Lesson Nine: “Down for A Nap”

"Where's grandma? The Long Break is over… why is she still in the hospital? And how long are they going to keep her there?”**

"Baby girl, Grandma’s not in the hospital anymore. But she can’t come home. Not yet."

"Where is she?"

"She’s gone somewhere we can’t follow."

"But we need her. It’s bedtime and we need our brown sugar."

James' voice caught. “I know, my love. I wish I could bring her back... but how do I even explain this?” He looked at his four girls and sighed deeply.

"Do you remember our trip last year? When we took the train through the Swiss mountains?"

"Yes!!” the girls responded in unison.

"And the sleeper cabin? Do you remember that?”

"Yeah! Grandma loved that cabin. She said it felt super luxurious. We weren’t allowed to wake her either. She said she earned those naps."

"That’s right. Well… Grandma can’t come home yet because she’s in a sleeper car, napping. And like she said, we’re not allowed to wake her. But soon, her eyes will open and we’ll all be together again. Does that make sense?"

"Sort of.  Will she be asleep for a long time?"

"Just a little while. Though it may feel long to us."

"Well… then who's going to give us our brown sugar?"

"I will… until she’s home again. One for you, and you, and you. Goodnight, my darlings." he said as he kissed their foreheads and pulled their blankets close.

James, the girls father, wiped away tears and gently closed their bedroom door.

"Pssst. Did you hear that? Grandma's still in the sleeper car. I say we go find her."

"Let’s wait until Dad’s asleep. At first light, we’ll take the subway to Grand Central Station. Maybe Grandma's train is there."

And so, the four little Billy Goat Bishop sisters set off to solve the mystery of their sleepy grandma.

—-

The girls tiptoed out into a watercolor-blue morning. Frost clung to the pavement. A heavy sleepiness lingered over the grey New York streets, like a child unwilling to leave the warmth of their favorite blanket.

The girls slipped silently into the 125th Street Station. The grime-slicked stairs whispered stories of New Yorkers past and present. If only they could speak, they’d warn of the heartbreak ahead.

Standing on the dusty platform, awaiting the train, Naomi broke her silence. "Do you think Daddy really meant she’s napping?"

Neema placed her arm around her sister and said,  ”Mimí, I think he was trying to tell us something else, but it was too difficult.”

"Maybe we should ask an adult." said Ivy, her eyes spilling over.

"Let’s check the information booth. They know everything there."

Leaving their spot on the empty platform, they marched over to the booth. Ari raissed her small hoof and knocked on the glass.

A small woman in a colorful headwrap, round wire glasses, and blue transit uniform grabbed the microphone.

"Stop all that racket!" roared the small woman.

The girls jumped, beset with fear.

"Sorry, ma’am. We were hoping to ask a question."

"Is it about trains, fares, or routes? If not, it’s too early and I’m not in the mood."

"Please, it’s important," said Ari. "We’re looking for our Grandmother. She might be… missing."

"Well baby, why didn’t you say that in the first place? I haven’t seen anyone, but I know someone who knows a thing or two about missing people."

She scribbled down some directions. "Take the Four downtown. Get off at Brooklyn Bridge, walk through Black Squirrel Park, and knock at this door. Tell ’em Billie sent you."

She handed them a metro card with the address on the back in black marker.

"Stand clear of the closing doors please," chimed Charlie as the girl’s took their seats aboard the train and waved goodbye to Billie.

Soon, the train pulled into the station. Their stop. The morning's sunlight radiated against the Brooklyn Bridge. The girls followed Billie’s directions until they stood before a giant stone castle.

"I hope this is the right place." said Ari. “Only one way to find out.”

As they reached for the knocker a tuxedoed man opened the massive doors.

"Billie called. Come in—King Mateo will be right with you," said Wilbur.

The girls from Harlem exchanged wide-eyed looks. "We're going to meet the King of Tribeca?" Their mouths dropped as the sound of King Mateo footsteps grew closer and closer. Suddenly, he was standing before them.

"So," said the King, “Billie tells me you have a question.”

Ari stepped forward. "We wondered, Sir, if you might know where our grandma is. But… it’s okay if not. We don’t want to be a bother."

"No bother at all. I’d love to help. But unfortunately, I don’t know who she is… did she leave any clues behind?”

"Our dad said she’s in a sleeper cabin, on a train far away, napping. We’re not allowed to wake her. But he also said that she’s gone somewhere we can’t follow. And that doesn’t make sense. Plus, Grandma wouldn’t leave without saying goodbye."

King Mateo frowned. He could see this wouldn't be an easy conversation. And he wasn't quite sure he should be the one having it. He rubbed his chin. "Hmmm. Let me think…”

Then… his face lit up. ”I’ve got it! Come along."

King Mateo led the girls to the castle garden. A group of animals danced across a life-size board. They were playing a game unlike any the girls had ever seen.

Ari arched her brows in a silent plea. Her sister Neema recognized the look and spoke for the group. “This looks tricky - but fun,” said Neema. “Will you teach us?”

"Of course," said King Mateo. “But everyone who plays must have a special skill. Something unique to them. What’s yours?” he asked.

“Well… when we were little, we learned how to climb mountains." said Neema.

"But this, this is what truly makes us unique." She lifter her leg and showed him her split hoof. “Our hooves allow us to walk along a cliff wall’s tiny diagonal ledges. We can follow these ledges right up the face of the mountain!”

“We have to be careful though, to not crowd in on each other. Cliff climbing is extremely dangerous. Instead, we keep safe by climbing in pairs. Two of us on the sunny ledges, two stick to the shady ones,” added Ivy. “Works every time.”

"Incredible!" said King Mateo. “Who taught you how to climb like that?”

“Our Grandma. She said climbing mountains is good for the body and the soul. She taught us self-reliance, decision-making, and teamwork. And the mountains taught us to be flexible. They taught us that not everything in life is predictable or easy. But if you respect the climb, and move with purpose… you’ll get to the top faster.”

"But our Grandma hasn’t finished teaching us yet," said Neema. "That’s why we need to find her."

The King nodded. “I understand. And I have an idea…”

"Join our team. We’re also searching for missing friends. Today, we head to the Highlands. And we’ll need to pass through Grand Central Station. We'll help you with your search, and maybe you can help us with ours.”

The girls hesitated.

"Grandma always wanted to visit the Highlands," said Ari. “So… yeah. We’ll come.”

"Wonderful!" said the King. “Any other talents we should know about?”

"Force fields,” said Neema. “And we’re great at finding shortcuts.”

"Shortcuts and force fields too?!" said Harry, amazed. “We have the coolest team.”

King Mateo laughed. “Come, I’ll introduce you to the others.”

“We’ll teach them the game while you and the Bulls load the adventure supplies!” shrieked Harry.

Off they went, to meet their new team, play a new game, and hopefully find their grandmother along the way.

Their adventure is just beginning.

Would you like to meet the Billy Goat Bishop girls?