THE WINDRIDER

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Following the Captain’s checklist, Jon prepared for takeoff.

“OK, give her full power, Jon,” instructed Captain Windsmith.

The Windrider lifted off the desktop and with a stomach-turning roll,
streaked low along the floor. “We’re flying!” Jon shouted as the plane
circled the room.

“Careful now! Slow her down and keep the wheel steady,”

Captain Windsmith cautioned.

“Where should we go?”

“Head for the light under your lampshade,” ordered the Captain.

“Yes sir!”

Jon zoomed over the desk and under the back of his chair, steering north
toward his bedside lamp.

“Easy, Jon!” Taco yelled as his skin turned from its usual bright green to pale gray.

Putting the Windrider into a steep climb, Jon zipped inside the lampshade.

Suddenly the Windrider was flying higher into white billowy clouds lit by a full moon.

Jon interrupted the quiet scene. "Captain, did my Maker send Coach Smith to help me too?"

"Yes, God, our Maker can work through anyone, our parents, friends, coaches, school teachers, but especially our spiritual teachers."

"Are you my spiritural teacher?"

"Yes, God has asked me to guide you back to Him."

"Awesome!" Jon exclaimed as Taco remarked.

"That's great for Jon, but what about me?"

The Captain said smiling. "When you take a human birth you can have a Captain too. We have many births as animals before we are given the body of a human."

Taco seemed pleased that he would have his time with the Captain.

Jon was amazed when he spotted a flock of swans. He slowed the
Windrider to join them for a while.

“She’s a smooth flier, Jon. Your drawing was just right.”

“Thanks,” Jon smiled, enjoying the Captain’s praise.

Catching a strong midnight wind, the Windrider lifted above the clouds
leaving the swans far below.

"Captain Windsmith, How will you guide me back to my Maker?"

"Well, when you get older, I will come to you in my physical form and intiate you into the mysteries of meditation. Then when you die, I will come in my spiritual form and guide you back to your True Home.

"There’s my place now!” the Captain announced, gazing at the horizon.

Soon a majestic castle came into view shining brilliantly in a starry sky.

“Jon, reduce speed and take her in close,” Captain Windsmith directed.

Taco couldn’t help but comment, “Some pickle jar you’ve got there, sir!”

Laughing, the Captain said, “Taco, take us for a spin around the turrets.”

“Me? I’m still a gecko, not a pilot!”

“You can do it, Taco!” Jon encouraged.

Taco took a deep breath. Taking the controls he shouted, "Tighten
your seatbelts! We’re going in!”

With squinted eyes and a huge grin, Taco gave the crew a wild ride
around the castle towers. It wasn’t long before the Captain hinted that
Jon take the controls and head for home.

“Thanks Taco, that was…well… a little scary!” Jon gasped.

On their journey home the crew relaxed as they enjoyed a beautiful sunrise.

Taco sighed, “Do I have to go back to that stuffy pickle jar?

Talk about not fitting in.”

“Taco, I’m going to build you a castle of your very own!” Jon declared.

Asking Captain Windsmith to take the wheel, Jon took a pencil and
paper out of his pack. He quickly sketched a new home for Taco.
“How’s this?” He asked holding up the drawing for Taco to see.

“Fantastic! That’s a real pickle palace!” Taco cheered.

“When I get home I’m going to do some serious drawing," Jon said.
"Who cares what other people think.”

“That’s right, Jon, just be yourself,” the Captain smiled.

“I might even try out for the new baseball team!” Jon added.

Continuing homeward, the Windrider passed through an
occasional cloud of stardust.

“Nothing to worry about,” assured the Captain as the tiny specks
danced around them, making soft bell sounds.

Jon and Taco watched in amazement as the musical lights left long trails of color.

On the final approach to Jon’s bedside lamp, the Captain helped
prepare the Windrider for re-entry.

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