Mandy was now on her own adventure.
In the papyrus workshop, groups of men were making different things.
Mandy saw a young boy make a ball like Akhom’s.
Another person worked on a pair of sandals.
“These reeds are for making paper,” the friendly man explained.
He took a long reed from his bundle.
“First you cut the reeds to make them shorter.
Then you strip off the green skin.”
The inside of the papyrus was white.
The man used a knife to cut it into thin sheets.
“You can do this part,” he said to Mandy.
“Just put these sheets on this block,” he explained.
Mandy sat down in front of the block.
“Cover the papyrus with this cloth,” he continued.
He gave Mandy a hammer.
“Now beat the cloth evenly.”
She gently hit the papyrus sheets.
“This is amazing,” she exclaimed.
Nodding, the man said,
“Papyrus is a gift from the gods.”
She lifted the cloth.
The papyrus still felt thick and rough.
“After the papyrus dries,” the man explained, “we will use this to make the surface smoother.”
He picked up a shiny stone.
“It’s time to go, Issa,”
said another man, motioning to his friend.
“Where are you going?” Mandy asked.
“We must take the papyrus rope to the pyramid,” Issa replied.
He pointed to coils of thick rope.
Mandy had almost forgotten her brother and the glowing pyramid.
“Can I come with you?” she asked her new friend.
Shaking his head, Issa said,
“That is no place for a young girl.
You shouldn’t even be here.”
“I promise not to get in the way,” she begged.
Issa gave in.
“But you must stay in the boat,” he warned.
Suddenly Mandy missed Vinnie.
"Come on, Vinnie," she said in her mind.
"The glowing pyramid is where we both want to go."
She hoped her brother was thinking the same thing.
Meanwhile, Vinnie and Akhom walked back to the market.
“I don’t see her anywhere!” cried Vinnie.
“Where would she go?” asked Akhom.
Vinnie thought for a moment.
“Wait!” He pulled out the photograph.
The pyramid was now glowing blue.
“Great Amon-Ra!” Akhom shouted, when he saw the photo.
“Don’t worry,” comforted Vinnie. “It’s just a photo.”
“A what?” Akhom opened one eye.
“Never mind,” said Vinnie.
“I think Mandy may be going there.”
He pointed to the pyramid.
“Do you know where this is?”
Akhom cautiously studied the picture and shuddered.
“Yes, it is the Pharaoh’s tomb along the Nile.”
“Can you take me there?” asked Vinnie.
Akhom did not answer.
“Please, Akhom, I must find my sister,” begged Vinnie.
Akhom finally agreed.
“But we must be very careful because it is forbidden.”