The Alien Landing Strip

Midge was on the sidewalk in front of her house, when Booker-T walked up and joined her.

“What are you doing?” asked Booker-T.

“Looking at this strange drawing on the sidewalk,” said Midge.

“Who drew it?” asked Booker-T.

“I don't know,” said Midge. “I just saw it here and came out to see what it is.”

“Do you think it's code?” asked Booker-T.

“Code for what?” asked Midge. “Is it a small landing strip?”

“A landing strip for what?” asked Booker-T. “Maybe it is for birds to land on.”

“I guess a spaceship would have to be really small to land on it,” laughed Midge.

“What do all the numbers mean?” asked Booker-T.

“Maybe they are code for the aliens from outer space,” suggested Midge.

“You and your aliens,” laughed Booker-T.

“You know, there really could be aliens and we just haven't met any yet. This is a big world you know,” said Midge.

“I think you watch too much TV with your owner,” laughed Booker-T.

“But there really could be aliens,” said Midge. “This could be their signal to others to come.”

“I don't think so Midge,” said Booker-T.

“Then how did this get here?” asked Midge. “And what do the numbers mean?”

“I don't know, Midge,” said Booker-T. “Maybe Jake knows.”

“We can ask him when he comes to the house,” said Midge. “Lets go sit down and wait. Maybe an alien will land if we aren't standing here.”

They walked to Midge's front porch and sat down to wait for Jake and watch for the aliens.

“I don't think any aliens are coming in the daytime,” said Booker-T.

“Then you believe there are aliens too,” smiled Midge.

“No,” said Booker-T. “I really don't believe there are. I have never seen proof of them.”

“Okay,” said Midge. “Some day you might believe.”

“Maybe some day Midge,” said Booker-T.

As they sat waiting for Jake, they saw two little girls coming along the sidewalk. When they reached the alien drawing, they stopped in front of it and started talking. Midge tried to hear what they were saying.

“Do you think they saw the alien?” asked Midge.

“I don't know,” said Booker-T. “I really don't know.”

“Look,” said Midge. “Here comes Jake. We can ask him about it.”

Jake came strolling along the sidewalk and entered the yard at Midge's house. He joined Midge and Booker-T on the front porch.

“What are you two doing?” asked Jake.

“We were watching to see what those two girls are going to do,” said Midge.

“Maybe they are going to play the game,” suggested Jake.

“What game?” asked Booker-T.

“The game on the sidewalk,” said Jake.

“That is a game?' asked Midge. “it looks like an alien landing strip and all the code on it with the numbers.”

“It's a game the girls play,” said Jake. “They play it in my neighborhood all the time.”

“What is it?” asked Booker-T.

“They call it something like Hopscotch,” said Jake.

“It's not an alien landing strip?” asked Midge sounding a little disappointed.”

“No,” said Jake. “It is just a little girl's game.”

“How do they play it?” asked Midge.

“When I saw them play it,” said Jake. “One girl goes up and tosses out something on the first number and then she jumps on the other ones one at a time. If there are two numbers side by side, she puts down both feet. One on one number and the other foot on the other number and they try not to step on the lines. Then when she gets to the top, she comes back down along the numbers and picks up her little trinket. If she don't mess up, she goes again. I think the first one to finish all ten numbers wins the game.”

“So,” said Booker-t. “It's not an alien landing strip.”

“No,” said Jake. “What gave you that idea?”

“We never saw it before, and Midge didn't know how it got there,” said Booker-T.

“I kind of liked the alien story better,” laughed Midge.

“Do you think there are aliens, Jake?” asked Booker-T.

“I don't know,” said Jake. “Maybe there are and maybe there aren't. I don't think anyone really knows.”

“I think there are,” smiled Midge. “And some day we will meet one.”

“Keep dreaming Midge,” said Jake.

“Well, it could happen,” said Midge.

“I agree,” said Jake. “It could happen one day. The world is a big place.”

“See Booker-T,” said Midge. “It could happen.”

“But,” said Jake. “I wouldn't count on it.”

“What do you want to do?” asked Booker-T.

“Lets go to the school and see what's going on over there,” suggested Midge. “Maybe we can see the ambulance and fire truck run their lights.”

The three strolled along the sidewalk on their way to the school yard, When they walked into the parking lot, they heard a really loud noise and the wind was blowing very strong.

“Jake!” shouted Midge. “What is it? Is a storm coming?”

“I don't know,” said Jake looking around the area. “I don't think it is a storm.”

“Look up there,” said Midge. “It's a space ship!”

Jake looked up and saw something above them. “Get on the other side of that wall, said Jake as they ran for the school yard wall. “Hurry.”

They ran to the other side of the wall and stooped down low to watch.

“I told you there were aliens,” said Midge.

“They aren't aliens,” said Jake.

“What is it?” asked Booker-T.

As the air borne craft came down and landed, Jake was able to see what it was.

“It is a helicopter,” said Jake. “And it says on the side 'Care flight'.”

“What is care flight?” asked Booker-T.

“They are flying ambulances for people who are really badly hurt,” said Jake. “I saw a show about them on TV one time.

“It is really big,” said Midge. “Lets go see inside.”

They watched the two men get out and walk to the fire station. After they crossed the street, the three walked to the helicopter, trying to see inside.

“Can you jump up there, Jake?” asked Midge.

“Maybe,” said Jake.

“Try,” said Booker-T. “See what is inside.”

Jake jumped into the helicopter and looked around.

“There is a lot of stuff in here Midge,” said Jake. “And a bed. Lot of machines.”

“Jake!” yelled Booker-T. “They are coming back. Jump!”

Jake jumped down to the ground and they ran from the helicopter and sat down to catch their breath and watch it take off and fly away.

“Wow,” said Midge. “That is so neat.”

“Lot of loud noise too,” said Booker-T.

“It was really big,” said Jake.

“I like it,” said Midge. “That's better than an alien space ship. But I still want to see an alien and his ship.”

“Lets go home,” laughed Jake.