Jackson's Cave Adventure

Jackson stood at the mouth of the big cave.

The cave was called Blanchard Springs Caverns.

It was in a town called Fifty-Six, Arkansas.

Jackson took a deep, slow breath.

The cave looked very dark inside.

Jackson did not like the dark at all.

He held his mom’s hand very tight.

"It is okay, Jackson," Mom whispered.

They walked down the wet, paved path.

The air felt cool and damp on his face.

Soon, they were deep underground.

The tour guide turned on a bright yellow light.

"Look up," the guide said.

Jackson looked up at the high stone ceiling.

He saw sharp rocks hanging down.

They looked like giant stone icicles.

"Those are stalactites," said the guide.

"They hold tight to the top of the cave."

Jackson saw more pointed rocks on the ground.

They pointed up like grey cones.

"Those are stalagmites," the guide said.

"They grow up from the wet floor."

Then, Jackson saw something sparkle.

The cave walls were covered in tiny crystals.

They looked like stars in the night sky.

The dark cave did not seem so scary now.

The dark was actually full of beautiful things.

"Now, we will try a quick test," the guide said.

"We will turn off the lights for a moment."

Jackson felt his heart beat fast.

He wanted to run back to the sun.

But he looked at the pretty crystals first.

He closed his eyes and held Mom's hand.

Click! The lights went out.

It was very, very dark.

Jackson counted to ten in his mind.

He did not cry, and he did not run.

He knew the beautiful crystals were still there.

The lights clicked back on.

Jackson opened his eyes and smiled.

"I did it!" Jackson said.

He was not afraid of the dark anymore.

He loved the magic cave.