The Pool of Wonders

Lily and Sam were bored on a hot summer day. The baseball game in the park had been rained out, and they sat by the edge of Sam's backyard pool, splashing their feet in the cool water.

"I wish something exciting would happen," Lily sighed, tossing a small pebble into the pool. Instead of a splash, the water began to glow with golden light.

Sam pulled his mom's old iphone from his pocket. "Look! The water is making shapes!" Through the cracked screen, they watched as the pool water swirled and rose, forming a shimmering pyramid right in the middle of the pool.

"Whoa," Lily whispered. "It's beautiful!"

The pyramid's crystal walls revealed tiny figures inside—little blue creatures playing the most unusual baseball game. Instead of a bat, they used glowing sticks. Instead of a ball, they hit stars that trailed rainbow dust.

"They look lonely," Sam said. "Like they need friends."

The creatures stopped playing and waved at them. One pointed at the iphone and then at the water.

"I think they want us to join them!" Lily cried. Without thinking, she reached toward the magical pyramid. As her fingers touched the glowing surface, she felt warmth spread through her hand.

Suddenly, she and Sam were standing inside the crystal pyramid. The little creatures cheered! One handed Lily a glowing stick. Another tossed Sam a star.

"Play!" they seemed to say.

Lily and Sam had never had so much fun. The star made the silliest boing sound when hit. Every time someone missed, everyone giggled. When someone made a good hit, the creatures did a happy dance.

"This is way better than regular baseball," Sam laughed, swinging at another star.

As the sun began to set, the creatures hugged them gently and pointed back toward the pool. Lily and Sam found themselves back on the pool's edge, the pyramid fading like a dream.

"Do you think that really happened?" Lily asked, breathless.

Sam checked the iphone. In the photo gallery, there was one new picture—a perfect photo of two grinning kids surrounded by happy blue creatures, all holding hands under a crystal pyramid.

"Best day ever," they said together.

From then on, whenever Lily and Sam felt bored, they remembered: magic hides in the most unexpected places. You just need to look with an open heart—and maybe bring along a good friend.