"I have seats next to the judges," said Plato. Hepointed to a tall stand with rowe of benches.
Plato led Jack through the crowd and up the stepsto their seats.
"Wow, thanks," said Jack.
He had a great view.
The Olympic parade had already started. Musiciansplaying pipes were at the front. Behind them marchedthe Olympic athletes -the best in all of Greece.
Jack sighed as he watched the parade going aroundthe track. Annie would really love this, he thought.
"The athletes in front are the runners," said Plato.
"Foot races are the oldest event of the games."Jack pulled out his notebook and wrote:
Oldest event is foot race"Behind the runners are the boxers," said Plato.
"They're wearing special gloves and bronze helmets."Jack wrote:
Boxers wear gloves and helmets"Behind them are the wrestlers," said Plato.
And Jack wrote:
wrestlersWhen Jack looked up again, he saw a soldierstaring up at him from the sidelines.
The soldier was dressed like the actor from theoutdoor theater. He had on a long cape and a red-crested helmet that covered most of his face.
But something was strange. This soldier was short-really short.
"Here come the discus and javelin throwers," saidPlato, "and then the men in armor.""What do they do?" asked Jack.
"They race wearing full armor," said Plato. Jacksmiled to himself. He knew Annie would think thatwas funny.
He wrote in his notebook:
Some runners race in armorJack finished writing.
He looked back at the short soldier.
"In a moment, the chariot races will begin," saidPlato. "Winning a chariot race is the greatest honor ofthe games."Jack just nodded. He was still studying the shortsoldier, who seemed to be looking back at him.
Suddenly, a small hand came out from the soldier'scape. The hand gave a little wave.
Jack gasped. It was Annie's hand waving!
The short soldier was Annie.
