The Cloud Castle

The Diamond In The Sky

"Can the computer tell us exactly where the entrance to the LAND OF CLOUDS is?" Violet asked.
   Will started typing on the keyboard. What popped up on the big screen surprised all of us. Instead of a map with GPS coordinates, the image of a fantastical elephant appeared on the screen! It had seven trunks, and each one was a different color of the rainbow.
   "How beautiful," Colette said.
   "And there's a STORY that goes with it," said Paulina.
   The room grew silent as well all read the story on the screen.

The Legend Of The Elephant Of The Clouds
   The voice of the mountain tells the story of a creature gifted with extraordinary strength, but also with infinite kindness.
   The winds that buffet the peaks repeat his name like a song: Airavata. He resembles an elephant with seven long trunks. With them, he sprays water into the sky and creatures thick clouds. Legend says these clouds float all the way up to the stars, to the enchanted Land of Clouds.
   The entrance to this magical land is located in Airavata's home: the great Diamond Rock on top of Mount Everest. The Rock shines all day and night like brightest of stars- but only those with a watchful eye and a pure heart can spot it.

 "So we need to search for a LEGENDARY ROCK that is hidden from plain sight," Paulina said thoughtfully. 
   "And don't forget," Violet added, "the entrance to the Land of Clouds only opens when thirteen stars in the sky form a diamond."
   "Then let's take a telescope outside and see if we're lucky," Will said.
   We all went to the wardrobe room and bundled up in jackets, scarves, and hats. We were ready for the cold of Antarctica!
   Will handed a scarf to Paulina, and their  paws touched briefly. They both blushed a little bit.
   Those two had admired each other since our first mission. It made sense to me, since they were both drawn to RESEARCHING like mice are drawn to cheese.
   We all boarded the elevator  to the surface of the ice.
   WHOOSH! It lifted us up through headquarters. Outside, the sky was a dark blue storm of stars.
   "It's like a beautiful painting," Violet said.
   Suddenly, something bright streaked across the sky.
   "A shooting star!" said Paulina.
   "Make a wish, everyone!" Nicky said.
   And so we did, in the silence of the icy polar night. It was Colette who brought us out of our thoughts.
   "Should we be looking for a DIAMOND?"  she asked.
   "You're always thinking about jewelry," Pam teased.
   We all laughed, including Colette.
   Meanwhile, Will had set up his telescope and was SEARCHING the sky.
   "I think I found them!" he said. "We're lucky. The thirteen stars are almost in position. Look!" 
   I looked through the lens of the telescope. Will was right.
   "It's true. They're almost in the shape of a perfect DIAMOND," I said.
   "There's no time to lose," Will said. "I'll tell Agent 927 to get the helicopter ready. We've got to get to Mount Everest and search for Diamond Rock before the entrance  to the Land of Clouds opens!"
   "But if any of you feel like you're struggling, let me know immediately."
   "We promise!" the Thea Sisters all said. 
   Once all the gear was packed up, we headed back to the helicopter and got on board.
   Our new MISSION was beginning!
   As quietly as before, the helicopter ascended the tunnel and flew up into the night sky. Then we began our IMPOSSIBLY FAST journey north and east to Nepal.
   Before we knew it, Will was pointing out the snow-capped peak of Mount Everest, silhouetted against the pink morning sky.
   "There it is," he said.
   "It's truly majestic," I said admiringly.
   "I reminds me of the Andes, back home in Peru," Paulina said. "Even though the mountains there aren't as high."
   "Who knows? Maybe we'll have an adventure there one day," Will said, and Paulina smiled.
   "Where should I land?" Agent 927 asked.
   Will landed forward, trying to spot Diamond Rock.
   "I think I see something sparkling over there," he said. "Can we get closer?"
   The pilot kept the copter steady as he flew toward the Glittering snow.
   "Whatever is down there, it's shining like a star, just like the computer said," Will remarked.
   "And it can only be seen by a watchful EYE and a pure heart," Paulina reminded him.
   "I think maybe it can only be seen if you know to LOOK for it," I reasoned.
   "Hold on!" Agent 927 cried suddenly. "We've got HEAVY WINDS!"