Vinnie was relieved that he wasn't punished.
"I'm glad everything worked out,"
said Rishi's father, as they passed out of the arch and onto the street again.
"What will you children do now?"
Mandy remembered the photo.
"Is there a river or lake nearby?" she asked.
"You must mean the Ganges, the holy river," said Rishi.
"I will take you there."
They said good-bye to Rishi's father, and the children walked down the road.
Soon, they heard music.
By the road, an elderly man sat on a straw mat playing a flute.
In front of him was a round basket.
"What is that man doing?" asked Vinnie.
Suddenly, a snake appeared.
It swayed to the music.
"He's a snake charmer," explained Rishi.
The children watched the snake weave back and forth, hissing.
"Come, here is the River Ganges," said Rishi.
The children joined some people waiting for a boat on the riverbank.
Once they were aboard, Mandy noticed pictures hanging everywhere.
"Wow!" Mandy exclaimed.
"This is a floating art gallery," explained Rishi.
"People ride down the Ganges while they enjoy the drawings and paintings.
"This one looks like a man with an elephant head,"
Vinnie said, pointing to a picture.
"That's Ganesha," said Rishi.
"He is our god of wisdom, science, and the arts."
Vinnie and Mandy calmly watched the peaceful river.
Along the shore, cattle were drinking lazily.
Women filled jugs and then walked away, balancing them on their heads.
"Mandy, the picture is glowing blue," whispered Vinnie.
"Can you tell us about this river, Rishi?" asked Mandy.
"This river is named for the goddess Ganga.
She came to Earth and blessed these waters," began Rishi.
"We believe that if we bathe in the river, our sins will be forgiven."
The sun was about to set.
A sudden splash caught their attention.
"Rishi! What's that?" asked Mandy, pointing.
"Oh, those are the sacred dolphins of the Ganges," cried Rishi.
"Why are they sacred?" asked Vinnie.
"The dolphins are special friends of the goddess Ganga," said Rishi.
"We don't see them very often now.
This is a special moment."
Vinnie and Mandy watched as a dolphin swam closer.
The photo was still glowing blue.
"Thank you, Rishi," Vinnie said.
"It's been a wonderful journey."
"Are you going home?" asked Rishi.
The dolphin jumped out of the water, and the photo glowed red.
"Yes, we are," replied Vinnie.
The children fell down the dark tunnel and landed with a thump on the attic floor.
"Where are you kids?
I thought I told you to fold the laundry!" Mom shouted from downstairs.
Grinning, Vinnie and Mandy went downstairs to finish their job.