Cutis was known in his class as the clever one — not just smart with books, but smart with ideas. Yen Nhi, on the other hand, was known for her bright smile and kind heart. The two had been best friends since the third grade, always sticking together, whether it was solving math puzzles or planting trees for Earth Day.
But this particular Thursday morning, something unusual was happening.
“I can’t believe we’re doing this,” Yen Nhi whispered, her eyes wide with excitement.
Cutis grinned, holding up a hand-drawn map. “We’re not just skipping school — we’re going on an adventure.”
It all began the day before when Cutis told Yen Nhi he had discovered something strange while walking home through the rice fields. He had found a small, rusted key tied to a red ribbon hanging from a banana tree.
“There has to be a story behind it,” he said. “What if it opens a hidden door or an old treasure chest?”
Yen Nhi’s imagination caught fire immediately. The two spent hours whispering plans and making up wild theories — what if it was a secret left behind by pirates? Or a forgotten time capsule? They decided: the next day, they would skip school, follow the clues, and discover the truth.
That morning, they packed snacks, a flashlight, a notebook, and the mysterious key into Cutis’s backpack. They left home pretending they were heading to class, but once they were out of sight, they veered off the path and headed toward the banana grove.
For the first hour, it felt like the best decision ever. Birds chirped overhead, and the fields sparkled with morning dew. They followed the edge of the irrigation canal, checking every old tree and pile of stones. But the deeper they went, the more the trail seemed to vanish.
“Cutis,” Yen Nhi said, stopping. “What if we get lost?”
“We won’t,” he assured her. “Look — the ribbon! Another one!”
Sure enough, another red ribbon was tied to a bamboo stick up ahead. They followed it and found another, then another. The ribbons formed a winding trail that led them to the edge of a small forest.
By now, the sun was higher, and it was getting warmer. Yen Nhi was starting to feel nervous, but Cutis was determined.
Just as they were about to turn back, they reached a clearing. In the middle stood a wooden hut with vines crawling up its walls and faded writing on the door.
Cutis gasped. “It’s real. This is what the key’s for!”
Yen Nhi clutched his arm. “Should we go in?”
He nodded. His fingers shook slightly as he slid the key into the rusty lock. It turned with a loud click.
The door creaked open to reveal… nothing like what they expected.
Inside was a neat little room with a table, a pair of chairs, and a strange-looking machine with blinking lights. On the walls were pictures — hundreds of them — of kids smiling, planting trees, cleaning rivers, helping animals. In the corner, a small TV flickered to life as they stepped in.
A video began to play.
“Hello,” said an old man with a kind face. “If you’ve found this place, it means you care about the world around you. This is the Eco Heroes Club — a secret group of young people who work together to protect nature and make the world better.”
Yen Nhi and Cutis stared, speechless.
The video continued. “Only those who find the red ribbons and the key are invited. This hut is your secret base now. Each week, new missions will appear on the screen. If you accept them, you’ll be doing work that matters — not just for school, but for the whole world.”
Suddenly, a new message appeared on the machine:
Mission 1: Help the old farmer clear plastic waste from the irrigation canal.
Cutis turned to Yen Nhi, eyes shining. “We skipped school… and found something way better.”
She nodded slowly, a smile forming. “We’re secret eco-heroes now?”
“I guess we are.”
They decided to complete the mission before heading home. For hours, they worked with the old farmer who lived nearby, helping him collect the plastic bottles, wrappers, and junk stuck along the canal. The man smiled warmly at their enthusiasm, telling them stories about the land and how things had changed.
By the time they were done, the sun was already low in the sky.
“We’re going to be in so much trouble,” Yen Nhi said, brushing dirt off her pants.
Cutis laughed. “Yeah, probably.”
They made their way back slowly. But when they got close to their village, they heard voices calling their names.
“Oh no,” Cutis muttered. “Our parents.”
Indeed, both their mothers were at the edge of the field, frantic and worried. As soon as they saw the kids, they ran over.
“Where have you been?” Yen Nhi’s mom cried. “We thought something terrible happened!”
“We’re sorry,” Cutis said quickly. “We weren’t in school. But… we found something amazing.”
They explained the whole story — the key, the hut, the Eco Heroes Club, the mission. At first, the adults didn’t believe them. But when they saw the photos on Cutis’s phone — the hut, the machine, and the trash they collected — their expressions changed.
“You helped an old farmer?” Cutis’s mom asked, surprised.
“You cleaned the canal?” Yen Nhi’s mom said, blinking.
“Yes,” Yen Nhi said. “And we’re going to keep helping. Every week.”
There was a long pause.
Then, instead of scolding them, their parents did something completely unexpected.
They smiled
“Well,” said Cutis’s mom, “if you’re going to skip school, at least you did something meaningful.”
“Still,” added Yen Nhi’s mom, “no more disappearing without telling us!”
“Deal,” the kids said in unison.
From that day on, Cutis and Yen Nhi didn’t need to skip school to go on adventures. Every Saturday morning, with permission and packed lunches, they would return to the hut, accept new missions, and do their part for the planet. Word spread, and soon, other kids in the village joined them — following the red ribbons and earning their place in the Eco Heroes Club.
And as for the unbelievable part?
One day, months later, a letter arrived from a famous environmental organization. Somehow, they’d heard about the secret club. The letter said:
“To Cutis and Yen Nhi — thank you for reminding us that real heroes are not always in capes. Sometimes, they’re two curious kids who follow a red ribbon into the woods.”
