Read Me A Bedtime Story- Galaxy’s Best 2: Meet Trap Chap

Read Me A Bedtime Story

Galaxy’s Best 2: Meet Trap Chap

Jonathan Joy

The Ashland Beacon

For many years The Elder has ruled Booklandia, a faraway region where knowledge is seen as power. Schools are cherished institutions and libraries are at the heart of every town.  Reading and writing is a daily entertainment, and learning is seen as a lifelong pursuit.

Book burners were defeated and pushed to the outskirts of Booklandia long ago, but that hasn’t stopped their leader, Fearmonger.  Driven mad by jealousy and revenge, Fearmonger dreams of storming the Booklandian Palace and replacing The Elder as leader.

“I’ll take over Booklandia, burn it to the ground, and rule over the ashes, ushering in a new Dark Age.” Fearmonger declared to a new group of minions he was training.  They barked and hollered excitedly at Fearmonger’s taunts and promises.

Among the new recruits, Fearmonger identified a particularly talented young man, one adept at making traps.  That gave Fearmonger an idea.  “You!  Trap Chap.  You have a lot of potential.  And I have an idea.” 

In Booklandia, The Elder could often be found training her own set of newbies.  The Elder’s students were to be future library workers, teachers, and authors.    

Unfortunately, Fearmonger managed to sneak in a spy. 

The Elder was initially suspicious of this unfamiliar young man, named Pap, who claimed he’d just moved to Booklandia from a nearby moon.  However, Pap excelled in every lesson The Elder could throw his way.  He quickly rose to the top of his class, and that caused The Elder to let her guard down. 

Too bad, for The Elder’s Pap and Fearmonger’s Trap Chap were one in the same.

One day The Elder brought in Booklandia’s best and brightest to serve as guest speakers.  Vax Man led a lecture on modern medical advancements, while Big Brain read selections from Nancy Drew mystery books.  Math Master shared her love of geometry. 

This was the day Fearmonger and Trap Chap had been waiting for.  They had a series of ambushes planned.

A sleep serum knocked out Vax Man.

A giant mousetrap disguised as a big book of poetry snagged Big Brain.

An unsolved equation on a classroom chalkboard caught Math Master’s attention, and in no time, she was struck by its hidden hypnotizing power.  

All three were incapacitated by various tricks and traps of Trap Chap.

When The Elder and her students discovered what occurred, a panic set in.  It was just enough of a distraction for Trap Chap to sneak Fearmonger in. 

“It worked!”  Fearmonger bragged.  “Excellent, Trap Chap!  The Elder won’t see me coming this time.  Booklandia will soon be mine.”

Meanwhile, The Elder hatched a counter plan.  “Students.  We’re in trouble.  I’ll need your help.  And we’ll have to work quickly.”

“Where’s Pap?” one of The Elder’s students questioned.  “He’s gone.”

“I have a feeling he’s up to no good.”  The Elder answered.

Meanwhile, Trap Chap led Fearmonger steadily and stealthily through the mostly abandoned halls on the north side of the building.  “I put all the traps on the south side to draw attention there and clear up this route.”  Trap Chap bragged. 

“Perfect!”  Fearmonger responded.  “This way should lead straight to the main control room of the palace.  From there it’ll be impossible to stop.”

The villainous duo had to halt and hide a couple times to avoid being detected by the occasional palace guard, but eventually they reached the desired destination.

“We did it!”  Fearmonger celebrated.  A large door opened, and an ornate chamber was revealed.  “This room is the brain.  Whoever controls this room, runs the palace and therefore all Booklandia.” 

Fearmonger ordered.  “Now wait at the door, Trap Chap.  Keep watch.”

Fearmonger took his seat in a large chair that resembled a throne.  Here one could look out a large picture window and see all Booklandia.  It was an awe-inspiring view that stretched out for many miles.  Fearmonger fantasized about revenge and let his mind wander for just a bit too long.   

“Caught!”  A voice commanded from behind Fearmonger.  It was The Elder.  At her side stood a dozen students and a captured Trap Chap.  His arms and feet were chained, his mouth covered so he couldn’t warn his boss. 

“You’re too late, Elder.”  Fearmonger screamed.  “I know the power of this chair.  You’ve been replaced.” 

“It’s not that easy.”  The Elder replied.  “And that’s not my chair.” 

Fearmonger was surprised by this response.  He attempted to rise and confront The Elder.  His mind was ready for battle.  But his body couldn’t move.

“Stuck?”  The Elder asked.

Fearmonger flailed and thrashed about attempting to escape, but he was pasted tightly to the sticky throne.  “What have you done?”

“It’s a trap of our own, a giant glue trap, designed and constructed by these brilliant young pupils and in very little time.  Thank you for the hands-on learning opportunity, Fearmonger.

“Let me go!  Now!”  Fearmonger protested wildly.

“We intent to.”  The Elder responded.   

Fearmonger and Trap Chap were banished, removed from Booklandia and returned to the faraway outskirts.

The Elder’s students got more hands-on training when it came to freeing Vax Man, Big Brain, and Math Master.

Science students developed an antidote to bring Vax Man out of his sleep induced state. 

Students with talents in construction worked to deconstruct the trap that held Big Brain painfully in its grasp. 

The spell Math Master was under was easiest to break.  While many looked on puzzled and brainstormed a myriad of ideas, one bright pupil simply walked up the board and erased the equation that had enticed and frozen Math Master.  The spell was immediately broken.

Everyone celebrated.  All were grateful.

“I’m impressed.”  The Elder congratulated the class.  “Booklandia will be in good hands with you all.  Thank you.”

Peace restored, all returned to normal in Booklandia…for now.