Sparkle Car #7: Wondering and Wandering

This episode of Sparkle Car includes:

A new story from our "By Thistle By Thimble" storyline: "Riding the Trains."

On a train somewhere between Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Omaha Nebraska, two strangers share the same incredible secret.  Willie, a famous boy genius, is searching for a quiet, new life where no one knows of his fame.  Molly-Sue, a girl genius from a poor household, must get to Omaha to claim a prize that will bring her family out of poverty.  Both of them have discovered a hidden code that will bring them together on the same train and transform their lives forever.

A long folktale from Romania, called "The Poor Boy"

A poor boy's sister is stolen away by a dragon and brought to a palace of crystal, far far away.  He wanders the world, following the wind to find her, and in the process finds a heroic best friend as well as a royal bride-to-be. 

Also included are some lovely verses of "wonder" from the fairy world.