Apollo's First Flight

5-6 min read
13 pages
5+

Apollo is the smallest eaglet in the nest, and he wants to fly more than anything. But when it's time for his very first jump, the ground looks so far away. With a few quiet words from his papa, Apollo works up his courage, leaps, and soars.

High up on a rocky cliff sat a big, twiggy nest. In it lived a mama eagle, a papa eagle, and three eaglets. The smallest was Apollo. His brother and sister were bigger, but Apollo wanted to fly more than anything.

Apollo loved to watch Mama and Papa soar across the sky. Someday, he thought, I'll fly up there with them.

One sunny morning, Mama gathered her three eaglets. “Today, my little ones, you will learn to fly,” she said. “Open your wings, and the wind will carry you.” Apollo's tummy did a flip.

Apollo's brother and sister hopped eagerly to the edge of the nest. Then—jump! Off went his brother. Off went his sister. They flapped and flopped and wobbled. Soon they caught the wind and swooped in happy circles. Apollo stayed in the nest and watched. Papa stayed, too.

Apollo crept to the edge and peeked down. The ground was so, so far away. He hunched up small. His feet trembled. What if I fall?

Papa saw Apollo's shaky feet. He came close and bent down low. “I was scared on my first day, too,” he said softly. “Everybody is. Just open your wings, and the wind will hold you. I'm right here.”

Apollo looked up. The sky was so wide and blue! He was still scared, but oh, he wanted to be up there. He took a big breath, nodded, and stepped to the very edge. Papa stayed close.

Apollo looked at Papa. Papa nodded. And Apollo jumped! Down, down he fell. Oh, it was scary! Then he remembered Papa's words. He opened his wings wide—and whoosh! The wind caught him and held him up.

Apollo flapped harder. Up he went, higher and higher. The sun felt warm on his back. The breeze felt cool on his feathers. He swooped. He looped. He was flying!

Soon Apollo was flying beside his brother and sister—three eaglets together! Mama and Papa watched, so proud.

All around Apollo, the sky was wide and open. Now he could fly over the forest, over the river—anywhere he wanted! He had jumped, and now he could fly.

Many days went by. Apollo grew and grew into a big, strong eagle who soared high, high up in the sky.

Apollo never forgot his first flight. He had been so scared at the edge of the nest. But he jumped anyway—and oh, how wonderful it was to fly!

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