BFF Time Travelers 4:The Ancient Greek Olympic Games

Not Fair

The young woman smiled at everyone. "How did you learn to read and write?"asked Lucille. "I taught myself,"the woman answered. "She wrote a poem and brought it to me because I have written and told people that I think Greek girls should go to school and have the right of an education," said Plato. "Is that the poem?"asked Mason. He pointed to the scroll. "Yes,"said the young woman. "It's a wonderful story. 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,"said Plato. The poet handed her scroll to Mason. "Tell us your name so we can tell people who wrote the story,"said Lucille. The young woman shook her head. "I cannot,"she said. But when she saw Lucille's sad face she added, "You can tell people it was written by Anonymous." "Oh.So is that your name?"asked Lucille. "No, anonymous means that no one knows who wrote it,"said Plato. "But that's not true!"said Lucille. "I'm afraid the risk is too great,"said Plato. Lucille looked back at the woman. "I'm so sorry. This isn't fair at all,"said Lucille. The poet smiled at her. "I am happy that you will take my story to your country.Perhaps someday everywhere women will write books just like men." "They will.I promise," said Lucille. The young woman looked at her,puzzled. "It's true!" said Kate. "Thank you all," the young woman said. She bowed, then hurried out of the courtyard. "Wait!" cried Lucille. She ran after the poet,but Plato stopped her. "Come along.The games will begin soon," he said. Plato led Mason and his friends out of the Greek house back onto the dirt road. "Girls can't write stories or go to school,"grumbled Lucille. "Or be in plays,"said Kate. "I've had enough of ancient Greece. Let's get OUT of here!!!"yelled Kate and Lucille at the exact same time. "But what about the olympics?''said Mason. "Oh. I almost forgot,"said Kate. Her eyes and Lucille's became brighter. "Well, I would like to take all four of you to the games. As I said before, I have special seats in the viewing box however....."said Plato. He looked at Kate and Lucille. "Don't tell me. Girls can't go to the Olympics either,"said Kate. "A girl will get in terrible trouble if she goes to the games,"said Plato. Kate sighed. "It's really,really,really not fair,"she said. "I'm sorry. My country is a free democracy. We believe in freedom for our citizens. But I'm afraid that only means men and boys,"said Plato. "Kate and Lucille are right. It's not fair. I think we should go home now," said Daniel. "I agree,"said Mason. "No, Daniel and Mason. You two go to the Olympics. You tell us about it,"said Kate. "What about you and Lucille?"said Daniel. "We'll go back to the outdoor theatre. We'll wait for you there,"said Kate. Mason didn't want to leave Kate and Lucille alone. But he didn't want to miss the Olympics. "Go!Have fun!"called Kate and Lucille. "Bye, Lucille and Kate,"said Plato. Kate and Lucille turned around and waved. "We'll tell you all about it!"shouted Daniel. "This way," said Plato. He,Daniel,and Mason turned and joined the crowd heading to the Olympic grounds.