Homer the Helicopter - Grand Canyon Adventures by Julie W. Buscher - HTML preview

Chapter 1

B

ang! . . . bang! . . . bang! Buzz-z-z-z-z. Splash, swoosh, splash-h-h-h . . . The sounds of hammers, saws, and paint echoed throughout the giant factory. When the noises finally stopped, a squeaky hoist lowered something slowly to the ground. Ooohs and ahhhs moved through the crowd. It had taken many months for the workmen to shape
Homer’s body into a perfect flying machine. And now, Homer the helicopter was being born right in the middle of
the factory’s scrap heap.

Unlike other newborn helicopters who were timid and made fussing noises, Homer was brave from the start. His shiny skin was cut from the finest silver metal. And on top of the little ‘copter sat two sparkling new blades. As the blades began to spin, Homer felt a gentle wind above his head. With each quickening turn of his new propeller, Homer’s emerald green eyes danced and flashed even brighter, and his smile turned to a wide grin. The dimples in each corner of his mouth and on his chin deepened with delight and his stubby nose stuck out like a silver jewel.

It was time for the factory workmen to turn Homer over to his mother, the wise, golden-colored Elsa. She was elegant with six glowing lights on her frame. On top of her huge blades sat a brilliant strobe light that twirled around, brightly flashing on and off.

Elsa had waited a long time to raise a son just like Homer. She was so thrilled and proud of her new son that she took him in tow behind her and flew around the factory in a precise, zigzag flight pattern. Elsa wanted to show off Homer to all the other mothers who had come to celebrate the little ‘copter’s arrival into the world.

Elsa was a graceful flyer, and under her guidance the two of them drifted lightly through the air like floating swans.

 

After several minutes, Homer became restless and decided to play a prank on his mother. When Elsa zigged, Homer zagged in the opposite direction. Again and again the rope swiftly jerked him backward, each time giving the