The Assignment
“All right, class, I have an assignment for you to do over the weekend,” Mrs. Nash said, “My hometown, New York City, has lots of very tall buildings. Next week, we are going to start learning about buildings, so I want you to find the oldest skyscraper in New York City. Use any source you like and find out which skyscraper has been around the longest.”
Hana turned to her best friend, Lissie, and said, “Wow, Lissie. Can you believe we have to do homework over the weekend again? At least this one sounds like fun. Didn’t your mom go to New York City last summer for that concert at Carnegie Hall?”
“Yes, she did. She had a great time, too. She said that every great musician plays there. She told me all about the great shopping in the city and she even went to the top of the Empire State Building and said the view was incredible. She could see the Statue of Liberty. Let’s start on this assignment right after our Girl Scout meeting after school. This is the meeting where we plan our service project for the 10K race.”
“I still can’t believe you made us glittery, rainbow colored tee shirts,” said Hana.
“Well, you know I love crafts, Hana. Gotta look good at the big race.” said Lissie.
The girls attended Sunny Hills Middle School in Greensville, a sleepy little town in the middle of Texas. Girl Scouts was not the only thing they shared. They met in band last year and became best friends. They both loved to play basketball, listen to music, and go to the movies. Every day after school they went to Lissie’s house and did their homework together.
“Don’t you wish that instead of just reading about it, we could go there?” said Hana.
Lissie replied, “I was hoping you’d say that, Hana.” She gave Hana the ‘let’s do it’ look.
Hana had seen this look in Lissie eye’s before. She said, “We can’t actually do that!”
Lissie said, “Remember Hana, there’s nothing we CAN’T do, only things we DON’T do, so let’s do it!”
For a moment, Hana got that far-away look in her eyes as she imagined visiting New York City. Then she said, “Wait a second, how could we ever get to New York City on such short notice? Do you have a fairy godmother I don’t know about?”
“O.K. class, have a great weekend, and good luck with the skyscraper research.” Mrs. Nash dismissed her students. As the kids exited school, Lissie continued to talk with Hana about actually going to New York. Hana gave in to Lissie’s excitement.
“All right, you win, Lissie. It sounds like fun. But there is no way we are going to get there. It’s all the way across the country!” Hana said to Lissie.
Lissie whispered “I need to show you something in my parents’ attic.”
Hana laughed and said, “You never told me that you had New York City in your parents’ attic.”
Lissie said, “Very funny, but that isn’t far from the truth.” The girls took off in a sprint to Lissie’s house.
The Jump Rope
“Hey mom!” Lissie yelled as she and Hana ran through the kitchen, past her mom, to the door leading to the attic, “School was great today. Hana and I have a project to work on. See you later.”
Lissie’s mom was curious. “Hold on a minute, you guys,” she said, “Don’t you have to practice for that band concert?” Last year the girls formed the “Shining Stars” where Lissie played drums and Hana sang and played guitar. They wrote their own songs and recorded them. They even sent one to their favorite DJ at the local radio station.
“That’s not until next weekend, Mom. We have a project do to for school that’s due on Monday. We have to do that one first. We are headed upstairs. See ya.” Lissie said.
Hana’s curiosity grew as the two arrived at the attic. Lissie made her way over to a box that appeared to have been around for hundreds of years. It was covered in blankets. Lissie cleared the area around the box. She held up an old clothes iron. “Look at this, Hana. My grandmother told me that is what her mom used when she ironed clothes. Feel how heavy this is.” Handing the iron to Hana, Lissie continued, “but wait till you see what’s in the box!” Lissie opened the box and showed Hana a worn old jump rope and a note.
“Please tell me there is more in that box than just an old jump rope,” Hana responded, “What does the note say?”
“The note is the best part.” Lissie pulled out the rope and the note and together Hana and Lissie read,
“If you’ve found this jump rope, prepare for the adventure of your life. Pick a place you want to visit and put it into this rhyme. Start jumping rope and say this:
Magic jump rope, you’re the one.
Show me (Name a place) and let’s have some fun!
Remember, you have to believe.
See you very soon. Your friend,
Trianna”
Hana didn’t believe. “Lissie, that can’t be right. I don’t think we could go across the country just by jumping rope.”
Lissie expected Hana to say that, “I thought I told you there’s nothing we can’t do, only things we don’t do, so let’s do it. Just remember that you have to believe.”
Hana thought about it. Then she said, “Why not, ok, let’s try it.”
“Now you’re talking,” Lissie said excitedly. “Do we have a notebook so that we can record the dates of the skyscrapers?” Hana checked her backpack and found her notebook. She pulled it out and showed Lissie. “Next we need a pencil to take notes.” Hana showed Lissie her pencil box full of writing tools. “It could be chilly in New York at this time of year. We’ll need sweaters.” Hana grabbed their sweaters and repacked her backpack. “Camera?” Hana pulled out the camera. “O.K. I guess we are ready,” Lissie decided, “New York City, here we come!”
Lissie held the jump rope in ready position, and Hana stood very close wearing her backpack. Both girls started jumping as Lissie swung the rope over them. Both shouted out the rhyme,
Magic jump rope, you’re the one.
Show me New York City and let’s have some fun!
Together, they sang the rhyme once but nothing happened. They kept jumping. Shouting louder, they tried again.
Magic jump rope, you’re the one.
Show me New York City and let’s have some fun!
Still nothing happened. Lissie looked at Hana. “Do you REALLY believe? Do you believe we can go to New York City?”
Hana said, “No, I guess I don’t believe.”
Lissie said, “Hana, the note said we HAVE to believe.”
Hana replied skeptically, “Ok, Lissie. I’ll try harder.” So they tried it a third time.
Magic jump rope, you’re the one.
Show me New York City and let’s have some fun!
Suddenly the girls disappeared…
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