Zoe Floats Over the Hills

Zoe takes a hot air balloon ride across the countryside and sees the world from above.

It was a calm, golden morning, perfect for a balloon ride. Percy the pony lit the burner. WHOOSH! The big striped balloon swelled and tugged at the ropes. Zoe climbed into the basket.

Slowly, the ground slipped away. The people below became tiny. Zoe held the edge of the basket and looked down. β€˜We’re flying!’ she whispered. Her stomach did a little flip.

They drifted over patchwork fields. Everything looked small and neat, like a map. A flock of birds flew alongside. Hana the hedgehog waved a wing. Zoe waved back.

Zoe spotted her own house, no bigger than a matchbox. She saw the school, the park and the river. β€˜It’s all so close together,’ she said. β€˜From up here, nothing seems far.’

They landed softly in a meadow, with a gentle bump. Zoe climbed out, legs wobbly. β€˜Thank you,’ she said. β€˜That was the best view ever.’ Percy grinned. β€˜The world is always lovelier from a new angle.’

πŸ’‘

The little lesson

Seeing things from a new point of view changes how you see them.

Let’s talk about it

  • What could you see from above?
  • What did Zoe learn?

Finish stories to collect Zoe as a sticker in your Sticker Book.

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