The Cloud Castle

The Riddles Of The Wind Elves

"How do we know where to go?" Paulina wondered. "There is no CLEAR path."
   "Maybe we'll find another SIGN," Colette suggested.
   So we started walking straight ahead.
   "It's like we're walking on cotton candy," Pam remarked.
   You must be hungry, Pam!" Nicky said.
   "Come on, Nicky," Pam said. "You know that I'm always hungry!"
   We all laughed, and kept walking. Soon a strong GUST OF WIND chilled our fur, and gray clouds appeared in the sky.
   "Look!" Paulina said, amazed. "There are tiny winged creatures up there!"
   She was right. The strange beings were aiming GOLD TRUMPETS at the clouds and blowing into them.
   "Hello!" I called out. They didn't notice.
   "Maybe music is their language, too," Violet guessed.
   "I don't think so," said Will. "Their trumpets aren't making any sound. But maybe we can get their attention another way. Follow my lead."
   Will took a deep breath, then blew hard toward the clouds. We all did the same. 
   The winged creatures stopped blowing into their trumpets and stared at us, annoyed.
   "5+2 dare disturb the work of Wind Elves!" one exclaimed.
   "2x3+1 clouds they must move!" said another.
   "12/4 times will the Wind Elves blow them away!" threatened a third elf.
   "NO! WAIT!" Will interrupted them. "Excuse us, please. We didn't mean to disturb you. We are trying to reach the Cloud Castle. Can you help us?"
   "3x3-7 math riddles of the Wind Elves must you solve first," a fourth elf said. 
   Paulina understood right away. "So we have to solve two MATH RIDDLES?" 
   "Correct," the elf replied, and the four elves huddles together, whispering. Them the first one spoke:


"Here is a lovely sight:
4 gray clouds and 3 white.
1 is purple, and 5 are blue.
But 3 blue float off, leaving 2.
How many clouds are in the sky?
You have 30 seconds to reply!"

The second elf took an hourglass full of colorful crystals out of his pocket. He turned it over and began to count down as the crystals fell, one by one. "30...29...28..."
   We all concentrated on finding the answer.
   "10 Clouds!" Paulina suddenly cried.
   The elves were SURPRISED. Only 17 crystals had fallen through the hourglass. One elf cried, "Exactly! And 10+3 crystals remain. Congratulations!"
   "Good job, Paulina!" we cheered.
   But the elves soon had a second math riddle for us.



"Listen closely, and please think.
There are 3 blue clouds and 2 pink.
Each blue cloud has 2 drops of rain.
Each pink cloud has 3 drops of rain.
How many drops of rain are in the sky?
You have 30 seconds to reply!"

   The same elf turned over the hourglass.
   "You could have given us some warning," Colette muttered as we all tried to solve the math riddle. This time, I had the answer first.
   "12!" I cried, after only a few CRYSTALS had fallen.
   We looked at the elf, waiting to see if I was correct.
   "Correct," he said. "You have been very clever. Now you will receive the answer you seek."
   "HOORAY!" we cheered.
   "Thank you," said Will. "Can you please tell us how to get to the Cloud Castle?"
   "It's difficult to say," the first elf replied.
   "The Cloud Castle is ALWAYS MOVING.
If you like, one of us could stay with you as your guide."
   "THANK YOU! YOU ARE VERY KIND," Violet said.
   Without another word, the Wind Elves positioned themselves behind the clouds and began to blow.
   One of them waved good-bye to the others and blew his little cloud toward us. He settled right over our heads, as if he was waiting for a COMMAND.
   "Well now, what do we do?" Nicky asked, looking up at the elf. But the elf said nothing.
   "Maybe we should start WALKING," Colette suggested, and she took a few steps forward. As she moved, the elf moved, too.
   "It looks like he's coming with us," Paulina said.
The elf quickly took the lead. We followed him as he continued to push his little cloud forward with his trumpet.