2. Pool Stone Story by Emma Lowery Retold by Rebekah Lowery

3. It was a beautiful spring day, and Alyssa Everland and her father were on a hike in the woods enjoying the wonderful weather. As they were trying to make their way through the underbrush, Alyssa saw something shimmering on the ground. As she pointed at the object, Alyssa asked her dad,

4. “What is that?”

5. “I don’t know,” her dad replied; “Pick it up and let’s have a look.” Alyssa picked up the shimmering object. It was a large stone with crystals on the inside. A message was written on the outside of the stone, but it was in a strange language that Alyssa could not read. “How very peculiar,” she said. €€↗£¥ ©µαffi ff∑ẃ† юѐыф

6. After studying on the rock for several minutes, Alyssa stuck it in her pocket to save for later inspection. After returning home from their walk, Alyssa decided to go for a swim. When she was getting on her suit, she rediscovered the rock in her pocket. “I wonder if it will skip on the water. I’m going to test it out.”

7. Once outside, Alyssa hurled the rock into the pool, but instead of skipping, it sank right to the bottom. Alyssa slapped her forehead; “Of course that heavy rock won’t skip!” She put on her goggles and dove in to retrieve the rock. When she reached the bottom, she saw that the writing on the rock now appeared to be in English.

8. The rock read Within this rock Secrets lie By the dock The mermaids sigh Just as Alyssa was surfacing with the rock and the message in her head, her dad called, “Dinner’s ready.” Within this rock Secrets lie By the dock The mermaids sigh

9. Alyssa whispered the message to herself as she climbed from the pool, and suddenly in a flash of light, she was spinning around. She realized the ground was changing under her feet, and it felt like sand. She opened her eyes and saw a beach. “Where in the world am I?”

10. “You are just in time!” Alyssa turned to see where that voice had come from, and to her surprise, she saw a mermaid staring back at her. “Who are you?” asked Alyssa. “I’m Goldline,” replied the mermaid, “and hurry, there is no time to waste.”

11. Goldline continued, “The evil cheetah Fang is trying to take over our island; his evil gremlins have already burned half of the forest. You must help us defeat him.” Without stopping to think, Alyssa blurted, “Well…my dad said dinner was ready, and I have lots to do around the house. I’m not sure I have time.” Dejectedly, Goldline responded, “Oh…we just knew you were here to help us. I will just send you home then.”

12. Then, Alyssa remembered something her dad always told her. “Wait, I’ll help; just tell me what to do.” “Excellent,” said Goldline, “I will lead you to the remaining forest where we will meet up with the butterfly fairies. Here is a stone shooter to fire at the gremlins.” “You know what I always say…”

13. When they met the butterfly fairies in the forest, Goldline explained, “When I say ‘Fire’ shoot you stones. Fang and his gremlins will be pushed back into our trap. Once they fall into the hole we dug, we will have them.” “Fire,” screamed Goldline. Alyssa, Goldline and all the butterfly fairies fired away at Fang and the gremlins.

14. Fang and the gremlins were pushed back and suddenly, with a great crash, they fell into the trap dug by the butterfly fairies. “Awesome,” said Alyssa, “Who knew that mysterious riddle would lead me here… Within this rock Secrets lie By the dock The mermaids sigh “Wait,” cried Goldline, but it was too late. Alyssa was already gone.

15. Meanwhile Alyssa was whirling through the air again. When she opened her eyes, she was standing in her backyard. “Dad is going to be upset. He called me to dinner hours ago. How will I ever explain where I have been?”

16. “Dinner’s ready,” called dad. “Awesome,” said Emma. “Dad was right; there is always time to help someone in need.” “Hey Alyssa, dinner’s ready.”

17. Credits Story by Emma Lowery for Young Georgia Authors Competition 2008 Pictures by Derrek and Rebekah Lowery 2008-2009