Glider

Hello, little friend. I am a glider. I am made of strong wood and soft, white cloth. My best friends were two brothers named Wilbur and Orville. They built me with their very own hands. Wilbur and Orville loved to watch the birds soar through the big blue sky. They would look up and say, 'I wish we could fly just like that'. They dreamed of flying, and I was their special secret to help make that dream come true. I was so excited to help them learn how to float on the wind just like a fluffy feather.

One day, we went on a big adventure to a place with giant, soft, sandy hills. It was called Kitty Hawk. The wind there loved to sing and play. On a sunny day in October of 1902, Wilbur and Orville let me go. Whoosh. The wind picked me up and I flew. I was flying. It was only for a little bit, but it felt like magic. Sometimes my landings were a little bit wobbly. Boing. I would bump down on the soft sand. But that was okay. We just giggled and tried again. We learned how to balance in the air, just like a little bird learning to use its wings for the very first time. We never gave up.

My short, happy flights were very important. I was like a teacher for Wilbur and Orville. Every time I swooped and glided, I taught them how to steer and how to soar. They learned everything they needed to know from our fun games on the sandy hills. Because of what they learned with me, they were able to build my amazing younger sibling, the very first airplane. Now, big airplanes can take people all over the world. It all started with my little swoops and a big dream to fly like the birds.