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TRAVELLIN' RICK VISITS AN
AIRPORT
“Hello there, everyone,” said Travellin’ Rick,
carrying a large suitcase under his arms. “I’m going on a trip in an airplane.
Why don’t you join me? I’ve got a few more things to do, so grab your suitcase
and meet me on my front porch.”
Travellin’ Rick set his suitcase down by the front door and picked up the
telephone.
“This is Travellin’ Rick, calling,” said Travellin’ Rick into the receiver. “I
need a taxi to come and pick me up and take me to the airport.”
Once he finished the telephone call, Travellin’ Rick locked all the windows and
doors. He also made sure that his plants had plenty of water. Picking up his
suitcase once again, Travellin Rick stood outside on his front porch.
“Well, I’m all set,” said Travellin’ Rick. “What about you? You are ready. Good,
let’s get on our way. Oh, look, here comes the taxi.”
“To the airport,” said Travellin’ Rick to the taxi driver.
“Going somewhere,” said the taxi driver.
“Yes,” said Travellin’ Rick. “My friends and I are going to the airport. We are
going on a trip.”
“A trip,” said the driver. “That sounds fun! Me, I go on trips every single day,
driving trips, that is!”
“How nice,” said Travellin’ Rick. “Have you ever been on an airplane?”
“Me, on an airplane?” asked the taxi driver. “No, I’ve never been on a plane
before. I’m too frightened.”
“There really isn’t anything to be frightened about,” said Travellin’ Rick.
“Lots of people go on an airplane. As a matter of fact, about 500,000,000 people
travel on airplanes every year!”
“Wow!” exclaimed the taxi driver. “That is a lot of people! Maybe I’ll just go
on an airplane someday.”
“I’ve got an idea,” said Travellin’ Rick. “Why don’t you come for an airplane
ride with us, today?”
“You mean right now,” said the taxi driver.
“Sure,” said Travellin’ Rick. “One more person won’t make any difference.”
“I don’t know,” said the taxi driver. “Airplanes are so big!”
“They are very big,” said Travellin’ Rick. “That still is no reason to be afraid
of them.”
“I guess not,” said the taxi driver. “I could use a holiday anyway.”
“By the way,” said Travellin’ Rick. “What is your name? My name is Travellin’
Rick.”
“My name is Steven,” said the taxi driver. “You don’t have to tell me you’re
name, Travellin’ Rick. Everyone in this town knows who you are.”
Steven pulled the taxi cab into the parking lot of the airport.
“Wow!” exclaimed Steven, while walking beside Travellin’ Rick. “This sure is a
busy place.”
“Airports are very busy places,” said Travellin’ Rick. “A lot of activity takes
place here.”
“This is so exciting,” said Steven, taking a deep breath.
“Well,” said Travellin’ Rick. “I suppose the first thing that we should do is to
get our tickets.”
“Okay,” said Steven, following behind.
Travellin’ Rick and Steven soon came to a ticket booth. A ticket agent asked
them a few questions and punched a few buttons on her computer. Soon, both men
had their tickets in their hands.
“Your plane leaves in an hour,” the agent said. “Have a nice flight.”
“Yes,” said Steven. “We will!”
“Let’s go check our baggage,” said Travellin’ Rick.
Travellin’ Rick and Steven got lost while trying to find the baggage department.
They noticed an information booth to their right.
“We are trying to find the baggage department,” said Travellin’ Rick.
“Go straight down the hall and the baggage department is two doors to your
left,” a friendly clerk said.
“Thank you very much,” said Travellin’ Rick.
Once they checked their baggage, Travellin’ Rick and Steven decided that they
would get something to eat. They stopped off at a snack bar and ordered a
hamburger and fries.
“While we are here,” said Steven. “I should buy a postcard for my wife.”
“Good idea,” said Travellin’ Rick. “I noticed a little gift shop just around the
corner. Come on. I want to get a couple of postcards too.”
Travellin’ Rick bought three postcards and some magazines. Steven bought a
postcard for his wife and a little souvenir for her, too.
“I think Suzie will love her postcard,” said Steven. “It has a photograph of a
deer. Suzie loves deer.”
“Yes,” said Travellin’ Rick. “I’m sure she will love it. Don’t forget to buy her
another postcard when we arrive at our destination.”
“Oh definitely,” said Steven.
“Flight 133, now boarding at gate 11,” came a voice over the intercom.
“That’s us,” said Travellin’ Rick. “Let’s go!”
Steven began to get butterflies in his stomach when he saw the size of the
airplane.
“I’m not so sure that this is a good idea,” said Steven.
“Now come on,” said Travellin’ Rick. “There’s nothing to be afraid of.”
“Is this your first flight?” a stewardess asked Steven, once he was seated.
“Yes, it is,” said Steven.
“Well, don’t you worry about a thing,” said the stewardess. “We have very
competent and well-trained staff here to help make your first trip as pleasant
as possible. Now, can I get you something to drink or eat.”
“A coffee would be great,” said Steven.
“And how about you sir?” the stewardess asked Travellin’ Rick.
“Yes, I’ll have a coffee too,” said Travellin’ Rick.
The stewardess returned a few minutes later with a tray of coffee and a whole
lot of goodies.
“I feel better already,” said Steven.
“That’s good,” said the stewardess. “Now, can I get you anything else?”
“Not for me,” said Travellin’ Rick.
“Me either,” said Steven.
“Alright,” said the stewardess. “Would you like to watch a movie?”
“This is great,” said Steven, excitedly. “Yes, I would like to watch a movie.”
“How about you sir?” asked the stewardess.
“No thank you,” said Travellin’ Rick. “I’m going to read these magazines that I
bought.”
“This is your pilot speaking,” a voice came onto the intercom. “We are
experiencing good weather, at present. Fasten your seat belts and let’s get this
plane into the air. I hope you have a wonderful flight!”
The plane started to taxi down the runway and within minutes was gliding in the
air.
“That wasn’t so bad,” said Steven.
“I told you there was nothing to worry about,” said Travellin’ Rick.
Within a few hours, the airplane landed at a different airport.
“That was a great experience,” said Steven. “I think I would like to travel on a
plane more often.”
“Yes,” said Travellin’ Rick. “That was fun!”
Steven and Travellin’ Rick both agreed that they would have to travel together
again. Why don’t you come along on their next flight, too?
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TRAVELLIN'
RICK
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