Dralon and The Adventure in the Contrary World (English version)

The Wishing Well

"And where did you come from? Who are you? What do you want?" asked the professor, abruptly, holding the bucket of popcorn tight for fear he'd confiscate it.

"We didn't mean to steal anything," protested Kate, hiding her ice-cream behind her back, even if the proof of her crime was evident on her face.

"It's true!" insisted Michael.

"If you want, we can pay you back," said Peter.

"Oh no, no! Don't be afraid..." the dwarf assured them. "Here in Losinbliss everything is free! Please continue to eat. Later, if you wish, a comfortable bed and a tub of clean water are waiting for you in town."

"Really?" asked Michael, smiling.

"Of course!" the little man assured him. "We're always happy to receive visitors."

"And you, dwarf, why are you so kind?" asked Odilda, looking at him with suspicion.

"Professor!" said Michael, reproving her. "Have some manners. Mr..."

"Dantes! Mayor of Losinbliss" the little man introduced himself. "Mr. Mayor is only trying to be kind," Michael continued, placing an arm around the little man's neck. "I don't think it's right to refuse his wonderful hospitality and act like ungrateful tourists."

"Well said!" the dwarf concurred.

"Actually, we are all quite tired after this trip." agreed Peter. "A little rest couldn't hurt, that's for sure."

"Whoever votes for a nap in a decent house, raise your hand!" proposed Michael, already imagining himself in a comfortable horizontal position.

The children raised their hands as high as they could.

"Hmm..." groaned the professor, not entirely convinced. "OK, but only a nap, and then we'll leave for our destination. Agreed?"

"Hooray!" they cheered.

"Come, follow me!" Dantes encouraged them.

The dwarf strutted along the path, smiling and whistling a pleasant tune.

After following a dimly lit path, covered by a thick vault of twisted branches, the group soon arrived at the entrance of a tunnel where some Spartan three-seat vehicles were waiting for them.

"Please sit down!" said Dantes, opening the doors of two vehicles and inviting Odilda and the children to take their seats.

"Are these wheelbarrows safe?" asked Odilda, hesitantly placing her foot inside.

"Tested and retested!" the little man reassured her. "There's nothing to worry about."

"It's a little tight, though!" complained Michael, hating to be so close to his brother.

"I'm sorry, but the wagons are generally meant to carry us Losinblissians," Dantes explained, "and we notoriously take up very little space." He laughed, holding his pants by his belt.

The small wagons were slowly swallowed up by a cave with curvy walls, resembling the throat of a whale and decorated with scenes of Losinblissian life.

Here and there along the walls, barely lit by twisted tiki torches, protruding busts of threatening Losinblissians responded to the passing of the wagons by pronouncing stern and serious warnings:

"HE WHO IS NOT CONTENT WITH LITTLE WILL NOT BE CONTENT WITH ANYTHING!" roared the first dwarf.

"IF YOU DO WHAT YOU'VE ALWAYS DONE, YOU'LL ARRIVE WHERE YOU HAVE ALREADY BEEN!" declared a second dwarf, shaking his finger in warning.