A Perfect Time for Pandas: A Merlin Mission

Ling.
    “Sure!” Jack picked up Little Guy. The cub was drowsy and cuddly.
    “Let’s go!” said Dr. Ling.
    Dr. Ling, Jack, and Annie left the nursery and carried the little pandas outside. Night was falling as they stood in the playground and watched thesoldiers finish unloading food and medicine.

    “Until you can get
all
the pandas out of here, how will you take care of them?” asked Annie.
    “We will set up tents and carry water from the stream and get by as best we can,” said Dr. Ling. “I believe people here in China and around the world will help us. I’ve already had a call from Pandas International. They promised to send powdered milk for the young ones, and they will write about our situation and raise money to help the pandas.”
    “Cool,” said Jack. “Hey, in that case …” He reached into his pocket and pulled out the rest of their money. “We’d like to give something for the pandas, too.” He handed their Chinese currency to Dr. Ling.
    “Thank you!” she said. “All of this province will need help in the days to come. I have heard from the staff in Chengdu that this has been one of the most damaging earthquakes of all time. They think many people have been killed. Whole towns have been destroyed.”
    “That’s terrible,” said Jack.
    “What about
your
family?” said Annie.
    “My parents are safe in Beijing,” said Dr. Ling. “But in the face of this disaster, everyone in our nation is one big family now. Oh, look, the pilot is waving to us.”
    In the twilight, Jack, Annie, and Dr. Ling each carried a cub to the helicopter. They climbed up the steps and entered the small cabin. Jack and Annie sat down and buckled their seat belts. Dr. Ling handed Roly to Annie. Annie hugged Roly and Poly while Jack cradled Little Guy in his arms.
    “You will need this,” said Dr. Ling. She pulled a small flashlight from her pocket and gave it to Annie. “It will be dark when you arrive. Wolong Town is without power, too.”
    “Thanks,” said Jack.
    “When you land, staff members from our office in Wolong Town will be waiting for you,” said Dr. Ling. “Have a safe trip, and thank you for everything. Good-bye, Jack and Annie.”
    “Good luck rebuilding the panda center,” said Jack. “It’s an amazing place.”
    Dr. Ling climbed out of the helicopter and waved. The military pilot hopped aboard. “The ride will be very noisy,” he told Jack and Annie, putting headphones over their ears. Then he took his seat. The two soldiers sat behind him.
    A moment later, the engine roared and the blades started to spin. The helicopter shook; then it lifted off the ground and buzzed away from the panda center, through the darkening sky.



CHAPTER TEN
Panda Bread
    T he helicopter flew over the broken bridge, over the blocked highway, and over the crumbling mountains of the Wolong Reserve. Soon it roared over Wolong Town.
    The pilot landed in a large field lit by emergency spotlights. Two other helicopters were also in the field. Tents had been set up, and people were carrying the injured on stretchers to the helicopters.
    When the blades completely stopped turning, Jack and Annie carried the sleeping cubs out ofthe cabin and down the steps to the field.
    “Jack! Annie!” someone called. Four women dressed in dark coveralls rushed to greet them. “We work for the panda center. Thank you for bringing the cubs to us!” one said.
    Annie kissed each of the little pandas. “Be good now,” she said.

    Then she and Jack handed them over to the women. “We really love them,” said Annie.
    “I am so glad,” said one of the women. “We will get them to a safe new home very soon. Later the others will join them there.”
    “We must help you, too,” said another woman. “Go with Mrs. Chang to our office, and she will locate your grandmother.”
    “Oh, that’s okay …,” said Jack. “We know exactly where she is.” He started to back up.
    Annie did the same. “That’s right,” she said. She pointed to the street. “We’re going to meet her in a restaurant in town.”
    “Good-bye,” said Jack.
    “Good-bye,” said Annie.
    Before any of the women could speak, Jack grabbed Annie’s hand and started to run. They ran across the busy field, weaving around the tents and helicopters, doctors, nurses, and military people. When they came to the street, they stopped to catch their breath.
    “Ready to go home?” asked Jack.
    “No, wait,” said Annie. “We still have to find the