The Mask of the Fufura is a gateway to another dimension...
Ted’s life is a mess. He feels that the whole world is against him. Harassed by his older brother on a daily basis, his troubles get worse when the local school bully also starts picking on him.
Deep in the woods one day, while hiding from his brother and the bully, Ted finds an ancient tribal mask. The wooden treasure is a portal to another dimension. Through the Mask of the Fufura, Ted discovers an entirely new world - a miniature land nestled in the rockery at the bottom of his Grandparent’s garden.
Leaving his troubled world behind, Ted quickly learns that life in the mysterious land of Shimwari is not that easy either. Standing no taller than a blade of grass, he has to deal with snakes, lizards and spiders, only in this world, these creatures take on colossal proportions.
Ted finds that he has stumbled upon a land ravaged by war. The problems of his real world seem insignificant when compared to the dilemma facing the tiny Shimwarian folk. Rat-men, known as Sotsees, under the leadership of the Evil lord Dorox have invaded this once peaceful land - forcing the Shimwarians into hiding.
Ted realizes that now is the time to face up to the challenges in his life. Will he find the courage to stand up to the school bully? Will he find forgiveness for his father, who abandoned his family so long ago? Most of all, does Ted have the courage to lead a small band of warriors in their quest to force Dorox and the Sotsees back to the dark place they came from?
The veil that separates reality and a young boy’s imagination is indeed, very thin.
Steve Carter was born and raised in Africa. He now lives in Australia with his wife and three sons. An airline pilot by profession, Steve was inspired to write “The Mask of the Fufura” by watching his sons grow up. Parents relive their childhoods through their children. For Steve, memories of growing up and playing in the open space of his childhood home back in Africa gave him the setting for the story. Growing up in the sanctity of his family home, but at the same time living in a war torn country, gave Steve the idea of mixing up the reality of life, with the fantasies of a young boys imagination. Steve has tried to take a fresh look at adventure and fantasy. No flying dragons, witches or wizards will be found in this story. Steve wants the story to teach young people that the real magic, the real power, is in believing. Believing that they can achieve anything they want to, if they believe in themselves.
Don’t hide behind a mask, come out and show the world who you really are inside. This is the secret; this is the spark that leads to great achievements.
Ted didn’t waste any time. He turned and ran for his life. The forest was surely his only escape. He dashed off, around the side of the house, out the back gate by Grandpa Joe’s workshop, and down the path that meandered its way through the woods. Behind him, he could hear the rapid steps of his pursuers, with Collin screeching out, “Get him – get himmmmm!”
He had a few seconds’ lead on the older boys, and once deep in the woods, he darted off the path and into the undergrowth. Knowing the woods so well, the boy headed for the tall pine he often climbed. This was in fact the tallest tree in the woods, and it was deep in the undergrowth away from the path. He dived for cover as he heard the boys’ eager footsteps patter past on the path.
Ted tried to control his breathing. He was puffed from the efforts of his escape, and was sure that they would hear his panting. He lay as still as he could. The thick leafy bushes of the undergrowth gave him good cover, though he wished he could bury himself deeper. Through the foliage, he could see the section of the path that he had just left. The boys had stopped near this point, and were now stalking through the bushes in his direction. From his angle down low to the earth he could see their feet. He heard them whispering, and shivered at the thought that they might be able to see him. Should he make a run for it, or should he stay still in the hope that they could not see him? His heart was pounding in his chest as he lay as flat he could, slowly catching his breath.
Something crawled over his leg. He stiffened and gasped, but his hand over his mouth thankfully muffled it. It was then that he realized that he was out in the woods with no shoes on. How mad would Granny Peggy be if she knew this?
The boys crept closer and closer. Ted was sure that they could see him. He pressed himself as flat as he could, holding his breath, trying not to contemplate what would happen once they found him. There was another rustle in the bushes immediately in front of him. What was it? There it was again. Not much light filtered down through the trees in these woods at the best of times, and this was made worse by the fact that it was now late afternoon. Ted strained his eyes, peering through the leaves just in front of him. To his horror, as if he was in some sort of nightmare, he saw the ghastly shape of a cane rat just a few feet away. The creature sniffed in Ted’s direction and crouched ready to pounce, its beady eyes seeming to look right into his soul. The whole world seemed to be ganging up against him. He felt as if this rat was in some sort of strange alliance with the bully, who was so close now, bearing down on his hiding place. There was no escape: he was doomed.
The rat was big – not the size of a cat but it would have put up a fight with Peggy’s terriers. Oh how he wished they were here right now! The creature shook its rough coat and darted forward a few inches, ready for its final pounce. Ted’s heart nearly jumped out of his mouth. He felt dizzy and light-headed, fighting off every instinct to get up and run for his life. His pursuers were nearly upon him.
Just then a butterfly fluttered past Ted’s nose, and settled on his hand, making him flinch once again. He bit his lip to stifle the sharp cry that he wanted to let out. Suddenly time seemed to stand still, as he became strangely mesmerized by the beauty of this creature. The butterfly’s large blue wings opened and closed methodically as it sat on his hand staring up at him. It was the largest butterfly he had ever seen: its wings were large enough to span the palm of his hand. The creature seemed so peaceful and unaware of the urgent predicament into which it had just settled. Its presence seemed to have a strange calming effect. He could feel his breathing slowing down, and the blood was flowing back to his head. However this calm moment passed in a flash. Ted’s focu