The Adventure of the Sapphire Necklace & a Cat Named Raskins
It was Jack’s 12th birthday and his Big Brother Mark was taking him on an epic hike up Granite Mountain! They’ve been matched for two years in the Yavapai Big Brothers and Sisters program and started out hiking around Watson and Willow lakes. After dozens of hikes to get in shape, they felt ready to tackle the 4.5-mile hike to the very top of the tall Prescott mountain.
Mark and Jack went through their pre-hike checklist: Boots, hats, map, compass, poles, water, snacks, charged cellphone … they got it all set for the 3+ hour hike.
“You ready for your birthday hike, buddy?” asked Mark. Jack was so excited that he just kept nodding fast. “So ready,” he finally managed to say.
“OK, let’s hit the trail! Follow me and watch for snakes,” instructed his Big Bro.
They chatted about the sights they were seeing, the types of trees, bugs, and birds. Mark was a retired school teacher and loved sharing his knowledge with Jack.
Before they realized it, they were halfway up the mountain! Stopping for a water and rest break, they sat on some rocks. As Mark looked around he saw two enormous boulders half buried in the side of the mountain. He thought to himself that he’d never noticed them before, even after hiking this trail many times.
“Let’s take a look at those boulders, Jack, I’m curious since I don’t think I’ve ever seen them before,” he told his Little Bro.
As they examined the 8 ft. tall rocks, they noticed a gap between them about three feet wide and an almost chilly air was blowing out of it. As they leaned in closer to see inside, a bright light flashed and Mark and Jack felt like they were spinning and floating at the same time.
In what felt like just a minute or two, they came to rest on a ground of fine sand, under a tall palm tree. It was very, very warm there.
“Wait, what just happened? Where are we? Are you OK? What happened to the boulders? Why is there sand everywhere?” They both rushed to ask each other questions in a daze. “I don’t think we’re in Prescott anymore, Jack!” exclaimed Mark.
They cautiously looked around and noticed camels and great pyramids in the distance. “No way, are we in Egypt?” asked Jack. His class studied the ancient Egyptians and he was fascinated.
Mark wasn’t sure, but it certainly looked like it. How was this possible he thought to himself. And how can I get Jack safely back home?
As they gathered their bearings, a Siamese cat regally walk up to them and meowed. Jack loved cats and reached out to scoop him up before Mark could warn him. But, the cat was friendly and purred in Jack’s arms. Mark noticed a collar with fancy stones around it and a tag with a lot of letters he couldn’t read.
“He must be lost, Jack, he has a tag and the city looks to be way over there in that direction,” pointed Mark.
“We have to get him home, he’ll die out here in the desert,” cried Jack.
Mark was thinking a lost cat was the least of their problems but didn’t want to upset the boy. “OK, let’s start walking toward the city to get help.”
The cat seemed content to sit atop Jack’s left shoulder for the walk. “How did this happen, Mark? Will we be able to get home? Mom will be really mad if I miss dinner!” said Jack.
Mark wasn’t sure how to answer him but reassured Jack they’d be just fine. He guessed they stumbled onto a time-traveling hole of some kind.
It didn’t take much time to get to the city, thankfully. They were hot and tired, but friendly folks gathered around them with water, as shocked to see them as they were to see the Egyptians.
In the chaos, with shouts and cries in a language Jack and Mark didn’t know, came a clear voice, “Hello, my friends, are you in need of assistance in this strange land?”
Turning, they saw an older Egyptian man and gasped in surprise. “Yes, I guessed your language – I spent some time learning it from people who dressed like you. Let’s get you out of the heat and you can tell me what happened,” he said.
Thanking the crowd with handshakes and smiles, Jack, Mark and their cat friend followed the stranger.
At his home, he asked Mark to draw for him where they started their walk to the city. Looking at the crude map, he said, “Yes, I thought so. Abdul is my name and I had a feeling you came from the same place I magically found myself transported to many years ago,” he said.
“I don’t understand, are you saying you also time-traveled as we traveled into ancient Egypt?” asked Mark.
“Yes, I believe so. I was walking one day near this same spot on your map and in a bright flash of light, suddenly found myself in a forest of what I learned were Ponderosa pines. People were walking a path in funny outfits like yours. I was quite scared, but some kind people from a village called Prescott took me in, fed and clothed me, and taught me English. I was there for many months until I was able to find the portal between some boulders to come back home,” shared Abdul.
“WOW, I can’t believe this,” cried Jack. “What a birthday adventure!” Mark felt a little bit better knowing they might be able to get back home.
As the cat explored the house, Abdul picked him up and read his tag, his eyes widening as he said, “Where did you find this creature?”
Jack explained that the cat just wandered up to them and they thought they should bring him back to the city to find his home.
Abdul chucked and said, “You will be quite shocked when you see where this little one lives. Follow me!”
They walked a few miles to an enormous palace on the other side of the city. Abdul talked to the guards who smiled and let them in the gate.
“Whose house is THIS?” questioned Jack in wonderment at the shining white towers with gold stripes.
“This is where your furry friend calls home,” exclaimed Abdul.
Mark said, “You’re joking, right? This is a royal feline?”
“Oh yes, and he’s been missing for a week. The queen is quite distressed. You will be her heroes, I suspect,” said Abdul.
As they were escorted into the queen’s sitting room, a beautiful woman in royal garb and a golden crown ran across the room and grabbed the cat from Jack.
Abdul translated what the woman said next for Jack and Mark. “Oh, my precious Raskins! I was sure the sands had taken you!” she cried. Raskins snuggled into her and loudly meowed. He was safely back home.
“Who do I have to thank for finding my little boy?” asked the queen.
“My queen, these gentlemen are travelers in our country and befriended your Raskins in the desert. They brought him back here to safety,” explained Abdul.
“How can I repay you both? Raskins is my greatest comfort,” she shared.
“Oh shucks, that’s OK, ma’am,” said Jack. Mark was very proud the boy remembered his manners and Abdul smiled as he translated that!
But the queen was adamant on rewarding the brave adventurers. She invited them to dinner and asked if they were father and son. Through Abdul, they explained the Bigs and Littles program and the difference it made in both of their lives.
“The program matched me as a mentor and friend to Jack,” explained Mark. “We do some schoolwork, learn about and help out our community and enjoy online games, sports and hiking together.”
The queen listened intently. “May I ask what are online games?” Jack realized he had his backpack with him and his tablet in it. He pulled it out to show the queen. She and Abdul were incredulous when he showed them a football video he had downloaded.
“How are those little people living in this thin box?” Abdul wondered. “I remember seeing something called a TV when the Prescott people rescued me, but nothing this tiny.”
Mark and Jack chuckled and explained as best they could what the internet was and how computers worked. “We use something similar called a smartphone to plan our trips and stay in touch, too,” said Mark. “Without tablets and computers like this, we couldn’t get a lot of work done or stay in touch as easily as we do.”
The queen was very impressed that civilization had advanced so far. “I’m sure Egypt founded this internet thing,” she declared. Mark thought it best to agree, telling her Egypt’s historical contributions are well-known in the modern world.
After explaining everything the tablet could do, Mark asked if they could take a photo with the tablet, so they could always remember this amazing day.
The queen was in awe of seeing her image on the screen.
Abdul realized it was getting late and told the queen about the wormhole and that they needed to get Mark and Jack back to their loved ones soon.
“I’ll send you out with the royal guard on horseback shortly and we’ll make sure you return home,” said the queen.
“If you won’t take anything for yourself, can I give you something of value to benefit your wonderful program?” she asked.
Mark thought that was a great idea since nonprofits always need support from their community to continue inspiring young people like Jack.
The queen handed him a velvet box and inside was … the most beautiful diamond and sapphire necklace they had ever seen! “This was my ancestor’s necklace,” said the queen. “Please use it to make more wonderful matches like yours. And let everyone know that Raskins made it possible!”
After profusely thanking the queen, Mark, Jack, and Abdul joined the royal guards and rode into the desert on horseback. At the same spot they had landed in earlier that day, they said goodbye to everyone - especially to Abdul for all his kindness - and within seconds, felt the familiar twirling and flying sensation as a bright light engulfed them.
They landed with a soft thump on the ground … surrounded by ponderosa trees!
“We’re home,” cried Jack, hugging Mark tightly. Mark replied, “Yes, we are. What an adventure! I don’t think anyone will believe us!”
The Match was exhausted and made their way straight back home. They shared their tale with family and friends and everyone was very skeptical until they saw the photo of the queen and touched the stunning necklace … no one had a rational explanation for this unbelievable adventure. Mark even tried to show friends and officials where the boulders were, but they had vanished!
Jack and Mark gave the necklace to the staff at Big Brothers, who were very appreciative and agreed to raffle it at their big gala that year. They couldn’t wait to share their fantastical story, too!
THE END!
Wouldn’t YOU like to be the lucky winner to wear this fabled necklace? And, don’t forget, you can also bid on a tablet to take on your own adventures!
SPECIAL THANKS TO
RASKIN’S JEWELERS in Prescott for the generous donation of the 14K White Gold,
3.3 carat Sapphire & .72 carat Diamond necklace Valued at $3,300. TICKETS ON SALE at azbigs.org
WRITTEN AND DESIGNED BY ROBIN LAYTON
For Yavapai Big Brothers Big Sisters & the 2023 Taking Flight Gala
