A story by Jonas Stegemann (C)
For Aharon
Chapter 1
Not long ago there lived a boy named Jack, not too far away from here on a farm. The farm was a long way from the city and surrounded by deep forest.
Jack loved to play in the forest, especially in an abandoned barn, which was overgrown with all sorts of plants. Often when he was very quiet Jack was able to observe all kind of animals. Sometimes he lay on the roof of the barn, watching squirrels, which moored their winter supply of nuts. He also saw birds that flew chirping about among the branches and in the fall of summer when he stayed till dusk, he could also see kangaroos, who dared out of the shadow of the forest into the clearing in front of the old barn.
One afternoon when he was lying on the roof of the barn observing a lizard that chilled before him in the sun the roof broke and he fell into the barn.
Fortunately, he landed softly on a haystack that must have lain in the barn for a very long time. It smelled damp and a bit mouldy. It was dark in here, because the windows were nailed shut with boards. As his eyes adjusted to the darkness, he crawled from the haystack and looked around.
Lots of strange objects were lying around. Garden tools hung on the walls and on a bench was a large tool box. On the wall above the bench hung some other devices posters of motorcycles. The whole room was full of dismantled engines and spare parts. His gaze wandered about the chaos and then saw it!
In one corner of the barn was a motorcycle! It was not just any motorcycle, but a dirt bike! A real dirt bike! Jack went up a little closer and saw that there had developed rust on the engine. But the colour of the dirt bikes could still be seen: Green! His favourite colour! Jack wiped the dust from the seat with one hand and climbed up. His feet were hanging in the air and he was hardly on the handlebars. Nevertheless, it felt so good! In the distance Jack could hear the laughter of the kookaburra and knew it was time to go home. Jack jumped off the bike and slipped out of the barn. Then he ran home.
Just before Jack fell asleep he decided to return the motorcycle the next day after school.
Chapter 2
The next day at school Jack was not quite focussed. He had to think about his dirt bike he found the previous day all the time.
As soon as he got home, he took off his school uniform and ran to the clearing with the barn. He cautiously opened the door. The mouldy damp smell rose to his nose and a ray of light fell on the motorcycle, which was still standing in the corner and seemed to wait for him. As on the previous day, Jack went to the bike and climbed onto the seat. He closed his eyes and in a few seconds he entered another world.
He raced his green bike on a long dirt road until he was so fast that he took off. He flew through the the sky, raced the birds and climbed ever higher, so that the world was getting smaller and smaller. Then he drove into the clouds. Up here above the clouds, there were dragons and knights, who lounged in the sun, magnificent castles in the air, and beautiful meadows. The knights beckoned at him in a friendly manner and the dragons spat colourful flames of welcome.
Jack turned his green dirt bike back into the clouds. When he came out underneath them, he saw a strange land. It was a country of high mountains with snow peaks, deep valleys where cows were grazing and small wooden houses lying in the sun before him. At the foot of the mountains were tiny villages where men in leather pants and blue shirts and women in traditional dresses strolled around. Everywhere there were flowers and streams, wells and fountains. He had never seen so much water before. The houses seemed to be unusually solid. Thick, heavy wooden beams bore the walls and bright balconies adorned almost every house. This must be Switzerland, Jack thought. He loved the photos in the books at home. So much water! With wide eyes he looked around and tried to absorb everything. He was sure to come back to this place one day!
Suddenly he heard a very well known laughter. The kookaburra! Like a whirlwind he raced with his motorcycle into the air. Passing the knights and dragons, castles and meadows and dived back into the clouds. When he opened his eyes, he was back in the barn. The dusk shimmered through the door in and showed that it was time to go home. He climbed off the seat and ran home. He told no one about what he saw. Only at night in bed he told his cuddly turtle what he had seen. Then he fell asleep.
Chapter 3
Whenever Jack had time, he ran to the barn, got on his bike, closed his eyes and traveled through distant worlds. Sometimes he moved with camels through the desert, then he explored impenetrable jungle. He flew over all the oceans and visited foreign countries. He even visited his friends in Germany.
But in most cases he dreamt of racing on dirt tracks. He performed amazing tricks and jumps and he always won, because with his flying green dirt bike he was invincible.
This went on for many years and Jack started to feel the desire to fix the bike. When he was sixteen he began to restore treasure. He dismantled the bike completely and took a long work experience at a garage to learn as much as possible about motorcycles. If he needed any advice he could always ask a mechanic who lived nearby and who was also his best friend now. It took Jack two long years restoring the old dirt bike.
Then came the big day. Jack now had his drivers license and finished school. It was time for all his dreams to come true.
One afternoon, he packed the most important things and said goodbye to his friends and family on the farm.
One last time he went to the old barn and pulled out his motorcycle. It glittered and sparkled in the sun and everyone on the farm were amazed when they saw Jack disappear like lightning in a cloud of dust in the distance.
The End
(15.04.'11)
