After lunch, Mom went outside to weed the garden.
Dad went to the hardware store.
Vinnie and Mandy quickly did the dishes.
Then they ran up to the attic.
"Our photo trips still feel like a dream to me," Mandy said.
"Do you think anyone would believe us?" asked Vinnie.
He opened the attic door.
Mandy shook her head.
"No, they would think we were crazy."
Vinnie picked up the photo album.
He opened to the picture of Greece.
"I wonder if Jason won his race at the Olympics," he said.
"Where are we going now?" Mandy asked.
Vinnie turned the page.
The next photo was puzzling.
The old man was standing beside a fountain.
Behind him, frogs were glowing.
"Where is this?" asked Vinnie.
"We'll soon find out!" Mandy replied.
The light forced them to close their eyes.
The children fell down the deep tunnel once again.
This time they landed in a tree.
"Something's tickling my arm," giggled Mandy.
It was a small red apple.
"Oh, Mandy, I think I'm going to—," began Vinnie.
The tree branch broke.
Vinnie and Mandy fell to the ground—hard.
Apples fell all around them.
Someone screamed "No!" in a high voice.
The children turned around.
An old man was stamping his feet angrily.
"Look at what you have done!" he shouted.
The children quickly jumped up.
"Look!" Vinnie said, grabbing his sister's arm.
All around them grew different kinds of fruits and vegetables.
Pear and peach trees were next to pumpkins on the vine.
"How many apples did you ruin?" the man cried.
He looked around in a panic.
"His Majesty will be most upset.
He won't stand for this.
No, he will not."
"We're so sorry," Mandy said.
"My poor garden!" the man cried. "Who are you?"
"We're—," Vinnie began.
The man held up his hand.
"I don't care! Get out!
Leave at once!" he shouted.
The children looked around for a way out.
They saw the most amazing sight.
A fabulous palace stood right in front of them!
"Wow!" the children said together.
"Where are we?" Vinnie asked aloud.
"You little monsters!" the old man said, ignoring Vinnie. "I should—"
But he suddenly became quiet.
He bowed his head.
The children turned to look.
A group of men and women walked toward them.
A man in a feathered hat was in front.
He wore white stockings and long robes.
He carried a cane.
Vinnie could tell he was very important.
"You, gardener!" The man pointed his cane at the old man.
"What have you done to my apples?"
The old man was very nervous.
All he could do was mumble.
"Excuse me, sir," interrupted Mandy.
"I can tell you what—"
There was a loud gasp from the group.
Dozens of eyes stared at the children angrily.
"How dare you speak to the Sun King!" one man scolded.