Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5 In another airport, nearly half a world away, Merle and Pearl glided through the terminal in a rolling pet carrier. "This is so humiliating," Merle complained as passing travelers peeked in at them through the mesh with puzzled expressions.

"As bad as George Washingsquirrel?" Pearl smiled, recalling the time Michael had brought the squirrels to school dressed in outfits borrowed from George and Martha Washington dolls. "No. Not as bad as that. But at least those clothes fit." Merle called up to Ruben, "You mind telling us where you're taking us?" "As a matter of fact, I do mind. But you will find out soon enough," Ruben replied, pulling them onto an escalator. As they descended toward the baggage claim, the squirrels spotted a sign reading "Welcome to Haifa" in both English and Hebrew. "Haifa? Where's Haifa?" Merle whispered to Pearl.

"I have no idea," she answered. In fact, in Merle and Pearl's day, early in the first century, a city called Haifa did not yet exist. It was given that name much later. "I hope it's not near the Dead Sea," Merle said. "If I'm afraid of anything, it's going back there." "You and me both." Pearl shuddered as they rolled up to the rental car counter. "Maybe one of those will tell us where we are." Merle pointed to a rack of maps sitting next to them. As Ruben spoke with the rental car agent, Merle tried to unzip the carrier enough to reach out a paw and grab a map. With the squirrels on the inside and the zipper handle on the outside, however, it was no use. "I can't get it open," Merle groaned. Just then, a little girl approached the counter with her mother. She was just a little bit taller than Merle and Pearl's luggage prison, but close enough to hear a whisper. "Pssst!" Merle called out quietly. "Down here." The girl looked down at the squirrels and giggled. "Could you please hand me one of those maps?" Merle pointed to the map rack. The girl's gaze followed. With her free hand she obediently grabbed a map and held it out for the squirrels. Merle pointed to the luggage zipper. Understanding perfectly, the girl let go of her mom's hand, unzipped the luggage, and slipped Merle the map before her mother could react.

"What are you doing?" the girl's mom demanded. "Talking to the silly squirrels," the girl responded. "Sweetie, you can't touch people's luggage. I am so sorry," the mom apologized to Ruben. "Grmph," Ruben grunted grumpily at the mom and the girl as he reached down and re-zipped the luggage. Thankfully, he didn't notice the map. As they rolled away toward their rental car, Merle and Pearl gave the helpful little girl a thankful wave.