04 Not Fair!

Chapter 04 Not Fair! The young woman smiled at Jack and Annie. “ How did you learn to read and write?” Annie asked. “ I taught myself, ” the woman answered. “ She wrote a poem and brought it to me, ” said Plato, “ because I have written and told people that I think Greek girls should go to school and learn things. ” “ Is that the poem?” said Jack. He pointed to the poet’s scroll.

“ Yes, ” said the young woman. “ It’s a wonderful story, ” said Plato. “ But she will get in trouble if it is read in our land. You must take it back to your faraway home, where it will be safe. ”

The poet handed Jack her scroll. He put it into his bag. “ Tell us your name, ” said Annie. “ So we can tell people who wrote the story. ” The young woman shook her head. “ I cannot, ” she said. When she saw Annie’s sad face, she added, “ You can tell people it was written by Anonymous. ” “ That’s your name?” asked Annie. “ No, anonymous means that no one knows who wrote it, ” said Plato. “ But that’s not true! ” said Annie. “ I’m afraid the risk is too great, ” said Plato. Annie looked back at the woman. “ I’m sorry, ” said Annie. “ It’s not fair—not at all. ”

The poet smiled at her. “ I am happy that you will take my story to your country, ” she said. “ Perhaps someday women everywhere will write books just like men. ” “ They will, ” said Jack. “ I promise. ” The young woman looked at him, puzzled. “ It’s true! ” said Annie. “ Thank you, Annie, ” the young woman said. “ And thank you, Jack. ” She bowed, then hurried out of the courtyard. “ Wait! ” said Annie. She started to go after the poet, but Plato stopped her. “ Come along, ” he said. “ The games will start soon. ” Plato then led Jack and Annie out of the Greek house back onto the dirt road. “ Girls can’t write stories, ” grumbled Annie. “ They can’t go to school. They can’t be in plays. I’ve had enough of ancient Greece. Let’s get out of here. ”

“ Wait, ” said Jack. “ What about the Olympics?” “ Oh, yeah, ” said Annie. Her eyes got brighter. “ I almost forgot. ” “ Well, ” said Plato slowly. “ I would like to take you both to the games. I have special seats in the viewing box. However … ” He looked at Annie. “ Don’t tell me, ” she said. “ Girls can’t go to the Olympics either. ” Plato shook his head. “ A girl will get in terrible trouble if she goes to the games, ” he said. Annie sighed. “ It’s really, really not fair, ” she said.

“ I’m sorry, ” said Plato. “ My country is a democracy. We believe in freedom for our citizens. But I’m afraid right now that only means men. ” “ Annie’s right. It’s not fair, ” said Jack. “ I think we should go home now. ” “ No, Jack. You go to the Olympics, ” said Annie. “ At least you can tell me about it. Take notes. ” “ What about you?” Jack said. “ I’ll go back to that play at the outdoor theater, ” Annie said. “ Meet me there when you’re done. ” Jack didn’t want to leave Annie alone. But he also didn’t want to miss the Olympics. “ Go! Have fun! ” Annie said. She began walking away. “ I’ll see you later! Bye, Plato! ” “ Bye, Annie, ” said Plato. Annie turned back again and waved.