SPEAKER_01 1:05

My dad's in the shower when I go looking for him this morning, which feels like a lucky break for me. I sure don't need him yelling at me again like he did when I got home last night. I mean, I know it must seem to him like I'm suddenly running down a bad path at top speed, but honestly, I feel like I could accuse him of the very same thing. Thank goodness I didn't do that last night, since that would have ruined me today for sure. I decide to keep up this notewriting thing. Something he started. I tell myself, since it seems like the best way to get out of the house again for today, I'm surely not going to miss a chance to see what else this compass has in store for me. Yesterday? Africa? Today? Who knows? Knowing I don't have much time, I brush my teeth, throw on some clothes, get Peeves some food, and write my note while he eats. I feel a little bad about this message since I know it's not gonna make my dad happy. But then I think about yesterday, about the way he talked to me, and my backbone gets a little bit stronger. Morning dad. I had to take Peeve out. Back soon, my phone is charged. I smile at that last sentence. Technically, I'm being honest. My phone is charged at this very minute. I'm not proposing to answer it, and I'm not making excuses about yesterday. And yet somehow, it seems like I've covered it all. I can be pretty smart sometimes, can't I, boy? Peev looks up at me and licks his jowls. Clearly he agrees. You finished? He chuffs and puts his nose back in the bowl, then immediately lifts it again. His ears seem to flop in disappointment. All gone. Since the lake worked yesterday, it makes sense to go back there again today. Water is key, that much I know so far. And if I'm going to find these other two girls, I might as well make use of the biggest body of water in my neighborhood. Spirits high and hopeful, at least if I don't think about how angry things are at home, I try to focus on my mission as Pathfinder of the Eco Masters. It's another hot, hot day, and I feel like the city is trying not to breathe or move any more than necessary. I can definitely see more homeless people than usual, and even a few kids, which is basically unheard of in my neighborhood. The hot dog vendors all have signs that read No water. If that's not bad enough, I realize that I forgot my own water bottle. Ur If it's gonna be like this every day, this might actually be the year I'm happy to see summer end. If it even ever does. We get to Strawberry Fields in about fifteen minutes, but I walk right past it today and head for the lake. Peev barks at me when we get to the shore, expecting to play fetch like we did yesterday, but I don't even look for a stick. Sorry boy, but we have important things to do today. I swear he's frowning. I know, you're bummed, and if this compass doesn't work this time, I promise I'll find you the biggest, juiciest stick in the park. Peeves sighs like only a saintly best friend can, then lowers his body onto the straw like grass and stares at me. Thanks, buddy, you're the best. I flop down next to him and quickly eat the almonds and string cheese I brought for myself. I have no idea what's gonna happen this time, so it's probably better to have something in my stomach. Since he's been so chill, I toss Peev a couple of treats too. When we both finish chewing, I throw away my garbage, try to get in the same spot as yesterday, and call Peev to my side. Taking a deep breath, I pull the compass from my pocket and stare down at its face. I shake it, but the needle doesn't move. Not even a little bit. I wish I understand what you want, I say, then roll my eyes at myself. It's a compass, not a person, coral. But deep down I feel like I'm not so sure what it is. Maybe my mom's spirit is trapped in there or something. The heat starts in my palm, and this time I'm happy to feel it. At this point, I can't imagine much worse than finding out the magic's run out. I close my fingers around its face, feeling the jump of the needle this time. And then the steady build as it spins faster. I stare out into the water. Next to me, Peev sits calmly, like he's really ready. Totally. I reach down and grab his collar as the water starts to bubble up and rise. As the gaping water mouth stretches itself into a massive bridge, once again, I lean into the pole. I want to pay better attention today, to notice more when I'm in the wave. But it's no use. Before I can summon a thought or even a blink, I'm hitting bottom once again. I feel something hard beneath me, then witness up to my armpits. Peev sneezes, sending a burst of lake water and dog drool into my ear and across my cheek. Ugh, dude. I swipe at my face and scowl at him, but he looks so rattled that I feel bad. Thanks for being such a good sport, buddy. I lean over to kiss his neck, then glance around me and try to figure out where we landed this time. Another fountain. This one is much bigger, in the middle of a city square, with a smaller fruit bowl looking thing at its center. People are everywhere, walking and talking and enjoying the day, and it feels like at least half of them are staring at the soaking wet girl and her dog in the middle of their monument. Yikes Let's go, boy, I say to Peev. He only moves his eyes at first, peering up at me like he's not completely sure I should be calling the shots. I know, I know, but let's make sure we don't get arrested, okay? He stands and shakes himself again. I put my arms up and turn away, then realize I really can't be more soaked than I am right now. When he finishes, I choose the direction with the smallest number of bystanders, then steer us up and over the side of the fountain and onto the sidewalk. Though I'm pretty sure we're not in Africa this time, I can't tell much more than that. All around me I see strange mixture of modern buildings and dilapidated shack style places. I can't read the signs. They're all written in a curly cue kind of script, like I've never seen before. A fishy smell permeates my scenes, making me glad I took the time to eat before I got here. It doesn't exactly smell bad, but if that's what's for lunch, I might pass. I better not still be here at lunchtime, I think. Even if I don't understand the big picture yet, I do know I don't have time to waste. And every step I take will hopefully get me that much closer to finding my mom. That part sure can't come soon enough. A second later, I jump as an ancient-looking Asian woman appears right in front of my face. Her stark white braid reaches almost to her knees, and it looks like she's been sleeping in her crumbled tan tunic. She bows toward me, her hands pressed together like she's praying. I notice she's leaning on a crooked stick to stay upright, and I step between her and Peev just in case he gets any ideas about being too friendly. Hello, ma'am, my name is Coral, I say. Shoulders hunched, the woman leans forward and looks at me with such kind eyes. I gasp to see a flicker of blue golden light at their center. Sabadi, she says. Uh oh, I swallow hard. What if no one understands me here? Miriam didn't mention anything like that. I try to smile, but something suddenly feels very wrong. Like when you pop one of those giant convenience store gumball machine gumballs into your mouth. Then worry it's gonna roll down your throat and choke you before your jaws can crack its shell. The woman's smile stretches wide. She takes a small step back, and in less than a blink, a young girl appears beside her. Right out of thin air. She has the same blue gold eyes. You look worried, Coral, the girl says to me. Every muscle in my body relaxes when I realize she's speaking English. Thank goodness, that would have been a disaster. She holds out her hand. I am phonpasit. I do not know how you got here, but I am happy to meet you. Just like the old woman, she beams with loving kindness. I admire her red blouse tucked neatly into a long navy skirt with a pretty gold trim at the bottom. Her dark black hair is tied neatly into a ponytail, lying across one shoulder. Where are we? I ask, pulling a curious peeve back before he gets to drool all over Fon Basat's shoes. This is Fientien, the capital city of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, but you may call it Laos for short. You are welcome here. Wow! First Africa and now Asia. Miriam wasn't kidding about this adventure thing. I shiver, thinking about how much cooler it is here than in New York. And then I remember that I'm also drenched. The old woman places a hand on Phonpasat's shoulder and they nod at each other before the woman walks away. Ponbassit looks back at me. Can I offer you some dry clothes, Coral? You must be cold. Why did you and this dog go swimming in Nam Fu Fountain? I chuckle, not sure what to say. It's a long story, but I'll try to explain. Those dry clothes would be wonderful though. Thank you so much. Fonpasit smiles and bows. Please come with me. As we walk, I tell her that I'm from New York City and that I'm pretty sure I was supposed to meet her. She nods like she understands completely. After a few minutes, she opens a big blue metal door set into a long wall of concrete. We step inside and my mouth drops open. We're standing in a magical garden with huge golden statue centered between a square of small doors. Wow, this is beautiful. Is that Buddha? I asked. Thank you, Quiral. That is a goddess of our Buddhist faith. Her name is Kwan Yin. She is very important part of life here. Now, are you hungry? I think about the strong fish smell from the square and start to shake my head, but she looks so friendly that I can't just say no. A little, I say, and cross my fingers that whatever she brings won't be too gross. I will get you some clothes, and after you change, we can have sticky rice. Sticky rice? That sounds harmless. I smile and nod, grateful for so much kindness, though also a little worried about spending so much time on clothes and food instead of figuring out why I'm here. Von Passit disappears behind a door, then soon returns with a tidy pile of clothes. My new outfit, almost identical to hers, has a short sleeve white blouse and a navy skirt that falls below my knees. Instead of a golden band around the bottom though, mine is multicolored, like a rainbow. When I appear in my clothes, Peev circles and sniffs me for what feels like five minutes. It's okay, boy, I tell him. I don't have a fur coat like you. So this feels much better. Fonpasit tilts her head and studies us. He understands you? I consider that. I really think that he does. He is also hungry. He is always hungry. She grins. We can take him to the chicken coop and feed him there. My grandmother will not want him at the table. I burst out laughing. He doesn't eat at the table at my house either. The chicken coop will be fine. Thank you. After we got peeve settled, Fonpasit takes me to their kitchen. The old woman from the fountain bows and waves me closer. On the simple wooden table I see a big bowl of what must be the sticky rice. It looks to me like regular white rice we'd have at home, but she tells me it's actually a different type of plant and is cooked in a special way that makes it sticky. I take small bites at first, but soon I'm eating happily as Fonpacit and her grandmother. After a few minutes I decide it's time to learn what I can. So please can you tell me about yourself, Fonpacit? She smiles shyly and lowers her head. I'm not sure what you'd like to know. What makes you happy? What do you care about? That seems to do the trick. Beaming, she looks me in the eye. Perhaps you will not believe this, but I have a special ability to transmit messages through the airwaves. After I discovered this ability, my friends and I decided to start producing a radio show. We visit communities who experience environmental challenges like water scarcity or garbage pile-ups, and then share their stories on the radio so people can learn how to improve their communities. This is the work I care about most. I feel a huge smile crease my face. Bingo! This has to be why I'm here. That's amazing, I tell her. And now I know why I was supposed to meet you. Her eyebrows dart forward toward her forehead. You care about things like this? Yes, I do. We have these same problems in my city, and I'm learning that it's part of my mission to do something about them. Fun Passit grins and leans forward over her rice bowl. My friends and I have some events planned for today. You would be most welcome if you would like to join us, squirrel. I'd love to go. Can I bring Peev? Suddenly the idea of leaving him behind makes me very anxious. What if I beam someplace else by mistake and leave him here? I won't know how to get back for him. Fonpasit sighs. I don't think so, she says. We have two stops to make with many people to see, and I'm afraid not everyone here would be happy to see such a large dog. I hope you understand that it is not possible for Peev to join us. Oh gosh, of course I understand, is all I can say, but I seriously feel so nauseous and dizzy. The thought of leaving Peev behind is almost too much to bear. Can I go to tell him? I ask quietly, and then an idea comes to me. Or is there someone you can trust that we could leave him with? I cannot think of anyone who would stay with him. But I will go with you to let him know, she says, and something in her voice tells me it's not natural here to be so deeply attached to an animal. Pulling myself together, I explain the situation to Peev. He lies on the ground while I talk, looking a little downtrodden, but he doesn't bark or run after me. I'm honestly a little grateful for the chickens, hoping they'll keep him company. And before I walk away, I whisper a little promise that we'll be together again soon before he knows it. He peers up at me, sad but trusting, and my heart flutters like it doesn't remember how to beat without him by my side. As we squeeze into the back of an old minivan, I meet Fon Passit's friends who are all about my age. The first school we will visit today has been focusing on creative ways to recycle and reuse garbage like candy wrappers and juice boxes, Fon Passit tells me. They will be hosting a fashion show and we are going to watch. This is all so amazing, I say, meaning the fashion show and the radio show. But also all the magic that brought me here. I can't wait to see the fashions. The city where I am from, New York, is known for fashion and shopping. I stopped talking, realizing I sound so silly and shallow. That's so interesting, Coral. Would you mind if we interview you before the day is over? asks one of the boys in the group. Liko is his name. I feel myself turn red, but the question also makes me feel better. Like I'm one of them. Sure, I'd love that, I tell him. The fashion show is like nothing I've ever seen before. Dozens of outfits made with colorful scraps of paper. One girl walks out in a dress made of old C Ds, held together by orange peels. Another presents a pink, green, and yellow colored flower vase from Made from juice box materials that looks like origami that I've seen in New York. Inside the vase stand light pink roses made of toilet paper. This is so beautiful, I say. Where do you guys get all of these bright papers? She smiles and looks thrilled to be asked. Before we started the collection, people threw a lot of stuff into the river. This caused so many problems for the fish, not to mention the flooded drains clogged with plastic bags when it rains. Of course, this is a small project, but we can already see smaller garbage piles in some places. That must make you feel really good, I say. Yes, we also collect water and soda bottles and use them for other designs. You will have to come another day to see those. I will try, I tell her, smiling to myself about just how easy it is become for me to rush around the world. Our next step is the radio station, where Fonpaset and her friend Suki record a two-minute advertisement to promote their upcoming episode. I watch them thinking how important it is for me to learn about this and that there has to be some connection to the water situation back home. Fonpaset, maybe you can visit me in New York and sometime we can take to the airwaves together. Oh, I would love that, Coral, but I don't know how that would be possible. I smile to myself again, as the girl with a magical secret. I might have a few ideas about that. So, tell me why is the young radio producers group so important to you? Well, Coral, so many kids our age, even my cousins and my friends, live without access to water for drinking or proper toilets to use. Even electricity is a luxury for some of them. She pauses and smiles. But almost everyone here has a battery-operated radio. And that is how I can reach them. That makes a lot of sense, I tell her. With my gift of transmitting messages through the air, I figured out a practical way to communicate with people through the radio. And then I brought my idea to a lady that I know in the government offices in Vianchen. She really loved the idea and agreed to help us get it started. Next, we drive for a long time. Maybe an hour, maybe two. I don't know. My perception of time seems to be off kilter, but it was great to have time to talk to all of Fonbassid's friends. Eventually, we stop at a school with gatherings of round straw huts nearby. I glance around, trying to take it all in. The children were dressed in tidy school uniforms, girls with their straight black hair tied neatly into ponytails, boys dressed as little men with shoes, navy trousers, and white collar shirts. Near the school, women, probably mothers and village dwellers, gather at the well to fetch water, and beyond the well sits a small altar with a large golden statue of the Buddha behind it. We are now in the province of Sabanaket, Von Pasit tells me. This school is a participant in our young radio producers network. We are here to conduct workshops and interview some people today. I'm so impressed, and I want to talk and ask a ton of questions, but before I can do that, the five young radio producers fan out around the schoolyard. Two of the girls pin posters to nearby trees. Then each one stands silently beside the poster, hand raised. Fonbusik goes to the well where the women are gathered, and Suki joins several kids at the hand washing station near the latrines. Liko carries two heavy-looking boxes to a row of wooden benches, and unpacks t-shirts, his tape recorder, and a microphone. Rotating between the five stations, I learn an incredible amount about the transmission of germs from human and animal poop, and touching unwashed raw food. A nudge to my conscience as I remember Peeves' giganto-sized deposit that I accidentally left on someone's grass back home. I promise myself to go back when I can and that it will never ever happen again. My favorite part of all is the interview station. Liko asks the adults important questions like where does your water come from? Where and how do you cook? And the kinds of illnesses you've had to deal with. Then he records their answers for the radio program. Watching how smart and committed they all are to their community and their well-being makes me feel so happy and hopeful. Like I'm somehow exactly where I am supposed to be. Soon it's time to go back to Fonpasit's house. As soon as we get there, I rush to the chicken coop and with great relief my eyes meet Peeves. Still lying on the ground, though, now circled by his new chicken friends, he lifts his head and wags his tail at me. I can't help running to him. There's my boy, I tell him, and give him all the scratches and hugs he missed out on while I was gone. Taking hold of his leash, I lead him out of the coop. His tail wags even harder. Though I had a great day, it's amazing how much better I feel when back with Peev. When I look back at the house, I see Fon Passit standing just outside the door smiling at me. She waves me over and we sit together on a bench in the middle of her beautiful garden. The shining Quan Yin statue beams and somehow seems to approve of our meeting. How old are you, Fonpasit? The question just pops out of me now that it's just the two of us. She blinks, clearly surprised. I have just turned thirteen Me too And now I have another question and it might sound a little strange. Bombasset smiles, then gives a slow nod. Please ask Have you gotten any sort of surprise gift lately? She nods slowly. Did it come after you made a wish? And was there a note? Her eyes get so big they seem to take up most of her face. Now how could you possibly know that, Coral? Relief washes over me, and I exhale so hard I surprise myself. It happened to me too, I tell her. She leans closer. What was your gift? For a second I panic, since I haven't thought about the compass in my hours in hours. What if I lost it while I was travelling all over Laos? I pat my pocket and then exhale hard again. All good. It's a compass, though not an ordinary compass. What does that mean? It's probably better to show you than to try to explain. But I can't do that until it's time for me to leave. Fonpasset looks a little scared, but she nods. What was yours? I ask her. She reaches into her skirt pocket. I carry it with me everywhere, she says, and holds out a miniature version of the Quan Yin that sits behind us. Also golden and very lovely. It's small enough to fit in the palm of her hand. It has even more meaning for me because this goddess is said to perceive the sounds and vibrations of the world. And the wish? To find a better way to share my message. For a second my pulse feels a little fluttery, like I might not be ready for all of this. I mean, I'm also only thirteen. We're only thirteen. Honestly, I'm not completely sure. I believed it was real before now, but now I have traveled across the world twice, and I've found two girls my same age in the exact same situation, and everything is just the way Miriam said it would be. This is real. I really am a pathfinder. And whatever that EcoMasters thing means is still a mystery to me. Seems like maybe I'm meant to find the path for all of us. But where and why? Are you okay, Coral? As she noticed that my daydreams were taking me away from her. Von Basit puts a hand on my shoulder. I nod and smile. Yeah, thanks. It all just seems so hard to believe sometimes. What is hard to believe? I tell her everything I know now, about my wish, about my note, Miriam and Hope, and I tell her as best I can about how the compass works, what the water does, and how I ended up in the fountain. Then I make the same promise I made to Hope that I will find a way once I get home for us to stay in touch and see one another again. And at that moment, Fonbusik came closer and whispered a plan for our communication into my ear. I almost hit myself in the forehead thinking, of course, she's the communicator. She already knows how to help us to stay in touch. What's even more amazing, I say, as I wrap up my story, is that both you and Hope speak English. Can you imagine if I plop down here in other countries all around the world and couldn't communicate with anyone? Fonpassab peers at me like she doesn't understand. I do not speak English, Clural. I just stare at her. I don't know what to say. Then how are we talking? I finally manage. She giggles. I thought you were speaking Lao. Holy cow! How is that possible? How can my brain understand languages I've never even heard before? Eyes on Quan Yin. Fonpasid, seemingly older than her years, quietly stated It is the water which translates our languages. We are water, and our world is water, and all languages are held within the DNA of our world in every single drop. I rub my head, sort of wishing I could just massage these answers and this information around my mind, and then it hits me. The compass definitely has something to do with water, and it can grant wishes and let me travel the world in water, so of course it makes so much sense that it can turn our watery brains into a language translator too. I shake my head, wondering what I could have done to deserve this level of magic. As soon as the question appears, my mom's face lights up in my thoughts, reminding me that even if I'm in the middle of this adventure, it's not really about me or what I have done. I'm glad you were brought here, Fonal Fonbacet pats my head and beams at me. I take a deep breath and let her smile sink in. I am too, Fonbacet. Thank you for everything today, for feeding me and clothing me and teaching me you have been such a very good friend. Is it time for us to say goodbye? I sigh, trying hard not to think about how things will be when I get home. A frowning version of my dad's face now flashes in my mind. But I push it away. I do need to get back, I say. And how do we do that? A chuckle rolls up and out of my throat. Like I said, it's better if I show you. I think it might work best if we go back to the fountain. Fonpaset laughs too, and then she says Then I will take you there. Next to me, Peev gets to his feet, he presses his nose against my thigh, and then looks up at me. I guess we're all in agreement that it's time to go. When we reach the fountain, I take one last look at this amazing place. What a day. Then I turn to Phonbasset and pull her into a hug. We'll see each other again soon, I whisper. She pats my back. I look forward to it, Coral. I look around me, hoping to have less of an audience this time. But no look. People are everywhere. Ah, well, I can't stay here forever. Come on, boy, I say to Peev, as I step over the side and into the fountain. He chuffs and wags his tail, actually looking pleased to get into the water this time. Once in my place, I pull out the compass and squeeze it tight. I wish I was back in my apartment, I say, hoping the right wording will keep me out of the lobby this time. My eyes lock with phone pussets. She looks a little scared and a lot excited. I smile when the water starts to turn around my feet. I lift my hand to wave, but by the time my fingers move, Peev and I are wrapped into a swirling cone of water. Trying not to think about how much panic this sight might be causing in the city square around the fountain, I close my eyes and hope for the best. But then curiosity gets the better of me and I take a quick peek. Phonebassat rewards me with a Christmas morning-sized smile, while the people around her stare like a fleet of alien creatures just landed. I giggle, partly because of what I see, and partly because bubble jets seem to be tickling me from head to toe. The water pressure eases, going from full boil to calm. I open my eyes just as my body flops down on top of peeves. He's somehow still on his feet, and I'm somehow sprawled across his back, and we're somehow smack in the middle of his doggy shower in the laundry room. His doggy shower really And then it hits me. This is good. This is really good. What better way to explain my current state of dampness than saying I was bathing Peev? Way to go, compass. Feeling like the clock is ticking, I jump out of the shower and run over to close the door. Then I squeeze some doggy shampoo on Peev and rinse him off with the still squirting shower nozzle. After I dry him a little, I take off the clothes that Ponpasat gave to me and wrap myself into one of Peeves' giant-sized doggy towels. With a deep breath, I finally open the door and start the trek to my room. Fortunately, I don't have to lie this time, because Dad just walks by us. There are no questions, just a few quick nods at Peev and my wet hair, and then a reminder about the leftover Chinese food in the fridge, as he walks another anxious-looking business person into his office and closes the door. Whatever he's working on, it's crazy important to him.

SPEAKER_00 42:12

Hi everyone, this is Lucy again, just with a little chapter recap. So in this chapter, Coral continues to use the compass to explore. And in the start of the chapter, she I noticed that she saw these no water signs throughout the city, which um just kind of hints towards the overall arching um water crisis issue that this book is addressing. And I just thought that that was really interesting, these little t signs and hints towards this overarching issue. So then Coral takes the compass and she goes to the lake in Central in Central Park and she uses the lake to travel to um Asia actually, and she ends up in Laos, and she ends up in a fountain in Laos. And so um there she meets Phon Passit, who is also an eco master, and we learn that sh her power is communication. And we also learn that they both had these wishes um and were both gifted um these different items to become eco masters, and I just thought that was really interesting. Um, and they both go on this, they go on this little adventure together and um learn different aspects about their lives, and I'm just really excited to see where the rest of this book goes and um other characters that we'll meet along the way and their how they play into the rest of the book. And in the end of the chapter, Coral actually is able to um end up in Peeves Dog Shower, and so we've realize that she's starting to hone in on her um ability to use the compass and kind of like figure out the kinks of it, which I thought was really interesting. But yeah, I'm just really excited for the rest of the book.