Author speak: I always wanted to tell my children great stories. I make it a point to tell stories to my 5 years old daily; sometimes my one-year-old also joins in as if she is understanding whatever I am saying. Many stories are made by me on the go as I keep on incorporating suggestions made by my son. These stories are not great but I try to make them as engaging as possible for my kids. My wife heard this particular story and wanted me to write and publish it. I would keep on documenting stories which I think are decent enough to be published. So here goes the story…
There was a little girl. She lived with her parents who doted on her. She was cute, lively and chirpy. Everyday few birds would hop into her balcony. There were 2 dishes kept there; one would have water while the other bird feed. The birds would feed, drink and play around those dishes. The girl would watch those birds intently; their size, their colours, their beauty. In fact, she was so fascinated with birds that she would read everything about them.
When she used to watch birds fly and soar high in the sky, she wanted to fly like them. One day she forced her father to buy a fairy dress with wings. She thought she would fly wearing them. When she could not fly, she wept for hours. Another day, she tied a towel around her neck like a cape and tried to jump from the stairs hoping she would fly. Her father saw her in time and caught her in the middle else she would have got hurt.
Children around her start noticing her obsession for flying. They started making fun of her. Even the neighbours and relatives sniggered at her fascination. She would get discomforted by all these. One day she asked her mother – “People laugh at me. Will I never be able to fly?”
“Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t fly”. Her mother comforted her with her soothing words.
Once she went on a vacation with her family. It was the first time she sat on a plane. Her father had reserved the window seat for her. She was very happy. As the flight took off, she felt butterflies in her stomach. She watched out of window and felt as if she is flying; flying through the clouds; across the vast landscapes; soaring in the sky. She turned to her father and said – “Papa, it feels like I am flying.” Her father smiled and said – “If you always want to fly like this then there is a way.”
“What?” She asked excitedly.
“You can become a pilot.”
“Pilot?”
“Pilots are the people who fly the plane. Once you become a pilot, you could always fly. Plus the view from pilot’s seat is much better. It would be an awesome experience.”
“I will become a pilot.” She said to her father.
“It is not easy. You will have to study hard. You have to be physically fit. Only then they give a person responsibility of so many lives.” Her father smiled at her.
“I will work hard. You do not worry.”
From that day onwards she concentrated more on her studies. She started working on physical fitness; she did regular exercises; participated in sports. She became so better that she represented her school in sports championships. But some people were still unkind to her. They would comment “Girls do not fly planes. You will not be a pilot”. Sometimes these would hurt her and put doubts in her minds. One day her father saw her crying.
“What happened my child?”
“I don’t think I can become a pilot.”
“And why so?”
“Because girls cannot fly planes.”
“Your mother had told you once. I am repeating her today. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t fly.” He said as he kissed her forehead.
So she persisted. She worked hard and cleared all the exams. She was selected to be trained as a pilot. After her first training session when she sat in the cockpit, she messaged her father, “You were right. The view from pilot’s seat is really special. I was flying Papa.”
“You would fly when you become a certified pilot beta.” Her father replied.
She did become a certified pilot after completing all the regulations. Her parents flew on her first flight as a commercial pilot. She made them fly.
