All the booksDownload book PDF

A POEKIDZ ADVENTURE

The Lantern That Took a Detour

A Paul & Leon adventure

A runaway lantern, a rain-soaked canal, and three tiny passengers turn one easy delivery into a whole-town adventure.

Featuring
  • PaulAn otter with a delivery to make
  • LeonA lion paladin with a very useful shield
  • Nanna CardinalKeeper of the lantern shop
  • Mother GooseA story guide with practical ideas
01

The Lantern That Took a Detour

The last delivery

1 / 6
Paul receives a red-ribbon lantern from Nanna Cardinal in her glowing shop.
Page 1, panel 1.

Every lantern in the town was ready—except the one Paul had promised to deliver before the festival began.

Nanna Cardinal Straight to the square, Paul. This one is the heart of the festival.

Paul One lantern. One short trip. What could possibly happen?

Paul and Leon look across the rooftops toward the festival square.
Page 1, panel 2.

On the rooftops, a very large friend offered a very confident escort.

Leon I shall guard it with my life.

Paul Could you start by guarding it with your paws?

Mother Goose shows Paul and Leon a canal route on a picture map.
Page 1, panel 3.

Mother Goose knew the short way. She also knew the weather.

Mother Goose Cross the red bridge. And mind the clouds.

Paul The clouds aren't on the map.

Mother Goose They rarely make an appointment.

02

The Lantern That Took a Detour

A shortcut with weather

2 / 6
A gust lifts the lantern away as Paul and Leon chase it over wet rooftops.
Page 2, panel 1.

The wind arrived exactly when it pleased.

Paul That is NOT our delivery address!

Leon Lantern! Halt in the name of—oh, bother.

Leon tests a flooded step while Paul watches from the railing.
Page 2, panel 2.

By the bridge, the canal had climbed halfway up the steps.

Leon My armor appears to be excellent at sinking.

Paul Then let's choose a plan that uses the rest of you.

Paul points out the lantern glowing under the bridge.
Page 2, panel 3.

A small golden glow waited beneath the stones.

Paul There! It found somewhere dry.

Leon Then we retrieve it and still make the festival.

03

The Lantern That Took a Detour

A different address

3 / 6
Paul discovers a mother moth and two little moths huddled around the lantern.
Page 3, panel 1.

But the lantern had already become important to somebody else.

Paul Oh. You weren't stealing the light.

Paul You were trying to stay warm.

Leon shelters Paul and the moth family with his shield.
Page 3, panel 2.

Three damp wings. One ruined nest. A new problem.

Leon This shield was made for protecting people.

Paul Looks like it works for very small people too.

Paul explains the stranded moths to Nanna and Mother Goose while Leon shelters them.
Page 3, panel 3.

They returned with a delivery problem that would not fit on any receipt.

Paul The square needs its lantern. But a family needs a home.

Nanna Cardinal Then we had better make room for both.

04

The Lantern That Took a Detour

The weatherproof plan

4 / 6
Nanna tests paper with a raindrop while Paul studies a beeswax candle.
Page 4, panel 1.

Nanna tried a paper shelter. The rain made an unhelpful suggestion.

Nanna Cardinal That will never last in this weather.

Paul What if the paper wore a raincoat?

Mother Goose brushes wax onto paper as Paul folds a boat and Nanna lines it with moss.
Page 4, panel 2.

Mother Goose had blank pages. Nanna had wax. Paul had a particularly good fold.

Mother Goose A useful book can take you anywhere.

Nanna Cardinal Even when it has become a boat.

The four friends admire a waxed-paper rescue boat beneath Leon's shield.
Page 4, panel 3.

Leon supplied the roof.

Leon Behold: the Royal Weatherproof Moth Transport.

Paul Can we call it a boat until we're out of the rain?

05

The Lantern That Took a Detour

A dry place to glow

5 / 6
Paul guides the lantern boat along the canal while Leon shields it from rain.
Page 5, panel 1.

They followed the sheltered edge of the canal, one careful step at a time.

Nanna Cardinal Keep the ribbon loose. Let the water do a little work.

Paul For once, the shortcut is behaving.

Paul and Leon lift the rescue boat into a high dry stone alcove.
Page 5, panel 2.

Above the old bridge was an alcove the rising water could not reach.

Paul Room for three. A view of the canal. Excellent lighting.

Leon And a very respectable roof.

The moth family rests in dry moss beside the lantern under the shelter of the bridge.
Page 5, panel 3.

The little family settled in. The lantern had reached the right address after all.

Paul We can leave the light here.

Leon Then what will we tell the square?

06

The Lantern That Took a Detour

The festival finds its light

6 / 6
Nanna, Mother Goose, Paul and Leon hang many small lanterns across the festival square.
Page 6, panel 1.

They told the truth. Then everybody brought a little light of their own.

Nanna Cardinal We are one grand lantern short.

Mother Goose And one whole town of small lanterns richer.

The four friends share pastries while the rescued moths glow safely in the bridge alcove.
Page 6, panel 2.

The festival shone all the way to the bridge.

Paul Delivery complete. Eventually.

Leon A noble detour. I shall put it in my report.

Leon shields a tiny pastry while Paul, Nanna and Mother Goose laugh at the festival table.
Page 6, panel 3.

And Leon finally found something that truly needed guarding.

Leon No wind shall take this pastry.

Paul I'd worry more about the otter.

Mother Goose The end. Pass the napkins.

End of The Lantern That Took a Detour.

Choose another adventure