PART ONE: Learning the Muttersprache

Elbie Gimble was a boy who loved words. Not just regular words, but words that sounded different, words from other places. He liked how some words felt like a soft whisper, and others like a loud clap. Elbie lived with his grandfather Lazlo in a cozy cottage, seemingly in the middle of nowhere near the center of the United States. Their home was filled with tall bookshelves, strange machines that whirred and hummed, and the warm, comforting smell of old paper and Lazlo’s special tea.

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One afternoon, Elbie was lying in his bed to escape the summer heat, reading a comic book about a brave space explorer. He heard a low, rumbling sound from the attic above him, the room they called the Observatorium. It was much more than just an attic, though; it was their main workspace where they tinkered, invented, and created new things. It was also their personal stargazing sanctuary where they viewed the stars through a large telescope positioned in the window. The noise Elbie heard was his grandfather’s voice, talking. But there was another sound too, a quiet, muffled warbling, like a sleepy bird. Elbie’s ears twitched. Who was Grandpa talking to? They were home alone.

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His curiosity was like a little tug on his shirt. He put his comic book down and poked his head out into the hallway. The sounds were a little louder now, but he still couldn’t quite make anything out. Very quietly, Elbie tiptoed up the stairs, one careful step at a time. As he got closer to the Observatorium door, Grandpa Lazlo’s voice became clearer.

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“We almost lost him,” Lazlo said, his voice a little soft. “He’s still shaken up and doesn’t want to talk about it. But yes, I agree. I think it’s time he learned.”

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There was a short, muffled reply, like the sleepy bird again. Then Lazlo spoke once more. “Yes, that’s a good idea. And if he starts learning now, he’ll be all the more ready when the time comes.”

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Elbie felt a funny feeling in his stomach. Was Grandpa talking about him? What was he supposed to learn? He felt a little bit guilty for listening in on a private conversation. Lazlo let out a loud sigh. “Yes, you’re right. I’ll get him started right away.”

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The flutter in Elbie’s stomach grew too big. He couldn’t listen anymore. “Grandpa?” he called out softly.

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There was a quick rustle inside the room, and the clump of something being shut, like a cupboard. Then the door swung open wide, and there was Grandfather Lazlo, looking surprised. But then his face lit up with a happy smile. “Elbie, my boy!” he exclaimed. “I thought you were playing outside!”

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“It got too hot, and I felt like reading,” Elbie replied, still a little shy. “Who were you talking to?”

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Lazlo let out a big, booming laugh that made his beard jiggle. “Oh, my boy, I was simply in a deep conversation with myself! Many things have been on my mind since the accident, and I was planning our next adventure!”

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Elbie’s eyes grew wide. “Our next adventure?” Only two months had passed since the accident, and he didn’t like to think about it. It was a scary memory and still gave him bad dreams sometimes. No, he wasn’t going to think about that. A new adventure sounded much better!

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“Come in and I’ll tell you!” Lazlo walked Elbie deeper into the Observatorium and helped him settle into a big, comfy armchair. Then he hurried over to one of the tall bookcases. After looking for only a moment, he pulled a book off the shelf.

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“Grandpa! The suspense is too much!” Elbie couldn’t sit still. “Where are we going?”

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Lazlo handed Elbie the book. Its cover had a simple picture and a title: “An Easy German Reader,” by Alfred Bull Nichols. Elbie looked at the front, then the back, then quickly flipped through the pages. “Germany?” he asked, his voice a little squeaky with surprise.

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“Germany!” Lazlo replied, his eyes twinkling. “This coming October, in fact, the Deutsches Museum in Munich will be hosting the very first public demonstration of what’s called, ‘The Wonder of Jena’” (pronounced YEE-nah).

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“What is that?” Elbie asked.

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“It’s a marvel of technology and astronomy!” Lazlo explained, leaning forward. “It’s called a Zeiss planetarium projector. Imagine a wonderful machine, full of clever gears, bright lights, and shiny lenses, that can show the whole moving cosmos right onto a big, domed ceiling inside a round room! It’s useful for … well, it lets us stargaze in the comfort of indoors, no matter if it’s cloudy and raining or the middle of the day!”

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Elbie looked back down at the book in his hands. “Is that why you want me to learn German?”

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Lazlo’s smile faded just a tiny bit, and he looked at Elbie for a long, quiet moment. Then he spoke, his voice gentle. “Yes, my boy. It’s important. I think it’s important that you acquire a broader knowledge of the languages of Earth—er, the world! I mean, we don’t want to be left with no clue what they’re saying, do we? It’s still a couple of months away, so you should be able to learn quite a bit before our adventure starts. As you know, my boy, I speak several languages, including German! I will help you along the way. This book is for beginners, but as you progress, we’ll look for more advanced material.”

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Elbie was completely fascinated. A trip to Germany! A strange, wonderful machine that showed the stars indoors! And learning a whole new language! He immediately started looking at the words in the book, his mind buzzing with excitement.

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—

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For the next two months, Elbie spent hours reading and re-reading the German book. He even went to the town library to find more books about the German language, though there weren't very many. He picked it up so quickly! Before he knew it, he could understand many basic words and phrases. He knew how to say “Danke schön,” which meant “thank you.” He learned how to say “Bitte!” for “Please!” and “Bitte schön” for “You’re welcome.” He even learned longer, more grown-up phrases like, “Können Sie mir helfen? Ich habe Bauchschmerzen und muss ins Krankenhaus,” which meant, “Can you help me? I have a stomach ache and need to go to the hospital.” He learned that you talked to friends differently than you talked to strangers. He learned there were many, many ways to say “The.” He learned that nouns—people, places, and things—always began with capital letters. And he learned it was VERY important to talk to police officers the proper way, or you might get a ticket!

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Elbie really enjoyed learning this new way of talking. Lazlo, who could speak almost any language, made it even easier for him to learn fast. Before long, they were mostly speaking Deutsch, or “German,” around the house. Sometimes, they even spoke it in public, just for fun, pretending they were speaking in a secret code. It was good fun. Still, even after many hours of learning, Elbie couldn’t forget his own language, and always came back to it at the end of the day.

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“Opa (which meant Grandpa)?” Elbie asked one cool autumn evening, as he and Lazlo sat on the porch swing, gently swaying back and forth. “How long will it take us to get to München (Munich)?”

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Lazlo leaned back, making the porch swing creak softly. “Well, let me see,” he said, thinking hard. “Departing out of New York, we’ll leave there by ship and cross the Atlantic Ocean. That voyage will take six days. On the seventh morning, we’ll wake up on the Elbe River in Hamburg, Germany. From there, we’ll take a short car ride to … ” He paused, and his eyes narrowed in a special way. “Well, from there I’ve made special arrangements for our final leg to Munich.”

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“Special arrangements?” Elbie asked, his curiosity tingling.

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Lazlo just smiled. “You’ll see when we get there.”

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“Klingt toll!” (Sounds super!) Elbie replied with a big, happy smile.

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PART TWO: The Sky-Whale

The big ocean liner sailed smoothly across the Atlantic Ocean. Elbie spent his days learning what he could about the vessel. He explored the decks, watched the waves, and practiced his German words with his grandfather. Six days later, just as Lazlo had promised, they woke up on the ship as it slowly moved along a wide, calm river called the Elbe. Both Lazlo and Elbie found it funny how similar the name Elbe was to Elbie, almost like it was Elbie’s River! Just ahead, they saw a big city with tall buildings and bustling docks. They had arrived in Hamburg, Germany!

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—

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A man dressed in a driver’s uniform was waiting for them near the end of the gangway. He held up a sign that said “Willkommen Gimbles,” which meant “Welcome Gimbles.” He had a narrow, friendly face and a big, toothy smile. “Guten Tag!” (Good day!), he said. “I am Jürgen.” His voice had a thick, rumbling German accent.

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Elbie felt a little flutter in his stomach. This was it! His first time speaking German in Germany! He took a deep breath. “Danke schön, Jürgen! Freut mich, Sie kennenzulernen!” (Thank you, Jürgen! Nice to meet you!) he said clearly, remembering his manners.

Jürgen’s eyes widened, and his smile grew even bigger. “Oh! You speak our language, young man! Wunderbar!” (Wonderful!)

 

Lazlo put a proud hand on Elbie’s shoulder. “He’s been working very hard,” he told Jürgen.

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Jürgen loaded their big bags into the back of a bright, shiny car with a convertible top. He introduced the vehicle as a 1921 Mercedes PS Sport, a fine German car. Elbie climbed in between his grandfather and Jürgen, ready to see the sights. Jürgen pulled away from the docks and was soon driving them through the bustling streets of downtown Hamburg. Elbie felt the wind in his burnt-toast-colored hair, watching all the new sights: clattering trams, busy people, and colorful shop windows. Jürgen pointed out tall buildings and lively shops along the way. As they drove north, Elbie saw signs that read: “Flughafen Fuhlsbüttel.” He knew “Flughafen” meant airport, but the second word was new, a funny-sounding puzzle in his mind.

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Soon, Jürgen turned the car into a very large grassy field with huge buildings called hangars. They looked like giant metal boxes with big barn doors. As they drove around one of the hangars, Elbie gasped. There, sitting on the grass, was something Elbie thought he’d never ever see! It was a massive, silver Zeppelin, long and sleek like a giant sky-whale. Workers scurried around it, getting it ready for a trip. Grandpa Lazlo’s words popped into Elbie’s head: “special arrangements … ”

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“OPA!” Elbie nearly screamed, his voice full of wonder. “Are we … ?” He couldn’t even finish the question, he was so excited.

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Lazlo looked down at him, a huge, happy grin on his face. “That’s right, my boy! We’re flying the rest of the way on that!” He pointed at the magnificent airship.

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The Zeppelin was truly amazing. It looked like a long, silver cigar, was longer than three football fields, and taller than many buildings! It had a smooth, silver skin that shimmered in the sunlight, and big, quiet engines with propellers on its sides. At its tail end were four short wings or fins. Underneath near the front, a long structure- like a train’s passenger car full of windows, was fastened to the silver balloon above. It was the gondola where the crew and passengers rode.

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Eight-foot-tall letters on the nearest hanger read: Luftschiffbau Zeppelin. Lazlo said it was the name of the company that made these sky-giants.

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Jürgen pulled the car to a stop near a small office building next to the hangar. Elbie and Lazlo hopped out, and Jürgen started to unload their bags. Just then, a man walked out of the office. He had a round, kind face and a smart blue suit with a red tie. This was Lazlo’s friend, Hugo Eckener, the manager of the Zeppelin airline.

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“Lazlo, my friend! Great to see you! And this must be young Elbie!” Herr (Mr.) Eckener said, shaking Lazlo’s hand warmly, then gently patting Elbie’s head. “Willkommen in Hamburg!” (Welcome to Hamburg!)

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Herr Eckener explained that this Zeppelin, the LuftKönig (Air King) was going on a very special voyage to test for a possible passenger route from Hamburg to Munich. Most of the important people on the airline’s board thought it was a bad idea because it was too expensive. They didn’t think many people would want to fly on a Zeppelin when a train ride was much less expensive. But Herr Eckener had convinced them to try just one test flight. He and Lazlo had written many letters back and forth over the past year, and it just so happened that this test flight was planned for the same time as the planetarium demonstration in Munich! So, they had made it into a fun adventure for Elbie and Lazlo. Herr Eckener himself even expressed a great interest in seeing the demonstration. After the show, the Zeppelin would fly back to Hamburg, and they would go home the same way they came.

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Elbie couldn’t wait! He loved ships, and trains, and even airplanes, but he knew the least about Zeppelins. He was so excited to learn everything he could! Herr Eckener smiled. “Don’t you worry, young Elbie,” he said. “You’ll have a chance to learn everything about this magnificent machine.”

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Their flight was a little rushed, planned to leave at exactly nine o’clock in the morning, so there wasn’t much time to spare. Lazlo and Elbie waved and called “Auf Wiedersehen!” (Goodbye!) to Jürgen, and then they climbed some boarding stairs into the giant airship.

Inside the gondola, it really was like a fancy train car, but for riding in the sky! Elbie and Lazlo took seats right behind the door to the bridge, where they could look out the big windows and watch everything. Herr Eckener explained there were about twenty other people, the flight crew, on board with them. Among them was the Commanding Officer, who was in charge of the whole airship, and the Navigator, who knew exactly where they were going, and other important crew members.

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The Zeppelin’s propellers began to hum. Slowly, gently, it lifted off the ground. Big ropes that held it down were let go, and the ground below them started to shrink. The engines whirred softly, and the giant airship floated up, up, up into the sky.

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And they were off!

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PART THREE: The Ocean in the Sky

Elbie pressed his face against the window. Below them, Germany stretched out like a giant, green blanket. He could see tiny towns that looked like toy villages, and winding rivers that sparkled like silver ribbons. Forests were dark green patches, and fields were neat squares of yellow and brown. It was so beautiful, like looking at a huge map come to life!

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 The weather was perfect, with no clouds in the sky, and the sun shone brightly, making everything below look even more amazing. The ride was as smooth as it could be. Soon, Herr Eckener, the kind manager of the airline, invited Elbie and Lazlo up to the bridge. This was at the very front of the gondola, where all the pilots and navigators sat. They could see the zeppelin’s giant air bag stretching ahead of them up above. The bridge was filled with shiny dials, blinking lights, and long levers. Herr Eckener pointed out different things, explaining how the Zeppelin worked.

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Then, the Commanding Officer, a serious but friendly man with a neat uniform, turned to Elbie. “Young man,” he said, his voice deep. “Would you like to steer the ship for a while?”

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Elbie’s eyes went wide, so wide he thought they might pop out! He was so stunned, he couldn’t even speak. He just nodded, his mouth hanging open a little.

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Elbie came forward, but could barely see out of the forward window. To fix this, the Commanding Officer ordered a box or step-stool be brought for the young man. Once Elbie was able to see clearly, the Commanding Officer showed him how to hold the big steering wheel, which was called a “rudder wheel.” He explained what the different dials meant and what Elbie should watch to keep the Zeppelin flying straight and steady. Elbie’s hands trembled a little as he gripped the rudder wheel tightly. He could feel tiny rumbles and vibrations as the ship coursed through the rolling wind currents in the sky. He was actually flying a Zeppelin! It was the most exciting thing he had ever done. He felt like a true explorer, guiding his sky-whale through the vast blue ocean of the air.

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After a while, the Commanding Officer took back the wheel, and Elbie and Grandpa Lazlo were given a special tour of the entire Zeppelin. They saw the sleeping cabins, the small galley, or kitchen, where the delicious smells of the coming lunch wafted out. They even got to see inside of the main framework that held the big bags of gas that kept the Zeppelin floating.

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“These big bags are filled with a special gas called hydrogen,” Herr Eckener explained, gently tapping one of the enormous, milky-white balloons. “It is much lighter than the air around us which helps lift us into the sky.”

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Elbie’s nose wrinkled. He remembered the information from his science books about hydrogen being very light, but also very ... “Isn't that dangerous?” he asked, a tiny worry creeping into his voice. “Doesn't it ... catch fire easily?”

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Herr Eckener chuckled kindly. “That’s a very smart question, young Elbie! Yes, hydrogen can be tricky if not handled carefully. But here on our Zeppelin, we have many clever ways to keep it safe. We have these special bags for the gas here, made of strong materials, and we have very careful rules. We check everything many, many times before we fly, to make sure there are no leaks and everything is perfectly sealed. It’s like having a very strong, invisible balloon that helps us float, and we make sure it’s always well-behaved!”

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Elbie learned how the engines pushed them forward and how the rudders at the back helped them turn. Like an airplane, it used lift to help it climb higher into the air when they needed to go up. When it was time to come down, gas was released from the bags, making the whole aircraft heavier. Every part of the giant airship was a wonder, and Elbie soaked up every new piece of information like a sponge. He felt like he was living inside a real-life technical manual on Zeppelins!

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The hours seemed to melt away like ice cream on a hot day. The five or six hours they had been flying felt like only a few minutes. Elbie was so lost in the magic of the Zeppelin, he almost didn’t notice when the big airship began to gently float downwards. Then, he felt a funny little pop in his ears. He looked out the window, and there it was: the city of Munich, spreading out below them like a miniature town, like a diorama with its little houses and streets. Just beyond it, he could see a small patch of green that was their airfield, waiting for them. The giant sky-whale was about to land.

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PART FOUR: The Wonder of Jena

The Zeppelin landed smoothly at the Oberwiesenfeld airfield in Munich. It was a big, sunny day, and the air felt exciting! Herr Eckener helped Elbie and Lazlo off the airship, then called for their ride into town. They were all looking forward to an exciting day in the city of Munich, especially because it was Oktoberfest!

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Oktoberfest was a giant party! Elbie, Lazlo, and Herr Eckener walked through streets filled with happy people. There were colorful tents, lively music, and the delicious smell of roasting Bratwurst—plump, delicious German sausages. Elbie drank a sweet, crisp Apfelschorle (sparkling apple juice), while Lazlo and Herr Eckener had Bier (beer). Men wore special leather shorts called Lederhosen, and women wore pretty dresses called Dirndls. Elbie tasted a warm, soft pretzel and a sweet apple Strudel. The whole celebration was a feast for his eyes and his stomach!

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They spent the day exploring the city. Herr Eckener pointed out grand buildings and the busy, colorful markets.  Lazlo bought Elbie a cute little sculpture of an Eule (owl) for his bookshelf, and a unique ceramic plate used for grating nuts or hard cheeses for himself. They saw old churches with tall spires and fountains splashing in sunny squares. Everywhere Elbie looked, there was something new and wonderful. He loved seeing all the sights of Munich. As exciting as it all was, the planetarium demonstration was planned for the very next day, and Elbie could hardly wait!

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That evening, they had a tasty dinner at a cozy restaurant. It was a warm, brightly lit place with wooden tables and chairs and lively music playing over an old radio. Elbie ate a crispy Schnitzel, which was a thin, breaded piece of meat, and a warm bowl of creamy Kartoffelsuppe, a delicious potato soup. Grandpa Lazlo and Hugo Eckener sipped on glasses of dark red Rotwein, a German red wine, as they talked and laughed.

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As they walked back to their hotel, they passed by the Deutsches Museum. It was a huge, impressive building with a tall tower, almost like a castle. Elbie looked up at it, trying to imagine the amazing star show he would see tomorrow. Just then, he noticed something odd. A man in a maintenance worker’s uniform was climbing out of a ground-floor window of the museum! It was getting dark, but Elbie could see him clearly. The man carried what looked like a bundle of rags and didn't seem to notice anyone watching. He quickly dug around under some bushes near the window for a moment, then stood up. The bundle he’d been carrying was gone. He then slung a work bag over his shoulder, and disappeared around the corner of the building.

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Elbie didn’t think too much of it at first, but one thing about the man was very peculiar. He had a very long, fancy mustache that curled up at the ends, and a nose that was a little bit hooked. It was a very distinct face.

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They soon arrived at their hotel, the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten. It was a grand place, and their bags had already been delivered to their room. Elbie was so excited about the next day, he thought he would never be able to sleep. But as soon as his head hit the pillow, he conked out almost immediately, dreaming of stars and Zeppelins.

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The next morning, Elbie and Lazlo woke up, got ready, and met Herr Eckener for a breakfast of dark bread, meats, and cheeses. Then, they headed straight for the Deutsches Museum. There was a big crowd outside, lots of people excited to see the “Wonder of Jena.” Elbie and Lazlo, along with Hugo Eckener, were lucky to be near the front of the line.

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Finally, the doors opened, and they were allowed inside! They were shown the way to the planetarium, a huge, round room with a giant domed ceiling. In the very center of the room, a massive object sat covered by a big, dark tarp, hiding it from prying eyes. The planetarium quickly filled up with people, all murmuring with excitement.

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Then, the show was ready to begin. A man stepped forward, the main presenter from the Carl Zeiss Foundation, the clever people who built the machine in the town of Jena nearly 200 miles away. He looked very important and proud and introduced himself as Herr Walther Bauersfeld, Ingenieur (Engineer).

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With a flourish, the tarp was pulled away! There it was—the Zeiss planetarium projector! It was a fantastical, amazing machine, like something out of a science fiction story. It had two big, round ends, like giant eyeballs, with lots of smaller lenses, gears, and shiny metal parts in between. Herr Bauersfeld began to tell everyone amazing facts about how it was built and why it was called "The Wonder of Jena." He explained how it could show every star you could see in the sky, and even how they moved, all from inside this comfortable room. He explained how the very room with the domed ceiling they all sat in was built earlier that year just for the projector.

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The moment everyone was waiting for finally arrived. The lights in the planetarium slowly dimmed. And with a loud, echoing CLUNK …

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… NOTHING.

 

The room stayed dark for a moment, then the bright lights came back on. A ripple of confusion spread through the audience. Lazlo leaned down and muttered in Elbie’s ear, “Something’s amiss.” Elbie only nodded.

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Herr Bauersfeld looked puzzled. He called for one of his helpers to join him in figuring out the problem. After a quick look, the two men whispered to each other. Herr Bauersfeld stood up and made it known that the main light bulb, the most important one, was missing! Everyone gasped. There was no backup bulb, because they were very expensive, and no one had thought they would need one after the projector had worked perfectly in the test the day before.

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Even though the show hadn't started well, Elbie was still fascinated by everything around him. He scanned the big, round dome above him. Then he scanned the faces of all the people in the audience. There were fancy ladies, and distinguished gentlemen. There were many who looked like they could be school teachers, university professors, or scientists. It was such a diverse crowd! Then he saw him. Elbie noticed a man who looked very rich, wearing a fancy, dark suit and a tall top hat. He had a shiny monocle in one eye, but it was the mustache and the nose that made Elbie’s stomach do a flip. It was the same worker he had seen last night! But this morning, he didn’t look like a worker at all. And then Elbie saw it – a sinister, faint smirk on the man’s face. The wheels started turning in Elbie’s head, faster and faster, and suddenly, he understood!

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He quickly found an excuse to leave his seat and hurried out of the planetarium toward the museum exit. Outside the building, he rushed to the bushes under the ground-floor window where he had seen the man climb out. He dug around in the leaves and dirt and quickly found a large, heavy object wrapped in greasy, grimy burlap. Inside, sure enough, was a heavy lightbulb sparkling in the morning light. He grabbed it tightly and hurried back into the museum.

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When he re-entered the planetarium, the museum director and Herr Bauersfeld were arguing loudly, their voices sharp with worry. Each man blamed the other! Elbie smiled at his grandfather as he walked by their row, then he marched right to the center of the room where the two men were bickering.

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“Entschuldigung Sie,” (Excuse me) Elbie said clearly, in German. “Ich kann Ihnen helfen!” (I can help you!)

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The two men stopped arguing and looked down at the small boy. The director shook his head and said in English, “Please, young man, we have a serious problem here. Please take your seat.”

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Elbie held out the ratty bundle of burlap. “But I have your bulb right here!”

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Herr Bauersfeld hesitantly took the bundle, unwrapped it, and to everyone’s shock, there was the missing bulb! A wave of gasps swept through the audience. Elbie didn’t dare look at the mustachioed man, because he didn’t want to let on that he knew who the thief was.

“Meine Güte!” (My goodness!) said the presenter, his eyes wide. “Where did you find this?”

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“I found it in die Büsche (the bushes) outside!” Elbie replied.

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The audience gasped again. The two men looked at each other in confusion. “How did it get there?” the director asked, scratching his head.

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“I was afraid something like this might happen!” said Herr Bauersfeld, his voice full of anger. “Our presentation has been sabotaged!”

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“By who?” the director shrugged, looking around. Both men looked at Elbie after he cleared his throat loudly.

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“What is it, Junge?” (boy), one of them asked.

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“I think you should ask the gentleman with the crazy mustache seated behind me,” Elbie said, pointing subtly with his chin.

All eyes in the room turned to the mustachioed man. Elbie turned too, and saw the man’s eyes go wide, his monocle falling out and hanging by its chain. Elbie went on to explain. “I saw that same man last night, in workers’ clothing, climbing out of a ground-floor window. He was carrying this very bundle of rags. It looked like he buried it under the bushes, then left.”

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The mustachioed man stood up very straight, looking very angry and raising a fist. “Preposterous!” he shouted.

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“I don’t often forget a face, mein Herr (Sir),” Elbie replied, then turned back to the director. “I’ll bet the police will find his fingerprints all over that machine!” The mustachioed man’s eyes widened even further, and a trickle of sweat dripped down his forehead as he clearly realized the boy was probably right.

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“Nonsense! I am leaving this disastrous display of incompetence!” he cried, trying to push past the people seated in his row. Just then, two museum security guards appeared at the exit, and moved in to stop him. As they escorted him out of the planetarium, the audience cheered loudly.

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Herr Bauersfeld and his helper quickly cleaned the bulb and put it back in the projector. The director said a few words of apology for the disruption. Elbie quietly rejoined his grandfather at their seats. Lazlo put a proud hand on Elbie’s shoulder and gave him a big, warm smile.

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“NOW,” the presenter said, his voice ringing with excitement. “Thanks to our young Amerikaner freund (American friend), we can proceed! So, on with the show!” More applause filled the room, directed more at Elbie than anything else.

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The lights dimmed again, this time for real, mimicking the twilight setting of the sun. And the presentation began. A soft whirring sound filled the air, and then, slowly, the domed ceiling above them began to glow. With Herr Bauersfeld’s guiding voice in the background, tiny, sparkling points of light appeared, then more and more, until the whole ceiling was filled with glittering stars. Planets, looking like tiny, colorful marbles, drifted slowly across the cosmic canvas. It was like looking out into space itself! Lazlo and Elbie reclined in their seats, completely amazed, watching the cosmos unfurl before their very eyes. It was one of the most beautiful sights Elbie had ever seen.

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PART FIVE: Guilty as Charged

The next morning, Elbie and Lazlo met Herr Eckener for breakfast once again. The hotel dining room was bright and smelled of fresh bread and coffee. Elbie was still excited from the day before, remembering the exciting star show.

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“Good morning, young Elbie!” Hugo Eckener said, a warm smile on his face. “I have some news about our friend with the mustache.”

Elbie leaned forward, his eyes wide. “Gee Whiz! What happened?”

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“Well,” Herr Eckener explained, “die Polizei—that’s the police—arrested him last night. It turns out he broke into the museum and stole the bulb.”

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“But why?” Elbie asked, frowning.

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“He works for a different company,” Herr Eckener said, his voice a little serious. “A company that also wants to show off their own machine for projecting the stars. But their machine is not nearly as good as the Zeiss projector. He was trying to make our demonstration fail so his company would look better.”

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“Oh,” Elbie said, understanding now.

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Herr Eckener nodded. “The police found his fingerprints all over the machine, especially on the little door where the bulb goes. So, he couldn’t say it wasn’t him!”

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Elbie felt a little shiver of excitement. He had been right!

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Herr Eckener then pulled out a newspaper. “Look at this!” he said, pointing to a big headline and translating it. The article beneath it talked all about how a “young American boy” had solved the mystery and saved the amazing demonstration. But it didn’t say Elbie’s name.

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“How come no reporters wanted to talk to me?” Elbie asked, a little disappointed. He thought it would have been fun to see his name in a Munich newspaper!

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Lazlo just shrugged, giving a little cough. “Oh, well, you know how reporters are, my boy. Always in a hurry. They probably just got the story from the museum director and rushed off. Besides, we have more adventures to get to!” He quickly changed the subject, and Elbie didn’t think about it anymore.

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After a delicious breakfast, they went back to their rooms and finished packing their bags. A taxi was waiting outside an hour later to take them back to the airfield.

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The giant Zeppelin was ready for them when they arrived, its silver skin gleaming in the morning sun. Minutes later, the Gimbles and Herr Eckener were safely aboard the magnificent airship and ready for departure.

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With a gentle hum and a soft lift, the Zeppelin rose into the sky, leaving the magical Zeiss projector, the "Wonder of Jena," behind them. Elbie looked out the window, thinking about the stars and how much more there was to learn. He wondered what the future held for such wonderful projection machines. He wondered what other amazing contraptions people would invent to study the cosmos, maybe even travel there, in the future.

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Lazlo, after reading his grandson’s face, gave a sly smile. “Maybe someday, my boy,” he whispered, his eyes twinkling in understanding, “we’ll travel the stars together ourselves!”

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- THE END -​

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