This classic children’s picture book was first published in 1965.
Our main character is a happy little creature who tells us that he lives in the Valley of Vung, where hardly anything ever goes wrong. One day, though, he must not have been paying attention to where he was going because he stubbed his toe and went flying through the air. This disconcerted him so badly, he determined that from then on, he would be doubly careful to avoid any and all rocks.
But this wasn’t a fool-proof way of avoiding disaster. While he was so busy watching what was coming up ahead, he forgot to watch what was sneaking up behind, and a Quilligan Quail nipped his tail.
In an attempt to safeguard himself front and back, he trained his eyes to point two different directions. It was tricky, yet he managed it, and thought himself quite safe until a Skritz pecked his neck and a Skrink bit his toe. He was being attacked on every side—what was he to do?
Along came a man who made a suggestion. He was on his way to Solla Sollew, where the people have no troubles at all. Our friend thinks that sounds like a wonderful idea, and decides to go along, riding in the man’s camel-pulled wagon.
They traveled all night. They climbed mountains all the next day, pulling the camel along with them. The going really was very tough, but our young friend kept at it. He does notice, however, that he’s doing most of the work while the camel ails from some sort of disease.
He drops the man and the camel off at a doctor’s, and decides to take the bus for the remainder of his journey, but the bus is out of commission. He’ll just have to go it on foot.
The opposition grows and grows. He has to fight other creatures, soldiers, forces of nature – finally he decides that getting to Solla Sollew is just too hard! So he goes back home, carrying with him a great big bat, so that if any of those Skrinks and what-have-you try their nonsense again, he can just whap ‘em upside the head. You know what – that sounds good to me.
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