Ch9-Message for the King

CHAPTER NINE Message for the King "You are a genius," Jack said to Annie. She smiled. "Thanks. 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. "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." Heart-of-the-Wind looked puzzled and curious at the same time. Keeping her distance from the phone, she said, "But what is it? Where did it come from?" "It's a device that…well…someone named Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone," said Jack. "Telephones used poles and wires. But then people invented digital phones and wireless communications and satellites and—" "Stop, Jack," said Annie, interrupting. "We can't go into all that now." "Right, just watch," Jack said to Heart-of-the-Wind. "And listen carefully," Annie said. The Mayan girl nodded, still looking puzzled. "Ready?" Annie asked Jack. "Is it charged enough?" he said. "It should be good for today," said Annie.

"Great," said Jack. "Think about what you want to say to the Great Sun of Palenque," said Annie. 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. 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 Sun of Palenque. I have a message for you. My sister and I have come from Frog Creek, a land far away, to tell you this: women can lead just as well as men. Many women are leaders in our world. They are presidents, queens, senators, school principals, and military leaders. They are just as smart and brave and responsible as our men. That is why you already have the perfect heir to your throne: your daughter Heart-of-the-Wind. She has wisdom and

courage far beyond most people, 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?" "It…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." 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 Sun of Palenque…." Heart-of-the-Wind gasped. "Ohhh! How—how does that happen?" "It's too hard to explain," said Jack. "But here's all you have to do," Annie said. "After we go, show this to your father and his

warriors. You must do this today. 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." Heart-of-the-Wind cautiously pushed the button and tapped the icons, and Jack's image appeared again. "Greetings, Great Sun of Palenque…." Heart-of-the-Wind watched Jack deliver his whole message. 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," Heart-of-the-Wind said, bowing her head.

"We'd better go now," said Jack. "Before anyone discovers we're not in the House of Columns." "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. 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. When she reached the raft, Annie fell to her knees and felt around in the sand. "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. "Yes! Everything is still here—the last coin and all our money! We can go home!" She jumped to her feet.