The Farthest-Away Mountain facts for kids
First edition
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| Author | Lynne Reid Banks |
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| Illustrator | Victor Ambrus |
| Genre | Fantasy |
| Publisher | Abelard-Schuman |
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| ISBN | 0-3857-3077-2 |
The Farthest-Away Mountain is an exciting children's novel. It was written by Lynne Reid Banks, a British author. The book was first published in 1976.
Contents
The Story of Dakin's Adventure
This story is about a brave fourteen-year-old girl named Dakin. When she was younger, Dakin set three big goals for her life. She wanted to travel to the Farthest-Away Mountain. She also wished to meet and talk to a gargoyle. Finally, she dreamed of marrying a prince.
The Mountain's Dark Secret
One morning, Dakin woke up early. She felt like someone had called her in her dreams. She looked out her window and saw the Farthest-Away Mountain nod. Dakin knew this was a sign. It was time to start her adventure and achieve her three goals.
The Farthest-Away Mountain was a magical place. The Mountain itself was alive. It used to call good people to live on its slopes. For many years, everyone who came lived happily and peacefully.
However, things changed over two hundred years ago. A young teacher from Dakin's village was called to the Mountain. He had a student who was the son of a wicked magician. The teacher hoped to help this boy stay away from evil. So, he took the magician's son with him to the Mountain.
This was a big mistake. The son was also very wicked. He used the Mountain's magic for his own bad purposes. He soon became the Master of the Mountain. He turned his kind teacher into a frog, named Croak. Everyone else living on the Mountain fled from him.
The Ring of Kings
Years later, the Master found a very powerful ring. It was called the Ring of Kings. He sent his four gnome slaves to steal it. Their names were Og, Vog, Zog, and their brother Gog. The gnomes succeeded in stealing the ring.
But Gog secretly took the ring from his brothers. He refused to return it to the Master. So, the Master sent a powerful spell down the mountain. It turned Gog into a bronze statue. Then, the Master turned the other three gnomes into gargoyles. He forced them to block the path to the Mountain's top. This was to protect himself from anyone trying to reach him.
Dakin's Brave Plan
Dakin learned all about the Master and his evil deeds. She decided it was up to her to stop him. The Master often spent time around the Mountain at night. During these times, he took the form of a Witch.
Dakin came up with a clever plan. She had overheard a giant talking about something important. She decided to go and find the Witch. Dakin told the Witch that she had seen the Ring of Kings. She claimed it was sparkling at the bottom of the "lithe pond." Dakin also said she could get it for the Witch.
At first, the Witch did not believe her. People thought the lithe pond had no bottom. But Dakin managed to convince her. The Witch then used her magic to transport both of them to the pond.
The Master's Defeat
Once they were at the pond, Dakin confused the Witch. She quickly shoved her white cap in front of the Witch's eyes. Then, Dakin pushed the Witch straight into the pond. This was exactly what Dakin had heard the giant talking about. The good magic of the lithe pond was very powerful. It destroyed the evil Master. Finally, the Mountain was free from his control.
A New Beginning
With the Master gone, all his spells were broken. Dakin returned to find Gog. She wanted to return the Ring of Kings to the royal family. She was still hoping to achieve her third goal: marrying a prince.
However, Dakin was surprised by the prince. She found him to be rather dull and not very smart. So, she decided not to marry him after all. Dakin took Gog back to the Mountain. She wanted to reunite him with his brothers.
On her way, she met Croak. He was no longer a frog. He was now a handsome young man again. Dakin and Croak fell in love. They married and became the Prince and Princess of the Mountain. This completed Dakin's final goal in a way she never expected.
