9 A Good Idea

9 A GOOD IDEA "Ben, wait for us!" yelled Annie. Jack and Annie hurried into the woods after Ben Franklin. They found him huddled beneath a tree. "That was an airplane," said Jack. "It won't hurt you. And it won't fall out of the sky." "But why not?" said Ben. Jack only half remembered how planes flew. "Well, it has an engine that pushes it forward," he said. "Then air under the wings helps lift it up." "It all works together. Somehow," said Annie. "Oh, my," said Ben. "Does your world

have many airplanes?" "Thousands," said Annie. "Huge ones called jets." "And rockets," said Jack. "Some rockets can go all the way to the moon." "Impossible!" said Ben. "I can see why that might seem impossible, but these are everyday things to us," said Annie. "We don't even think about them," said Jack. "Your world does not seem real to me!" said Ben. "The trees and grass and squirrels are real, but not lines that carry electricity and rockets that go to the moon!" He wiped his face with his handkerchief. "I fear there is no place for me here. I am a plain and simple man." "No, you're not! You're a genius!" said Annie. "Not here, my dear," Ben said. "My little inventions and experiments are nothing

compared to carriages that roar and machines that fly. I believe it is time for me to go home." "Wait—uh—have you made a decision about what you're going to do?" said Jack. "I mean about signing the Constitution?" "No. But it doesn't matter if I sign or not," said Ben. "We delegates think our ideas are so very important. But now I see they matter little in your world." "That's not true at all!" said Annie. "They matter a lot." Ben smiled sadly. "Children, please. Lead me to the tree house," he said. "But—" said Annie. "Please," said Ben. "I want to go home." Jack looked at Annie. She nodded. "Okay," said Jack. "Follow us," Annie said gently. She and Jack started leading Ben back through the Frog Creek woods.

"Morgan was wrong," Annie whispered to Jack. "She said our everyday wonders would show Ben the way." "I know. They only confuse him," said Jack. He felt terrible. Not only had they failed to change Ben's mind about signing the Constitution, they'd also upset one of the world's greatest heroes. By the time they reached the tree house, Ben looked pale and weary. "I apologize for being such a bad guest," he said. "You don't have to apologize," said Jack. "We apologize." "No, no. You have only been kind," said Ben. "Wait, Ben!" said Annie. "Before you go, there's something you really, really have to see." "What?" Jack whispered to her. "Trust me!" Annie whispered. Then she turned to Ben. "I promise you'll like this—it's really great!"

Ben sighed. "All right. Lead me there," he said. "This way," said Annie. Jack and Annie followed Ben through the woods to the sidewalk. As they headed up the street, the air felt hotter and more humid than ever. "Is this place far away?" Ben asked. "No, it's just ahead," said Annie. "See that building?" She pointed to a brick building with tall paned windows. "Oh, man," whispered Jack. "Brilliant." Annie was taking Ben to the Frog Creek Library! "Don't worry if people stare at you," Annie said to Ben. "We'll tell them you're in rehearsals for a play and you're still wearing your costume." Ben looked puzzled, but he nodded and followed Annie and Jack up the library steps.

Jack opened the front door, and they all stepped inside. Ben took a deep breath. "Ah, the cool air in this room is delightful," he said. "Another invention?" "It is," said Jack. He usually didn't think much about air-conditioning, but today it was definitely delightful. "And what a wonderful room!" said Ben. The library walls were lined with bookshelves. People of all ages and colors sat in armchairs, reading books, magazines, and newspapers. Some were working at computers. "See what you started in Philadelphia?" Annie said. "Now we have free public libraries all over America. Thousands of them. They make a difference to all kinds of people." The librarian looked up from her desk. "Jack and Annie!" she said. "Hi!" "Hi, Sandy!" they said.