U is for Unveiling #atozchallenge
Ollie, as you know, has dreams of flight. To soar with the birds, to see the vast world below from such lofty height is foremost on his little bug mind. Tree climbing and dragon riding are fine but nothing compared to the joy of powered flight.
Out in the workshop disguised as a barn he spent untold hours at work. He read books and studied history. He made models and daydreamed under the shady meadow trees. One day, he thought, one day I will fly.
He collected wood from the fields and from old structures. He raided his mammas fabric stores. He got some old cables and wires from the surplus shop in town. He made a flight suit and got himself some goggles which he ordered inline. He thought about using a giant rubber band for power. He thought of the flatulence powered engine but that would require Bearly There Bear and a lot of burritos which meant extra weight. No, Ollie wanted to fly something he built with the motive power of popping corn. An engine he built from a corn popper and some kitchen equipment he was sure mamma wouldn’t miss. He welded, hammered and sewed. He added paint and some decals from his model box. After a few things, The Deliverer was ready. It would deliver the promise of the heavens to Ollie Bug.
On one early Sunday at dawn he rolled the plane out from the barn. His friends were there to see him off. Gordon stood ready to trail behind in case there was a problem because with an Ollie project there was always something. The Barely Brothers helped him suit up. Ticklebit handed him his helmet and goggles. Artemouse and Spoon fueled the Deliverer with fresh popcorn kernels and each gave him a good luck kiss. He saluted them and climbed aboard.
Ollie checked the gauges and switches and dials. It was time. He hit the popper ignition and the device revved up. The kernels swooshed around the expansion chamber and began to pop. The propeller awoke with a cough and began to spin. He released the brake as his friends stood back. The Deliverer rolled down the little dirt runway gaining speed.
The little plane bounced a few times and was airborne. Ollie had done it. He built his first airplane and it actually worked. That was something new. He pulled up on the stick and soon he was flying toward the rising sun. Gordon flew alongside and together they greeted the morning with a whoop and a holler. From the ground Ollie could hear his friends cheer. Soon the birds flew alongside the Deliverer and assumed formation behind. Though this was only a test, Ollie didn’t want it to end. He could see the whole meadow, the ocean and the mountains. He could see the faraway towns and the vast curve of the Mother planet. He looked up to see the fading moon almost smile and wink at him. He could see the pizza sea monster in the ocean below and they gave each other a wave. The pirates in the other tree houses gave salute as he flew low by them with a waggle of wings.
Ollie Bug, Spider of Adventure had reached one of his dreams and became one with the sky. Today would be a good day.