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[Assistant] Annie put the message back in the bag, and she and Jack sped up the street.


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[Assistant] When they reached the edge of the Frog Creek woods, they turned and rode their bikes between the trees bouncing over roots, pine needles, and leaves.


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[Assistant] Teddy hasn't come to Frog Creek in a long time, said Annie. I know, said Jack. I hope nothing's wrong back in Camelot, said Annie. I hope Morgan and Merlin are all right. Yeah, and Kathleen, said Jack.


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[Assistant] And Penny, said Annie, and Arthur, and well all of Camelot. Jack and Annie soon came to the tallest oak. The magic tree house was back.


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[Assistant] Inside the treehouse, they both hugged Teddy. What's happening? said Jack. Is everyone okay? Oh yes, Camelot is doing quite well, said Teddy. Good, said Annie.


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[Assistant] Do Merlin and Morgan have a new mission for us? Said Jack. Indeed they do, said Teddy. What do they want us to do? Asked Annie.


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[Assistant] They want you to have a fantastic time, said Teddy. What does that mean, said Jack.


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[Assistant] Well today they want to thank you in a very special way. They want to send you on a holiday.


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[Assistant] A holiday? You mean like a vacation? said Jack. Yes, a vacation. I believe that's what you call it, said Teddy. Oh man, we were just talking about that, said Jack. Wonderful, said Teddy. Then their timing is perfect.


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[Assistant] We were just talking about a place called Cozumel said Annie. Cozumel said Teddy. I do not believe I have heard of that land.


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[Assistant] It's an island in the Caribbean Sea, next to the Yucatan Peninsula, said Jack. It's part of Mexico.


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[Assistant] We want to go there because it's a great place for snorkeling, said Annie. Snorkeling? Said Teddy, wrinkling his nose. What is that? Jack laughed.


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[Assistant] You swim in a lake or ocean and look underwater through a mask and breathe through a plastic tube, said Annie.


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[Assistant] Our lake isn't great for snorkeling, said Jack.


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[Assistant] But our friends Randy and Jenny went to a beach in Cozumel last spring, and they said the snorkeling was incredible. Ah, I see. Then Cozumel is where you shall go, said Teddy. He reached into his cloak and pulled out a wand.


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[Assistant] He waved it in a circle over the treehouse floor, whispering words that Jack couldn't understand except for Cozumel.


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[Assistant] Slowly, magically, a small paperback book took shape on the floor. Teddy picked up the book. Your travel guide, he said proudly. Cozumel and the Yucatan Peninsula. He showed the book to Jack and Annie.


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[Assistant] The cover was a collage of several small paintings and photos.


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[Assistant] One showed a large fancy hotel. Another showed a stone pyramid. And a third showed a person snorkeling.


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[Assistant] Teddy turned the book over and read from the back cover.


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[Assistant] Visit Cozumel and the Yucatan Peninsula. Stay in a luxury spa hotel.


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[Assistant] See ancient Mayan pyramids and ruins?


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[Assistant] Oh wow, my dream vacation, said Annie. I'll get our snorkeling gear, said Jack.


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[Assistant] I'll grab our phone to take photos, said Annie. Jack and Annie hurried down the rope ladder.


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[Assistant] Annie took their cell phone from her handlebar bag and put it in one of the pockets of her tunic.


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[Assistant] He reached into his cloak and pulled out a green velvet coin purse. He handed the purse to Jack.


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[Assistant] Jack opened the purse and took out three golden coins. What are these?


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[Assistant] We want you to have as much fun as possible on your holiday, said Teddy. Each of these coins contains a bit of magic.


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[Assistant] Throw one into the air, make a wish, and your wish shall come true. Seriously? That's great, said Annie.


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[Assistant] Yes, said Teddy, you may wish for anything.


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[Assistant] The only requirement is that the magic be used to help you have fun.


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[Assistant] To Cozumel now you must go, said Teddy. But wait.


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[Assistant] Are you sure we don't have a mission of some kind? said Jack.


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[Assistant] They'd never been on a journey without an assignment from Morgan or Merlin.


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[Assistant] Yes indeed, you do have a mission, said Teddy.


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[Assistant] As I told you, your mission is to have a wonderful time. Nothing else, said Jack. Nothing else, Teddy said with a smile. Wow, said Annie.


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[Assistant] Can you come too and have a wonderful time at the beach with us? I wish I could, said Teddy.


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[Assistant] But I have to do more errands for Morgan and Merlin today. None quite as delightful as this one, however.


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[Assistant] You must tell me all about your journey when we meet again. Of course we will said Annie. Come back to Frog Creek soon. I plan to said Teddy. Do you have all you need? Yes said Jack.


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[Assistant] And you don't need to magically change our clothes. We're already dressed for the beach. Excellent. Go now, said Teddy. Annie pointed at the cover of the travel guide. I wish we could go there, she said. To have a wonderful time, added Jack. The wind started to blow. The treehouse started to spin. It spun faster and faster.


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[Assistant] Afternoon sunlight flooded into the treehouse.


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[Assistant] Jack heard the sound of waves softly lapping the shore. He and Annie looked out the window.


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[Assistant] The tree house had landed in a palm tree overlooking snow-white sand and a turquoise blue sea.


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[Assistant] Near the beach was the stone pyramid pictured on the cover of the travel guide. Cozumel, Jack said. Paradise, Annie said.


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[Assistant] Where is everyone? said Jack, looking around.


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[Assistant] I thought there'd be, you know, luxury spa hotels and fancy restaurants. It's weird, said Jack.


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[Assistant] Maybe it's just the perfect beach, said Annie, shrugging. Yeah, but...


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[Assistant] Jack looked through their travel guide until he found a photo that seemed to match the deserted shoreline with a pyramid. This looks like the same place. He read the caption,


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[Assistant] On the southwest Caribbean coast is a nature preserve.


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[Assistant] Oh cool, we landed in a nature preserve, said Annie. That's why it looks so natural. Right, said Jack. He read on.


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[Assistant] Dazzling coral reefs are just a short distance offshore.


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[Assistant] We did come to the perfect place, a nature preserve with a coral reef just like Randy and Jenny's. Yep, said Jack.


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[Assistant] Let's snorkel first, then maybe check out that pyramid, it looks cool. Good plan, said Annie. She started down the rope ladder.


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[Assistant] Jack put the travel guide into the swim bag with their snorkel gear. He hung the bag on his shoulder and followed Annie.


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[Assistant] A fresh salty ocean breeze wafted over them. White sand sparkled in the warm sunlight. This is a good view, said Annie. I'll take a picture. No, even better a video.


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[Assistant] Pointing the phone at the beach, she clicked the record button and spoke loudly.


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[Assistant] Jack and I are in Cozumel at a beautiful beach on a nature preserve. And this, hey, stop, said Jack. What if mom and dad see that? You have to erase it. Oh, you're right, said Annie. She laughed as she deleted the video.


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[Assistant] No big deal, Mom and Dad. We just took a little detour to Mexico on our way home from the lake. She put the phone in Jack's bag. Okay, no camera on this trip. Let's hit the water, said Jack.


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[Assistant] As they started across the beach, their flip-flops sank into the fine sugary sand. Seagulls cawed overhead. It's easier to go barefoot, said Annie.


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[Assistant] She and Jack stopped and put their flip flops into Jack's bag. Hey, what's that?


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[Assistant] It was made of bamboo poles lashed together with leather strips. A paddle lay beside it.


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[Assistant] Jack looked around for its owner, but no one was in sight. Who left it here? It must belong to the nature preserve, said Annie. I bet it's for tourists to use. Why else would it just be lying here? It's got a paddle and everything. Wanna try it? What? Put it in the water? Said Jack. Yes, said Annie. It'll be fun, say yes.


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[Assistant] Oh, Jack, please, we can paddle out to the reef. Look how calm the water is. It'll be super fun, said Annie.


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[Assistant] Jack started to say no again, but he stopped. It would actually be super fun he thought.


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[Assistant] Well if we take it, we have to stay close to shore and keep a lookout for its owner just in case.


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[Assistant] Okay, okay, said Annie. I'll row.


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[Assistant] She grabbed the paddle and Jack dragged the raft over the wet sand.


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[Assistant] Gentle waves lapped the sides of the raft. Okay, you hop on first, said Jack.


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[Assistant] He put their bag on the raft and then held it steady while Annie climbed onto the bamboo poles. The raft kept floating.


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[Assistant] Now me, said Jack as he climbed aboard.


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[Assistant] The raft dipped a bit lower in the water, but it easily held them both.


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[Assistant] Yay, now let's find the reef, said Annie. I'll take us there.


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[Assistant] As she began to paddle the breeze helped push the raft over small ocean swells. This is a great raft!


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[Assistant] I'll bet the ancient Mayans made them just like this, said Jack.


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[Assistant] So who were the ancient Mayans exactly, said Annie. I don't know a lot about them, said Jack.


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[Assistant] They built pyramids and designed a special calendar. Well, they sure made good wraps, said Annie.


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[Assistant] As she pushed the paddle through the water, the raft moved farther out to sea.


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[Assistant] About a hundred yards out, Jack held up his hand. Okay, let's stop here, he said. We don't want to get too far away from land. Let's look underwater for the reef. The book said it was near the shore. Right, said Annie. You snorkel first. I'll stay with the raft. You sure? Sure. Thanks. Jack reached into the swim bag.


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[Assistant] Before he pulled out their snorkel gear, he looked up Cozumel, coral reefs, in the travel guide. He read aloud,


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[Assistant] The coral reefs of Cozumel are visited by an average of fifteen hundred tourists a day. Coral? Really? Annie interrupted. I don't see one single tourist. I know, I don't understand that, said Jack. He kept reading.


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[Assistant] Coral is made of animals, not plants. Since a coral reef is very delicate and takes a very long time to grow, swimmers and snorkelers must avoid touching it or kicking it with their flippers. Makes sense, said Jack, closing the book. Look, don't touch, just like at a museum. Got it, said Annie.


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[Assistant] While Annie held the raft steady with the paddle, Jack buckled on one of the life vests, squeezed his feet into flippers, and attached the snorkel to his face mask.


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[Assistant] Finally, he pulled on the mask, covering his eyes and nose and adjusted the strap.


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[Assistant] He inhaled through his nose, causing the mask to create a vacuum so water couldn't seep in. Balance me so the raft doesn't flip over, Jack said to Annie.


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[Assistant] Annie balanced the raft while Jack sat on the edge.


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[Assistant] As he slipped down into the sea, his life vest kept him from going under.


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[Assistant] Then he started swimming face down along the surface of the water, gently kicking his flippers. Looking through his mask, he saw only a few fish at first. But then he saw more and more and more.


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[Assistant] The underwater coral reef was huge, and the world around it was teeming with life. Seaweed waved in the gentle current.


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[Assistant] Pink and orange coral branched out in all directions.


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[Assistant] And hundreds of fish, as colorful as jelly beans, swam among the plants and the lacy coral.


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[Assistant] Jack saw sleek skinny fish, spiny fish, and flat fish.


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[Assistant] He saw fish that looked like butterflies, porcupines, and spindly stars.


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[Assistant] As he kept swimming and looking through his mask, Jack saw green turtles feeding on algae.


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[Assistant] He saw huge crabs, jellyfish, and even a stingray among the wavy grasses.


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[Assistant] But nothing Jack saw scared him, and none of the creatures seemed afraid of him either.


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[Assistant] With his mask and flippers, Jack figured he looked like just another strange sea animal.


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[Assistant] A yellow striped fish darted directly up to his mask, looked him in the eyes, then darted off again.


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[Assistant] A school of tiny white fish swam over his body tickling him like feathers.


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[Assistant] As he drifted around the reef, Jack saw orange starfish clustered over the coral ridges and tiny yellow sea horses bobbing near the coral branches.


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[Assistant] Annie would love those little horses he thought. Annie.


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[Assistant] Treading water, he pulled the snorkel out of his mouth, lifted his mask, and looked around for her. The raft was far away.


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[Assistant] Your turn, Jack said gasping when he reached the raft.


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[Assistant] How was it? said Annie, pulling off her tunic.


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[Assistant] Unbelievable, said Jack climbing aboard. You're going to love it.


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[Assistant] It's like a beautiful garden. Turtles, starfish, and look for the tiny yellow seahorses around the coral. I can't wait, said Annie, cramming her feet into her flippers. Here, she handed Jack the paddle.


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[Assistant] You have to paddle pretty hard, the wind's pushing the raft. I noticed, said Jack. Swim toward the beach and you'll see the reef.


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[Assistant] I'll paddle after you then we'll head back to shore. Good plan.


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[Assistant] Annie pulled on her mask and stuck the snorkel in her mouth.


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[Assistant] Jack balanced the raft as Annie sat on the edge. Have fun, said Jack. The raft rocked as Annie slid into the water. She started swimming back toward the reef. Jack tried to follow close behind her.


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[Assistant] But the current kept pushing the raft farther out to sea.


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[Assistant] For a long time he paddled hard just to stay in place.


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[Assistant] At one point, the current was so strong the raft turned sideways. Jack struggled to turn it back toward the beach.


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[Assistant] When he got the raft under control again, he looked back toward the reef area. He couldn't see any. The waves had gotten higher.


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[Assistant] The sea seemed vast and not nearly as safe and friendly. Jack looked in every direction. Finally he saw something farther out to sea. Can that be Annie's snorkel? Why would she swim so far out? He wondered. Jack! He turned around. Annie was bobbing on a wave not far from the raft.


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[Assistant] It is incredible, she shouted holding up her mask. Totally incredible.


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[Assistant] Come on, get aboard, Jack yelled. We have to go back, the current's too strong, or maybe the wind, whatever, we have to get back. Something else was bothering Jack, really bothering him. What was that thing I saw, he wondered. He turned and looked out to see again. Jack froze in horror.


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[Assistant] That thing was still sticking up out of the water.


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[Assistant] Now it was closer and he could see what it was. It was a fin. A large fin.


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[Assistant] Get on the raft! Jack screamed to Annie. Hurry!


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[Assistant] He began frantically paddling toward her, struggling against the current.


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[Assistant] Annie clambered aboard. What is it, she asked, pulling off her mask and snorkel. What did you see? Look behind us, Jack shouted.


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[Assistant] He was still struggling with a paddle, trying to point the raft toward shore.


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[Assistant] Ah, shark! Annie cried. Jack, a shark! I know, said Jack. Let's go, go, cried Annie. I'm trying, said Jack. He looked over his shoulder. The shark fin moved toward them. Then it started to circle the raft.


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[Assistant] Sharks circle their prey before they attack, Jack remembered.


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[Assistant] Using all his strength, he tried to turn the raft and head back to shore, but the wind and waves were too strong.


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[Assistant] Where is it? cried Annie. Where did it go?


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[Assistant] With the waves rising, Jack couldn't see the shark fin either. Maybe it's gone, he said.


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[Assistant] The shark's huge head came over the side of the raft, its mouth wide open. Ahh! yelled Jack.


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[Assistant] Without thinking, he raised his paddle and whacked the giant shark on the nose.


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[Assistant] The shark reared up and dug its jagged teeth into the wooden paddle, ripping it out of Jack's hand.


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[Assistant] Then the creature sank back down into the sea, and its fin glided away through the water. It's gone, said Annie. Not gone, cried Jack. Look. The shark had moved away from the raft, but it was circling them again.


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[Assistant] We need magic, Jack, shouted Annie. We have to use a gold coin.


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[Assistant] We can only use them to have fun, said Jack.


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[Assistant] You don't think it would be fun to escape that shark? said Annie.


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[Assistant] She pulled out the green velvet purse with the gold coins She took out one of the three coins and held it up


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[Assistant] The magic coin glittered in the Caribbean sunshine.


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[Assistant] She tossed the coin high into the air. Like a tiny fireworks display, it burst into a shower of fiery red and blue sparks. The raft suddenly spun like a top. Then it shot up the face of a large wave.


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[Assistant] Aaaaah! Jack and Annie screamed.


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[Assistant] The raft crested the wave, slid down the other side, and zoomed farther out to sea.


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[Assistant] Another swell lifted the raft, then brought it down smoothly.


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[Assistant] And again, the raft shot across the surface of the water.


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[Assistant] Jack and Annie held onto each other as the raft rolled over one swell after another, rising and dipping in rhythm with the waves. Sea spray blasted them.


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[Assistant] Saltwater sloshed over the sides, but magically Jack and Annie stayed aboard.


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[Assistant] It's like the bullet ride at Wade City Water Park. Annie cried.


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[Assistant] It is like a waterpark ride, Jack thought. But he was still in shock. Where'd the shark go, he wondered. Are there other sharks? How will we get back without a paddle?


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[Assistant] Finally, the exhilaration of the ride overcame Jack's worries.


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[Assistant] As if harnessing the wind and current, the raft kept sliding up and down the swells, heading west.


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[Assistant] Seagulls followed it, shrieking overhead.


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[Assistant] The raft kept rollercoastering across the sea, sliding up and down over more waves.


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[Assistant] Jack saw a jagged rocky coastline with a strip of gleaming white sand. Yes, yes, he shouted. It's land.


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[Assistant] Chapter four. Where are we?


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[Assistant] As it floated toward the distant shore, the sea changed, becoming calm and smooth. The seagulls were silent. Where are we? Annie asked. I'll check, said Jack.


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[Assistant] He reached into their waterproof bag and pulled out the travel guide. He quickly found a map inside. He pointed to the tip of Cozumel.


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[Assistant] Then he moved his finger across the Caribbean, landing on the eastern shore of the Yucatan Peninsula.


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[Assistant] Dotting the shoreline were symbols for hotels and resorts. Jack showed the map to Annie. I think we've come to the shore of the Yucatan Peninsula, he said. Cool, said Annie. Jack read aloud from the guide.


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[Assistant] Along the coast are comfortable luxury spa hotels and four-star Mexican restaurants. Tour buses visit Mayan ruins and hidden sinkholes filled with water. Hidden sinkholes filled with water, said Jack. That sounds weird. He kept reading. Crew ships dock at ports along the coast.


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[Assistant] While fairies take tourists over the Caribbean to Cozumel. Good news, said Jack. We can take a fairy back to Cozumel. Then we won't have to worry about sharks anymore. He looked around.


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[Assistant] I wonder why we haven't seen any ferries or cruise ships.


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[Assistant] Maybe they're docked in their ports now, said Annie. It's late afternoon, it'll be dark soon. The sun was low in the sky. Soon it would sink behind the jagged cliff. Makes sense.


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[Assistant] I guess we'll have to catch the ferry first thing tomorrow, said Jack.


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[Assistant] Cool, we can stay in one of those comfortable luxury spa hotels the guide talks about, said Annie. Doesn't that sound good? Yeaah, really good, said Jack. He was ready for a little comfort and luxury.


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[Assistant] And get dinner too, said Annie, like at a four-star Mexican restaurant. Great, said Jack. He loved Mexican food, and he was starving. We'd just be doing our mission, said Annie. Yep, said Jack, having a good time. Oh, look.


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[Assistant] Said Annie, pointing toward shore. What's that up there?


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[Assistant] Jack saw stone buildings high on top of the cliff. I'll bet those are Mayan ruins, he said, like that pyramid we saw in Cozumel. Look it up, said Annie.


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[Assistant] Jack flipped through their travel guide until he found a photo that looked like the same rocky cliff with the same stone buildings. I found it, he said. He read aloud. Yucatan Park is a tourist attraction on the east coast of the Yucatan.


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[Assistant] In ancient times it was a port city for Mayans sailing around the Caribbean. Today


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[Assistant] Tourists flock to song and dance spectaculars to take them through Mayan history.


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[Assistant] I'd love to find a luxury hotel first, said Jack. Watch out, said Annie.


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[Assistant] The raft was heading for a pile of rocks at the edge of the water. Turn, Jack shouted.


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[Assistant] Amazingly, the rafts swerve to the right and miss the rocks.


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[Assistant] A wave then carried it into a sheltered cove below the cliff.


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[Assistant] The raft slid over bubbly foam at the edge of the sea and stopped on pebbly, wet sand. Their magic ride had come to an end. Safe, said Annie. Our wish came true. We had a fun ride. A lot of fun, said Jack.


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[Assistant] Even the terrifying shark attack didn't seem like such a big deal anymore, especially now that they could catch a ferry back to Cozumel in the morning. As Jack and Annie packed up their gear, the sun was sinking behind the rocky bluff, turning the sky pink, then purple. Jack's face was warm with sunburn.


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[Assistant] Let's check out the Mayan theme park first, said Annie.


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[Assistant] It must be closed by now, said Jack. It's almost night time. Okay, said Annie sighing.


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[Assistant] But we have to visit it first thing tomorrow before we go back. Sure, said Jack. I'd love to know more about Mayan history.


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[Assistant] He and Annie put on their flip flops and stepped off the raft. Uh oh, I just thought of something. What? said Annie. We need money, said Jack. All right.


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[Assistant] For a hotel and dinner in the theme park, said Annie. And ferry tickets, said Jack. Annie grinned. No problem, she said.


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[Assistant] But I think we can have lots of fun here, even without magic. So how much should we wish for? asked Jack. How about five hundred? said Annie. What? Are you serious? said Jack. No kid carries around five hundred dollars. Well, then maybe we should wish for a credit card instead, said Annie. Yeah, and how do you expect Morgan to pay a credit card bill?


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[Assistant] Back to five hundred dollars. We need enough for the luxury spa hotel, a four-star dinner, breakfast, and tickets for the theme park, and fairy. Okay, okay, said Jack. Five hundred. I still think it's too much. He held up the coin.


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[Assistant] Get ready for dollar bills to rain down on us. Ready, said Annie. She held out both hands.


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[Assistant] We wish for five hundred dollars to have a good time, said Jack. He tossed the gold coin into the air.


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[Assistant] Again, like tiny fireworks, it burst into a shower of fiery red and blue sparks. When the sparks cleared, nothing rained down from the air. Oh no, said Jack, it didn't work. Yes, it did, look, said Annie, sitting in the middle of the raft.


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[Assistant] Hooray, we have ten fifty dollar bills. Great, said Jack.


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[Assistant] We can probably change them into Mexican money, pesos, when we get to the hotel. No problem, said Annie.


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[Assistant] Give me the purse, we'll put the money in with our last gold coin. Jack handed Annie the purse, and she stuffed the wad of bills inside.


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[Assistant] Before we go, we should pull the raft higher up on the sand, so it doesn't wash out to sea, said Jack.


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[Assistant] Maybe someone else can use it, if they can find a paddle. Jack and Annie leaned over and gripped the raft. Heave ho!


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[Assistant] The sounds of musical instruments were coming from the top of the cliff.


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[Assistant] Maybe they're doing one of those song and dance spectaculars we read about. Let's go see. I'd rather just get to a hotel, said Jack. We've had a full day.


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[Assistant] Oh please, begged Annie. Let's check out the show really fast, and then we'll go straight to the hotel, I promise. Jack listened to the music for a moment.


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[Assistant] How do we get up the cliff? He said, hurrying after her.


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[Assistant] I saw some steps when we were coming in, said Annie. They're just around those rocks.


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[Assistant] As Jack followed Annie around a pile of boulders, a cool wind blew across the sand. The full moon had turned the sea to silver.


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[Assistant] Chapter 5. Yucatan Theme Park.


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[Assistant] Those are the steps I was talking about, said Annie. She pointed to a rickety wooden stairway clinging to the side of the cliff. That, said Jack. I know it doesn't look safe, said Annie. But I don't see any other way to get up there. Jack looked up and down the beach. Me neither. I guess we'll have to try it.


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[Assistant] Lugging their bag, Jack followed Annie to the stairs.


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[Assistant] Annie started up first, the weathered boards creaking with her weight.


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[Assistant] Careful, said Jack. Hold on to the railing. You too, Annie called down. Jack started climbing the rickety stairway.


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[Assistant] Gripping the handrail, he took one step at a time as the wind shook the stairs and the sound of drums and flutes floated down from above.


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[Assistant] Hanging on tightly to the railing, he leapt to the next step as the broken one crashed to the ground. You okay? said Annie. Yeah, barely, Jack answered.


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[Assistant] As he kept climbing, he clung to the railing and gingerly placed one foot after the other.


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[Assistant] Finally, he followed Annie from the top step onto the rocky ground at the top of the cliff.


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[Assistant] I can't believe they built such a bad staircase, said Jack.


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[Assistant] They probably want it to look as real as possible, said Annie, like in olden times.


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[Assistant] Yeaah, but how about safe? said Jack.


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[Assistant] We should tell our hotel to post a warning or something, said Annie.


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[Assistant] Yeah, avoid the rickety staircase with a broken step, said Jack.


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[Assistant] He listened to the drum and flute music coming from behind a high stone wall. The smell of wood smoke filled the air


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[Assistant] By now the full moon had risen over the park, giving everything a bluish tint. It sounds great, doesn't it? said Annie. Yeah, it does, said Jack.


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[Assistant] He had to admit that the theme park show seemed really inviting. I wonder how we get inside, said Annie. Hold on, said Jack. He took out their travel guide. By the light of the moon he studied the map. It looks like a wall runs all the way around the park.


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[Assistant] And the entrance is on the other side with a ticket booth.


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[Assistant] Oh, and there's a visitor's bureau. They can help us find a hotel.


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[Assistant] But we're checking out the show first, right? Annie said. Sure, let's go, said Jack.


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[Assistant] As they started along the wall, bellowing horn sounds came from inside the park. Whoa, what's that? said Annie. She ran ahead.


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[Assistant] When Jack caught up with her, she was looking through a narrow opening in the wall.


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[Assistant] It's definitely a song and dance spectacular, she said. Look at the great costumes.


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[Assistant] Annie stepped aside so Jack could peek through the opening. He saw the long shadows of stone buildings. In front of the buildings was an open square, bright with firelight.


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[Assistant] Dancers and musicians were performing around a roaring bonfire.


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[Assistant] Dozens of people watched from the sides, some standing and some sitting on the ground. It looks great, said Jack. Let's find the entrance.


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[Assistant] Oh, let's just sneak in through here, said Annie, before the show ends. What about our tickets, said Jack.


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[Assistant] If we spend time looking for the ticket booth, we'll miss the show, said Annie. We can pay on the way out. This is a chance of a lifetime. Okay, said Jack. Yes, said Annie.


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[Assistant] She turned sideways and slid through the narrow opening.


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[Assistant] See, no problem, she said from the other side. Take this, said Jack. He pushed their bulky bag through the opening.


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[Assistant] Jack took his bag back from Annie, and they hurried across the grounds of the park.


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[Assistant] When they got close to the bonfire, they stood near the back of the square.


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[Assistant] The male dancers had feathered headdresses and beautiful feathered cloaks.


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[Assistant] They wore arm and leg bracelets made of gold and silver. They had painted faces and tattoos.


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[Assistant] Some of them waved spears and shields as they shook their bodies.


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[Assistant] Near the dancers several musicians played wooden flutes.


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[Assistant] Others rattled hollow, gored instruments and rang loud bells.


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[Assistant] Some clapped sticks together, while still others banged huge turtle shell drums and blew on giant conch shells that made deep bellowing sounds.


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[Assistant] While the dancers danced and the musicians played, actors moved about in front of the crowd, miming a story.


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[Assistant] They wore jaguar masks, crocodile masks, and bird masks.


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[Assistant] They bowed to two regal-looking men who sat on throne-like wooden seats on a platform.


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[Assistant] The two men wore enormous headdresses and animal skin capes. Behind them stood a row of feathered warriors.


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[Assistant] I'll bet those two guys are supposed to be ancient Mayan kings, whispered Annie. And the ones behind them must be their bodyguards. This is spectacular.


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[Assistant] Jack had to agree even though none of it made sense to him. He looked around at the crowd watching the show.


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[Assistant] He noticed that the women and girls wore colorful dresses and large pieces of jewelry.


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[Assistant] The men and boys wore loincloths or feathered robes. Many men wore headdresses.


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[Assistant] Don't you think it's a little weird that everyone in the audience is wearing a costume? Jack whispered. I love it, said Annie.


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[Assistant] Maybe this show is like a reality show, where even the audience plays a part. I'll bet when you buy a ticket you get a costume. I'll find out.


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[Assistant] Before Annie could ask about their costumes, one of them darted to a woman, grabbed her hand, and pointed to Annie. The woman cried out in alarm. Whoa, what's that about? Said Jack. I think they're just acting, Annie said. More and more people were turning to look at Jack and Annie. Some whispered and pointed. All had expressions of fear and wonder.


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[Assistant] The musicians put down their instruments and stared with the rest of the crowd. Several men with spears started toward Jack and Annie. Let's go, said Jack. Wait, said Annie. It's part of the show. Don't you want to play a role in it? No, let's go, said Jack.


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[Assistant] He grabbed Annie's hand and pulled her along, heading back the way they'd come.


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[Assistant] When they reached the narrow opening, Jack looked over his shoulder.


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[Assistant] The feathered men with spears were coming right at them.


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[Assistant] A few curious children were following the spear carriers.


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[Assistant] Jack frantically tried to push the bag through the opening ahead of him, but he got stuck.


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[Assistant] He shoved as hard as he could, but the bag didn't budge.


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[Assistant] Don't you want to find out what's going on? said Annie.


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[Assistant] No, I just want to get away from this crazy show, said Jack. I don't want to perform in it. Too late, said Annie. Jack looked back. The feathered warriors had nearly reached them.


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[Assistant] Jack pulled hard on the bag, yanking with such force that he fell backward and the bag landed on top of him.


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[Assistant] A moment later spear carriers were standing over him. Several surrounded Annie too. Hi! said Annie.


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[Assistant] This is all part of the song and dance spectacular, right? None of the men answered. We didn't know where to get tickets, she said.


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[Assistant] We thought maybe we could pay on the way out. Again no one answered.


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[Assistant] Instead the spear carriers turn to one another in spoken frantic whispers.


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[Assistant] Who are they? What are they? Where do they come from? A girl about Annie's age stepped forward.


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[Assistant] Like Annie, she had long, thick braids and bangs, but her hair was shiny black.


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[Assistant] The girl stared at Annie curiously and then smiled a big smile. Why did they stop the show? Annie asked the girl. What's going on? The girl kept staring at Annie. Who are you? She asked.


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[Assistant] Before Annie could answer, a woman rushed forward, grabbed the girl, and pulled her away. One of the warriors pointed his spear at Jack. Come, he said, to the House of Columns.


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[Assistant] Actually, we'd rather go to the hotel zone, Jack said. The man stared at him. But whatever's closest, said Jack. We're not picky.


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[Assistant] The warrior gently prodded Jack with the tip of his spear. Go, he said.


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[Assistant] Without another word, Jack and Annie began marching across the grounds. If this is all part of the show, Jack thought.


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[Assistant] Followed by the spear carriers, Jack and Annie walked through the blue moonlight.


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[Assistant] Until they came to a stone building with columns.


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[Assistant] The head warrior ushered them up uneven steps, opened a heavy wooden door, and motioned for them to enter. Wait for the king, the warrior said.


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[Assistant] The cold empty room had only a single window which led in a shaft of moonlight. The warrior closed the heavy door, leaving Jack and Annie alone in the house of columns.


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[Assistant] Chapter 6 Heart of the Wind


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[Assistant] Well, I wouldn't exactly call this a luxury hotel, said Annie. She shivered.


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[Assistant] A damp wind was blowing through the open window. Jack was too stunned to speak.


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[Assistant] He reached into the swim bag and pulled out the travel guide.


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[Assistant] He walked to the window and studied the cover by moonlight. Oh, he whispered and then pointed to one of the small paintings. I think I get it now. Get what, said Annie. Jack looked at her. This isn't a theme park. I was starting to think that too, said Annie. But what is it? It's real, said Jack.


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[Assistant] Real? said Annie. What do you mean real?


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[Assistant] I think we've accidentally come to the actual time of ancient Mayans, said Jack. Like when, said Annie.


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[Assistant] Like maybe over a thousand years ago when they wore feathers and fought with spears. How is that possible? Said Annie.


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[Assistant] Teddy sent us to Cozumel now, in our time.


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[Assistant] That's what he was supposed to do, said Jack.


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[Assistant] But maybe when you pointed at the cover of the book, you pointed at the painting of the ancient pyramid the way it looked like over a thousand years ago.


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[Assistant] Teddy must not have known the pyramid painting would send us back to Cozumel then instead of now. Oh.


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[Assistant] We didn't land in a modern nature preserve said Jack. Oh, said Annie.


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[Assistant] That's why we didn't see any tourists or ferries or cruise ships, said Jack. Right, said Annie, nodding. She looked back at the cover of the guide.


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[Assistant] Too bad I didn't point to the luxury hotel. No kidding, said Jack.


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[Assistant] These guys have probably never seen people like us before, said Annie. Probably, said Jack. Definitely, we're from the future, more than a thousand years in the future. What should we do, said Annie.


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[Assistant] There's only one thing to do. We have to get out of here and back to the tree house, said Jack, before the king comes. Can we escape through the window? Annie walked over and looked out the open window. Darn, guards are patrolling the building. So we can't get out that way, said Jack.


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[Assistant] Oh, I know what we can do, said Annie. We can use our last gold coin to help us. Of course, perfect, said Jack. He grabbed their swim bag.


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[Assistant] Yes, yes, yes, we'll make a wish to escape all the way back to the tree house.


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[Assistant] With no warriors capturing us or sharks attacking us, I think that would qualify as fun.


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[Assistant] Let's make a wish to fly from this window across the sea said Annie. That would be so fun. No kidding said Jack.


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[Assistant] He knelt on the floor and dug inside the bag for the velvet coin purse. Where is it?


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[Assistant] He pulled everything out. Flippers, life vests, snorkels and face masks. Where is it? Where's that coin purse?


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[Assistant] Jack turned the bag upside down and shook it. He and Annie shook the flippers and life vests too. But no small green velvet purse fell out. It's not here, said Jack. Did you put it back in here? Annie looked confused. Did I? That's what I'm asking, said Jack. Did you? I don't know, said Annie.


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[Assistant] I remember I put the five hundred dollars in the purse, and then we pushed the raft, and then we heard the music, and... So when did you put the purse back in the bag? asked Jack. I, I don't know, said Annie. Maybe I didn't.


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[Assistant] Maybe I put it down on the sand to push the raft. Seriously? said Jack. That's what I sort of remember. Now that I think about it, whispered Annie. Oh no.


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[Assistant] We just need to get out of here and climb back down to the beach before the king comes. And find our coin purse, said Annie. Right, said Jack. He took a deep breath. Okay, one thing at a time. First, let's.


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[Assistant] Jack quickly crammed everything back into their bag. The room was suddenly filled with fiery light.


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[Assistant] Warriors with burning torches entered the room. Several women followed the warriors.


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[Assistant] The women had large jade ornaments in their ears and wore dresses woven with red, yellow, and purple threads.


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[Assistant] They placed flowers on the floor, along with bowls filled with corn, beans, chili peppers, and pineapple slices. Two men then stepped into the room, the same two who had sat on the thrones. They must be kings, Jack thought, but why are there two of them?


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[Assistant] The two kings wore feather headdresses that were at least three feet high. Around their shoulders were jaguar skins. Their arms were covered with bracelets.


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[Assistant] The older looking one had long white hair. A girl with black braids stood beside him.


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[Assistant] The same girl who'd spoken to Annie near the wall. Everyone stared at Jack and Annie. Hi, said Annie. We come in peace, said Jack. The younger of the two kings stepped forward. Who are you? The man asked. Jack and Annie of Frog Creek, Pennsylvania, said Annie. How did you get here?


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[Assistant] The older king picked up the travel guide from the floor. What is this?


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[Assistant] Oh no, thought Jack. He'd forgotten to put their book back in the bag.


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[Assistant] The king turned the book upside down and sideways. He stared at the back and the front.


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[Assistant] It's a travel guide, Annie said helpfully. A travel guide? The older man repeated.


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[Assistant] He ruffled the pages and the book fell open to a photo of a cruise ship.


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[Assistant] It carries thousands of people across the ocean, said Annie. The king turned to more photos. One showed a water scare.


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[Assistant] And another showed an underwater tourist boat. Speedboat said Annie, submarine.


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[Assistant] The king turned the page and stared at a photo of skyscraper hotels.


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[Assistant] On the opposite page was a photo of a guest room with a girl working on a computer and a boy watching a football game on TV. Neither Annie nor Jack tried to explain.


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[Assistant] As the king turned more pages in the book, Jack glanced around the room. He caught the gaze of the young girl. She was the only person smiling. Finally, the old king closed the book and looked at Jack and Annie for a long time. He handed the book to Jack. Then he turned and nodded to the younger ruler.


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[Assistant] The two kings and the girl walked out the door back into the night. The women followed and then the warriors.


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[Assistant] One of the warriors left his flaming torch in a stone sconce.


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[Assistant] This dream vacation had turned into a nightmare. Should we eat the food? Asked Annie. I'm not hungry anymore, said Jack. Me neither, said Annie. I just thought it might be polite. I guess we'd better learn more about ancient Mayans, Jack said.


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[Assistant] He opened the guide and found a section titled Mayans by the light of the torch he read aloud.


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[Assistant] Today many Mayans live in Mexico and other parts of Central America. Long ago, before Columbus discovered the


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[Assistant] They created their own calendar and a special form of picture writing. They were skilled farmers, astronomers and architects. Before Jack could read more, the door opened again.


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[Assistant] The girl with the bangs and shiny black braids slipped into the room. She closed the door and smiled at Jack and Annie. Hi, said Annie. What's your name? Heart of the Wind, said the girl. That's a beautiful name, said Annie. Thank you, said Heart of the Wind. My father meets with his council now. Who's your father? Asked Annie.


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[Assistant] My father is the great son, said the girl. He rules the kingdom of Palenque. It is many days from here in the jungle. Was the great son the one who looked at our book? Asked Jack. Yes, said Heart of the Wind.


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[Assistant] He has been traveling the land to find his true heir.


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[Assistant] Weeks ago we stopped here in the city of Dawn to visit with the King and rest.


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[Assistant] My father did not know that this would be the place where he would find what he was looking for. She smiled at Jack. Do you understand? I'm not sure, said Jack. What am I supposed to understand, he thought. My father believes that you are the one he has been searching for, said Heart of the Wind. Me, said Jack.


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[Assistant] My father just told me that he believes the gods have sent you to be our next king, said Heart of the Wind. Jack? said Annie. Your next king? Jack, the girl said, nodding. I am my father's only child. He has no sons.


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[Assistant] So he has decided to take Jack back to our kingdom and prepare him to be our ruler. Me? Jack said again. Yes, said Heart of the Wind. You will be the next great son of Palenque.


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[Assistant] Chapter 7 The Forest of Walking Trees


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[Assistant] Annie gasped, then burst out laughing. Heart of the Wind laughed too.


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[Assistant] Yes, it is wonderful news. I am glad it makes you happy, she said.


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[Assistant] When the sun rises tomorrow, we will leave the city of dawn and start the long journey back to Palenque. It will take us many moons to get there. But, but why me? Asked Jack. My father believes you are the answer to his prayers, said Heart of the Wind. He can see you have many things to teach our people. No, no, I don't, said Jack.


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[Assistant] I don't know how to farm. I'm not an astronomer or a pyramid builder. I don't know anything about your Mayan calendar. He stopped to catch his breath.


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[Assistant] My father will teach you these things, said Heart of the Wind.


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[Assistant] And you will teach us about the wonders in your, what did you call it? Travel guide, said Annie.


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[Assistant] Yes, said Heart of the Wind, the wonders in your travel guide.


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[Assistant] I don't know how to make any of those things myself, like planes, submarines, skyscrapers, or computers.


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[Assistant] We live in a world with lots and lots of things, but we have to go to school and study for many years to understand how they work.


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[Assistant] Besides, my brother and I really need to go back to our own parents in Frog Creek, Pennsylvania," said Annie. Heart of the Wind looked confused.


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[Assistant] Would your mother and father not think it a wonderful honor for Jack to be the next great son of Palenque? They might, said Annie.


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[Assistant] But they would miss us too much if we came to live with you. That's right, said Jack. We do lots of things with our parents. We have dinner and play games and read books. And talk and laugh, said Annie. Heart of the Wind lowered her head. I have lost my own mother, she said. We talked and laughed together too. I miss her very much.


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[Assistant] So you understand? Annie said softly. We would miss our parents terribly. And it would break their hearts if we left them alone. We have to go back home.


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[Assistant] So could you help us get back to the cove on the beach? asked Jack.


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[Assistant] So we can cross the sea back to Cozumel and then go home? To our mother and father, said Annie. Heart of the Wind took a deep breath. Yes, I will help you. I will take you to the shore, she said. Even though it will make my father sad. Thank you, said Jack. At this time, there are watchmen on the wall.


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[Assistant] I have often slipped away at night to explore the forests or swim in the waves. Wow, you're brave, said Annie. I like the freedom of the dark, the Mayan girl said. I can lead you wherever you want to go. That's great, Jack said. There are still guards outside the door, said Heart of the Wind. I will hold their attention while you climb out the window.


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[Assistant] Jack and Annie pulled off their flip flops and stuffed them in the bag. Barefoot they stepped to the window. Annie climbed out first. Take this, Jack whispered. He dropped the bag into Annie's waiting arms. Then he jumped silently to the ground.


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[Assistant] He could hear voices coming from the other side of the stone building, part of the wind and the guards.


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[Assistant] Jack and Annie crept away from the House of Columns, moving through the shadows. The night was eerily still.


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[Assistant] As if everyone in the city of dawn had disappeared until sunrise.


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[Assistant] When they reached the break in the stone wall, they crouched down and waited for heart of the wind.


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[Assistant] Jack saw the silhouettes of the guards standing on top of the wall.


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[Assistant] He counted four watchmen with bows and arrows facing the sea.


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[Assistant] The Mayan girl suddenly appeared before them. Jack hadn't seen or heard her approach. Follow me, she whispered.


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[Assistant] And she led the way through the narrow opening in the wall. Once they had all squeezed through.


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[Assistant] Heart of the Wind surprised Jack by turning away from the sea and heading down through thick vegetation growing on the northern slope of the bluff. Jack and Annie followed her down the hill.


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[Assistant] Prickly bushes and shrubs scratched Jack's bare legs and feet, but he didn't stop. He wanted to be as fleet as heart of the wind.


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[Assistant] At the bottom of the hill, the Mayan girl waited for Jack and Annie to catch up.


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[Assistant] To return to the beach, we must first travel through the Forest of Walking Trees, she said. Forest of Walking Trees, said Annie. That sounds cool, but sort of scary. Do not be afraid, said Heart of the Wind. They are very kind trees. Jack laughed. I like kind trees, he said. Me too, said Annie.


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[Assistant] As they sloshed through shallow water, Jack heard the hum of insects and the rustling of night creatures.


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[Assistant] Whoa, those trees do have legs, said Annie peering into the shadows. Those are just roots, said Jack.


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[Assistant] He'd seen pictures of tropical mangrove trees with their roots rising above ground.


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[Assistant] Those trees have legs, said Heart of the Wind, but they walk only at night. Hello.


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[Assistant] She called and whispered, May we pass by? The wind blew and the trees waved their branches.


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[Assistant] Their leaves rustled, whispering, yes, yes, yes. Come, said the girl.


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[Assistant] Jack and Annie followed hard to the wind, deeper into the watery forest, careful not to trip over roots and bushes.


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[Assistant] Jack jumped when something prickly darted between his ankles.


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[Assistant] He shuddered when something with lots of tiny legs ran down his arm. But he tried not to make a sound. He wanted to be like heart of the wind.


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[Assistant] Nothing seemed to bother her as she moved silently and smoothly through the swamp.


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[Assistant] Suddenly a raucous howling ripped through the darkness. Yikes, said Annie. Heart of the Wind laughed. It is only the ones who tell the history of the forest, she said. Cool, said Jack.


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[Assistant] He knew the sounds came from howler monkeys, the loudest monkeys in the world.


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[Assistant] He'd learned about them on a nature show, but he preferred the Mayan girl's name for them.


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[Assistant] Maybe in their language, the monkeys really are telling the history of the forest, he thought. Come along, said Heart of the Wind.


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[Assistant] As they started through the darkness again, a different sound came from nearby, a deep ominous growl. Whoa, whispered Jack. Heart of the wind held up her hand. Silence, she said, keeping her voice low. He is watching us. Who? whispered Annie. He who kills with one leap, the girl said. Oh, just him?


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[Assistant] Whispered Jack trying to make a joke. Heart of the wind laughed softly. Yes, him. There, she said, pointing.


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[Assistant] In the moonlight, Jack could see yellow eyes and spotted fur. A jaguar, he thought. Should we go another way? Maybe, he said. No, I will send him peaceful thoughts, said Heart of the Wind. Good idea, whispered Annie.


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[Assistant] She and Jack were silent as the Mayan girl stared for a long moment at the jaguar. Then she took a deep breath. He says we may pass his way. He does, said Jack. Cool, said Annie.


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[Assistant] Heart of the wind led them past the tree where the jaguar crouched on a limb.


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[Assistant] Clutching his bag, Jack barely breathed as he slipped past the huge cat. Good night, heart of the wind called back to the jaguar. Thank you, called Annie. The cat growled again. He said, sure, no problem, said Jack.


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[Assistant] Heart of the Wind laughed at his joke, and Jack laughed too.


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[Assistant] Despite the danger, he was having a good time.


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[Assistant] Jack and Annie followed heart of the wind as she forged on through the forest, climbing over tangles of roots and wading through knee-high water. She's like an eagle scout, Annie said to Jack. I was thinking more like a navy seal, said Jack. The Mayan girl came to a halt. Do not go near that log, she whispered, pointing to a fallen tree trunk. Why not?


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[Assistant] They laughed at themselves and then followed heart of the wind as she led them away from the crocodile.


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[Assistant] He is called Earth Monster of the Underworld, she said. Good name, said Annie.


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[Assistant] To get to the sea, we must travel through the underworld, said Heart of the Wind.


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[Assistant] Uhm, and what's that exactly? Ask Jack.


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[Assistant] The home of the ancestor spirits, said the girl.


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[Assistant] My father's warriors will not enter the underworld. They are frightened by what they cannot see, but I am not afraid. Me neither, said Annie. Nope, not one bit, said Jack, and he meant it. As long as they were with Heart of the Wind, scary stuff didn't seem all that scary. At that moment, he wasn't afraid of anything.


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[Assistant] Chapter 8 Through the Underworld


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[Assistant] Soon we will enter the underworld, said Heart of the Wind.


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[Assistant] She led Jack and Annie through the mangrove forest until they came to a river hidden by trees and vines.


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[Assistant] As the leafy branches swayed in the breeze, moonlight danced on the silvery water. This is the sacred well, the Mayan girl said. Our journey to the underworld begins here. She stepped over to a hollowed-out log canoe at the water's edge. She picked up a wooden paddle lying beside the boat.


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[Assistant] As heart of the wind pushed the canoe into the sacred well, Jack turned to Annie.


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[Assistant] Remember how the travel guide mentioned sinkholes filled with water? He whispered. This must be one of them.


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[Assistant] Sacred well sounds better than sinkhole, doesn't it? whispered Annie. Definitely, said Jack.


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[Assistant] Heart of the wind slipped down into the dugout canoe and picked up the paddle. Please climb in, she said.


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[Assistant] Jack and Annie carefully lowered themselves down into the rough interior of the boat Jack held their bag on his lap


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[Assistant] As she shifted her paddle from side to side, the log canoe glided over the shimmering river.


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[Assistant] It curved down a shadowy passageway between rocks and then arrived at the yawning mouth of a cave.


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[Assistant] As the canoe glided in and out of light-filled passageways and tunnels.


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[Assistant] Water dripped and trickled down the cave walls.


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[Assistant] Soon one of the tunnels opened into a huge chamber that had a giant hole in the ceiling, letting in the full light of the moon. Oh man, breathed Jack.


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[Assistant] Huge columns of white rock stretched down from the ceiling of the cavern. The columns looked as if they were made of gleaming ice, and thousands of tiny icicle-like strands covered the craggy walls. What are those? Annie asked.


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[Assistant] Stone sculptures made by the rain god, said Heart of the Wind.


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[Assistant] Jack knew from a geology book that the formations were called stalactites.


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[Assistant] They were made by centuries of dripping and trickling water in caves. But he liked heart of the wind's answer better.


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[Assistant] The Mayan girl carefully steered the canoe around the gleaming columns. Look there, she whispered. She pointed to a ledge in the chamber.


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[Assistant] On the ledge was a platform that held carved wooden statues.


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[Assistant] Some looked like snarling jaguars, others like coiled serpents.


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[Assistant] The largest was a statue of an angry king with a terrible scowl.


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[Assistant] They guard the underworld and protect the ancestor spirits, Heart of the Wind explained. Cool, said Annie.


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[Assistant] Heart of the wind steered the canoe around a corner and into another cave tunnel.


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[Assistant] Jack reached out and felt the slippery, drippy stone. He pulled his hand back and shuddered.


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[Assistant] As Heart of the Wind paddled on through the black tunnel, Jack clutched his bag and tried to still his racing heart. The underworld frightened him a little now.


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[Assistant] The tireless drip-trip of water, the strained statues of serpents and jaguars, and now the dank, utter darkness of the tunnel.


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[Assistant] Where are the ancestor spirits? whispered Annie. They are all around us, heart of the wind whispered back. They are watching everything we do. Oh man.


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[Assistant] Jack thought, no wonder the king's warriors were afraid to enter the underworld. Do not be afraid, said the Mayan girl as if she had read his thoughts. I will protect you. Thank you, whispered Annie, sounding a little nervous herself.


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[Assistant] Heart of the Wind paddled through the twists and turns of the underworld until finally the canoe emerged onto a glistening pool that was open to the moonlit sky. Phew, we made it, said Annie. And lived to tell about it, Jack said, only half joking. That was great, said Annie. You are both more brave than my father's men, said Heart of the Wind.


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[Assistant] Jack could hear ocean waves and the cries of gulls.


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[Assistant] Heart of the Wind held the canoe steady as Jack and Annie climbed out onto the beach.


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[Assistant] The Mayan girl followed behind them and Jack and Annie helped her pull the log canoe out of the pool onto the cool sand.


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[Assistant] The light of the dawn will be bright very soon, said Heart of the Wind. What will you do now?


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[Assistant] We need to find something we lost, Annie said. It's next to a raft we left on the beach. At least we hope it is, said Jack. Where is the raft, the girl asked. In the cove below the city of dawn, said Annie. Follow me, said Heart of the Wind. I will take you there.


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[Assistant] The Mayan girl led Jack and Annie down the misty beach.


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[Assistant] When they came to a pile of stones jutting into the sea, she stopped.


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[Assistant] Stay close to the rocks so the watchmen cannot see us, she said. They will not leave their post until the sun rises.


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[Assistant] With the mist hiding them, heart of the wind led Jack and Annie over the rocks. Jack could hear the waves breaking against the shore.


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[Assistant] And what will you do next? Annie asked as they followed Heart of the Wind. Where will you go after we leave you?


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[Assistant] Why can't your daughter, heart of the wind, lead your people after you are gone? said Annie.


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[Assistant] The Mayan girl laughed the biggest laugh she'd laughed all night. You are crazy, she said.


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[Assistant] Seriously, that's a great question, said Jack.


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[Assistant] Why can't you be the next great son of Palenque? Yes, said Annie.


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[Assistant] Where we come from, women are leaders of many countries and cities and states. How did the wind look shocked? Truly. But that is not possible here.


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[Assistant] A female is not allowed to rule the Mayan people. Now you must hurry before the sun rises.


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[Assistant] She moved away from them climbing over the rocks again as if the matter were closed. Jack and Annie hurried to keep up with heart of the wind.


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[Assistant] Finally the three of them climbed over a big boulder and dropped down onto the sandy beach of the cove. Listen to me, heart of the wind, said Annie.


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[Assistant] You're as brave as any warrior. Braver, really.


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[Assistant] Right, and you know tons more than I do, said Jack. You know your people.


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[Assistant] I'll bet you know a lot about farming, and you know how to use the Mayan calendar, right? Heart of the Wind nodded. Yes.


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[Assistant] And you know how to talk to jaguars, said Annie.


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[Assistant] And you're not afraid of the rain god or the ancestor spirits, said Jack. So why can't you be a leader, asked Annie. Heart of the wind turned to look at the sea and slowly shook her head. No, no, no, it is not possible, never. Okay, but just answer one question for me, said Annie. Would you like to be?


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[Assistant] The Great Son of Planky Someday. If you could be, would you? Tell the truth. Heart of the Wind looked back at Annie and Jack. She smiled. Yes, I would like to be the leader of my people.


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[Assistant] We know you would take good care of them, said Annie, just like you've taken good care of us.


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[Assistant] I would be fair and just, said Heart of the Wind. I would teach everyone to read our calendar and learn our writing.


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[Assistant] I would make certain that all of my people had enough fish, beans and grains to eat. Heart of the Wind, you must tell that to your father, said Annie. He would laugh at me, said Heart of the Wind.


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[Assistant] He would never allow a girl to inherit his throne, not even a daughter he loves greatly.


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[Assistant] That would be against all the customs and traditions of our ancestors. Isn't there any way you could change his mind? said Jack.


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[Assistant] Your father believes Jack came from a far away place to teach new things to your people.


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[Assistant] So maybe Jack could teach him that girls can grow up to be great leaders, just like boys. No, Annie, we can't go back, Jack whispered. Heart of the Wind looked thoughtful, and then slowly she nodded. Yes, I believe words from Jack might help my father think a new thought, she said. Great, said Annie. Annie, we can't go back, Jack said again.


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[Assistant] What if he's convinced I was sent here to be the great son of Palenque? Don't worry, you and I don't have to go back, said Annie. And her father will listen to you, because it's going to seem like a miracle to him. What, said Jack? How? Give me the bag, please, said Annie. Jack handed her their bag. Annie unzipped it. She reached in.


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[Assistant] And pulled out their cell phone. This will go back with Heart of the Wind, Annie said to Jack, with an important message from you.


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[Assistant] Chapter 9. Message for the King.


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[Assistant] You probably would have come up with the same plan sooner or later. I don't think so, said Jack. This might be the coolest idea you've ever had. Annie turned to Heart of the Wind.


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[Assistant] This is for you, she said, holding out the cell phone. Watch. She pressed the on-off button and the phone lit up. Oh, heart of the wind jumped back. Jack laughed. Don't worry, it won't hurt you. We'll use it to send a message from me to your father.


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[Assistant] Heart of the Wind looked puzzled and curious at the same time. Keeping her distance from the phone, she said,


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[Assistant] Someone named Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone, said Jack. Telephones used poles and wires.


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[Assistant] But then people invented digital phones and wireless communications and satellites and


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[Assistant] Stop, Jack, said Annie, interrupting. We can't go into all that now. Right.


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[Assistant] Think about what you want to say to the great son of Palenque, said Annie.


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[Assistant] She tapped the photos icon on the screen. Then she held the phone in front of Jack. She tapped the video camera icon. Whenever you're ready, she said.


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[Assistant] Jack put down the swim bag, sat on a rock, and thought for a moment. Then he cleared his throat. Roll camera, he said. Right, said Annie. Action. Then she pressed record. Looking straight at the phone, Jack spoke in a deep, serious voice. Greetings, great son of Palenque. I have a message for you.


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[Assistant] A land far away, to tell you this, women can lead just as well as men. Many women are leaders in our world.


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[Assistant] They are presidents, queens, senators, school principals, and military leaders. They are just as smart, and brave, and responsible as our men.


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[Assistant] That is why you already have the perfect heir to your throne. Your daughter, Heart of the Wind.


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[Assistant] She has wisdom and courage far beyond most people.


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[Assistant] And she will be a great leader in times of danger and times of peace. Trust this message from a distant time and place. Trust your daughter, Heart of the Wind. Jack stopped speaking and stared intently at the phone. Brilliant, exclaimed Annie after she clicked off the camera. Then she turned to Heart of the Wind. How did that sound to you?


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[Assistant] It was wonderful, said Heart of the Wind. I only wish my father could have been here to hear it. Don't worry, said Annie, smiling. Watch.


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[Assistant] She held up the cell phone so Heart of the Wind could see the screen, and then she pressed play. Jack's face appeared. Greetings, great son of Palenque. Heart of the Wind gasped. Oh, how, how does that happen? It's too hard to explain, said Jack. But here's all you have to do, Annie said.


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[Assistant] After we go, show this to your father and his warriors. You must do this today.


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[Assistant] Once the sun goes down, the message can never be seen again. Do you understand? Yes, yes, the girl said nodding. Good, said Annie. So you press this button, then tap this, then tap that. Easy, right? Try it.


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[Assistant] Heart of the Wind cautiously pushed the button and tapped the icons, and Jack's image appeared again. Greetings, great son of Palenque.


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[Assistant] Heart of the Wind, watch Jack deliver his whole message.


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[Assistant] When the message was over, she kept looking at the screen in speechless wonder. Do you think your father will believe me? Said Jack. The girl nodded slowly. Yes, yes. She took a deep breath. He will think this is a great miracle. Good, then we leave it with you, said Annie. Try not to drop it or get it wet. Thank you.


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[Assistant] Heart of the wind said, bowing her head. We'd better go now, said Jack.


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[Assistant] Before anyone discovers we're not in the House of Columns.


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[Assistant] Yes, the sun is rising, heart of the wind said. She looked up at the cliff. The watchmen have left. Come on, we have to find our raft, said Jack. As they walked over the cool sand, the mist slowly lifted.


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[Assistant] In the rosy dawn, a flock of seagulls cried out. They hovered and glided above the waves. The water was sparkling with early light. There's the raft, said Annie. She broke into a run. Heart of the Wind and Jack followed close behind her.


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[Assistant] It's here, Jack, she cried, holding up the coin purse. I found it. Great, said Jack. Is the last gold coin still there? Annie opened the little purse and looked inside.


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[Assistant] Yes, everything is still here. The last coin and all our money. We can go home. She jumped to her feet.


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[Assistant] Jack sighed with relief and then turned to heart of the wind.


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[Assistant] Good luck with the message for your father, he said. The girl pointed to their raft.


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[Assistant] Is that how you came here from across the sea? She asked, looking surprised. Where is your paddle? Annie laughed.


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[Assistant] We don't have a paddle, she said. A shark came after us and... A shark?


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[Assistant] Interrupted hard to the wind, her eyes wide. A friendly shark?


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[Assistant] I didn't know there were friendly sharks, said Jack. Yes, there are many, said Heart of the Wind. Boy, she's not afraid of anything, thought Jack. Well, this one had big teeth, said Annie. And it wasn't smiling, said Jack. Too bad, said Heart of the Wind.


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[Assistant] Anyway, the shark attacked our paddle, said Annie.


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[Assistant] But we used a special gold coin that our friends gave us and we made a wish with it and the raft magically brought us here. The Mayan girl just nodded.


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[Assistant] I guess it takes a lot to shock a girl who talks to jaguars in walking trees, thought Jack.


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[Assistant] So you will use your last gold coin to help you across the sea? asked Heart of the Wind. We will, said Annie. And what will you wish for? asked the girl.


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[Assistant] We'll wish for a safe trip back to Cozumel, said Jack.


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[Assistant] A safe and fun trip, said Annie.


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[Assistant] The magic only works if we wish to have a wonderful time. That's what our friends wanted.


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[Assistant] Annie reached into the purse, took out the gold coin, and put the purse back in their bag. You wanna watch us leave? She asked. Yes, said Heart of the Wind. Let's get this in the water first, said Jack. He set their bag on top of the raft.


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[Assistant] Then he and Annie pushed the raft across the sand into the shallow water.


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[Assistant] As Heart of the Wind watched from the shore, Jack and Annie climbed aboard. By now the sky was orange and red. The sun was rising in the east. Annie held up the gold coin. It glittered in the dawn light. Wait, said Heart of the Wind. May I make the wish for you? I think we better do it ourselves, said Jack. Oh, she can do it, said Annie.


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[Assistant] But, said Jack. Oh, come on, let her try, said Annie. Okay, said Jack, sighing.


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[Assistant] Harder the wind waded into the water and Annie handed her the gold coin.


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[Assistant] All you have to do is wish for us to have a safe, fun trip to Cozumel then toss the coin into the air. Got it? Yes, said the Mayan girl.


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[Assistant] The gold coin burst into the most radiant display yet.


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[Assistant] Tiny purple, green, blue, and yellow sparks flew into the sky, vanishing into the bright dawn. Thanks! Good!


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[Assistant] Before Jack could say bye, the raft shot across the water into the blinding orange-red sunrise.


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[Assistant] Bye, bye, Jack and Annie called. Heart of the wind was laughing and waving. Good luck with your future, Jack called.


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[Assistant] The girl at the edge of the sea grew smaller as the raft headed east, gliding over the calm water.


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[Assistant] When they couldn't see hard to the wind anymore, Jack sat back and relaxed. He looked up at the sky.


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[Assistant] Skulls were circling lazily overhead. The sky was deep blue now.


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[Assistant] I hope you don't mind that we had to leave our cell phone behind, Annie said.


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[Assistant] Not at all, said Jack. I'm not a big cellphone user.


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[Assistant] We can tell mom and dad we're sorry we left our phone. By the water, Annie finished. And that's the truth, said Jack smiling.


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[Assistant] As he felt sea spray and the warmth of the rising sun on his face, the seagulls began to screech overhead. Jack looked up again.


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[Assistant] All the gulls were dipping up and down in the sky, shrieking and flapping. What's wrong with them, he asked. Annie gasped. No, look, she cried, pointing behind them. What, said Jack. That, that, shouted Annie, waving her finger. Jack couldn't believe his eyes.


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[Assistant] A huge shark fin was moving across the water, heading for their raft.


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[Assistant] Chapter 10, Into the Dawn.


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[Assistant] Not again! Jack cried. Didn't heart of the wind wish for a safe ride?


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[Assistant] Jack didn't know what to do. They'd used their last coin. He stared in shock at the huge fin.


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[Assistant] Though the shark seemed to be keeping its distance, it swam steadily after the raft. Maybe he won't attack, said Annie.


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[Assistant] Annie had barely said these words before the shark shot forward, its humongous body rising above the surface of the sea.


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[Assistant] It was as big as a whale. Its brown skin was speckled with white spots.


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[Assistant] It had a flattened head with a blunt snout and a huge mouth at least five feet wide. The shark dipped under the raft.


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[Assistant] Then the raft was lifted into the air and held aloft. The raft was sitting on the back of the shark.


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[Assistant] Aaaah! Screamed Jack and Annie. They grabbed each other and held on tightly.


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[Assistant] As the raft teetered back and forth on the shark's back, Jack expected to be hurled into the waves. He closed his eyes waiting for the worst.


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[Assistant] The shark perfectly balanced the raft on its back. What is he doing, said Jack. I don't know, shouted Annie. Maybe he's taking us to Cozumel. Maybe that's what Heart of the Wind wished for. What, cried Jack.


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[Assistant] For a shark to help us have a fun safe ride, shouted Annie. That's crazy, cried Jack. It's wonderful, said Annie. Wonderful, thought Jack. Riding on the back of a monster shark?


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[Assistant] I'll bet he's a friendly shark, cried Annie. Look up sharks in the travel guide. Oh brother, said Jack.


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[Assistant] But as the shark gently carried them across the waves, he reached into the bag and pulled out their travel guide.


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[Assistant] With the wind whipping the pages, he looked in the index for shark. His eyes caught two words, shark, whale. Whale shark, that's it, Jack shouted. He found the right page and read aloud.


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[Assistant] The whale shark is the biggest fish in the world. Every year hundreds of these gigantic creatures migrate to waters off the Yucatan.


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[Assistant] Whale sharks eat only sea plants and fish and do not harm people.


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[Assistant] In fact, sometimes these gentle giants allow divers to hitch a ride.


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[Assistant] See, I told you, cried Annie. Whale sharks don't harm people.


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[Assistant] This is the miracle Heart of the Wind wanted to give us. Holding the raft on his back.


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[Assistant] The giant shark kept swimming across the Caribbean, heading into the light of the sunrise.


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[Assistant] Overhead, seagulls, terns and pelicans careened and cawed raucously. They seemed to be laughing at the shark swimming with a raft on his back. Jack began to relax and enjoy himself.


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[Assistant] The nutty sea birds, the salty air, and the giant shark's speedy rolling motion through the water, rising and falling with the waves, made the ride extra spectacular. Jack wanted it to last forever. Land ho! Annie shouted.


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[Assistant] Jack shaded his eyes and squinted at the horizon. In the distance he could see Cozumel.


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[Assistant] The sugary white sand, the stone pyramid, and the palm trees.


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[Assistant] When they drew close to shore, the shark dipped lower in the water, leaving the raft floating on the surface for a moment.


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[Assistant] Then the raft began skimming across the sea on its own, heading for the beach until finally it came to rest on the hard, wet sand. Jack and Annie jumped off and looked back at the water. They saw the huge fin moving out to sea.


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[Assistant] The whale shark's fin vanished into the sparkling horizon. Neither Jack nor Annie spoke for a moment. Then Jack heaved a sigh.


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[Assistant] Exhausted, sunburned, and salty from sea spray, he put the damp travel guide into the bag.


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[Assistant] He handed Annie her flip-flops and he put his on two. Then he slung the bag over his shoulder. Ready? Ready, said Annie.


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[Assistant] They walked through the warm sand to the palm tree with a rope ladder. Annie climbed up first and Jack followed.


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[Assistant] Inside the treehouse a breeze rustled the palm leaves. Jack picked up the Pennsylvania book. Ready? He said again.


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[Assistant] Annie stood at the window looking out at the turquoise blue sea. She turned to Jack with a big grin. That was some vacation, she said. Yep, some vacation. Jack agreed.


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[Assistant] He shook his head in wonder and then pointed at a picture of the Frog Creek woods. I wish we could go there. The wind started to blow. The treehouse started to spin. It spun faster and faster. Then everything was still. Absolutely still.


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[Assistant] A breeze blew into the treehouse. Jack smelled summer leaves and pine needles. Ah, home, he said. Home, said Annie, smiling. It's always nice to come home after a vacation.


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[Assistant] Holding onto the branch, he climbed nimbly through the treehouse window. So, did you have a good time? He said. Yes, said Annie, the best. Even though it wasn't exactly what we expected, said Jack. What happened?


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[Assistant] Did your snorkel equipment not work properly? said Teddy. No, our gear was fine.


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[Assistant] What surprised us was the shark attack, said Jack.


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[Assistant] And escaping through a swampy forest, said Jack.


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[Assistant] And then traveling through the underworld where the ancestor spirits live, said Annie.


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[Assistant] And almost becoming the next great son of Palenque, said Jack. I see, said Teddy. But other than that, you had fun? Jack and Annie laughed. Seriously, what happened? Asked Teddy.


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[Assistant] Seriously what we just said is exactly what happened, said Annie. Let me explain, said Jack.


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[Assistant] He unzipped their swim bag, pulled out their travel guide, and pointed to the illustration of the pyramid on the cover.


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[Assistant] By pointing to this picture, we went back to ancient Mexico, like Mexico more than a thousand years ago. Ah, I see, said Teddy. So no luxury spa hotels? Nope, said Jack.


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[Assistant] But with help from your magic coins, everything worked out fine, said Annie.


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[Assistant] And we hitched a ride on the back of the biggest shark on the planet, said Jack. Literally, said Annie, we used all your coins to have fun.


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[Assistant] Speaking of that, you can have your coin purse back, said Jack.


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[Assistant] He reached again into the swim bag and took out the small velvet purse. Before he handed it to Teddy, he opened it. All the $50 bills were gone. It's empty, he said. And he shrugged. I guess the money was only meant for our vacation. And it turns out we didn't need money at all. Jack laughed. Easy come, easy go, he said.


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[Assistant] He gave the coin purse to Teddy, and Annie handed over the travel guide.


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[Assistant] You must tell me more of the story sometime, said Teddy.


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[Assistant] We will, but right now we should head home, said Jack. He felt a little homesick.


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[Assistant] It was probably because they had talked to Heart of the Wind about missing their parents.


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[Assistant] Please thank Morgan and Merlin for our dream vacation, said Annie. Indeed, said Teddy. Perhaps they will send you on another one soon.


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[Assistant] Not too soon, I hope, said Annie. We need to recover from this one first.


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[Assistant] Yeaah, we need a vacation from our vacation, said Jack. Teddy laughed.


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[Assistant] Jack picked up their swim bag and started down the rope ladder. Annie followed. Teddy was looking out the window when they reached the ground. Goodbye, he called. I hope to see you again in these woods.


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[Assistant] Then he and Annie climbed on their bicycles and headed down the rough path between the trees.


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[Assistant] They bumped over roots and fallen bark and pine needles until they came out of the Frog Creek woods and onto their street. Then they pedaled to their house.


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[Assistant] Jack and Annie parked their bikes in the garage and headed up to their porch.


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[Assistant] Mom, Dad! Annie shouted as they went through the front door. We're back from snorkeling!


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[Assistant] Come tell us all about it. Their dad called from the kitchen.


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[Assistant] And have some pizza, said their mom. It just came out of the oven. Thanks, be right there, said Jack. We have to check something real fast.


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[Assistant] What are we checking? Annie asked as she followed him into the living room. Something online, said Jack. He sat down at the computer and typed the search words Mayan ruler, heart of the wind. An entry popped up immediately. Jack clicked on it, then read aloud.


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[Assistant] She became queen after the death of her father, the great son of Palenque.


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[Assistant] She was the first female ruler in recorded Mayan history.


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[Assistant] She must have come to the throne due to extremely unusual circumstances, the details of which have not survived. Jack and Annie looked at each other. That is so cool. Annie whispered with awe.


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[Assistant] This is Mary Pope Osborne. We hope you have enjoyed this unabridged production of Magic Treehouse Merlin Missions Book Number 25, Shadow of the Shark. This program was directed by Lewis Milgram, Executive Producer Orly Moskowitz.


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[Assistant] Text Copyright 2015 by Mary Pope Osborne Production Copyright 2015 Penguin Random House LLC All Rights Reserved


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[Assistant] Listening Library presents Magic Treehouse Merlin Missions, Book Number 23, High Time for Heroes. This is Mary Pope Osborne.


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[Assistant] Jack sat in a sunny spot on the front porch studying a book of magic tricks. He was planning to put on a magic show for his parents and grandparents.


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[Assistant] He took a sip of lemonade then started making a list in his notebook. Flying paperclips. Hey, Annie tapped on the screen door. Let's do something. I'm already doing something, said Jack. He took another sip of lemonade and added more tricks to his list. Magical clinging pen. Great pepper trick.


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[Assistant] We've already checked five times since Tuesday, said Jack.


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[Assistant] Once more won't kill you, said Annie. I have this feeling. I'm serious. Jack sighed. Okay, you win, he said. One more time. He put his notebook and pencil into his backpack.


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[Assistant] Leaving his book of magic tricks on the porch, he stood up and followed Annie down the steps and across their yard.


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[Assistant] Aren't you dying to find another secret of greatness for Merlin? Annie asked as they headed up the sidewalk.