"Come on," said Annie. She stood in the door-wayto Jack's bedroom. "Let's check the woods.""But it's Thursday," said Jack. "We're going toGrandmother's soon.""I know," said Annie. "But I have a feeling the treehouse might be back. I think Morgan might have sentus a new rhyme."Jack trusted Annie's feelings.
"Okay, but we'll have to be quick," he said.
He threw his notebook and pencil into hisbackpack. He followed her downstairs.
"Be back soon!" Jack called to their parents.
"Very soon!" their dad said.
"Don't forget--it's Thursday," said their mom.
"We're leaving for Grandmother's at nine!""I know!" said Jack.
"We'll be back in ten minutes!" said Annie.
They hurried out of their house. They ran acrosstheir yard and up their street and into the Frog Creekwoods.
Jack and Annie ran through light and shadow, untilthey stopped under the tallest oak.
"Yay!" said Annie.
"You were right!" said Jack.
High in the tree was the magic tree house. Jackgrabbed the rope ladder and startedup. Annie was right behind him.
They climbed into the tree house. Sunlight slantedin through the window.
"Good, our gifts from our last trips are still here,"said Annie.
She pointed to the scrolls from Shakespeare'stheater and the twig from the gorillas.
"Proof we found the magic of the theater and themagic of animals," said Jack.
"Look," said Annie. She pointed to a book lying in adark corner. A piece of paper was sticking out of it.
Jack pulled out the paper. "It's from Morgan," hesaid. He read:
Dear Jack and AnnieGood luck on your third journey to find a specialmagic. This rhyme will guide you:
To find a special magic,When work and toil are done,Gather all together,Turn three worlds into one.
Thank you,Morgan"So who do we gather with?" wondered Jack.
Annie held up the book. The painting on the covershowed a basket of corn on a wooden table. The titlesaid A Feast to Remember.
"We gather at a feast," she said. She pointed to thecover. "I wish we could go there.""Hold on," said Jack. "What kind of feast? Whereand when?"But the wind had started to blow.
The tree house started to spin.
It spun faster and faster.
Then everything was still.
Absolutely still. |