Magic Tree House #49: Stallion by Starlight (A Stepping Stone Book(TM))

other!”
    “My father thinks so, too,” said Alexander, smiling broadly. “After he saw me ride today, he said, ‘My son, you had better find a larger kingdom, because mine will not be big enough for you!’ ”
    “Oh, brother,” Jack said, “so much for humility.”
    Surprisingly, Alexander laughed. “Thank you for everything you did for me,” he said.
    “You’re welcome,” said Annie. “Have a good life with Bucephalus.”
    “I will. Jack and Annie, you make me want to travel all over the world with him,” said Alexander. “You make me want to know about all things—like koala bears and kangaroos.”
    “That’s great,” said Annie.
    “You make me want to surround myself with thinkers and scientists and travelers,” said Alexander.
    “Cool,” said Jack.
    “You make me want to sing my song to the four quarters of the earth!” shouted Alexander.
    Jack smiled. “Do that. Go sing your song,” he said.
    “I will! Farewell, my friends!” said the prince. “We are going back to inspect my army now!” He and Bucephalus turned around and took off down the dusty road.
    “Give those army guys a rest, why don’t you?” yelled Annie.
    Jack laughed. “Come on,” he said.
    He and Annie ran through the olive grove to the rope ladder. They climbed up into the tree house and looked out the window. In the distance the prince and his magnificent horse were dashing up the dirt road.
    “I almost expect them to take off and soar into the sky,” said Annie. “At least that’s what riding Buddy felt like to me.”
    Jack’s heart was heavy as they watched Alexander and Bucephalus disappear into a cloud of dust lit by the morning sun. “Good-bye, Buddy,” he said.
    “Bye, Buddy,” Annie echoed.
    Jack sighed. “Well, the good news is Buddy will have a place of honor for life.”
    “And Alexander will have a friend for life,” said Annie.
    Jack picked up their Pennsylvania book from the corner of the tree house. He pointed to a picture of the Frog Creek woods. “I wish we could go home!”
    The wind started to blow.
    The tree house started to spin.
    It spun faster and faster.
    Then everything was still.
    Absolutely still.

    A soft summer breeze blew through the tree house window. Jack and Annie were wearing their own clothes again.
    “Mission accomplished,” said Jack.
    “I’d better leave the ring here,” said Annie. She pulled the Ring of Truth off her finger and carefully placed it on the floor in a patch of sunlight. Jack put the bottle of magic mist and the book about Macedonia beside the ring.
    “Good. Let’s go,” said Annie.
    “Wait—how can we give our secret of greatness a place of honor?” Jack asked.
    Annie shrugged. “We could just write it down,” she said.
    “I guess that’ll work,” said Jack. He carefully tore one of the last pieces of paper out of his notebook and wrote in large letters:
    HUMILITY
    Jack slipped the paper under the Ring of Truth. Maybe it was just the morning light, but the ring seemed to glow brighter as it lay on the paper.
    Jack pulled on his backpack. “Ready?” he asked.
    “Yep,” said Annie. “Let’s go sing our song to the four quarters of the earth.”
    “Why not?” said Jack.
    Jack and Annie went down the ladder. Then they walked together through the dappled sunshine. The air smelled of summer. Crows called out to each other.
    “It feels good to be home,” said Annie.
    “No kidding,” said Jack.
    They came to the edge of the Frog Creek woods and crossed the street and started up the sidewalk.
    “I’m so thirsty,” said Jack.
    “Me too,” said Annie. “Hey, we can have some of Dad’s lemonade.”
    “Cool,” said Jack.
    “I’m really glad Dad’s our father instead of King Philip the Second of Macedonia,” said Annie.
    “Tell Dad that,” said Jack.
    “Yeah, I will,” said Annie. “It’ll totally confuse him.” They both laughed, and then took off running for home.

M any historians praise Alexander the Great for being one of the most successful military leaders of all time. He led his men into battle with intelligence and courage and created the biggest empire the world had ever seen. Alexander had great curiosity about the world and a thirst for knowledge. On his expeditions he took along builders, scientists, writers, and artists.
    While some historians criticize Alexander for having been a ruthless conqueror, all agree he had a loving devotion to his warhorse, Bucephalus. Bucephalus is one of the most