This is a story about treasure and a compass, but that is not all. We will follow a
boy whose name is Dorian Treasure; and like most fourteen-year-old boys he didn’t
believe in magic or anything at all. In other words, Dorian thought things like fairies,
and magic were childish, stupid, and make believe. And even though it was
Christmastime, he never put any thought into whether he was naughty or nice. That
made him rude because most people DID believe in magic like his cousin Leopold Junk.
One afternoon, he was walking home from school with his chums. They kicked rocks
on the sidewalk back from a long, monotonous day. In a few days it will be Christmas,
but still there was no snow. The boys made wishes for a white Christmas by throwing
stones into the nearby pond. He missed the great, glittering sea of snow that usually
came down over London this time of year. To him snow was Christmas.
“Let’s go find some fun!” said one of Dorian’s chums.
“Nah… I got to drop my book strap off at home,” added Dorian. He wasn’t in the
spirit of anything including getting into mischief.
One of the boys asked, “Blimey! Is this because of your cousin Leopold being in
town?” They loved adventuring through London. Dorian didn’t mind either, but he
shook his head. He only sighed and walked on. After a few seconds, Dorian said, “No! I
can’t – I’m not in it. I got my own plans.”
Nearing his street, Dorian gestures a quick goodbye, taking a secret path. It led
him into his neighborhood where the lampposts glowed, wreaths warmed the doors,
colored lights glimmered in the mist. He couldn’t help but walk and admire the many
Christmas lights and decorations. Finally, he reached his house at the end of the block.
Through the window, Leopold was sitting by the fire singing Christmas carols, he
admired the bare trees resembling carolers swaying in the wind.
Dorian entered quickly, dropping off his book strap by the door.
”I’ll be back!”
”Are you going to town?” Leopold asked, giddy, “can I come?”
“No!” Dorian hissed. “Why not? We can talk about magic… I know it is real… like
fairies… like Santa!” He shook his head and headed out the door. “Bye Leo! You can’t
come! I gotta catch up with my chums,” he lied. He was wearing his old trousers,
buttoned up polo shirt, jacket, and high top shoes. He hadn’t given much thought to
the holidays and even less about his cousin Leopold.
He meandered into the heart of town. Heading toward Cross Avenue, he watched as red doubledecker buses zoomed by. Pulling down his cap, the rain began
blurring the city. Dorian felt the cold December chill as the sky started to dim.
“I should have brought a coat or an umbrella,” he thought, his teeth chattering.
Most of the walking was miserable and he tried to ignore the rain. There were many
shops lining the streets. He went aimlessly through each one. None held Dorian’s
interest very long; they were repetitive. He didn’t care for any of them, nor did he find
a treasure. As he moved on he saw the streets begin to thin out. He wandered on and he
saw less and less of the bustling crowds. As if by magic, he found a small shop, tucked
away from all the others. The shop was named “Second Chance Goods”. It was bright,
with welcoming windows, and warm wreaths twinkling. A lamppost on the sidewalk
casted a warm glow over the shop. Catching his attention he crossed the street,
dodging cars, as the rain came bucketing down. The warm glow of the hearth
mesmerized Dorian. He stopped shivering and his head began swiveling toward the
shelves.
He began wandering the many rooms and passages. The rooms seemed endless
and he wondered for a second if he would ever find his way out. But he was too
intrigued to think about that. It seemed as if there was an ongoing spell expanding the
store. He saw glittering objects of gold and silver. In a trunk tucked in a corner, there
was a mighty glistening sword. Pulling it out, he felt as if he was a prince, a noble king.
He felt inclined to have a sword fight with anyone nearby. Grinning, Dorian dug deeper
into the chest finding crowns, shiny rings, and other marvelous things. Sitting on a
stool pretending it’s a throne he sits in wonder. He wanted to take it all with him. He
wanted everything he laid eyes on. Time had slowed down but a jingle from the door
broke his trance. He went to the door but only to feel he was missing something.
“Don’t go yet. I know what all customers need. I know what you need,” said a voice. He
turned and it was the proprietor, an odd woman with dancing eyes.
“What?” He asked, jumping out of startlement. “What did you say?” Dorian asked,
curiously.
“Take anything you please from this basket. I have everyone do that.” He looked
at everything. There were crystals, stones, compasses, watches, rings, earrings, pins,
and necklaces. “This is stealing,” he whispered. “Not if I allow it, it’s not. Consider it a
gift.” He sighed, he had never been offered anything like this. There was trinket after
trinket to choose. His eyes widened. He was overwhelmed with excitement. Then a
sudden glimmer from a round metal piece caught his eye. Taking the compass, he held
it limply in his palm. It wasn’t hard to choose, the compass called to him. “I’ll take
this…” he said, quickly, hoping the treasures wouldn’t disappear. “These were passed
down from each person. Second-hand of the finest.” He nodded. “It’s sterling silver,” he
said. Mesmerized by the arrows he hears her say, “go now! Merry Christmas!” He was
transfixed by the arrows. It only spun slowly, warming his hands. It was rather strange.
“This has got a mind of its own!” He said, aloud. The arrows began twisting and turning
faster and faster. He began to feel confusion as to where he was and needed the
compass to show him the way.
“Hello?” He said, and continued, “Where am I going—? Blimey, bloody hell!”
Feeling discouraged he tried to throw it down but the force of the compass kept it in
his hand as if by magic. He shook the compass close to his ear. He half-expected it to
start talking to him. What is this? He wondered as it continued to spin around faster
and faster. He was in a strange town he did not recognize. He let the arrows guide him.
The continuous spinning of the arrows made him feel dizzy. All around him though it
was still London but a part of it he had never been.
“Where are you taking me, compass?” He asked. There in the golden light he was
right in the square where there was a great Christmas tree. He heard honking of
vehicles, children’s laughter, and a sudden chill as snow began to fall, descending out of
nowhere as if by spell. Suddenly, he realized he had seen this great Christmas tree
before. It was when he went to visit his cousin Leopold in the town of Guildford.
“Why am I here?”
He yelled at it as if it had feelings and would answer. He began to shiver and the
compass vibrated in his hand, warming him up, and then in a whoosh he was in a
strange shop full of more strange and marvelous things. He catches a glimpse of
himself in a mirror on the shelf. He touched his face, there was a beard, and he gasped.
“Who am I?” Swirly thoughts raced in his mind. The words came in waves: “Who am I?
What have I done? Why am I here?” He notices the compass stops spinning. He had a
sick feeling inside. “Have I been bad to Leopold?”
He hears Leopold’s voice: “can I come?” and remembers saying “no”. He sank, guilty of
what he did, and wished he had brought him. He looked back at his reflection but he
was young again. He looks around and realizes he was right back at Second Chance
Goods. He finds his way back to the small room with the treasure chest hidden in the
corner. Digging through the treasures he finds what he is looking for. It was a shiny
gold watch, delicate, and luminous.
The strange woman with dancing eyes was standing at the counter waiting for him.
“May I wrap that for you?” she asked. He felt the compass buzzing in his pocket. He
pulls it out to hand to her.
“This compass is magic,”
”How about you hold onto it!” He smiled, glad to hold onto it. His eyes danced
toward hers as he played with it in his hand. “Thanks!” he yelled. “Merry Christmas!”
He heard as he went out the door. Making his way back through the streets of London,
it began to snow. “Merry Christmas, Leopold,” Dorian said, pulling out the wrapped
gift. “For me?” Leopold said, squealing, and jumping up and down. “Yes, it’s for you,”
Dorian said. “It’s a gold watch!” Leopold hugged him and did not let go.
Not long after, a girl named Ophelia entered Second Chance Goods on Cross Avenue not
knowing what she would find there. She glided all around, admiring the ships in the
bottles, and the tiaras on the mannequins. She pretended she was a queen putting on a
gold and crystal tiara. She admired the glittering and beautiful things like stones, oblong, and precious.
The magic of it all brought her heart flying. Her hands touched
it all as she wandered. Ophelia continued swirling and twirling down the aisles.
Finally, she danced to the door feeling fulfilled and giddy. A woman behind the desk
came out with an odd smile. In her hands was a basket full of treasures like crowns and
bells. She squealed looking into it.
“Pick one, m’ lady”, said the odd woman. The end.