IN THE BEGINNING.

In a time when the fastest way from here to there was a horse, a few crazy people built aeroplanes. They made them by hand, from wood and fabric. They put motors on them, and spinning propellers.

After 10,000 years of dreaming, people flew.

The first flight was on a Thursday. That’s what mama told me. We were there when it happened. I was three years old.

Whoever he was, he didn’t belong there.

Uncle Orville’s plane rattled along a track, then jumped into the air. And it flew. Mama’s friend Cecil took the picture that I still carry today.

I still carry Cecil’s photo to this day.

The year was 1909, and people came from around the world to see the magic.

There were almost as many airplanes as horses. The horses could run faster than most of the planes could fly.

Roland’s airplane had the same name as Mama. I thought that was funny. Mama through it was interesting.

A man named Abel had flown all the way from Germany. His airplane was called, “Dove.” It had wings like a bird, and I thought it was beautiful.

The man from Siam was there to buy an airplane for his King.

Mama avoided the Russians.

The sheikh said nothing, but his aide asked many questions.

I don’t know who it was, but late that afternoon, mama saw someone who spooked her. Again we ran, but this time to Roland.

That’s where I first met my best friend Walt. His airplane flew farther than mine.

I don’t know who it was, but late that afternoon, mama saw someone who spooked her. Again we ran, but this time to Roland.

I don’t know who it was, but late that afternoon, mama saw someone who spooked her. Again we ran, but this time to Roland.

— PART THREE —

Mama asked Roland to take me for my first flight. Blue climbed in the plane too. Roland laughed. — Mama asked Roland to take me for my first flight. Blue climbed in the plane too.
Roland laughed.

And away we went!

I felt so free! I could see the whole world below.

The wind, the noise, the bumps; it was a dream. Blue loved it too!

Too soon, we can back to earth.

From then on we flew most every day.

Me, Roland, Antoinette, Blue, and the plane. A family.

Pretty soon, I was ready to fly by myself.

I was at home in the air. Blue always joined me, sitting in the cockpit, his ears flapping, barking at the wind.

On my birthday, I flew over Paris. With Blue, or course.

It was a good day.

I was 14 years old.