Jerry was a handsome little boy, and had just celebrated his fifth birthday. His Uncle Jack, who was a Naval Officer on one of Uncle Sam’s battleships, was expected home from a trip around the world, and Jerry was so thrilled and excited that he could scarcely wait for the actual time to arrive. He remembered sitting on his Uncle Jack’s knee when he was a wee little chap, listening to stories of the sea, and he had not forgotten his Uncle’s promise to take him on a voyage when he was five years old. And then one day he heard the old familiar whistle sounding on the garden walk and, sure enough, there was his big Uncle looking brown and strong, greeting them all with smiles and kisses. He was to be home for just one day, but that was time enough to have Jerry fitted out with a smart sailor suit and made ready to take the next trip with him. Jerry had never known so much excitement, and when he bade good-bye to his mother and daddy and went aboard the battleship there was not a prouder or happier boy in the whole world.
It didn’t take him long to make friends with the men aboard, and to learn about the big guns and all the other fascinating things. There was one huge sailor named Jim Seaweed to whom Jerry was devoted because he was not only the best boxer but the strongest man on the ship. On the second day, when they were far out at sea, Jerry came on deck just in time to see old Billy Goat, who belonged to his friend Jim and was also the ship’s mascot, thrown from his feet by the lurching of the vessel, and start sliding toward the rail, overboard. Jerry dashed across the deck in a great hurry, seized old Billy by his horns, braced his feet against the rail and held him firmly until some sailors came to their rescue. Jim Seaweed was immediately informed of Jerry’s deed and quick wit, and was so grateful to him for saving his pet that he gave Jerry a wonderful ring which had been a gift to him from a Persian king. He explained that it was a wishing-ring, with the wonderful power to bring true your every wish.
Soon the ship was sailing far away through tropical waters, and Uncle Jack gave orders to anchor. In the distance they could see a group of little islands set like tiny jewels in the blue sea, and a party of sailors got permission to take Jerry and go ashore in a small boat, to explore. When they landed they found quantities of tropical fruits and birds, but no signs of human life. Tired of the company of the others, Jerry set off by himself through a wooded stretch, and had gone some distance when he suddenly beheld a beautiful little girl standing in the doorway of a tiny hut. Her clothes were tattered and torn, but her hair was the color of spun gold and her eyes were the loveliest he had ever seen. She smiled at Jerry and told him her name was Pam, and that she had been shipwrecked and cast ashore on this deserted island.
It was then Jerry thought of the wishing-ring on his finger, so taking hold of it he said, “Wishing-ring! Wishing-ring! Please dress Pam in the clothes of a princess and change her hut into a lovely palace!”
It was no sooner said than done, and both children danced for joy at the transformation. Pam’s clothes were of silk and lace, and the palace was of white marble, complete with everything the heart could wish. Then it was that Jerry learned that Pam was indeed a real princess, who had been taking a trip with her governess when they were shipwrecked, and that her father and mother believed she had drowned.
By this time the sailors had joined them, and stood blinking their eyes in astonishment at the wonderful sight. Jerry told them that he liked the island and intended to remain there for a while. He sent word back to Uncle Jack on the ship that they should sail without him, as the wishing-ring would take good care of him.
The Savages Ran in Terror
Pam and Jerry waved good-bye to the big ship as it sailed away, and then turned about to make a complete tour of their island home. It was indeed an island of wonders, full of strange and wonderful beasts and flowers and fruits. They tied knots in the giraffes’ necks, and taught the ostriches to prance around the island drawing the beautiful chariot which the good old wishing-ring had brought them.
One day when Jerry was up in the tower of the palace looking out over the ocean he heard Pam calling, “Jerry! Jerry! Come quickly and save me! Some savages have just landed on our island!”
Jerry was down in a jiffy, to find that their castle was being besieged by a band of cannibals from a nearby island. Thinking fast, he wished on his ring that he might be turned into an enormous elephant with three long trunks. Instantly, his wish was granted, and the savages ran for their canoes in terror as they saw this terrible animal charging at them, shooting streams of water in their faces from one trunk, followed by clouds of sand from the second trunk, and succeeded by mammoth rocks from the third. All this was great fun for our two little friends, and when Jerry changed back into himself, he and Pam laughed with glee to think of how easily they had routed the enemy.
They lived a life of perfect happiness on their island, until Pam began to show signs of homesickness for her father and mother, and then Jerry decided to take her back home. They discussed ways and means, and at last agreed that an airplane would be the best thing to wish for. Jerry had traveled over land and sea but until now he had never flown through the air. When his wish for the airplane had been granted and they were about to set forth on their journey to the kingdom of Pam’s father, there were tears in their eyes at the thought of leaving their fairyland.
It didn’t take them long to reach Pam’s home, and when they landed the people went crazy with joy at seeing their own little lost Princess again. There was a great celebration in honor of her safe return, and the King and Queen were so grateful to Jerry for bringing back their daughter that they made him a Prince. Then Jerry wished hard for his own father and mother, who instantly appeared and lived with him in his kingdom until he grew to be a man.
In time he married the Princess Pam, and they decided that they would be happiest back on their dear little island. So they sailed back in a big ship with scores of their friends, and there they reigned as King and Queen, living happily for the rest of their lives.