Page 102 - Up Up and Away

This time, as they reached the top, something changed.

Everything went quiet. The little capsule had feathers and

wings and flew off into the blue sky. The two children

were frozen and utterly quiet. The bird turned its

beautiful head, and winked one huge dark eye. Mirabel

had seen those dark eyes before on various flights and

adventures. She was no longer frightened, although she

was speechless and couldn't tell Liam. Nor could he ask -

he couldn't talk either.

They flew over farm country, over hills and lakes,

mountains and valleys. It was such a beautiful ride, unlike

any ride at the fair that they had ever seen. It seemed to

go on for hours. It reminded Mirabel of her flights in the

balloon, although this one was at great speed.
Then, with one big swoop toward the ground, the bird

became the little metal capsule again, with its painted
eyes. And there they were at the exit. They got out of the

capsule and walked with wobbly legs toward the gate.

The parents were there waiting.

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