Illustrations & Synopsis

The stories in Gemstones are all drawn from the book "Gem of the First Water", (Gem), the first of the "Splendora Trilogy, authored by Ron Phillips M.A (Psychology) from USF. Each of the stories and illustrations in Gemstones relate to characters developed by Ron Phillips and his associates.

Map of the Land of Confusion

For every young person (boy or girl), the transition through the early teenage years, sometimes referred to as adolescence, is a time of transition often accompanied by confusion. The story of Gem is full of ideas that provide a blueprint for our young people, as they encounter the choices of everyday living. However because it is wrapped up in these neat and easily read stories, it is not only educational but fun for the whole family to read. The map provides a view or layout of the places of testing or trial areas, such as the Crevice of Anger and Lies, The Pool of Right Decisions, and the ultimate navigation goal of the mountain known as Triple Peaks.

Radino - the friendly older man who lives in "Now".

Boy, our main character, seemed to feel angry whenever he spoke with his own parents!  It was different with Radino, (Gem Chapter 1), –– the friendly old man who lived close by.  Radino was never in a hurry. He was always so patient and took time to listen to the boy's words. Radino did not say a lot, and always spoke gentle words that sounded so very wise. Radino always lives in the "Now" of life.

Fox - Friend and companion of Boy

Fox helps our central character, Boy, to escape from the dungeon in the story Stranger in the Meadow (Gem — Chapter 2). They become firm friends and Fox is always nearby at critical moments, to remind Boy of lessons learned or the need for care in a particular situation.

The Rainbow Stairs - A lesson about appreciation

When Boy reaches the Rainbow Staircase, (Gem Chapter 6) he is challenged to reflect and express his appreciation of things, people and events. Each stair-tread requires another thought and expression of personal appreciation before the next stair-tread appears. Boy does not notice that the stair-treads he has used already disappear as he climbs onto the next stair-tread. There is no turning back, and so he is challenged to reflect upon a wider range of other things, people or events he has appreciated having been connected with.

The idea of 'counting your blessings', is as old as time itself, however Boy who was flippant and frivolous at first, is duly challenged to really dig into his memories of those moments of gentleness, goodness and kindness that have passed into his often forgotten long term memory.

Worm - The source of all bad decisions

After Boy collapsed with exhaustion he was found by the stranger Lumberg, also known as the Traveller — because he traveled the earth and the cosmos. Lumberg, who was tanned, sinewy and iron strong, carried the unconscious Boy to the home of Bartrum who provides respite care and a time of healing, (Gem Chapter 18).

Lumberg - Traveled throughout the earth and the cosmos

After Boy collapsed with exhaustion he was found by the stranger Lumberg, also known as the Traveller — because he traveled the earth and the cosmos. Lumberg, who was tanned, sinewy and iron strong, carried the unconscious Boy to the home of Bartrum who provides respite care and a time of healing, (Gem Chapter 18).

The Martini Monster - Resident in the Valley of the Shadow

Lumberg advised Boy to keep his eyes on his goal, to stay on his chosen path.
However Boy did get distracted (Gem Chapter 22), for a short time and came across, Elvis and his friends, who included the Martini Monster, (who desires that everyone should lose control) and the Substance Creature, (who wants everyone's heart, soul and mind). Boy overcomes temptation and returns to his chosen path; Boy makes a decision.

Synopsis of the "Gem of the First Water"

Some emerging adolescents today appear bewildered by personal growth-related changes that are part of their adolescent development, while others appear confused by the expectations of their own family or the community in which they live. On occasions emotions of aggravation or conflict arise when inconsistencies lead to feelings of confusion or inadequacy, which they are often ill-prepared to cope with.

Therapeutic Storytelling InterventionTM, (T.S.I.TM ), uses the age-old art of storytelling to explore such dilemmas using the metaphor of a journey through a mythical "Land of Confusion".

The author of "The Splendora Trilogy", Ron Phillips MA, MFCC, a New Zealand based therapist, has now written three books of stories that seek to address age-appropriate tasks through the experiences of a central character. In his first book, "Gem of the First Water", ("Gem"), the character presents as an emerging adolescent boy, who must encounter a variety of personal trials that test his inner qualities, failings and prejudice.

Through successive encounters in the mythical land the boy receives help from a devoted friend, (a Fox who speaks), and a trustworthy adult known as the Traveller. Throughout his adventures the boy is required to make and be accountable for his own decisions, some of which are wise while others reap dire consequences. In the course of successive experiences we find the boy grows in maturity and learns to make considered decisions about issues of personal honesty and respect within his relationships with the people he meets. The boy also discovers the power of anger and lies, debt and denial yet at the same time he discovers how to avoid becoming trapped by their grip.

The story closes after the boy has reached his goal with patience and perseverance. Indeed he is no longer a boy but a young man of character who has a new name that signals his new capacity for courtesy and consideration.
What happens next? Well that's another story.

Note: 'The Travels of Plymouth', the second book of the Splendora Trilogy, by author Ron Phillips is the basis of our new resource, "Travel Log", but that's another story...

See web site for further information: www.youngnz.org.nz/travel-log/index.php

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