When Jason Porter awoke one bright May morning,
little did he know that by the end of the day his life as a New Hampshire
farm boy would be changed forever.
The morning was drawing to a close when Scout, Jason’s dog, bounded
across the field.
Jason
chased him down a winding path into the woods. Suddenly, Scout left
the path and began to hunt and sniff and bark. Jason stood and watched
as Scout disappeared behind a thicket of brush. There was a sharp yelp
and then complete silence. Jason called but there was no answer. He
called again as he came to the place where Scout had disappeared. There
he found a hole so overgrown by wild vines that a passer-by would never
guess that it was there. Jason called again and ventured into the hole
finding it to be an entrance to a cave. Peering into the darkness, he
decided to explore the crevice. It was dark but he was not afraid.
All
at once, as if by magic, a passage opened before him. In the half-light,
which filtered through the passage, he could see a maze of corridors
ahead of him. “Come here, Scout,” he shouted.
Suddenly,
one of the passages opened into a larger and lighter way. As he followed
the path, he noticed the passage turning to the right, forming a great
spiral leading downward into the earth.
Soon,
he found himself in a wide circular room and sitting quietly in the
center, was Scout.
Then,
from the depths of the earth came a strange booming voice. “Jason
Porter,” it called.
Jason
was thunderstruck. “You know who I am,” he gasped.
“Are
you a wizard?”
“I
am more of a scientist who makes magic,” said the voice of the
cave.
“I
must be delirious from lack of air,” murmured Jason.
The
voice laughed. Suddenly, four pin-points of light began to sparkle on
the walls of the chamber. Jason watched them grow larger and brighter
until four circular disks appeared. They glowed with an eerie luminescence.
“Take
these disks into your hands,” commanded the voice. Jason did as
he was told. “These disks are a fusion of precious mica minerals.
Each disk has a special power.”
“The
first disk is that of fire. The flames have two purposes. They light
the darkness, but unlike ordinary fire that uses up oxygen to burn,
this flame consumes deadly gases and releases oxygen.”
“The
second disk is that of water. It contains all the water of the earth.
With it, a raindrop can be changed into the deepest sea and a sea into
the smallest raindrop.”
“The
third disk is that of rock. It represents all the elements of the universe
from which the heavens and the stars were formed.”
“The
fourth disk is lightning forged from a bolt of sunlight. All forms of
energy are stored within its bounds.”
“I
give you these four disks and the powers within them,” said the
voice of the cave. “And, from this time on, you shall be known
to all as Mighty Mica. Kneel down Mighty Mica, and repeat these words.”
Jason
Porter knelt and spoke the words the cave voice uttered.
I
am Mighty Mica,
I protect the earth.
My four super disks I have at hand.
Fire, water, rocks, and lightning,
Are the powers I command.
The
voice said, “Your name is your sacred possession. Rise Mighty
Mica, and go forward and I shall always be your protector and friend.”
The
boy bowed, and said, “Your friendship is an honor. I shall guard
it always but how shall I guard the powers you have given me?”
In
an instant, a shield appeared. “Take this shield. It is forged
from an invincible metal called micamegolite. It will protect you from
all the enemies of the earth.
Beware,
there is an evil scientist named Dr. Menace. He is a master of alchemy.
With the power of the wind, he can change himself into any creature
as large or as small as he wants. His plan is to take over the earth
by controlling all its resources and treasures. You will find him a
most formidable enemy.
Go
now Mighty Mica, and may you use your powers wisely to protect out great
earth.”
Then
Jason Porter, henceforth to be known as Mighty Mica, picked up his dog
Scout and retraced his path upward.
Soon,
the sunlight and fresh air greeted them. Slowly he turned as the entrance
to the cave closed behind them.
As
the sun began to set, Mighty Mica and Scout walked quietly back through
the woods home to their New Hampshire farm.
END.
Copyright
Barbara Hamburger, July 2002.
