JOHN'S AEROPLANE

Radio Record, Volume X, Issue 5, 14 August 1936, Page 56

JOHN'S AEROPLANE

OHN was trying to break records with bis new aeroplane in the garden. It was a fine little model, a bitthday present from Daddy. and John was delighted with it, He knew that he must not let it ‘go ovér the hedge. On the other side of this was the greenhouse and garden belonging to the Colonel,, who was a very fierce old gentleman. Sometimes John crept into a hole at the bottom of the hedge and looked through into the other garden, which seemed a much more exciting one than his own. He had no hope of ever playing in it, however, because he was terribly afraid of the old gentleman. On this bright spring morning he wanted to make his aeroplane fly from the summerhouse to the apple tree, which was a very long way. He twisted the elastic until he was red in the face, and then, before he could stop it, the aeroplane flew right out of his aching fingers. To his horror: it went straight toward the Colonel’s greenhouse! There was a crash, followed by an angry voice. John was frightened, but instead of. ‘running away he went to the hole in the hedge, intending to explain how sorry he was." He wriggled throtigh far enough to see that the Colonel was picking up’ his aeroplane and looking at it very carefully. After turning it round afew times he ‘twisted the elastic and

let go, making the aeroplane fly a little way. He seemed to like it, for he went after it, picked it up, and tried again and again. John was still in his hole, but now he: ‘was wriggling with excitement, for the Colonel was making the aeroplane go longer and longer flights, far longer than John had dreamt possible. At last, after one great flight, John was so excited that he forgot where he was, and shouted ‘‘Hutrah!"’ The Colonel looked up, surprised, and then came. and pulled him out of the hedge. John was frightened, until he'saw a merry twinkle in the Colonel’s eye and heard him laugh. "This yours: he asked. ‘‘Well, well! Great fun, isn’t it?’’ Five minutes later they were trying, in turns, to see if they could fly the aeroplane over the tallest tree in the garden. They did at last. And ever since then they have been firm friends, and John now plays in the Colonel’s garden whenever he likes.