
risk your life for this? Or is this just a whim, like sort of a fun thing to do?
Tell me how you really feel.”

Tears came to my eyes. “Dad, it's like a fire burning inside of me. Ever since Andron
came, it's all I think about. I feel like it's something I have to do. And yes, I'm
ready to risk my life for it.”

“All right, son,” he said, putting his finger to his lips and his thumb under his
chin. Then he looked at me intently. “We love you more than you know. You're our
only child. This is the most difficult decision we've ever had to make.”

“I know, Dad,” I said. We hugged. “It's hard for me too, but I trust you and mom.
You'll make the right decision.”

Mom made her monster waffles with ham and eggs for breakfast. Nothing was said about
the trip. That would come much later.

Even though Andron told my parents to take their time deciding, I thought I was going
to burst. Then two days later, after lunch, Dad looked at Andron intently.

“Son,” he said, “you've asked us to entrust to you the one thing that's most precious
on this earth.” I could tell the big answer was coming. Dad continued, “You're a
strange mixture of boy and man. You look like a child on the outside, so young and
innocent. But on the inside, you have the wisdom, integrity, and knowledge of a grown
man, perhaps more than any man I know. I guess that's why Mikey's mom and I have
decided to let Mikey go with you.”

Andron and I were stunned. For a few seconds no one spoke. Then I jumped up and down
and shouted, “I'm going to Kandalaura!” I ran over and hugged my parents. “Thank
you, thank you, thank you,” I said. “You won't regret this. I know I won't.”

Andron shouted, “I knew it! I knew it!” He ran over and hugged mom and dad too.

I was still so excited I thought I'd burst. “Yes!” I screamed. Then I ran and did
cartwheels all the way down the hall. Andron was close behind me doing the same.
We high fived and hugged, laughing till we thought our sides would burst. Mom and
Dad were laughing too. This was the happiest day of my life.

Finally when we were all so wilted we could barely move, mom began asking the practical
questions.

“So, Andron,” she said, “what should I pack for Mikey? I have no idea what he'll
need.”

“Not much,” Andron replied. “Maybe just a toothbrush,
toothpaste, and that sort of
thing. I have plenty of clothes he can wear, and we have lots of food.”

So I grabbed my toothbrush and a few other items and put them in a small bag.

“When can we leave?” I asked.

“What?” exclaimed Mom. “Hold on there. I'm not anywhere near ready for the two of
you to leave. I'm still adjusting to your going at all. We need some time together.
After all, it's not as if you take a trip like this every day.”

So we compromised and set our departure for two days later after breakfast. I wasn't
sure I could wait, but Andron wanted to try out my pogo stick and roller blades again.
Ben and Mary joined us when they saw us outside. I didn't have a chance to tell Ben
about the trip. Mary had no idea Andron was from another planet. They usually share
everything, being twins and all, but we decided to wait till the time was right before
telling anyone else.

Though the wait seemed long, I was actually glad that we had the extra time together.
We were like a family of four instead of three.

The morning of our departure still came a little slowly for me but way too fast for
Mom.

After breakfast Andron showed us all my special suit and helmet. “These will protect
him from any danger and allow him to breathe normally,” he said. “When we get to
Kandalaura, he'll eat our fruit and drink our water. He'll be fine. You'll see.”

Mom was comforted a little, but she took my leaving harder than I thought she would.
We hugged and said our goodbyes. I put on my special suit and helmet, and hopped
into the transport.

The inside of the cockpit didn't seem nearly as complicated as all the instruments
in our commercial planes.
Andron knew exactly what do, and it was just like before.
We waved goodbye and shot into the sky like a bullet.

At first earth's gravity pulled hard on my face and body, but that only lasted a
few seconds. Sky, earth, and clouds whizzed by so fast, I didn't even have time to
think about it. Suddenly we were no longer in earth's atmosphere. I was seeing amazing
colors of galaxies as we travelled rapidly through space. Our speed was so extreme
that I couldn't really get a good look. So Andron stopped the transport midair at
one point.

“What's wrong?” I asked.

“Nothing,” he replied. “Take off your helmet.”

“Are you crazy?” I asked.

“It'll be all right,” he said. “Trust me. I want you to listen.” He flipped on a
switch.

Slowly I removed my helmet. I was puzzled, but I listened. Then I heard it—music,
but not like anything on earth. It wasn't like singing. Yet there was harmony. It
reminded me of the frogs in Grammy's pond. First one frog, usually a bullfrog, would
sound out. Then slowly all the others would join until there was a whole choir of
frogs.

It was a little mechanical sounding compared to our singing voices, but still very
sweet. Sometimes it would start with one low note like the frogs; other times it
would start with a high duet. The notes covered far more than eight octaves. I learned
about octaves in band, so I was pretty sure I was right.

“Is that what I think it is?” I asked Andron.

Andron knew, of course, what I was thinking. He nodded.

“I never dreamed that stars could really sing. It's just like the Bible says,” I
remarked.

Andron smiled. I was pretty sure he had been reading my Bible. We gazed at the beauty
of pink, purple, and gold galaxies. I doubted that my little camera would do the
scene justice, but I took a few shots anyway. Then Andron had me replace my helmet,
and we sped on to Kandalaura.

Even Andron didn't know for sure how much earth time this journey would take. Did
Kandalaura even have time? I didn't know, but I was soon to find out.

Chapter 5

ADVENTURE ON KANDALAURA

W
E
LEFT
EARTH
shortly after breakfast.

When we arrived on Kandalaura, it was early afternoon. My trip in space had been
spectacular. If this had been all there was, it would have been more than enough.
I was completely taken back by the size and beauty of the universe. Who could have
guessed it? I felt a little guilty that I was the one Andron had invited.

My adventure on Kandalaura was about to begin, and I could hardly wait.

We landed close to a grassy area as big as a football field. Andron told me to remove
my helmet and suit. He said I could also take my shoes off if I wanted to. So I did.

When I stepped out of the transport, my feet touched the greenest and softest grass
I had ever felt. I reached down and ran my fingers through it. Instantly I noticed
that colors here on Kandalaura were more vibrant than on earth. The sky was bluer.

“Come on,” said Andron. “I've got a lot to show you, and I can hardly wait. First
you'd better eat some fruit.”

He pulled what looked like a peach off a tree nearby. The moment he pulled it off,
a fruit immediately grew back in its place.

“How did you do that?” I asked.

“I didn't do anything,” he said. “It just happens. Nothing dies on Kandalaura.”

I was amazed by that. And the fruit was delicious, like one of our own very juicy
and sweet peaches.

“Thanks,” I said. “I needed this.”

“I don't want you giving out on me for lack of food. I promised your father I'd take
good care of you. Just let me know when you get hungry. Our food is always just a
few steps away.”

As I was eating, I thought I heard a low growl behind us. When I spun around, I saw
a lion approaching.

“Is he stalking us?” I asked Andron, hiding behind him just in case.

“No, of course not,” said Andron. “Remember, we have no ferocious beasts here. Like
I told your dad, nothing can hurt you here on Kandalaura. It was only after your
first man and woman sinned, that some of your animals on earth became dangerous.
Your Garden of Eden was much like Kandalaura is now, and both much like your heaven.

“How do you know about that?” I asked.

“I have a lot of questions when I read your Bible,” he said. “So I ask Jesus.”

“And he told you about our heaven?” I asked.

“He said that when He creates, He puts things He likes on His planets. It's His taste.
So that's why Eden and Kandalaura are much like His heaven.”

“That makes sense,” I said. By this time the lion had caught up with us.

“I told my people and some animals that you'd be coming. Now they all want to get
a look at you. It'll be kind of like your zoos back home, only you'll to be the main
attraction,” said Andron.

“Oh, wonderful. Thanks a lot!” I said sarcastically.

“You're welcome,” said Andron, not catching the tone of my voice. He had no idea
that I wasn't looking forward to that part of the visit.

“Come,” he said. “I want you to meet Ian, my lion. He's been anxious to meet you.”

Ian extended his paw toward me. I felt a little silly, but I put my hand out and
shook his paw. As I did so, I looked right into Ian's eyes. They were the kindest,
most gentle eyes I had ever seen in an animal. I had an idea.

“Ian,” I said, “this may sound crazy to you, but I've always dreamed of someday being
able to hug a lion. Would you mind if I gave you a hug?”

Ian got down on his haunches and sat on the grass. Then he nodded.

“Oh, boy,” I said. I got down on my knees and threw my arms around him. Then I ran
my fingers through his mane. “Oh, Ian, you are the softest and most cuddly animal
I have ever hugged. You may be king of the jungle back home, but here you must be
the most gentle. I won't ever forget you.” Ian put a soft paw up to my cheek. “I
hope to see you again before I leave,” I said.

“Come on,” said Andron, hurrying me up. “My parents are anxious to meet you too,
and I've got lots more to show you.”

He led me to a magnificent lodge in the middle of giant trees. I wondered how long
these trees had been growing,
perhaps thousands of years. He also showed me the tree-house
he and his brother, Nicholas, had built. It was the fanciest tree house I had ever
seen, complete with a winding staircase, polished wood, and inlaid floors.

“Dad helped us with the furniture, and Mom wove and designed the fabrics,” he said.

The whole thing was fabulous yet rustic at the same time. On earth he would have
been the envy of all my friends.

“Are your parents designers by trade?” I asked.