Sam found a crinkled paper map tucked inside a thick history book. When he unfolded it, the pages glowed gold — and suddenly he was standing in warm, dusty Texas.
Sam walked into a longwood house where people gathered. A woman handed him a square of blue cloth. He held it up high, and everyone cheered.
The map grew warm in Sam's pocket. He stepped through and found himself outside a stone fort surrounded by flickering torchlight. The drums were closer now.
A man placed a hand on Sam's shoulder. "We must be brave," he said, pointing to one bright star in the dark sky. Sam gripped the star-shaped pin in his pocket.
Sam stepped onto a grassy hill. He heard the great battle cry — "Remember the Alamo!" His own small voice shouted it right along.
A shimmer of gold light flashed from his mouth, zooming across the field like a tiny, brave sun. The fighters gasped, then cheered wildly.
The golden light raced ahead, and the enemies ran away fast. Sam stood on the grass, chest puffing out big. The warm Texas wind ruffled his hair.
Sam stepped back through the glowing map and landed in his room. He clutched the map to his chest and smiled wide. The map no longer glowed — but Sam did.