The Wretched Stone facts for kids
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| Author | Chris Van Allsburg |
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| Illustrator | Chris Van Allsburg |
| Country | United States |
| Genre | Children's, Fantasy novel |
| Publisher | Houghton Mifflin |
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Publication date
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1991 |
| Media type | Print (Hardcover) |
| Pages | 32 |
| ISBN | 0-395-53307-4 |
| OCLC | 23356228 |
| Preceded by | Just a Dream |
| Followed by | The Widow's Broom |
The Wretched Stone is a children's picture book. It was written and illustrated by the American author Chris Van Allsburg. The book was first published in 1991.
Contents
What is The Wretched Stone About?
This story is told like a journal. It shares the adventures of Captain Randall Ethan Hope. He writes about his ship, the Rita Anne, and its crew. The book explores what happens when people become too focused on one thing. It also shows how important it is to keep learning and exploring.
The Story of the Rita Anne
The book begins on May 8. Captain Hope and his crew are sailing on the Rita Anne. They are on a long journey across the sea.
A Strange Discovery
During their trip, the crew finds a mysterious island. It is a place no one has ever seen before. On this island, they discover a strange, glowing stone. This stone is shaped like a cube. It shines with a bright, unusual light. The crew decides to bring the stone aboard their ship. They think it is a wonderful treasure.
The Stone's Effect
Once the stone is on the Rita Anne, things start to change. The crew becomes very interested in the glowing object. They spend all their time staring at it. They stop doing their usual jobs. They forget about their hobbies and interests. The captain notices this change. He worries about his crew. He tries to get them to stop looking at the stone. But nothing works.
Slowly, the stone begins to change the crew. Their bodies start to transform. One by one, they turn into grinning apes. Only Captain Hope is not affected. He watches in horror as his crew changes. The ship becomes messy and dangerous. The ape-crew cannot sail the ship properly. The Rita Anne nearly sinks because of this.
Rescue and Return
The ship drifts at sea for many days. Captain Hope is alone with his ape-crew. He tries to teach them how to be human again. He plays music for them. He reads books aloud. He hopes to bring them back to their old selves.
Finally, on July 30, another ship spots the Rita Anne. The captain and his transformed crew are rescued. They are taken to a harbor called Santa Pengal. The story ends with Captain Hope still trying to help his crew. He believes they can change back. He continues to read and play music for them.
