Walt in Wonderland: Chapter One

CHOOOOOOOOOOO—CHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!

The whistling of the steam train awakened the young four-year-old, Walt Disney from his sleep. It was the sound of the beginning of Walt’s life. Walt Disney is the fourth son of Elias Charles Disney and Flora Call Disney with his three older brothers, Herbert, Raymond, and Roy, and his two-year-old younger sister, Ruth.

The Disney family are on their way from Chicago, Illinois to Marceline, Missouri to start anew, away from the crime spree Elias was afraid would effect his children. However, they didn’t go on the train together. Flora hopped onto the train with Walt, Roy and Ruth, while Elias drove in a boxcar with Herb, Ray and all the family belongings. Walt’s eyes twinkled at the sight of the countryside quickly passing by with his head pressed onto the train cabin window.

The skies were blue like sapphires and clear as nicely cut diamonds. The clouds were purely white, full of fluff like sheep’s wool, the sun shown brilliantly while glaring through the window, blinding Walt’s eyes. And lastly, the field and hills were green and sprinkled with animals in some areas from cows to horses to sheep. One good long glance at the atmosphere had made Walt more excited to arrive at his new home, but not as much as he enjoyed his first trip in a train.

Walt’s own uncle, Mike Martin, conducted the train and throughout almost the entire ride, Walt wouldn’t sit still in his seat with his family. He was much too excited to want to know how the train would work. If it weren’t up to his parents, he’d be dashing through all the cars the train pulled like it was a running marathon eager to know and understand whatever he could get into his head. Oh well.

Finally, the train is about to screech to a halt in front of the Marceline train station. Steam and smoke from coal spewed from the top of the exhaust pipe indicating to oncoming borders that their next train ride was coming, unaware that the soon-to-be-celebrity would be onboard. Flora held onto Walt’s hand tightly, making sure he’d stay close, while carrying Ruth. Roy handled the few suitcases they had. They treaded out of the train and into the steamy fog blurring their view. When the fog cleared, the first thing Walt saw was the beginning of everything for him: good ol’ Marceline.

The first thing that went into Walt’s mind was the possibility of a grand childhood! He, along with the other three Disneys had gotten a ride on a wagon by a Mr. Coffman to their new house in the old Crane farm, or as it was now being called the “Disney” farm, just outside the city limits. Just like the view from the train ride, the fields were luscious green with no limits and the skies were all blue and scattered with clouds, and it was all his! The second Walt and his family settled at their new home, he scurried out to the field in a frenzy wanting to see what else his new home came it. There was a barn not yet filled with animals and a picket fence surrounding the property, but the best part of the property was this tree.

A beautiful cottonwood tree stood in the middle of the field with a little spring running at the base. It was quiet as it was a little distant from the house. The tree provided plenty of shade to cool down after working in the hot sun. The grass was silky and soft to lie on, the bark on the tree was rough and rippled, and the leaves were darker than pine. It was the perfect spot for Walt to sit around after a hard day of chores and school. There was something else, however, that seemed different about this tree compared to the other trees in the farm. Something…magical. Walt couldn’t quite understand why at his young age. He just happily accepted it as it was.

“Walter!” Flora called out, “Walter, come inside and watch your sister for a moment!”

“Aw, Mom!” Walt groaned.

Walt didn’t want to go inside for he was much too excited to go back inside and leave his tree. He just sat back down under the tree with a pout on his face and his arms crossed in protest. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a man’s voice was heard.

“I’d return to your mother if I were you.” he said.

Walt, startled, jumped up to his feet and looked behind him. The man who spoke stood halfway out from behind the tree. His appearance made Walt want to cower a little. The man was all dressed in a sapphire blue overcoat with a red sweater vest and long dark blue pants, a blue homburg hat with a moon and star pin on the side, and black spectator boots. He was an elderly man for his age, the hat hid his bald head, his hair grew from over his ears, his beard was gray and had grown down to his chest, and his eyebrows were also gray and thick. The man was about 6’3-’4 feet high and was very slender. The look in his tiny-pupil eyes could easily grab another person’s eyes for his or her attention.

The two of them just stared at each other for a good amount of seconds. The strange man’s expression looked very stern, almost mean. Walter quivered a little inside. His eyes could not match the stranger’s. He wanted to cry in fear, but just as he was going to, the old man smiled kindly. That smile had melted Walt’s fear away. The boy was starting to feel a little better now.

“Walter!” Walt’s mother called out again.

Walt looked back at the man, not knowing exactly what to do. Would he go back into the house and take care of his sister or talk to this elderly man.

“You heard her, Walt.” the old man said, “Run along.”

And Walt obeyed. He dashed from the tree and the old man back into his new house. By the time Walt reached the porch and turned his head back to the tree, the old man was gone.

“Who was that man?” Walt asked himself.

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A few days later, Walt’s father and his other two older brothers arrived at the farm. The boxcar they rode in on the train ride was filled with all of the Disney’s belongings. Elias asked all of the boys, including Walt, to come help out in moving into the house. Most of the luggage was too heavy for a four-year-old to carry, so Elias only gave his son a few lighter bags filled with things like blankets and sheets and clothes. Walt was able to clock out for the day after that. He planned on running back out to the tree he loved when he and the family heard a knock on the front door.

Flora, holding Ruth in her arms, quickly went for the door and answered it. The person who knocked was the same man Walt met at his tree the day he moved in. He was carrying a bag with some things inside.

“Good day.” said the man, “Are you the Disney residence?”

“Yes, we are.” said Flora, “We’ve just moved in a few days ago.”

“So I have heard. I am Sidney Retlaw, but my friends call me ‘Yen Sid.’”

“Pleased to meet you, Mister Yen Sid. I’m Flora Disney and this is my daughter, Ruth. Do you live around here?”

“I own a book store just across Kansas Avenue in the Marceline town. I live about half a mile from here just at the border of town.”

“What brings you here?”

“Well, seeing as we are practically new neighbors, I came to bring you all a housewarming gift.”

“Oh, how thoughtful of you!”

“Flora, who’s at the door?” Elias came walking up to Flora with Yen Sid standing at the door, “Who is this?”

“This is Sidney Retlaw, our new neighbor.” said Flora.

“It is a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Disney.” Yen Sid smiled as he held out his hand for a handshake.

“Nice to meet you, too.” said Elias, “Would you like to come in?”

“I would, but I’m actually in a hurry to get to my shop and I don’t want to take too much of your time. I also brought gifts for you and your children.”

“That’s real nice of you. Let me call my sons over.” Elias turned away from Yen Sid and shouted, “BOYS! Can you come over to the front door real quick?”

All four of Elias’ sons reached the front door with Roy holding onto Walt’s hand since Walt was not as fast as his brothers are. Yen Sid, surprised at the many children Elias and Flora have, stood there holding up a smile feeling the sense of family in them.

“These are our sons, Herbert, Raymond, Roy,” said Elias to Yen Sid, “and our youngest son, Walter.” Turning to the boys, he continued, “Boys, this is one of our new neighbors, Sidney Retlaw.”

“Hi. Hello.” all the boys said except for Walt.

Walt remembered this old man from a few days ago. He stood at the very same tree Walt was sitting under the day Walt and his family moved in. He didn’t know why he was here, but it had to be something in Walt’s mind.

“I’m pleased to meet you all and I’m sure we will get along quite nicely.” said Yen Sid with delight. He looked down on Walt giving Walt the clue that Yen Sid was being sincere. Yen Sid reached into the bag and held out a little baby doll. I was decorated in a pink dress with golden linings and red hair.

“I believe this might be for little Ruth.” Yen Sid predicted, handing the doll for Ruth. “Now who’s present is next?”

He reached back inside the bag and took out a couple pocket watches made in silver and gold. He handed them to both Herbert and Raymond. For Roy, he got a new hat that fit his head perfectly.

“Now here are some seeds of different kinds for the parents to help you get started on the farm.” Yen Sid brought out.

“Thank you so much.” Flora gleamed.

“Finally, for little Walter, this.” Yen Sid pulled out a large red leather book with gilt edges in golden yellow in the front, back, and spine of the book, and corners. “I believe a young man like yourself deserves a good adventure in reading.” Yen Sid continued as he handed Walt the book. It was slightly heavy for Walt to carry, so Roy agreed to hold for him until Walt was a little stronger.

“Walt, what do you say to Mr. Retlaw?” Elias asked.

“T-Thank you, sir.” Walt said.

“Thank you very much.” Flora said.

“You are very much welcome.” said Yen Sid, “Now then, I should be going now. My shop opens in twenty minutes. Feel free to come by whenever you like.”

“We will.” said Elias. “Goodbye.”

The minute Yen Sid leaves the new Disney residence away from the barn and on his way to Kansas Avenue Elias begins to grunt. Knowing him, he doesn’t believe in his children being given gifts especially if it was from a new neighbor, which in this case was understandable. Added to that, the family just moved in from the city where lots of terrible things have happened. The family had only lived in the farm one week and then a new neighbor, or “some stranger” as Elias’ calls it, shows up at his door and gives gifts. As kindly as the rest of the family sees it, Elias finds it not right.

“I don’t trust him.” Elias protested.

“Oh Elias,” Flora spoke, “Lighten up! Mr. Retlaw was only trying to be neighborly.”

“Gifts for us and our children aren’t enough to earn my trust. People need to know that us Disneys are not ones to be taken lightly.”

“Elias, as supportive as I may be with you and your argument, you’re only saying this because you’ve seen too much going on back in Chicago.”

“Anything that came from Chicago can happen anywhere, Flora, and I don’t want any of this to happen to you or our family.”

“And it won’t. Sweetheart, I promise you nothing terrible is going to take effect on the kids or us two. I’ll tell you what, lets get settled here a little while more first and then we’ll invite Mr. Retlaw and our other neighbors with their kids to the house for a dinner party. That way we can all get along and you won’t have to feel as suspicious as you are now.”

“Hmm…fine.” Elias reluctantly agreed, “But if any one of them lays a hand on either you, the boys, or Ruth, there will be hell to pay.”

“Fair enough.”

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And sure enough, after a few days came by and gone, Elias sent Roy, Herbert and Raymond out to town to pass out the invitations Flora had made with Walt and Ruth. The neighbors arrived at the residence two days later where all of the Disney family members greeted them. The party had taken place outside in the back of the house. Between half to almost all of the neighbors had children and they got along with the Disney kids just fine, everyone except for one little boy. Walt was too curious to even pay attention to the other children. He wandered around through the crowd in the party by himself. Thankfully, Walt didn’t get tripped over. Nobody, in fact, ever paid any attention to Walt. They were too transfixed on getting to know one another…well, almost everyone. Yen Sid spotted Walt wander away from the party.

Believing no one would follow him, Walt trotted off by himself to the tree he loves to hang out at so much. Sitting underneath the tree, not only could he see the party go on, but he could also see the stars twinkling bright upon the night sky. There was not a single cloud of gray and smog to cover those stars, not that Walt would remember seeing any in his life in Chicago. They’ve shown so brightly and white and slightly light blue it was almost as if Walt would be able to reach out and grab a hold of one. Reaching his arm out, he pretended he did and grabbed one. Walt felt so exhilarated catching a star in the palm of his hands. Just think how bright the star would twinkle and sparkle when Walt opens his hand. When Walt brought his arm back and opened his hand the star was in, it was gone. The star had never been in Walt’s hand in the first place, but he didn’t care. Even at his earliest age Walt believed he is able to reach the limits of the world—no, the whole universe! He tried again pretending to catch more stars. Walt smiled as he got up to his feet to catch all the stars he could get like they were fireflies dancing across the air that a boy his age could reach. Next to playing with Ruth and Roy, it was the first real fun time Walt has had alone.

“Having fun, Walt?” Yen Sid called out.

Walter stopped what he was doing the second he heard that voice. He turned to see Yen Sid walking up to him and the tree in the dark of night. Still startled of the old man’s appearance, Walt stood back a little until he saw Yen Sid hold up the same little smile again like he did days ago. He knew he could not avoid Yen Sid for much longer. No matter where Walt goes off to alone, someone other than big brother Roy would always follow him.

“Trying to catch a star, are you?” Yen Sid asked calmly.

“H-h-how did you know I was doing that?” Walt asked back.

Yen Sid chuckled. It was a question he expected Walt to question him with.

“I’ve done the same as you have just done when I was once your age…I pretended.” Yen Sid reached the young boy and took a seat next to him under the tree. He continued, “Shouldn’t you be having fun at the party with your family and friends, Walt?”

“I-I couldn’t talk to anyone.” said Walt nervously, “They were already talking to each other.”

"Yes, I know. It's a surprise to see nearly all of Marceline come and greet their new neighbors like this. A grand moment, I must say, to meet new people and share a bond. Wouldn't you think so?"

"Mm-hmm."

"By the way, are you enjoying the book I gave you earlier before?"

"The-the pictures are nice, but..."

"You can't read yet, can you?"

"...No."

"That is alright." Yen Sid chuckled, "You will learn soon. Perhaps one of your parents or brothers could read it to you."

"I can ask Roy." Walt suggested, "He's always with me when he's not busy."

"Now there is an idea. Besides, I do not think you are quite ready to learn the secrets yet."

"What secrets?"

"The secrets of your storybook."

"Golly, what's the secret to it? Oh please tell me! Pleeeeeease!"

"Well...I suppose I can give you a little hint. After all, it's very hard for me to ignore a pleading child's face such as your's." Making himself comfortable, Yen Sid continued, "What would you say if I told you that the book is magic?"

"It is? How?" Walt asked, wondering what possibility would make it so.

"Well, I'll tell you...parts of it. The rest I will tell you when you are a little older."

"Okay."

"Now all I can say about this book is that the stories in it have a sense of reality blending with the magic. When you read these stories, not only are you being transported to different worlds brimming with handsome princes fighting against dragons, talking animals, or damsels in distress being victimized by some jealous folks, you are learning the effects of what true reality happens in an ordinary life. In other words, Walter, both reality and fantasy have a lot in common. Do you see what I mean, boy?" Yen Sid asked.

"I think so, sir." Walt replied.

"Very good. Now tell me, Walt, what is it that you love about this tree so much?"

"Why do you ask?"

"I have been watching you constantly for the past few days running and playing and sleeping under this tree far more than you do anywhere else in the farm." Yen Sid pointed out, "What is it that is so special about this tree to you?"

"I love it very much! It's big and shady and...and..." Walt paused.

"And?"

"I-I think of a lot of things in my head when I sit here."

"Like what?"

"I saw a picture in the storybook of this little mouse dancing on a stage and then I imagined it riding on a boat down the river."

"Really?"

"Yeah. And then-"

But just as Walt was going to describe more about the mouse, Roy comes up to the tree where he found Yen Sid and Walt sitting there and talking.

“Oh there you are, Walt.” Roy called out, “Mom and Dad sent me out to look for you. We were wondering where you were.”

“I’m sorry, Roy.” Walt said in guilt.

“Don’t be. I don’t blame you for being shy.” Then Roy turned to Yen Sid and said, “Mr. Retlaw, was it?”

“Oh please, Roy, call me ‘Yen Sid,’ ” Yen Sid allowed.

“Alright. I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

“No, no, not at all, Roy. Walt and I were discussing about the storybook I gave him a few days ago.”

“And the little mouse in it, too.” Walt added, “Hey Roy, when the party is over, can you read me a story from the book?”

“Sure, Walt.” Roy agreed, “Now come on, we don’t want Dad to send out a search party.”

Roy lifted Walt to his feet and then, being the old man he is, helped Yen Sid stand up. Roy started ahead of Yen Sid and Walt when Walt tugged onto Yen Sid’s trench coat, trying to get his attention. And he did.

“Mr. Yen Sid?” Walt said.

“Just ‘Yen Sid’ is fine, Walt.” Yen Sid reminded, “What is it?”

“Well, now that I think about it, I think of a lot of things other than the mouse when I sit at this tree. And all of those thoughts keep entering my dreams when I sleep.”

“And may I ask what you are thinking about right now?”

“I think I’m going to call this the ‘Dreaming Tree’ where all of my dreams can roam free.”

“The ‘Dreaming Tree.’ I like the sound of that.”

“And you’re welcome back at the tree whenever you want.”

“Thank you, Walt. I believe this is the beginning of a grand friendship and perhaps…something greater.

“Yeah.”

Walt and Yen Sid continued to follow Roy back to the party, but along the way Yen Sid thought to himself, “A mouse? There was never a dancing mouse in the storybook. I believe Walt may be the one I’ve been looking for after all.”

Back at the party everyone got along fantastically. Walt had made his first friend and heard his first secret about the magic storybook. But this is only the beginning of what Walt and the rest of his family are in for…

…and it all starts here…in Marceline.