【明報專訊】Balloon Boy has been inside a transparent balloon ever since he was born.
Because he is inside a balloon, he can float across streets, over buildings and stay so high in the air he can almost touch a cloud. His mother has told him he must never meet any birds. If a bird pecks (啄) a hole in his balloon, it will burst (破裂).
Balloon Boy﹕What will happen if my balloon bursts?
Mother﹕How dare you ask such a question! You know, you have never lived without it!
Balloon Boy is now a secondary school student. His balloon grows as he does. Therefore, the school's special facilities no longer fit him. He needs bigger classrooms, and windows have to be bigger so that he can float from one classroom to another. He also needs more ground to jump and move on. One of his classmates has heard the headmaster is going to transfer him to another school.
Classmate﹕Have you ever thought of living without your balloon? It causes you trouble. How can you sit for public exams, go to the cinema or be friends with girls inside it?
Balloon Boy﹕But I can fly!
Classmate﹕Nobody cares whether you can fly or not! You want to be a flying doctor, a flying police officer, or a flying lawyer?
Balloon Boy﹕But...
Classmate﹕But what? Just let me poke (戳) it. It won't hurt, will it?
Balloon Boy﹕No way!
Thereupon, Balloon Boy flies out of the window and wanders (徘徊) over the street. He sees people and cars moving along it as if they were heading nowhere. He thinks he has to find his own way, keep his balloon and realise his own dreams.
The sun is still quite bright and hot in September. Having wandered in the air for a while, he decides to take a rest under a tree. A voice suddenly speaks to him.
Voice﹕Who are you? Why are you here?
Balloon Boy﹕I don't know. I just happen to be here. I want to take a rest in the shade.
Voice﹕But why are you in a balloon?
Balloon Boy﹕I was born like that. Hm.... Nice to meet you.
Voice﹕I'm Shelley, nice to meet you, too.
Balloon Boy can't really see Shelley because she is behind him. But when she appears in front of him, he is surprised. She is a bird!
Balloon Boy and a Bird (1 of 4)
Text: Ashley Ley
Illustration: Iris Tsoi
