Lost in the Topkapi Palace

Lost in the Topkapi Palace

In a hot summer day when the sun was glowing above the magnificent city of Istanbul, Ana and Radu, who had arrived a few days before, decided to visit the Topkapi Palace.
They took the bus and arrived at the palace at noon. Being so hot and time for lunch, the children didn’t have to wait too much to buy tickets, because the number of visitors was very small. As they entered the courtyard of the palace, they were amazed by the beautiful gardens and they admired the landscape and the view over the Bosphorus!

Charmed by what they saw, they could not wait to see what was inside the palace.
They entered but instead of following the guide, they sneaked through the tourists and walked alone through the room, being stunned by what they saw: crystal stairs, great pictures, mirrors as walls or the famous Turkish baths. They ran, they slipped between other groups of guests, looking to all the rooms with great pleasure ... but suddenly they found themselves alone in a long empty hall…

‘Radu, what are we going to do now? Oh, why did I listen to you and left the others?’ she said.

‘So what, weren’t you in the mood for adventure and fun? Do not tell me that you didn’t like it! If we had stayed with those old people, we could be in the third room now!’ said the boy, proud of him.

‘At least we would’ve been with someone...’said Ana worried.

‘Let's not waste our time and let’s go that way, I think we’ll find the exit!’ said Radu.

So they walked in that hall before reaching a Turkish bath ... and still nobody was around. They found a small window and noticed with concern that the twilight covered the sky ... and the palace had to close at 6 p.m.

‘Ooops’... I don’t think it's OK!’ said Radu laughing.

‘What? Are you laughing? The palace will be closed in a few minutes and we will be stuck here, so what’s so funny? Let’s take this way, it’s better as I say!’ said Ana nervously.

‘Okay, but you’ll see my way is better‘, said the boy.
The two children walked a little more and reached a large room with a crystal chandelier hanging above.

‘Oh, this room should be well guarded, it seems to be very valuable!’ said Radu.

‘I think so too, it is very impressive. It should be someone here to show us the way to the exit. Let’s shout’ said the girl.

‘Is anybody here?’ the children shouted.

‘What is this noise? We heard you when you were on the stairs! What are you looking for? The palace will close in about 10 minutes!’ said the guardian.

‘We are sorry, sir, we have lost the group and panicked. We haven’t done anything wrong ... We just ran a little.’ said Radu.

‘Well, I forgive you because you have not broken anything. But you have to know that it's better to go with the group and learn new things, than run around the palace by yourselves,’ said the guard gently.

‘Thank you!!!’ cried the children. And when they finally got out, they promised not to do such a thing ever again because they learned a good lesson.