The Morning After

 Mr. Owl woke the ants with a high speed pass that rocked the PPP-1. Penee was already awake and saw him coming, fast and low.  Penee marveled at the owl's complete mastery of flight and wanted to learn as much as he could.  Soon all the ants were gathered in front of Mr. Owl.  Penee counted heads, Penee counted heads again and came up with the same number, one short!  A quick roll call revealed that Acro ant was missing.  All the ants started calling for Acro as they searched the PPP-1 and the surrounding area.  Hearing his name called Acro slid down Mr. Owl's leg and stumbled toward the group.  Acro was mumbling something over and over incoherently.  Everyone was quiet and listening then finally they made out what Acro was saying, one word, that's all, just one word over and over, "Wowwwwwwww, Wowwwwwwww, Wowwwwwwww!!!"  The ants could not figure out what had happened.  Slowly Acro regained his voice enough to explain that he had stowed away on the owl and had been flying with him all night.  Acro was still excited from flying all night and even though he was tired he sat right in front to hear everything that Mr. Owl was going to teach them.  Acro started the instructional session by telling Mr. Owl's that he was sorry for stowing away but that he enjoyed flying with him very much especially after watching him fly the day before.  Acro ended with, "teach me how you do the split S maneuver pleeezzee!"

          Mr. Owl slowly looked over the group and started eye saying, "flying takes a lifetime to master, there's always something new to learn.  Flying requires good judgment, maturity and responsibility even though your paper airplane would not demolish a city block if you crashed, it would demolish you.  When you fly you must take care of yourself.  Flying can be a lot of fun, enjoyable and even safe, but, you need to pay attention.  This morning we'll talk flying, however, we can't cover it all so always be open to learning new thanks."  Mr. Owl went on and on...  He talked of  thermals, rising parcels of warm air, and sink, falling parcels of cold air.  He explained about how ridge lift is created when the wind blows at a hill and how the hill causes the air to rise upwards.  He talked of turbulence and lee side rotors, and then finally talked about aerobatics.  Acro had been only partially listening until the word ‘ aerobatics’ was mentioned, then he was all ears.  Acro started to ask question after questioned; loops, flat spins, wing overs, high speed spirals, hammerheads, tail slides and of course the all mighty split S.  Mr. Owl answered all the questions well but suddenly ended the session with the statement, "I think it's about time for you guys to launch."  The ants had been paying attention to Mr. Owl and hadn't noticed the thermal activity start up.  Even though straw and dust were being lifted high into the sky the ants had been listening intently to the owl and were oblivious to what was going on around them.  All the ants turned towards the plane and were surprised to see a spider at the back of the group who was also listening to the lecture.  The ants froze in terror!  Spiders had always been the threat to the ants and now they were face to face with one of the biggest they had ever seen.  The spider sensed their fear and was quick to speak, "don't be afraid, I won't hurt you.  I saw you guys fly in last night and I've been listening to Mr. Owl talk about flying.  I'd love to come with you!  I've always wanted to fly!"  "Wellll..."  Started Wise ant.  The spider interrupted and said that he would be very helpful, he was able to make a very strong web and that he would be their friend forever.  Wise ant looked to the group for some guidance but Mr. Owl was the one who spoke, "I have known this spider for a long time, he is a good spider and he would be very helpful on your journey.  His name is Speck and I recommend him highly."  "That's good enough for me!"  Said Wise ant as he looked to the rest of the group.  They all nodded in skeptical agreement and.the plane.  Penee, Wiseant and Acro took their position on the upper surface at the nose.  Hermals speck positioned himself at the center of gravity and, with his web, anchored himself firmly.  All the other ants were at the trailing edge ready to push the PPP-1 down the sloped roof for the launch.

          Mr. Owl was perched at the top of the roof watching.  Wise-ant ordered the push crew to be ready.  Wiseant was watching for the next barnyard thermal to launch into.  It was quiet and they all waited.  "HERE IT COMES!!!"  Mr. Owl called out.  Wise-ant had seen the thermal at the same time.  The small swirling of dust, leaves and straw.  The small dust devil was growing rapidly and Wise-ant counted down, “3..., 2..., 1 GO-GO GO!!!"  The pusher ants all pushed the PPP-1 down the roof.  The PPP-1 was picking up speed fast and all the pushers jumped on and centered up waiting for the next command.  The PPP-1 slid down the roof picking up speed, the swirling dust devil was straight ahead and spinning wildly.  The PPP-1 lifted clear of the roof, 1 inch, then two, they were flying!  Heading straight at the spinning mass of rising air, Wise-ant yelled "HOLD ON!"  The PPP-1 hit the dust devil head on and pitched up wildly as it rolled to the inverted.  "ROLL RIGHT-CENTER UP-NOSE DOWN..."  Wise-ant was barking the orders as fast as he could.  Soon the PPP-1 was real high in the smoother and stronger lift.  They were leaving the Earth behind at a rapid pace.  Wise-ant turned to look back at his accomplished crew and saw that speck and Acro were gone, probably thrown off when the plane rolled to the inverted.  The PPP-1 was flying a little funny: Wise-ant needed all the ants up front to keep the nose down.  "Everyone to the nose.", Wise-ant ordered.  When the plane was again stable, Wise-ant made his way to the trailing edge and looked down.  He couldn't believe what he was seeing.  Speck was making his way back up the web he had spun when he jumped off to catch Acro who had fallen.  Acro was sitting on Speck's back cheering him on.  In no time speck and Acro boarded and all the ants converged at the center of gravity swarming all over Speck offering their congratulations, Speck was a real hero, a definite friend.  The PPP-1 climbed higher and higher as it drifted downwind.  Another journey had started, a little scary at first, but now they were under way, destination unknown...

Chapter Ten