“The Balloon Adventure” is another story in “The Odessa Chronicles”, and relates what happens when Jaxon, Dewey and the man-servant take a ride in a hot-air balloon. Due to an unfortunate set of circumstances, the three of them end up flying in the balloon, while the balloon owner/operator is still on the ground. Fortunately however, Odessa is flying alongside them and guiding them to a crash landing onto a hay stack……………………..

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The hot-air balloon basket caught the top of the hay stack and ejected our three adventurers, who fell out onto the hay bales. The balloon then dragged the basket over the haystack, and they watched as it started heading back up into the sky. Within a few minutes, they heard a familiar whoosh-whoosh sound, as Odessa flew over and landed on the hay next to them.

“Well guys,” she said, “did you have a good adventure?”

The man-servant, who was now sitting up, replied, “Yes, thank you, Odessa, but I really don’t think that it’s over yet. We still have to get back to the farm.” Jaxon and Dewey were now both looking at the man-servant.

“Do you have any idea where we are?” Jaxon asked.

The man-servant shook his head. “No idea, Jaxon, but we must find out so we can plan our route back.”

Odessa was hopping around on the top of the haystack. “Isn’t anybody going to ask me?”

The man-servant looked at her. “Sorry, Odessa. Do you happen to know where we are?”

“I know exactly where you are,” said Odessa, and then all went very quiet.

The man-servant shook his head. “Okay, Odessa, can you please tell us where we are? No wait … WOULD you please tell us where we are?”

Odessa replied, “You are on the top of a haystack!”

The man-servant looked her in disbelief. “What?” he asked. “Is that it? We know very well that we are on the top of a haystack!”

Odessa stayed very calm and stared at him. “Well, what else do you want to know?”

Jaxon decided to try to help out and said, “Where is the haystack, Odessa?”

“Beneath you!” said Odessa. “I am surprised that you had to ask!”

Dewey decided to try his best. “Odessa,” he said, “I am hungry and tired. Please tell me where the haystack is located.”

“Oh, that’s easy,” said Odessa. “It’s located at the edge of a field. If you look down over the sides, you will see the field!” Dewey rolled over and went to sleep.

The man-servant was deep in thought, when suddenly he looked directly at Odessa. “Do you know where this field is, relative to the Town of Greenwoods and Moonbeam Farm?”

Odessa rolled her eyes. “Of course, I do. Have you forgotten that I flew here with you?”

“That’s the most intelligent thing you’ve said so far,” said the man-servant. “So where is it?”

“Where is what?” asked Odessa.

“This field!” replied the man-servant rather loudly.

“It’s beneath this haystack!” said Odessa. “Not only are you really slow in catching on to things, but you are also being quite rude to me. Do you want my help, or should I just fly back on my own?”

Jaxon then intervened. “Odessa … what direction do we need to go in order to get back to Moonbeam Farm?”

Odessa pointed with one of her wings. “You see that church spire in the distance? Well, that’s the Town of Greenwoods.”

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 ………… but the adventure is not over yet! For more information on “The Odessa Chronicles” (Stories for children of all ages), please click on the book cover in the column to the right.