“

Aw,” whispered Shiloh. “Look, a big box from Gram!” Carefully she opened the package and gently lifted out a set of four polka dot cups and saucers. The others gathered around. 

“I know which one is for me!” declared Kennedy. 

“It’s the pink one!” Shiloh had already scooted hers over to her side of the table. “Mine’s yellow.” She announced. “And mine’s blue – just like Little Boy Blue!” said Cash with a big grin.

Quietly they heard a whimper, and it grew louder and louder. Three heads turned in Dempsey’s direction. “Where’s mine?” He sniffed. “Why didn’t I get one?”

Kennedy reached into the bottom of the box. “Here you go, DP. You have a pretty green one.”

Meanwhile, Shiloh had made some tea and carefully poured some in each cup. “Now we’re having a tea party!” she said.

After they had finished and had carefully taken their dishes out to the kitchen, all four ran outside to play. But it was dusk, almost nighttime. Immediately, they turned around and ran back inside. The kiddos knew snakes and alligators loved the cover of darkness when they can sneak up on their prey. 

“Hey, here’s a note from Gram I didn’t see before.” Kennedy said as she reached down to the bottom of the box.

“What’s it say, Kennedy? What’s it say!” Dempsey asked as he scrambled up on a chair at the counter.

  “ADVENTURE      TOMORROW!”

“Oh boy, oh boy, oh boy!” shouted Cash. “Another adventure! Quick let’s all go to bed so the morning will come sooner.”

They all clambered to their bedrooms, even though they knew morning would show up at the usual time!

The next morning Shiloh was the first to awaken and she got all her siblings up, reminding them an adventure awaits.

Kennedy had the directions and began reading.

Instruction #1

Go out back into the Wonder Woods, 

carefully cross Crocodile Creek and 

climb Treacherous Tree.

Instruction #2

Head down the road through 

the Fantastic Forest to the 

Bottoms Up Bridge 

and over to the Secret Staircase.

Instruction #3

Carefully climb up

the Secret Staircase

following Dempsey. 

The prize awaits!

"The prize? We didn't expect a prize." Kennedy spoke. "I cannot imagine what it is. Come on, guys, keep up!"

They all climbed up the Secret Staircase. Dempsey wondered why it was called that. "I think it should be called the Scary Staircase."

They all laughed.