Lea to the Rescue

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1

My name is Lea Clark, and my

presentation is on Brazil.

I visited there last summer with

my family to see my brother Zac,

who works at

an animal sanctuary.

Brazil is the largest country

in South America.

The official language

is Portuguese.

Sixty percent of the Amazon's

rainforest is in Brazil.

But those are

just the book facts.

To really learn about

Brazil, you must go there.

And that's exactly what we did.

Tell everybody about your hike!

She totally saved her dad!

Well, go on, Lea, tell us.

We were on a hike,

high above the Praia Tropical.

It was me, my dad,

and my brother.

Pick it up, Zac.

We gotta reach that point.

We gotta hit that other edge.

But the path

unexpectedly narrowed

and we found ourselves dangerously

close to enormous cliffs.

We agreed we should turn

back, when suddenly,

my father plummeted

out of sight!

Terrified,

we looked down and there he was,

dangling from a ledge,

the rocks starting to crumble

underneath his fingertips,

and not another person

anywhere in sight.

It was a race against time

as the sun was setting

- and a sharp chill crept into the air.

- A chill?

Isn't Brazil near the equator?

Jimmy, sit down.

With few options, I took off,

back along the narrow, dangerous

trail to summon help,

to the rescue station

down in the valley.

And just as it was

beginning to get dark,

my dad and Zac were losing hope.

Whoosh' Whoosh.

A helicopter arrived to help.

No way!

This way. Come on!

Over here!

Right here.

We lifted Dad to safety.

Well, that is amazing, Lea.

Thank you.

You're totally a hero!

No. I mean, I just

did what I had to do.

So cool!

Yeah, right.

Nice story, Pinocchio!

What? You got a good

imagination, Lea.

Leave her alone, Jimmy.

All those pictures, but

none of the helicopter.

That's, I...

It's all true.

I was there.

Sorry.

No.

Go ahead.

Zac!

Hey, Cricket!

Team Zea!

What are you doing here?

Why aren't you in Brazil?

This is so amazing.

Did you hear my report?

We had to pick a country.

And most of my friends chose...

Are you the new Math teacher?

Lea, this is Paula.

Hi. I'm very excited to

meet Zachary's baby sister.

Surprised?

I sure am.

Paula, your work

sounds so fascinating.

And what an honor to be flown out

here to speak for the weekend.

Mom, Paula's an expert

on the recent changes

in the Amazon's

animal population.

I wouldn't go that far.

Well, I'm impressed.

And now here we are. My first time

in the United States of America.

Well, that's wonderful.

And we're very pleased

to have you here.

Who's hungry?

- I am.

- Good.

Zac, would you take those

salads to the table for me?

Sure, Mom.

Thank you.

I'm so glad we caught you before

you go off white-water rafting.

I still don't understand.

Why can't I go?

It's a bunch of

middle-aged dads!

And the rapids are pretty wild.

I'm tough.

And a good swimmer.

I know you are, sweetheart.

But if you were to come along,

then Eric would bring Sarah and

Sam would bring the twins...

Okay. I guess I'll stay home.

Paula, is your

family from Manaus?

Yes, my sisters and

I were born there.

My grandfather

was born in Brazil.

- Really?

- Did he tell you that?

Know your mother Ama

came to Brazil many times.

She worked at

a health clinic in Manaus.

Oh, it's not far

from the sanctuary.

That's why Zac chose

to do his work there,

because of my mom.

She must have been

an amazing woman.

She met real Indians

in the rain forest,

- who ate bugs and lived and lived in huts.

- Okay, but... But...

And they went...

Okay.

Your grandmother told you

that story was a hallucination

from the anti-malaria

medication, honey.

My mom gave the kids

their sense of adventure,

and her journals,

which Lea has been reading.

It would be unlikely.

Most of the people in the

rainforest try to avoid contact

with the outside world.

Their isolation is important

for preserving their culture.

It's still a good story.

Paula, is your steak

cooked enough?

Or can I put it back

on the grill?

Dad, Paula's a vegetarian.

Why didn't you say something?

It's okay. It's fine.

I asked him not to.

The vegetables are delicious.

Can I have hers, Dad?

The steak rocks.

Absolutely, sweetie.

So,

I come all this way and

you're hiding in your room?

Reading a geometry book?

I have a test next week.

Shouldn't you be out there

with your girlfriend?

I heard

that somebody's favorite sloth is

back to her tip-top lazy self.

Amelia?

That's such great news.

You know, you...

You saved her life.

Paula seems nice.

It's too bad you're only in

Brazil for another few months.

Well...

You coming back when

your grant is over. Right?

I'm doing

important work in Brazil.

You're gonna leave me forever and

move across the world for a girl?

What about college?

Mom and Dad are going to...

Calm down.

Calm down. Calm down.

There is an excellent

university in Manaus.

I can't believe this.

Can you keep a secret?

No. I'm serious,

this is really important.

Okay.

You know those poachers

I told you about?

The ones who've been stealing

animals from the rainforest.

They broke into the sanctuary

and I've been tracking them.

What?

I found something.

I actually think I'm this close

to pinpointing

one of their main routes.

That is so cool.

Why is it such a big secret?

Well, these guys,

they are really powerful.

You mean dangerous?

Zac, you should tell someone.

I'm telling you.

I mean like your

boss or the police.

No. Not until I'm sure.

What does Paula think?

She doesn't know.

So, come on.

No chirping about this one.

Okay, Cricket?

Team Zea?

Team Zea.

I've missed you, too.

Thank you

so much for everything.

Safe trip.

Come on, you're gonna be late.

I love you.

Be careful, okay?

Yes, ma'am.

Has anyone seen my headlamp?

Front pocket of your duffle.

Nope. Not here.

Other front pocket.

Second thought, maybe I

should take you along.

Not a chance.

Us girls have some

serious R&R in store.

Okay. Thank you, sweetheart.

Hey, Big Joe.

Hey, Rick.

- Hey.

- Hi, girls.

Here we go, thank you.

Come here, little popcorn.

So just call us when you

get back to civilization.

Okay?

Roger that.

Bye, Dad. Bye, Joe.

Bye. Bye, girls.

See you in a week.

We're gonna play,

as soon as they get out of here.

And pose.

Bethe mother.

I also hadn't had

those peanut butter cups

in so long and,

I will believe you next time.

I've got it.

Hello.

Oh.

Hi, Paula... Paula.

Um, yeah.

She's right here.

Well hey, Paula.

It's good to hear from you.

Have you talked to his boss?

Um, I'm gonna call

you back, all right?

Hi, sweetheart, it's Mom.

I'm just checking in.

I love you. Call me back.

What's going on?

Hey, honey, it's me.

Um, I don't know if you're

completely out of range or what

but, um, give me a call as soon

as you get this. Thank you. Bye.

Mom.

Mom.

Uh...

Mom, is something wrong?

Paula hasn't heard

from Zac in a couple days.

Maybe he's just realized she's

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