“You’re so kind, Rubidjad. Oh, I forgot, Rémi thanks you for the food you sent him yesterday.”
“My pleasure,” he replied while gathering the food and medicine.
Max and Lily headed for the big dictionary next to the library door. It was close to Story Hour, and there were now many sea creatures in the library.
“I have a pretty good idea what ‘strategy’ means,” stated Max, “but let’s find out the exact meaning. First, let’s find the word ‘strat...e...gy.’ I’ve got it! Read it, Lily.”
Lily read aloud: “A carefully devised plan of action to achieve a goal. I see. It means we need to come up with a good plan to free Rémi. Right?”
“That’s correct. And, ‘Where there’s a will, there’s a way!’” recited Max.
Rubidjad walked in and handed Max the two books securely wrapped, the four tins of food, and his special ointment. “Be safe! Let me know what happens,” he said.
“We very much appreciate your help, Rubidjad,” said Max, respectfully. “Thank you!”
“Go, my friends,” said Rubidjad in a calm and reassuring voice. “Have faith in yourselves. You can do anything if you put your mind to it.”
As Max and Lily swam back to the ship, Max repeated the words of Rubidjad. “He is right, you know. We must have faith in ourselves. Where there’s a will, there’s a way!”
###
Chapter 12
The Rescue Strategy
Max and Lily arrived at the ship with the food, ointment, and books.
“How are you both doing?” asked Max.
“Oh, we’re fine,” replied Rémi. “Merielle and I talked about the ballet rehearsal coming up. I hope to be free soon.”
“Rubidjad sent some cream to heal your wounds,” said Lily.
“That’s good,” replied Rémi. “Tell me, who else knows that I’ve been captured?”
“No one besides us and Rubidjad,” replied Max. “We kept it a secret because we didn’t want curious sea creatures to come around the ship and risk being captured.”
“I understand,” said Rémi softly. “So, what did Rubidjad say?”
Max took a deep breath. “He believes that we can come up with a good plan by using our heads. He suggested we teach the Captain to read, and also read him stories at night. But in return he will have to free you immediately.”
“Did you say... teach him to read?” asked Rémi in disbelief.
“That’s right!” said Max firmly. “The question is how do we convince him?”
“First, let’s get Rémi well,” suggested Merielle, “and then we’ll eat the good food Rubidjad sent.”
Max handed Merielle the ointment. As she unscrewed the lid, silvery sparks burst out of the jar. “Oh! Look, Rémi, magical cream!” exclaimed Merielle. She gently applied the medicine to Rémi’s wounds, and the skin healed immediately.
“Ahhh!... I feel better now,” muttered Rémi. “I’m healed. It’s magic! Thank Rubidjad for me. Now I’m hungry. Let’s eat!”
While they ate, they discussed various rescue strategies. After an hour they had a good plan. “Let’s review the steps,” said Max. He turned to Rémi. “First, when the crew comes to feed you, ask to speak to the Captain. Second, when the Captain is here, tell him you can teach him to read, but in exchange he must release you immediately. Got that?”
Rémi hesitated. “I... I don’t know if I can do it.”
“Of course, you can,” said Max. “We’ll be right here if you need help.”
“Rémi, you’re my hero,” said Merielle. “We all have faith in you.”
“Okay. I’m ready to face the Captain,” Rémi said with conviction.
They heard the familiar steps of the pirates coming to feed Rémi. Quickly, Max, Lily, and Merielle went to their hiding place. The pirates climbed down the ladder and went to Rémi.
“Hi, Rémi,” said Leo. “Here is a lot of good food to make you strong.”
“I’m not hungry,” replied Rémi. “I want to see the Captain.”
“You want to see the Captain? For what?” inquired Feodor.
“I can’t tell you,” replied Rémi. “Tell him I have something very important to tell him.”
“No! We won’t pass on your message,” said Leo.
“But it’s extremely important,” insisted Rémi.
Feodor wanted to make sure Rémi would speak. “Promise you will talk to the Captain this time?”
“Yes, yes, I promise!” said Rémi, raising his voice.
“Come on Feodor, let’s get the Captain.” Leo looked Rémi in the eye and warned: “You’d better talk to him, otherwise, we’ll get in trouble.”
###
Chapter 13
Rémi is freed
A few minutes later the Captain arrived alone. He stood on the platform next to Rémi.
“I’m Captain Malo, my crew says you want to talk to me. So, hurry up and talk!”
“My name is Rémi.”
“What!” exclaimed the Captain. He was so surprised to hear a dolphin talk that he lost his balance and fell into the water. “Help! Help!” he cried, gasping. “I can’t swim!” Then, he started to sink. His crew was at the stern and couldn’t hear him.
Max sprang out of his hiding place, swam under the Captain, and pushed him to the surface. “Hang on to my neck!” he shouted.
The Captain quickly grabbed Max and the next moment he found himself on the platform. His mouth dropped open and his eyes became as big as saucers. He just sat there, all wet and speechless looking at Rémi and Max. He had lost his hat and wig and looked pitiful. His eyes got even bigger when he saw his hat in the water moving toward him. Lily was pushing it. Then, Merielle brought the Captain’s wig. He put them on without saying a word.
After a few seconds, he murmured: “What in the world!... Am I dreaming?”
“You’re not dreaming,” said Max. “We can be friends. If you’re nice to us, we’ll be nice to you!”
“You saved my life!” said the Captain. “I’ll give you some gold coins.”
“We don’t want your gold coins,” replied Max. “Just release our friend!”
“Release him?... Ah, no!” the Captain retorted. “He is useful to me.”
“Okay, we’ll tie you up, and you’ll see how it feels,” replied Max.
“No! No! Let’s work something out,” the Captain responded quickly.
“Let’s be sensible,” bargained Max. “We’ve just saved your life. What can be more precious than that?”
“Yes, I agree,” conceded the Captain, “and I am grateful to you!”
“If you release me,” said Rémi, “I’ll teach you how to read.”
“You!? You know how to read?” exclaimed the Captain.
“Yes, I do, and so do Max, Lily, and Merielle,” said Rémi.
“It’s a deal!” agreed the Captain. “Let me introduce myself. I’m Captain Malo, and I have a crew of twelve men.”
“Yes, we know,” replied Max. “We’ve kept our friend company by hiding under that platform.”
The Captain looked surprised. “Well, let’s talk about our bargain. When can you start teaching me?”
“How about releasing me now!” replied Rémi. “Tonight I’ll read you a story and we’ll start in the morning.”
“Great!” he exclaimed. “I’ll get my crew to remove your chains right away.” He climbed up the ladder, dripping wet. Before stepping on deck, he took a last glance at the Bookworms. He was still bewildered by what happened.
After he disappeared, the Bookworms shouted joyfully: “We did it!”
Two pirates came down to remove Rémi’s chains. The Captain watched from the bow, along with the rest of the crew. He shouted: “Be careful, don’t hurt him!”
“Well, now he cares!” muttered Max.
As soon as Rémi was freed, he and Merielle swam around the ship several times, giggling.
“Come aboard my ship to celebrate,?
?? said the Captain.
They went up on deck. The crew was putting cookies and juice on a table.
The Captain invited his guests to sit with him. “Tell me, I’m really curious. Who taught you all to read?”
“Wizard Rubidjad,” replied Max.
“A what? A Wizard?” asked the Captain in disbelief.
“Yes,” replied Max. “You might meet him someday.”
“I’d like that,” he said bravely. In reality he was a little afraid.
“Our friends call us ‘the Bookworms’ because we love reading,” said Max.
“Worms?” asked the Captain, frowning.
“No, Bookworms!” said Max. “That’s what we call beings who like to read a lot.”
“That’s a strange name,” replied the Captain.
“Not really. It’s actually flattering,” said Rémi proudly.
In a friendly gesture the Captain put his hand on Rémi’s back. “I want to make peace with you. Let’s forget the past.” Rémi and his friends were silent. The Captain raised his glass and toasted: “Peace!”
The Bookworms echoed: “Peace!”
###
Chapter 14
Stories for the captain
The sun was going down. The Captain addressed his crew: “Today I almost drowned. I owe my life to Max. To show my gratitude, I decided to free Rémi and he promised to teach me to read.”
The Captain raised his glass and proclaimed: “To life!”
The Bookworms and the crew responded: “To life!”
“I’m grateful to the Captain for freeing me,” said Rémi. “Now I would like to read you a story.”
The Captain turned to his crew. “You can all go to bed.” He turned back to Rémi. “Go ahead, Rémi.”
“Excuse me, Captain,” asked Ami timidly. “Can we all stay?”
“It’s okay with me, if it’s okay with Rémi,” replied the Captain. He sat down in his armchair.
“No problem,” replied Rémi.
The twelve crewmen sat down on deck, beaming from ear to ear!
“Our first book is the story of Peter Pan, by Sir James Matthew Barrie.”
“It’s about a little boy named Peter Pan who liked stories and never grew up. Every night he would go to the outside of a nursery window to listen to Wendy telling stories to her brothers, John and Michael. There was also a little pixie named Tinker Bell, who sprinkled pixie dust to help them fly.”
“Fly?” asked the Captain in disbelief.
“Yes, anything is possible in a story,” replied Rémi. “There is also a mean pirate captain, named Captain Hook.”
“Why was he mean? What did he do?” interrupted the Captain.
“He kidnapped the daughter of an Indian chief,” replied Rémi, “and, he also wanted to kill Peter Pan.”
“Ah!” said the Captain trying to defend himself, “I’m not like Captain Hook. Yes, I kidnapped you, but I’ve released you, so I’m really a nice guy.”
Rémi pointed to his book. “Uh, let me read the story.” He read the entire story of Peter Pan and then said: “The end.” He looked up and saw that the Captain and his crew were waiting for more. “Well, what do you think of the story, Captain Malo?”
“Uh, yes, I like it. But I think Captain Hook was mean,” replied the Captain. “I’m different, I don’t kidnap people.”
“Well, do you think that kidnapping sea creatures is better?” Rémi asked.
“Uh, no, I, uh, I can see that now. But, I promise that I’ll never do that again,” replied the Captain. “Can you read us another story?”
“Not tonight, but tomorrow I will. Okay?”
“Excuse me, Captain,” ventured Ami, “can we all learn to read too?”
“Is that all right with you, Rémi?” asked the Captain.
“Sure!” replied Rémi.
“On one condition,” said the Captain. “You must do all your chores before the lesson.”
“We will!” promised the crew.
“By the way, do you have a blackboard and chalk?” inquired Rémi.
“Yes,” replied the Captain. “We pirated one from a ship, but we didn’t know what to do with it.”
“In other words, you stole it,” said Max.
“Well, is ‘pirating’ the same as stealing?” asked the Captain.
“Naturally,” replied Max. “But since you can’t return it, the blackboard may as well be put to good use.”
The Captain put his arm around Rémi. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure, what is it?”
“Where did you get that book?”
Rémi winked. “We’ll talk about that another time.”
“Okay,” agreed the Captain.
“Good night everybody!” said the Bookworms. “See you in the morning!”
“Good night my friends!” said the Captain with a smile. He and his crew waved goodbye.
Rémi had finally regained his freedom. The Bookworms left the ship very happy. It was too late to go and see Rubidjad. That night they slept at the bottom of the sea. Merielle gathered seaweed to make a bed. Lily found a little crevice in a rock, and Max and Rémi slept on the sea floor.
###
Chapter 15
The First Lesson
Next morning, the Bookworms arrived for the first lesson. The pirate flag was flying high on the stern, waving gently in the breeze. Max muttered to the others: “I wish the Captain would get rid of that awful flag with the skull and crossbones.”
“You’re right,” agreed Rémi, “that flag looks macabre.”
They noticed that the deck had already been swabbed. The Captain was sitting in his armchair, and his crew sitting on barrels. In front of them stood a big blackboard. Next to it were four cushions.
“Good morning!” said the Captain cheerfully. “Good morning!” echoed his crew.
“Good morning everyone!” said the Bookworms. Max, Lily, and Merielle sat on cushions, and Rémi remained standing at the blackboard.
“Let’s start by learning the alphabet,” suggested Rémi. He wrote the letters of the alphabet, like capital A, little a, and capital B, little b. As he wrote each letter, he asked his students to repeat after him. Then he taught them the ABC song.
Lily bounced up and down and caught Rémi’s eyes. “Yes, Lily?” he asked.
“I would like to teach something you haven’t mentioned,” replied Lily.
“Please, tell us,” urged Rémi.
Lily bounced along and came in front of the blackboard. “I know one sentence which contains all twenty-six letters of the alphabet. It’s The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog.” She returned to her cushion. Everyone was impressed.
“That’s very clever!” Rémi exclaimed. He proceeded to write the sentence on the blackboard and, with a stick, pointed to each letter of the alphabet.
“Now, let’s introduce ourselves,” said Rémi. “I’m going to write your names on the blackboard. Let’s start with you, Captain.”
Rémi wrote in capital letters ‘CAPTAIN MALO.’
“No, no, that’s wrong!” protested the Captain. The letters are all mixed up. The sign on my cabin says ‘T A I N C A P’ and ‘A L M O.’”
“Well,... the letters are correct but they’re not in the right order. As written on your door it says ‘Taincap Almo.’”
Everybody laughed.
“Good grief! I never knew that,” admitted the Captain. “At least I was partly correct.”
“Y---es, Captain you were partly correct,” said Rémi, trying to encourage his student.
“Now, just look at the word and say: ‘CAPTAIN.’”
All the students repeated ‘Captain.’
“Good, good!” said the teacher. “Now, look at this word and say: ‘MALO.’”
All the students repeated ‘Malo.’
“Now look and say both words: ‘CAPTAIN MALO.’”
They all repeated ‘Captain Malo.’
“Now I’m going to write the same words but in small letters. Watch!” Rémi wrote ‘Captain Malo.’ “See? This means the same thing.”
Everyone nodded.
“Now, you each stand up, one at a time, tell me your name, and I’ll write it on the blackboard.” Rémi pointed to the youngest pirate. “Let’s start with you. Tell us where you’re from.”
“My name is Ami. I think I was born in Japan.”
They each took turns:
“Bernard. I was born in France.”
“Carmelo. I was born in Italy.”
“Eduardo, but they call me Ed. I was born in Spain.”
“Feodor. I don’t know where I was born, but my name is Russian.”
“Hasan. I was born somewhere in Africa.”
“Isaac. I was born in the Middle East.”
“Jacob. I was born in Germany.”
“Kareem. I was born in India.”
“Leonard, but they call me Leo. I was born in the New World.”
“Otis. I was born in Greece.”
“Pablo. I was born in the Caribbean.”
“Wow!” exclaimed Rémi. “You all came from all over the world.” He turned to Captain Malo. “Do you have a globe or a map?”
“I don’t have either of those things,” replied the Captain.
“You don’t? How can you navigate the seas without a map?” asked Rémi. “Has any one of you seen a map before and seen the country you came from?”
All shook their heads no.
Max stood up and said: “One day, we’ll show you maps and a globe. We’ll teach you geography. Would you like that?”
“Yeah!!” they shouted.
“Let’s get back to our lesson,” recommended Rémi. “Now, I’m going to write my name.” He wrote ‘RÉMI‘ in capital letters, and ‘Rémi’ in small letters. As Rémi wrote on the blackboard the names of Merielle, Max, and Lily in capital and small letters, he said something nice about each of them: “Merielle, our gentle mermaid; Max, our wise sea turtle; and, Lily, our amazing seahorse who can make herself as tiny as a grain of sand.”
“Wow! Can we see that?” asked the Captain eagerly.
“Sure, watch!” said Lily. She came in front of the Captain and poof,... she disappeared.
Everybody exclaimed: “Wow!”
“She’s gone!” exclaimed the Captain, looking worried.
“Nope!” replied Max. “Look, carefully. Do you see a grain of sand bouncing in front of you?”
“Good heavens! That’s amazing!” exclaimed the Captain, as he watched Lily transform herself back to her normal size.