BIlly and the Wog

Billy is a shy, bookish twelve-year-old who spends more time with his nose in adventure stories than with other children. Though he dreams of treasure hunts and epic quests, he is certain he'll never have the courage to live one himself. His parents gently worry about his imagination, and classmates tease him with the nickname "Silly Billy." At night, however, he escapes into fantasies where he is the hero. One restless night, Billy hears noises coming from the laundry room. Armed only with his curiosity and his cat Samantha, he investigates-only to discover a strange, hairy-faced creature about his size, dressed in his old, discarded clothes. To his amazement, the creature speaks: it is a wog, and his name is Cloog. Normally, wogs live unseen underground, retrieving forgotten human belongings to sustain their secret society. Despite their initial fear of one another, Billy and Cloog share milk, cookies, and laughter. Billy learns that wogs are peaceful, clever, and secretive, living by a strict rule: they must never be seen by humans. But now the rule is broken, and Cloog risks disgrace if anyone finds out. Billy promises to keep the secret, and their unlikely friendship begins to blossom. When Billy finds Cloog's lost enterfacer-a small, magical-looking device that unlocks doors and illuminates the dark-his curiosity overcomes his fear. Following its compass-like guidance, Billy slips into the basement and discovers hidden passageways leading deep underground. His first foray takes him into vast stone corridors and ultimately to the breathtaking Wog Hall, a five-sided chamber carved from rock, with balconies, etched floors, and a domed ceiling painted with a royal coronation scene. For the first time, Billy feels the thrill of real adventure. Yet the underground world is not without danger. Strange, ghostly wails echo through the tunnels, hinting at creatures or mysteries even the wogs fear. More pressing still, wog law forbids human contact-if Billy is discovered, Cloog could face severe consequences. Still, Billy leaves behind a gift of playing cards in Cloog's chamber, a secret sign of his visit. The story expands as Billy's cousin Delilah arrives for spring vacation. Unlike Billy, she is bold and adventurous in her own way, and she soon becomes entangled in the unfolding mysteries of the underground. As their journeys underground continue, they face trials that test their bravery-narrow escapes, the risk of capture, and the haunting presence of the unknown. Through it all, their friendship with Cloog grows into a true partnership. Billy transforms from a timid boy into someone capable of taking risks, making choices, and standing up for himself and others. Delilah blossoms, Cloog, in turn, finds validation and loyalty in Billy that he never expected from a human. The tale builds toward revelations about the wog society, the coronation of a new queen, and their deeper role in bridging the worlds of humans and wogs. By the end, Billy is no longer "Silly Billy" but a true adventurer-and Delilah's self image is validated if somewhat tempered. At its heart, Billy and the Wog is a story about courage, belonging, and the magic of friendship. Blending the wonder of hidden worlds with the relatable fears of childhood, it invites readers to imagine that just beyond the walls of their homes may lie extraordinary adventures waiting to be discovered.