Near the path, he spotted a crumpled piece of paper in the grass. He picked it up and saw an X and a few strange little pictures. He wondered what it could be.
The first picture on the map looked like a big rock. He hurried to a huge rock by the path and knelt beside it. He thought maybe the next clue was hiding there.
He checked under the rock and found a flat stone tucked in the dirt. A tiny arrow was drawn on it. He thought, The trees!
He followed the arrow toward the trees and came to a muddy patch. His foot slid, and he flung out his arms to steady himself. For a second, he thought the trail was gone.
Then he looked back at the map very carefully. Tiny marks near the edge matched three bent branches up ahead. He thought he had found the trail again.
He squeezed past the branches one at a time. Leaves brushed his shoulders as he pushed through. He thought he must be getting close now.
Beyond the branches, he climbed a little hill. At the top stood a tall stump, just like the drawing on the map. Beside it, he saw a box-shaped outline sketched on the paper.
He knelt beside the stump and dug carefully where the map showed the box. The dirt was packed and crumbly. He thought, Please be here.
At last, he pulled out a little tin. Inside were colorful crayons and folded blank paper, not gold at all. He broke into a big grin.
He spread the blank paper across the top of the stump and opened the crayons. He began drawing his own secret map. He thought now it was his turn.
