2022-2023學(xué)年神奇樹(shù)屋《MTH38MondayWithaMadGenius》

MondaywithaMadGenius

MagicTreeHouse,#38

MaryPopeOsborne

ForJamesQuinnCourts

DuringspringvacationwhenIwasinkindergarten,mybrothersandIdecidedwe'dtrytoflylikebirds.Weknewthatpeoplecouldn'tfly,butthatdidn'tstopus.Wewereexcitedbythethoughtthatwe'dbethefirsttodoso.Forourlaunchpad,wechosetheplaygroundnearourhouse.Wetriedswingingandthenleapingintotheair,flappingourarmswildly.Ofcourse,wekeptfallingtotheground.Nextweclimbedtothetopoftheslideandtookturnsjumpingoff,againflappingashardaswecould-onlytodropagainandagaintothesandbeneaththeslide.Wewereluckythatwedidn'tgethurt.Allmorningwetriedtofly,untilfinallywegaveupandwenthome,satisfiedthatwe'dgivenitourbestshot.

Thegreatthingaboutbeingakid,Ithink,isthatyourimaginationcanmakelifefullofwondrousadventures.LeonardodaVinci,oneoftheworld'sgreatestgeniuses,wasalotlikeakidwhonevercompletelygrewup.Evenwhenhewasworking,heseemedtobeplaying,alwayslookingattheworldandasking,"Iwonderwhatwouldhappenif..."Hehadgreatenthusiasmforexperimentingwithdifferentwaysofdoingthingsandforexploringnewideasincludingtryingtofly!IhopethatwhenyoumeetLeonardointhisnewMerlinMission,youwillfeelthatyou'vemadeanamazingnewfriend.

"Iwishtoworkmiracles."

-fromthenotebooksofLeonardodaVinci

Prologue

OnesummerdayinFrogCreek,Pennsylvania,amysterioustreehouseappearedinthewoods.AbrotherandsisternamedJackandAnniesoonlearnedthatthetreehousewasmagic-itcouldtakethemtoanytimeandanyplaceinhistory!AndnotimeatallwouldpassinFrogCreekwhiletheyweregone.

JackandAnniealsolearnedthatthetreehousebelongedtoMorganleFay,amagicallibrarianfromthelegendaryrealmofCamelot.AftertheywentonmanyadventuresforMorgan,MerlinthemagicianbegansendingJackandAnnieon"MerlinMissions"inthetreehouse.WithhelpfromtwoyoungsorcerersnamedTeddyandKathleen,JackandAnnievisitedfourmythicalplacesandfoundvaluableobjectstohelpsaveCamelot.

OntheirnextfourMerlinMissions,JackandAnnieonceagaintraveledtorealtimesandrealplacesinhistory.AfterprovingtoMerlinthattheyknewhowtousemagicwisely,heentrustedthemwiththeWandofDianthus.Withthehelpofthewand,JackandAnniewouldnowbeabletomaketheirownmagic.

Ontheirmostrecentadventure,TeddyandKathleentoldJackandAnniethatMerlinwasveryunhappyandnotwellandthatMorganwantedthemtosearchforfourofthesecretsofhappinesstosharewithMerlin.

NowJackandAnniearewaitingforthetreehousetoreturnandtakethemontheirsecondmissiontohelpMerlin

CHAPTERONE

OldFriends

Jackpouredmilkoverhiscereal.Hisstomachfeltfluttery.ItwasMonday-thefirstdayofanewschoolyear.

Jackalwaysfeltnervousonthefirstday.Whatwouldhisnewteacherbelike?Wouldhisdeskbeclosetoawindow?Wouldfriendsfromlastyearbeinhisclassagainthisyear?

"Annie,hurry!"Jack'smomcalledupstairs."It'sfifteenminutestilleight.Schoolstartsinhalfanhour."

Jack'sdadwalkedintothekitchen."AreyousureyouandAnniedon'twantmetodriveyou?"heasked.

"Nothanks,wedon'tmindwalking,"saidJack.Theirschoolwasonlythreeblocksaway.

"Annie,hurry!"theirmomcalledagain."You'regoingtobelate!"

Thebackdoorbangedopen.Annierushedintothekitchen.Shewasoutofbreath.

"Oh,Ithoughtyouwereupstairs,"theirmomsaidwithsurprise."Youwereoutside?"

"Yes!"saidAnnie,panting."Justtakingaquickwalk."ShelookedatJack.Hereyessparkled."Hurry,Jack.Wereallyshouldgonow!"

"Okay,I'mcoming!"saidJack.Heleaptupfromthetable.HecouldtellAnniewasn'ttalkingaboutschool.

Thetreehousemustbeback!Finally!

Jackgrabbedhisbackpack.Annieheldthedooropenforhim.

"Nobreakfast?"theirmomasked.

"Toonervoustoeatnow,Mom,"saidJack.

"Metoo,"saidAnnie."Bye,Mom!Bye,Dad!"

"Havefun,"theirmomsaid.

"Learnalot,"saidtheirdad.

"Don'tworry,wewill!"saidAnnie.

JackandAnnieslippedoutthedoorandwalkedquicklyacrosstheiryard.

"It'sback!"saidAnnie.

"Ifigureditwas!"saidJack.

"MorganmustwantustolookforanothersecretofhappinesstohelpMerlin,"saidAnnie.

"Yep!"saidJack."Let'srun!"

JackandAnniedashedupthesidewalk.TheycrossedthestreetandheadedintotheFrogCreekwoods.Theyranbetweenthetrees,throughshadowsandlight,untiltheycametothetallestoak.

Highinthetreewasthemagictreehouse.Theropeladderwasswayinginthechillymorningwind.

"Howdidyouknowitwashere?"askedJack,catchinghisbreath.

"IwokeupthinkingaboutTeddyandKathleen,"saidAnnie,"andIhadthisstrangefeeling."

"Really?"saidJack."Teddy!Kathleen!"heshoutedupatthetreehouse.

Twoyoungteenagerslookedoutthetreehousewindow:acurly-hairedboywithfrecklesandabiggrinandasmilinggirlwithsea-blueeyesanddarkwavyhair.

"Jack!Annie!"thegirlsaid."Comeup!Comeup!"saidtheboy.

JackandAnniehurrieduptheropeladder.Whentheyclimbedinsidethetreehouse,theythrewtheirarmsaroundtheirfriends.

"Arewegoingtolookforanothersecretofhappiness?"saidAnnie."TohelpMerlin?"

"Yes,andthistimeyouwilltravelbacktoFlorence,Italy,fivehundredyearsago,"saidTeddy.

"Florence,Italy?"saidJack."What'sthere?"

"Anamazingpersonwhowillhelpyou,"saidKathleen.

"Who?"askedAnnie."Isthispersonmagical?"

Teddygrinned."Somepeoplemightsayso,"hesaid.Hereachedintohiscloakandpulledoutabook.Thecovershowedadrawingofamanwearingapurplecloakandfloppybluecap.Hehadalongnose,bright,kindeyeswithheavyeyebrows,andaflowingbeard.Thetitlesaid:LeonardodaVinci

"LeonardodaVinci!"saidJack."Areyoukidding?"

"I'veheardofhim,"saidAnnie.

"Whohasn't?"saidJack."Hewasanincrediblegenius!"

"ThisbiographyofLeonardowillhelpyouonyourmission,"saidTeddy.

"AndsowillthisrhymefromMorgan,"saidKathleen.ShepulledasmallpieceofparchmentpaperfromhercloakandgaveittoAnnie.

Anniereadthewordsonthepaperaloud:

Jack,andAnnieofFrogCreek;

Thoughthequestionisquitesimple,

Simpleanswersmightbewrong.

Ifyouwanttoknowtherightone,

Helpthegeniusalldaylong,

Morning,noon,andafternoon,

Tillthenightbirdsingsitssong.

"Sotofindthesecretofhappiness,weneedtospendthewholedayhelpingLeonardodaVinci,"saidJack.

"Yes,"saidKathleen.Teddynodded.

"Iwishyoucouldcome,too,"saidAnnie.

"Andhelpus,"saidJack.

"Neverfear,"saidKathleen."Youwillhavethehelpofthegreatgenius.AndtheWandofDianthus."

"Oh!"AnniesaidtoJack."Didyoubringourwand?"

"Ofcourse,"saidJack."Ialwayscarryitwithmeforsafekeeping."Hereachedintohisbackpackandpulledoutagleamingsilverwand.

"TheWandofDianthus,"Teddysaidinahushedvoice.

Thewandlookedlikethehornofaunicorn.ItburnedinJack'shand-withcoldorwarmth,hecouldn'ttellwhich.Hecarefullyputthewandbackintohispack.

"Rememberthethreerulesofthewand?"saidKathleen.

"Sure,"saidAnnie."Youcanonlyuseitforthegoodofothers.Youcanonlyuseitafteryou'vetriedyourhardest.Andyoucanonlyuseitwithacommandoffivewords."

"Excellent,"saidKathleen.

"Thanks,"saidAnnie."Ready?"sheaskedJack.

Jacknodded."Bye,Teddy.Bye,Kathleen."

"Good-bye,"saidTeddy.

"Andgoodluck,"saidKathleen.

Jackpointedatthecoverofthebook."IwishwecouldgotoLeonardodaVinci!"

Inthedistance,theschoolbellstartedtoring,lettingkidsknowthatschoolwouldstartintenminutes.ButintheFrogCreekwoods,thewindstartedtoblow.

Thetreehousestartedtospin.

Itspunfasterandfaster.

Theneverythingwasstill.

Absolutelystill.

CHAPTERTWO

LookingforLeonardo

Adifferentbellwasbonginginthedistance.Brightearlysunlightpouredthroughthetreehousewindow.TeddyandKathleenweregone.

Jacklookeddownathisclothes.Hewaswearingaknee-lengthtunicanddarktights.Annieworealongdresswithpuffysleeves.Jack'sbackpackhadchangedintoaclothbag.

JackandAnnielookedoutthewindow.Thetreehousehadlandedinatalltreeinagardensurroundedbygreenhedges.Beyondthegardenwasaseaofred-tiledroofs.Ahugeeight-sideddomeandastonetowerrosehighabovetheredrooftops.

"WelcometoFlorence,Italy,"saidAnnie.

Jackopenedtheirbookandreadaloud:

Intheearly1500s,manyartistsandcraftspeoplelivedinthecityofFlorence.Thecitywasfilledwithsilkweavers,potters,andmarbleworkers.Artistsmadesculptures,paintings,andtapestries.

"Cool,"saidAnnie."Iloveart."Jackreadmore:

Butthemostamazinggeniusofthattimedidabitofeverything.LeonardodaVinciwasnotonlyagreatpainterbutalsoaninventor,architect,stageandcostumedesigner,horseman,chef,geologist,andbotanist.

"What'sageologistandabotanist?"saidAnnie.

"They'rescientists,"saidJack."Ageologiststudiesrocks,andabotaniststudiesplants."Heturnedthepage.

"Comeon,weshouldgo,"saidAnnie."ThetreehouseprobablybroughtusrighttoLeonardo.Wehavetofindhimbeforehegetsaway!"

"Oh,right,"saidJack.

Anniestarteddowntheladder.Jackpackeduptheirresearchbookandclimbeddownafterher.

JackandAnniewalkedaroundthetallhedgeandcametoabusyroadthatranalongariver.Theystaredatallthepeoplegoingby.Therewerewomeninlongsilkdresses,priestsinblackrobesridingdonkeys,andsoldiersinbluecapesridinghorses.

"Idon'tseeanyonewholooksliketheguyonthecoverofourbook,"saidJack.

"Let'sasksomeone,"saidAnnie.Shewalkedovertoagirlsellingflowersbytheroad."Excuseme.DoyouknowapersonnamedLeonardodaVinci?"

"Ofcourse!EveryoneknowsLeonardo!"saidthegirl."Hewasjusthere!Heboughtsomeflowersfromme.Hesaidhewasgoingtosketchthemlater."Hereyesshonewithexcitement.

"Wheredidhego?"askedJack.

"HeheadedtowardtheOldBridge,"thegirlsaid.Shepointedtowardacoveredbridgefartherdowntheroad.

"Thanks!"saidAnnie.

JackandAnniewalkedquicklyalongthebankoftherivertowardthebridge."Youwereright,"saidJack."ThetreehousebroughtusrighttoLeonardo.Butwhileweweretalking,hekeptwalking."

"Don'tworry,"saidAnnie."We'llcatchuptohim."

Thecoveredbridgewassupportedbythreestonearches.Itlookedlikealonghousestretchingovertheriver.

Astheycrossedthebridge,itwashardtolookforLeonardo.Thelightwasdimandthewalkwayinsidethebridgewasfilledwithpeople.

JackandAnniesqueezedthroughthecrowdtotheothersideofthebridge.ThesunlightwassobrightthatJackstillcouldn'tseeclearly.Heshadedhiseyeswithhishand."Istilldon'tseehim,"hesaid.

"Wecanaskagain,"saidAnnie."ThatgirlsaideveryoneknowsLeonardo!"Sheheadedtoashopneartheriverbank.Weaverswerehangingcolorfulfabricsonaline.Theredandpurplesilkswavedinthebreeze.

"Excuseme!"Anniecalled."HaveyouseenLeonardodaVincithismorning?"

Atoothlessoldwomansmiled."Oh,yes!Leonardopassedbyonlyamomentago,"shesaid."Onhiswaytothebakery,Ithink."Shepointeddownanarrowlane."Hegoesthereeverymorning."

"Thanks!"saidAnnie.

JackandAnniehurriedtothebakery.Thedelicioussmellofbakingbreadfilledtheair.

"Excuseme,didLeonardodaVincicomeinhere?"Jackasked.

"Yes,hejustboughthisdailyloafofbread,"saidthebaker."Healwaysgoestothecheeseshopnext."Hepointedacrossthestreet.

"Thanks!"saidJack.

JackandAnniecrossedthebusystreettothecheeseshop."IsLeonardodaVincihere?"askedAnnie.

"Hejustleft,"saidthecheeseman.Hepointedupthestreet."Hewasgoingtotheblacksmith's."

"Oh,brother,"saidJack.

"Thanks!"saidAnnie,andtheyheadedupthestreet.

"Ican'twaittomeethim!"saidAnnie.

"Metoo,"saidJack."Ifweevercatchuptohim."

Loudhammeringnoiseswerecomingfromashop.JackandAnnielookedinsideandsawablacksmithpoundingahorseshoewithahugeironhammer.Afirewasroaringinahearthnearby.

"Excuseme!"Jackshouted.

Theburlymanstoppedpounding.

"WasLeonardodaVincijusthere?"askedJack.

"Yes,hepaidmeforhisironpots,"theblacksmithsaidgruffly."Finally."

"Doyouknowwherehewasgoingnext?"askedJack.

"Headedforthemarket,inabighurry,asusual,"saidtheblacksmith,noddingtowardthestreet.Thenhewentbacktopounding.

JackandAnnieranupthestreet.Theyroundedacornerandsteppedintoahugesquare.Sunlightshonedownonhundredsoftentsandstalls.Theairsmelledoffishandcinnamonandotherspices.

"Oh,man,"saidJack."It'shuge!"

Themarketwasjam-packedwithshoppers.Itwashardtoseeovertheheadsofallthegrownups."WecouldspendalldaylookingforLeonardohere,"saidJack.

"Thisisnotgood,"saidAnnie."We'resupposedtospendthedayhelpinghim,notlookingforhim!Remembertherhymesaid,'Helpthegeniusalldaylong,morning,noon,andafternoon,tillthenightbirdsingsitssong."'

"Yeah,whateverthatmeans,"saidJack."Hey,maybeweshouldusethewandnow,"saidAnnie."Thissituationfitstherules.FindingLeonardoisnotjustforourgood-it'stohelpMerlin.AndIthinkwe'vetriedourhardest."

"Okay,let'suseit."JackslippedtheWandofDianthusoutofhisbagandhandedittoAnnie."Fivewords,"hesaid.

"Iknow,Iknow,"shesaid.Sheheldupthewandandcountedherwordsonherfingers:"Help.Us.Find.Leonardo.Now."

JackandAnnieheldtheirbreathandwaited.Butnothingchanged.Everythingaroundthemlookedexactlythesame.

"It'snotworking,"saidJack."Whatdidwedowrong?"

"Idon'tknow,"saidAnnie."Iusedfivewords.

It'sdefinitelygoodforothers.Maybewehaven'treallytriedourhardestyet."

Jacksighed."Okay,let'skeeptrying."Hetookbackthewandandslippeditintohisbag.

"Oh,lookatthebirdsoverthere!"saidAnnie.ShepulledJackovertoastallthatsoldcagedbirds.Onlyonebirdwassinging:abrownbirdwithareddishtail.Hewasveryplain,buthesangbeautifullywithwhistlesandtrills.

"Hi,you,"saidAnnie.

ThebirdtiltedhisheadandlookedstraightatAnnie.Hechirpedsoftly.

"Comeon,Annie,wecan'twastetimehere,"saidJack."WehavetokeeplookingforLeonardo."

"Butdidn'tyouhearhissong?"saidAnnie.

"Hewantstoflyaway.Hewantstobefree."

Jacklookedaroundforthebirdseller.Hewasstandingnearbytalkingtoacustomer."Forgetit,Annie.Wedon'thavemoneytopayforhim,"saidJack.

"Buthewantsmetohelphim,"saidAnnie."Icanfeelit."Shereachedtowardthecagedoor.

"Annie,don't!"saidJack.

ButAnnieunlatchedthedoor.Thebirdhoppedontotheground.

"Oh,no!"saidJack.Hegrabbedforthebird,buthewastoolate.Thebrownbirdwasalreadyflyingawayintothebluesky.

"Yay!"saidAnnie.

"Hey!"shoutedthebirdseller,rushingovertothem."Wereyoutryingtostealmybird?"

"Weweren'tstealinghim!"saidAnnie."Weweresettinghimfree!"

ThebirdsellergrabbedJackbythearm."You'llhavetopayforhim,then!"hebarked.

"But...but..."stammeredJack.

"Marco,unhandthatboy!"aman'svoiceboomed.

Jackturnedtoseeatallmaninapurplecloakandfloppybluecap.Hehadalongnose,bright,kindeyeswithheavyeyebrows,andaflowingbeard.Helookedexactlylikethemanonthecoveroftheirbook.

"Leonardo!"saidAnnie."Thewandworked!"

CHAPTERTHREE

TenTypesofNoses

"Lettheboygo,Marco,"Leonardosaidagain.

"ButIcaughthimtryingtostealmybird,"saidMarco.

"No,Marco.Thegirlsaidtheyweresettinghimfree,"saidLeonardo."AndIbelieveher."

"Thenletthempayme!"thebirdsellersaid.

"Wedon'thaveanymoney,"Anniesaidinasmallvoice.

"Iwilltakecareofit,"saidLeonardo.Heputdownthebaskethewascarrying.Itwasfilledwithflowers,cheese,andaloafofbread.Hepulledoutagoldcoin.ThebirdsellerletgoofJackandtookthecoin.

"Marco,whenIlayinmycradleasachild,abirdflewdownandstruckmewithitstail,"saidLeonardo."Eversincethen,Ihavewished-"

"Iknow,Iknow,"interruptedMarco,"tobeabirdyourself.Youhavetoldmethismanytimes,Leonardo."Thebirdsellerturnedawaytohelpacustomer.

LeonardoturnedtoJackandAnnie."Yes,"hesaid,"tobeabirdmyself-whichiswhyIoftenbuybirdsfromMarcoandsetthemfree.Soyousee,myfriends,youandIarekindredspirits."

"Yes,weare!"saidAnnie,grinning.

"Thanksforhelpingus!"saidJack.HegaveLeonardoabigsmile.Hewantedthegreatgeniustolikethemsotheycouldspendthewholedaywithhim."I'mJackandthisismysister,Annie.ActuallyitwasAnniewhofreed-"

ButLeonardodidn'tgiveJackachancetofinish.Hekepttalking."Intruth,Iloveallcreatures!Everybirdandanimalknowntoman-andeventheonesnotknown!"Helaughedheartily.

"Metoo!"saidAnnie.

"Metoo!"saidJack.

Leonardopickedupsomebirdfeathersfromtheground."Ah,beautiful,"hesaid,holdingthemuptothesun."Iwillsketchtheselater."Hetuckedthefeathersintohisbasketwiththebreadandcheeseandflowers."Well,Imustbeonmywaynow,friends,"hesaid."Goodday!"Leonardoturnedandbeganwalkingbrisklyawayfromthebirdstand.

Oh,no!thoughtJack.

Beforehecouldthinkofanythingtosay,Annieshouted,"Mr.daVinci!Leonardo!"

Leonardolookedbackather."Yes?"

"Doyou...um...doyouneedanyhelptoday?"Annieasked."JackandIwouldreally,reallyliketohelpyou...allday...somehow."

Jackwasembarrassed.HewassureLeonardowouldsayno.Buttohissurprise,thegreatgeniuswaslookingatthemcloselyandtappinghischin."Well...actuallyIamfacingagreattaskthismorning,"hesaidwithasmile.Henodded."Yes.Perhapsyoucouldbemyapprenticesjustfortoday."

"Great!"saidAnnie.

"What'sanapprentice?"askedJack.

"Apprenticeshelpamasterartistorskilledworker,"saidLeonardo."Theyworkhardandstudyhardinhopesthey'llbecomemastersthemselvessomeday."

"Cool,"saidJack.

"Comealong,then!"saidLeonardo.Hestartedwalkingagain.JackandAnniehurriedalongsidehim.Theyleftthecrowdedmarketandstartedupacobblestonestreet.

"DoyouchildrenliveinFlorence?"askedLeonardo.

"No,we'refrom...um...faraway,"saidJack.

"We'rehereonamission,"saidAnnie."We'relookingforthesecretofhappiness."

Leonardosmiled."Ah,yes,Idiscoveredthatsecretsometimeago,"hesaid.

"Youdid?"askedJack.

"Yes,it'ssomethingIsoughtandnowIhaveit,"saidLeonardo."It'sreallyquitesimple."

"Whatisit?"saidJack.

"Thesecretofhappinessisfame,"saidLeonardo.

"Really?Fame?"saidAnnie.

"Yes!"saidLeonardo."WhenIlookintotheeyesofcompletestrangersandseetheiraweandadmiration-thatmakesmeveryhappy!"

AsLeonardostrodeafewfeetaheadofthem,AnnielookedatJack."Fame,"shesaid."Iguessthat'souranswer."

"Idon'tknow,"saidJackinasoftvoice."Rememberwhattherhymesaid:`Thoughthequestionisquitesimple,simpleanswersmightbewrong."'

"Oh,yeah!"saidAnnie."Andtherhymesaysthattolearntheanswer,wehavetostaywithhimallday."

"Yep,"saidJack.Hedidn'tmindthatpart.Spendingthedaywithoneofthemostamazinggeniuseswhoeverlivedseemedlikeagreatidea.

JackandAnniefollowedLeonardointoasquarewithahugecathedral.Onthetopofthebuildingwastheenormouseight-sideddomethatthey'dseenfromthetreehouse.

Howdidanyoneeverbuildthat?Jackwondered.

Ashundredsofpeoplemovedaboutthesquare,Leonardostopped.Hestaredintothecrowd."Oh!Oh!"hesaid.

"What?What?"askedAnnie.

"Iseeanangel!"saidLeonardo.

"Anangel?"saidJack.Helookedatthecrowd.Hedidn'tseeanyangels.

"Overthere!"Leonardopointedtoashort,dark-hairedgirlstandingbyherself.Thegirldidn'tlookatalllikeanangeltoJack.Shelookedlikeanordinarykid.

Leonardoputdownhisbasket,untiedasmallbookfromhisbelt,andpulledoutapieceofchalk.Hestartedtodraw."Ihavebeenseekinganangelforoneofmypaintings,"hemurmuredashesketchedthegirl."IthinkImayhavefoundher."

Inamoment,Leonardowasdone."There."HeshowedhissketchtoJackandAnnie.Withjustafewquicklines,hehadcreatedanangel.Thedrawinglookedjustliketherealgirl,yetsomehowshereallydidlooklikeanangelnow.

"That'sthenicestangelI'veeverseen,"saidAnnie.

"Hmm,Idon'tknow,"saidLeonardo."Ifearthenoseisnotquiteright.I'mafraidImustkeeplooking."Hetorethepageoutofhissketchbook."PerhapsyouandJackwouldliketohavethis?"

"Oh...yes!"saidAnnie."Thankyou."

"I'llcarryit,"saidJack.HetookthedrawingfromLeonardoandcarefullysliditintohisbag,betweenthepagesoftheirresearchbook.

Leonardoputawayhischalkandsketchbookandpickeduphisbasket."Comealong,"hesaid.

JackandAnniehalfwalkedandhalfran,tryingtokeepupwithLeonardo'slongstrides.

"WhenItravelthroughthestreets,Iamalwaysgatheringinformation,"Leonardosaid."Iobservelikeascientist.Forinstance,afteryearsofobservation,Inowknowtherearetendifferenttypesofnoses."

"Really?"saidAnnie.Shefelthernose.

"Yes,"saidLeonardo,"straight,round,pointed,flat,narrowOfcoursethatisfromtheside.Ifyoulookpeoplestraightintheface,youwillfindeleventypesofnoses."

"Nokidding,"saidJack.

Jacktriedtogetagoodlookatthenosestheypassed.Hesawflatones,roundones,straightones...butmanywerehardtodescribe.

"Myobservationshavealsoledmetoconcludethattherearemanymoretypesofmouthsthannoses,"saidLeonardo."Butthelocationofeverymouthisalmostalwaysthesame.Itishalfwaybetweenthebaseofthenoseandthechin."

"Really?"saidAnnie.Shehelduptwofingers,tryingtomeasurethedistancebetweenhernose,mouth,andchin."Ithinkyou'reright,Leonardo."

"Istudypeople'sexpressionsandgestures,"saidLeonardo."Istudytheirhands,theireyes,theirhair.Buttobeatrulygreatartist,youmustlearntocombineyourobservationswithyourimagination."Suddenlyhestopped."Lookup,lookup!"

JackandAnniestoppedandlookedup.

"Seetheclouds?"saidLeonardo.

Afewbillowycloudsdottedthesky.

"Whatdotheylookliketoyou?"askedLeonardo."Whatsortsofthings?"

Bigwhiteblobs,thoughtJack.

"Thebiggestonelookssortoflikeacastle,"saidAnnie.

"Good,good!"saidLeonardo.

"Andthatlittleonelookslikeadog'shead,"saidAnnie,"likeaScottiepuppy."

AScottiePuppy?thoughtJack.Hesquinted,tryingtoseeapuppy.

"Excellent!"saidLeonardo."Andyou,Jack?Whataboutthatone?"Hepointedatalongcloud."Whatdoyousee?"

Jackstudiedit."Uh...well,Iguessitsortoflookslikeaboat,"hesaid.

"Wonderful!"saidLeonardo."Igetideasformypaintingsfromeverything!Ilookatawatermarkonawallandseeanoldwoman'sface.Ilookatafoodstainonmytableclothandseeahorse!Istudyrainpuddlesandrocksandseeoceansandmountains!"

"Oh,Idothatkindofthing,too!"saidAnnie.

"Iimaginethattheveryfirstdrawingmighthavebeenasimplelinedrawnaroundtheshadowofamanonthewallofacave,"saidLeonardo.

"Wow,"breathedAnnie.

Prettycool,thoughtJack.HelikedLeonardo'swayofthinking.

"Listennowtothecathedralbells,"saidLeonardo.

Jacklistened.Thebellsplayednotesthatwentupanddown:

Bong-bing-bong-bing.

"Ihearthebells'voicesasiftheyweresingingtome,"saidLeonardo."Canyouhearwhattheyaresaying?"

Well...no,thoughtJack.Hejustheardbongsandbings.

"They'resaying:

YouhavemuchtodothisMonday,LeonardodaVinci!Gettowork!"Leonardolaughed."Soletusbeonourway,myfriends!"Andthegreatgeniustookoff,walkingquicklythroughthestreetsofFlorence.

CHAPTERFOUR

BattleScene

JackandAnniehurriedtokeepupwithLeonardo."Sowherearewegoing?"Annieasked.

"Tothepalaceofthegreatcouncil,"saidLeonardo."Iwashiredtopaintafrescointhecouncilhall.Ihavebeenworkingonitformonths."

"What'safresco?"askedJack.

"Itisaworkofartpaintedontoawall,"saidLeonardo."Onemustspreadplasteronthewallandthenpaintveryquicklybeforeitdries."

"Soundslikefun,"saidAnnie.

"Notforme,"saidLeonardo."Ibelievegreatartrequiresmuchthought.Iliketopaintslowly,andIchangethingsasIgoalong.Soforthisfresco,Ihaveinventedaspecialoilpaintthatdriesveryslowly."

"Doesitwork?"saidJack.

"Toowell,"saidLeonardo."NowIhaveanewproblem:Neithertheplasternormyoilpaintshavedriedatall."

"Oh,no,"saidAnnie.

"Buttodayallwillbewell!"Leonardosaidcheerfully."Ihaveaplantospeedupthedryingprocess.ThismorningIwillfixeverything!"

LeonardoledJackandAnnieintoasquarewithalargebuilding."Thereitis,"hesaid."Thepalaceofthegreatcouncil."

Thepalacelookedlikeafortress.Ithadrough-lookingstonewallsandatowerthatrosehighintotheair.

"Thepalaceisaveryimportantplace,"saidLeonardo."ItiswherethegoverningcouncilofFlorencemeets.Comealong."HeopenedoneofthegranddoorsandguidedJackandAnnieintoacourtyardwithafountain."Thiswaytothecouncilhall,"hesaid,"andthelatestworkofLeonardodaVinci."

Leonardoboundedupsomestepsanddownacorridor.JackandAnniehurriedafterhimuntilhepassedanothergranddoorwayandstopped.

Leonardoputdownhisbasketandraisedhishands."Myfresco,"hesaid.

"Oh,man,"breathedJack.

Theywereinanenormousroomwithtall,archedwindowsandvastwhitewalls.Severalyoungmenstoodonawoodenplatformonthefarsideoftheroom.Onthewallabovethemwasagiantpaintingofabattlescene.Itshowedatangleofmenonhorseback,fightingoveraflag.

Themeninthepaintingseemedtobeinafuryastheyslashedateachotherwiththeirswords.Theirfacesweretwisted,theirmouthssnarling.Eventheirhorseslookedwildandangry.

"ThecityhaspaidmetopaintascenefromabattleoncefoughttodefendFlorence,"saidLeonardo."Theywantedmetopaintasceneofglory.ButIbelievewarisabeastlymadness.Ihopemypaintingshowsthat."

"Oh,itdoes,"saidAnnie.

Jacknodded.Itwasthescariestpaintinghe'deverseen.

"Zorro!"calledLeonardo.

Oneoft