Island Landing

Chihiro pressed her nose against the airplane window as they descended toward Easter Island. Below, she could see giant stone heads scattered across green hills like sleeping giants.

"Look, Mom! The moai statues!" she said, bouncing in her seat.

Mom smiled and leaned over to peek out. "They're bigger than I imagined."

Dad folded his travel magazine. "Wait until we get closer. Some are over thirty feet tall."

The plane touched down with a gentle bump. As they walked across the small airport, warm ocean air filled Chihiro's lungs. Palm trees swayed in the breeze, and she could smell something sweet in the air – like chocolate mixed with tropical flowers.

"Can we visit the moai today?" Chihiro asked, adjusting her pink backpack.

"Tomorrow," Dad said. "Let's get settled first."

The Sweet Discovery

Their hotel room had a view of distant moai statues. Chihiro unpacked while Mom checked her phone messages.

"The tour guide cancelled," Mom announced. "Something about the moai being moved overnight."

"Moved?" Dad looked up from his suitcase. "Those things weigh tons."

Chihiro pressed against the window. The chocolate smell was stronger now, almost overwhelming. "Can we walk around anyway?"

"Just nearby," Mom said.

Outside their hotel, Chihiro spotted a woman with short black hair kneeling by a puddle. She wore work clothes and carried a toolbox.

"Excuse me," the woman called in accented English. "You see chocolate trucks last night?"

Dad shook his head. "We just arrived."

The woman frowned. "Someone moved three moai near my workshop. Now chocolate smell everywhere, but no trucks." She pointed toward a cluster of statues that definitely looked out of place.