The House of Jell-O
Once upon a time in a faraway land, called Carameland, lived the Quickjell family. This family was a very strange family, for they lived in a strange house. Who would have thought that a family would be so fond of desserts that it would build, and live, in a house made entirely of Jell-O! The house, and everything inside it, was made of Jell-O! That included the floor, the ceiling and even the stairs! Strangely, the family didn t mind going up and down the wobbly staircase. 2
The kids, who could devour just about any dessert in the world, were so fond of the house that they were never tempted to eat it. And it was a good thing that their house wasn t near any residential area. In fact, it was far, far away and that s why nobody knew about it. One day, the King of Carameland commanded one of his servants to go looking for water far from the castle as there was a shortage of water in the wells. This servant, whose name was Butterscotch, was treated better than the other servants because he was the longest serving of all the servants. The King had given him his own room while the others had to share. He even got brand new clothes every month while the other servants had to wait for a year. As Butterscotch searched for water in the deep forest, he noticed a shimmer of light. He was quite curious about it he went forward and to his utter amazement, saw a house made of Jell-O. Butterscotch had been out looking for water for days, and was quite hungry. At first, he thought the house was empty and was about to much on the tasty looking house, but he saw people inside. The family he saw was of course the Quickjell family! 3
Butterscotch decided to knock on the jelly door, instead of eating it. When he began to knock, the entire house began to shake! 4
After some time, Mrs. Quickjell opened the door. Her hair was messy, because she was walking down the stairs and fell off. She asked: "How can I help you, sir?" The servant said: "Hi, I'm a servant of the king and I was looking for water, but now I'm very very hungry." "You wanted to eat my house, didn't you?" she asked angrily. The servant was shaking and said: "Well, yes...i wanted to miss, but I did not. Not even a tiny bite. This house is too beautiful to eat, miss." Mrs. Quickjell laughed sarcastically and said:" Well o well, poor servant. I guess you're hungry, huh? You're right on time. Because you were so honest, I'm inviting you to my dinner. The meal is ready in just a couple minutes. Come inside." Finally, the servant's heartbeat went back to normal and he went in. He was amazed! He hasn't thought that everything would be so jellish. After a couple minutes they started to enjoy the meal and tell each other stories. He told them about his job and the king. The Quickjell family told him a very interesting story. The story of El Dorado. The family told the servant not to tell anything about the Jell-O House and the story of El Dorado to anyone. If he would, they will keep him in captivity forever. But the Quickjell family know that the king loves gold and if the servant is going to tell the king the story, he would forget about the Jell-O house and they would be safe. 5
The next day, he woke up early and started his way back to the castle. All he wanted to do, was to tell the El Dorado story to the king. When he arrived, he ran straight to the king and yelled: "King, King, your majesty! I have to tell you a story! The story of.el Dorado!" The king replied calmly:" Tell me, my favorite servant, tell me." The servant:'' Yes, your majesty. Far away in the forest there is a place called El Dorado and this place is full of gold! There is a lake, called the Parima Lake and it is also full of gold. You can literally swim in gold. The rooftops are covered with gold, your majesty. Even the trees are covered with gold!" The king couldn't believe his ears! He immediately sent ten servants to find El Dorado. From that moment, all you can hear him say is: "Gold, gold, gold " His servants went deeper and deeper into the forest. Two days had passed, still no gold, still no El Dorado. The king sent ten more servants and four days had passed, still no sign of El Dorado. As they went deeper into the forest, more servants got attacked by wild animals. The Quickjell family knew that the El Dorado story was a fairy-tail. But at least they were safe and no one would look for their unique house. 6
The servants continued to be eaten by wild animals when they were searching for the gold treasure in El Dorado. The King received word that his precious servants were getting eaten by wild ferocious animals. He thought that it was Butterscotch s fault that the people were getting eaten. The King summoned Butterscotch to his throne room. Butterscotch was anxious. He had no idea why the King wanted to see him. When Butterscotch arrived, he saw that the King was very upset. Butterscotch cried What if the matter your Majesty? The King roared Because of you, all of my servants were eaten by ferocious animals! Because all of my men were eaten, I will banish you to prison forever for this horrible deed! Butterscotch begged with the King; I did nothing wrong your Majesty! Please forgive me! 7
Butterscotch was devastated because he had no idea why he was in captivity. His only crime was telling the King about the Quickjell family and the land of El Dorado. He decided to contact the Quickjell family and beg for their help to release him from jail. 8
Suddenly, he saw something moving. It was a messenger pigeon. He exclaimed This is JUST what I need! He wrote Dear Quickjell family. The King sent me to jail. The King told me I sent his servants to be killed by wild animals in their search for the gold in El Dorado. I would really appreciate if you can help me get released from jail. 9
When the messenger pigeon arrived at the Quickjell family s house with Butterscotchs s plea, Mr. Quickjell read the not aloud. The family felt embarrassed that they tried to keep their house a secret and caused so much trouble. They immediately started to make a plan to rescue poor kind hearted Butterscotch. Luckily, they knew karate! 10
The family walked for days and days and finally reached the castle. They had to sneak around to find the prison where Butterscotch was being held. They knew that they had to break him out of the prison. When they snuck around, they discovered a room and heard a terrifying noise. They found a guard snoring a fast asleep. What happened if they woke him? Thankfully they remembered they were black belts in karate! 11
The Quickjell family stood in a corner thinking of a plan to save Butterscotch. Jane: we need the keys of the prison. John: That s right. Where can they be? Peter: I can see them. They are hung at the guard s trousers. Can you see them? Jane: yes I do. But how can we reach them. We may awake him. Emily: I can do. Peter said confidently: No, I will do. That s not that difficult for me. John: And what if the guard caught you? Peter: you ll watch me from here and if something happens, you have to intervene. John: Ok, let s do it before we could be caught here. Peter sneaked prudently towards the guard. He got to the right side of the snoring guard. His mother was puzzled thinking what would happen if the guard woke up and caught him. The father knew well that his wife as well as his daughter were frightened even if they didn t show that and tried to hide that feeling. John was trying to reassure them saying I know that my great son can do it, don t you think so dears, looking at his wife and daughter. 12
Emily said: Yes, he will do it. He s good at sneaking. I remember him well sneaking to the kitchen every night to eat chocolate. The parents: mmm Meanwhile, Peter succeeded to take the keys without awakening the sleeping guard. He waved to his family that sneaked one behind the other towards the prison. Butterscotch was very happy to see them around. Butterscotch: thank you very much. I can t believe it. You are here to save me. John: harry up, we need to get out of here quickly. John opened the door and Butterscotch got out saying: I know a secret way getting us out of here without being noticed. Jane: So let s go. What are we waiting for? Butterscotch: Follow me and be careful. They were about to leave when Emily stumbled in the guard who suddenly stretched his leg. The guard woke up and strongly caught Emily. The guard: what are you doing? How do you dare take my prisoner? At that moment, john stepped towards the guard saying: better to let her go or you ll be in a big trouble. 13
You ll be in trouble not me, the guard said trying to take a whistle out of his pocket. And without thinking, the father moved quickly kicking the guard on his hand to prevent him from taking the whistle. Emily profited from this and started to practice her abilities in Karate. Butterscotch looked surprisingly and said smiling: Well, I didn t know you are that brave and skillful. The guard, surrounded by the Quickjell family and Butterscotch, was beaten. At that time, Butterscotch took the guard s belt and tied him to the chair. The desperate guard found no other solution but screaming loud: Help! Help! They are escaping! They are escaping! Butterscotch: harry up. Let s leave. The king will never let us go if we are caught. Follow me. And in a moment the place was filled with the king s guards moving towards the tied guard saying: who is escaping? What is going on?? The guard: Butterscotch, a man, a woman and two children. The king s guards: Which way did they take? The guard: that way, pointing with his hand to the left side. 14
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