The Magical Bus

The Magical Bus

Chapter 1 – The Bus Trip

A group of school children were waiting at a bus stop. They were waiting for a bus to take them on a surprise school trip. Except a girl called Matilda who just wanted to go and study because by nature, she was usually less adventurous and she often felt isolated at school as she had no friends, which made it hard for her to study.   

Finally the bus arrived and they got on happily. What they didn’t know was that it was a musical magical school bus that flew anywhere in the world with a crazy bus driver who played crazy rhymes and songs.  Matilda wasn’t ready for any adventure but just wanted to go to school and come back like any normal person.

The moment the kids boarded, they were pushed to their seats and had their belts strapped in. The bus driver said, “Hang on tight kids, for this is gonna be a groovy ride.”

He pressed the big red button which made the bus zoom with full speed and blast into the sky like a plane. The kids screamed but once it was in the sky, the kids looked down and saw how beautiful the buildings looked.

“Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooah!” they yelled.

Then the bus driver introduced himself. “Kids, let me introduce myself. My name is Drake Jewels. I’m known to be the one and only crazy bus driver. Only you lucky little dudes have ever seen or heard me so promise me this favour, when I drop you all home, don’t tell your parents this secret because they’ll never believe you. Deal?”

The kids said, “Yes, Drake,” and shouted. “HIP HIP HOORAY.”

Matilda panicked. “I don’t care if you’re Drake Jewels or Elvis Presley. I’m an ordinary girl not seeking wild adventures. The fact that I have now ended up on a magical bus scares me. Let these crazy kids enjoy it if they feel they must but I want to study and become successful in the future. Can you please land this, Drake for my sake?”

Drake said, “Sorry kiddo, no can do. It seems everyone wants to ride this crazy bus with me so you have to bear it for the time being. Don’t you worry, as we go along on more exciting unexpected journeys, you’ll change your mind. So sit back and relax girl. I give you my word that you’ll be fine. What’s your name?”

Matilda said in a scared tone, “Matilda and I still doubt it because I’ve never flown a bus before.”

Drake smiled. “Trust me.”

The first place they flew to was a place filled with potion bottles filled with liquid. The bus was close to them as it kept moving. 

Drake explained. “This is a place where potions are kept. They are later filled with chemicals for scientists. Do not touch them, not even just for fun.”

The kids chuckled and one boy sneakily put his hand out. As the bus was still moving he quickly grabbed some potion inside and threw it at Drake’s head making him wet. The kids burst out laughing.

Drake said, “Hey,” and laughed too as the bus went up into the sky to explore more fun places.

Matilda said, “I didn’t find that funny,” but the kids ignored her.

Drake, trying to cheer her up, said, “Come on, Matilda, lighten up. It’s only banter.”

Matilda replied, “No,” and Drake nodded his head.

 

Chapter 2 - The first stop

The bus stopped at an ice cream shop and the kids rushed out in excitement. Drake had to calm them down.

“Slow down kids.”

Then he noticed Matilda coming out slowly so he lowered his face to touch her shoulders, smiling.

“Come, once you eat delicious ice cream, I guarantee you’ll feel better.”

Matilda obeyed him and Drake said to the café man, “Can I have a chocolate ice cream please?”

The man smiled. “Of course you can. And what might this young lady like?”

Matilda smiled back. “Vanilla ice cream please.”

The man again said, “Of course.”

Once he offered it to her in a cup, she already began to feel better because it tasted yummy, so she said, “Drake, you’re right after all,” to which Drake replied, “Told you so.”

After ice cream, they all headed back to the bus to take them to their next destination. As they went across different planets, the kids, excepting Matilda which Drake was aware of, went, “WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW! AWESOME DRAKE!”

Drake said with a pleased tone, “Thank you kids.”

They reached a gameshop and rushed out, excepting Matilda who walked slowly sulking. But Drake was out there to assist her and walk to the gameshop by holding her hand which gave her comfort. He noticed this giving a sigh of relief.

 They had a good game of bowling and laserquest. The moment they came out they said they wanted to go to a theme park to ride a rollercoaster. This excited Drake too.

Matilda sulked again. “No Drake, be fair on me and let these kids have fun. I’ve seen enough of your magical world for one day, now I wish to return to my real world so please can you take me.”

Drake became fed up. “Be quiet Matilda. You’re going and then you decide whether you enjoyed your trip or not when it’s over, hop on the bus kids. You were enthustiatic earlier when I watched earlier when I encouraged you to walk with me to the gameshop and now you’re being the typical you again. Seriously, make your mind up because quite frankly, I’m sick and tired of your antics and so are the children. Isn’t that right kids?” The kids nodded and shook their head at her.

The kids cheered as they rushed into the bus and flew into the sky again. When the bus landed on Drake’s theme park, everyone rushed out including Drake. However, Matilda walked out grumpily with her arms folded. But Drake took no notice as they ran into the theme park and sat on the rollercoaster which took off immediately. As it slid down and up into the sky flying, it amazed and frightened Matilda while the other kids enjoyed it.

Eventually, it landed on a random forest. Once everyone got off, Drake asked, “Matilda, I hope you enjoyed the ride?”

Matilda said, “No, I found it scary,” which made Drake sigh.

“I wonder what it is that fills you with joy? Come on kids, let’s head towards the safari.”

The kids ran with excitement leaving Matilda behind wondering whether the  day could get any worse than it already was?

At the safari, they first went on the flying swings. The swings went round and round fast high in the air. Everyone was screaming in excitement except Matilda who hoped it would end soon. Once the ride was over, everyone noticed how scared Matilda looked so the kids teased her.

“Matilda is a scary cat, Matilda is a scary cat, scary cat, scary cat. Nah nah nah nah nah.”

Matilda said, “OK, so I am. Big deal guys. At least I’m more sensible and careful then as to what ride to pick which is safe. Knowing you guys, who knows? You might go for any ride that puts your lives at risk since you’re too adventurous.”

The kids ignored her and Drake took over. “Stop arguing, all of you. Let’s go to a drink shop.”

The children went with enthusiasm. They all ordered different drinks like Coke, 7 Up, Fanta, orange juice except Matilda who stood in a corner.  Drake tried to communicate.

“Come on, Matilda. Be a sport and join us and have a drink. It will freshen your mood up.”

Matilda replied, “No thanks.”

So Drake walked away. They then went on different rides and as they headed back to the bus. Matilda was still unhappy. How could Drake cheer her up? He decided to fly the bus to his magical house.

 

Chapter 3 - Drake’s world

Once the children entered Drake’s house, they were amazed to see children everywhere playing video games, watching movies, reading books in a library.

 When Drake asked, “What do you think, Matilda?” she replied “It’s ok,” Because she didn’t find it as scary as she thought. She went upstairs to read a book to find peace. Here she picked a book called The Little Swans and started to read. When she reached the middle of the page, she started to laugh. Another girl heard her so she went upstairs and asked, “What’s so funny?”

Matilda showed her the book The Little Swans.

The girl said, “I’ve read that book myself and I too find it funny. Do you mind if I join you?”

Matilda said, “No worries.”

The girl sat next to her and they both laughed then she introduced herself.

“My name is Kelly by the way.  I wanted to keep you company because nobody talks to me either. They say I am boring for reading books and studying more than I watch tv or movies. I feel isolated most of the time. Sometimes I cry. It makes it difficult to join them in this crazy bus ride. Do you cry as well?”

Matilda said with satisfaction, “I don’t let such things bother me. But yes, I too feel very isolated which is why I find it very hard to join this ride with children who never wanted to spend time with me. I too am a big book reader and not a tv and movie buff. I’m not sure if I explain my problem to somebody like Drake whether he’ll be able to understand. I’ve tried talking to him twice already but failed miserably. On the other hand, it’s good to share my story with you.”

They both giggled to themselves and started chuckling as they read. They kept on chuckling till they reached halfway through the book. Then Drake appeared and said, “Girls, come and join us to play mind games for a change.”

The girls decided to put the book back on its shelf and join the other children.

Matilda and Kelly tried to play the games with others to see whether they could gain their friendships. But the others carried on playing as though they weren’t there. Matilda even overheard one saying that they were boring losers who didn’t deserve best friends. Kelly started to weep a little as she walked out of the room in the middle of the circle game. Matilda followed her out too. She smiled and whispered, “be more open with them like you were with me

Kelly wiped her own tears.

“OK, I certainly will try, thanks for the vote of confidence Matilda.”

Matilda replied, “Anytime, Kelly.”

They went back to play the circle game with the others.

Drake smiled. “Finally you’re taking part in activities,” he said.

When the games were over, they went out and walked towards the bus and flew to McDonald’s restaurant, as  Drake really wanted to try to get these two lonely girls to feel more welcomed by the other children.

The two girls, filled with a little bit of confidence, tried and mingle with others. With their tray full of Coke, burger and fries,  ketchup and mayonnaise, they walked to where the others were to see if they would allow them to sit. But nobody moved. The girls didn’t give up hope. However, no matter what seats they found, nobody bothered to give them space. Then Matilda had an idea. What about cracking a joke?

“Guys, I thought about a good joke. How many elephants does it take to fit in a bus?”

The children understood that Matilda was only trying to crack a joke but they took no notice of it.

“So many because they are so large that they would come in a pack and the bus would break.” Matilda and Kelly burst out laughing but the other children didn’t find it funny and continued chatting amongst themselves. So Kelly tried:

“How about this one? How many rhinos are scared of mice?”

The children still ignored her.

“None because Rhinos are usually bigger than mice so technically mice are more scared of them but it would be funny to see a rhino actually be scared of a mouse with muscles and run away like Tom gets beaten by muscled up Jerry sometimes.”

This made Matilda chuckle, but again the children took no notice.

Then Matilda had another go.

“What if pigs could actually fly one day? Wouldn’t that make this world a marvellous place?”

This time they burst out with laughter which made the girls smile and laugh too. So the other children decided to give them space and apologised for mistreating them. Matilda said, “Let bygones be bygones. You’re forgiven, guys.”

Drake felt so much joy that he jumped up with excitement and rushed towards them.

“Dudes, I feel proud that that you guys finally made up all by yourselves without my help. Awesome, give me high fives.” Then he said, “Let’s go explore planets.”

The children all screamed with excitement together, rushing out of the restaurant and jumping on the bus. For the first time Drake was happy to see Matilda and Kelly jump with excitement too, so he shouted, “HANG ON GUYS FOR THIS IS GOING TO BE A BUMPY RIDE!”

 

Chapter 4 - Trip to the Planets and Home

He started the bus with full speed and the bus sped off into the sky. It whizzed past Mars, Neptune, Saturn and Jupiter.

Kelly said, “These are the most beautiful planets in the world.”

Drake agreed, “Sure are.”

Matilda said, “I agree.” She smiled at the planets.

Drake cracked a joke, “In that case, Matilda and Kelly, perhaps we should drop you by here on these planets and head home by ourselves with dignity and pride.”

Everyone laughed, including the two girls.

After a tour of the planets, Drake turned the bus back towards Earth. Once the bus landed, it vanished and the carefree children went into class, only to find worried parents and staff members looking angrily at them. But the children still were chilled out, which surprised the grownups.

Matilda said, “We can explain what all happened to us in a way to try to make you understand us, even though it would be hard to make you believe us. At least we hope we can make you understand.”

Everyone listened as Matilda explained what had happened to them all. Then Matilda said, “And I have made the best friend ever in Kelly.”

Kelly’s mum smiled and ran to hug Kelly, happy to see her confident. She thanked Matilda for being helpful towards her daughter as Kelly had been scared and lonely at school all her life. When her mum explained that to Matilda, Matilda smiled back and everyone got up and applauded Matilda and Kelly as they were never known to be confident or brave. The two girls were taken aback with surprise and forgave the others.

Then Matilda said, “And we got to know rest of the class. I think I’ll be able to study better now I am not so worried about being lonely at school.”