Peter Pan (7)

(5)The Flight

Peter had told Wendy that the way to the Neverland was easy.

"Second to the right and go sraigh on till morning ! "

But it seemed to take a very long time, and Wendy wondered if Peter really knew the way.

At first it was great fun.
They circled round tall church spires and raced each other in among the clouds and stars.

But as they went on, they grew tired and it was cold, flying in their night clothes.

They were hungry too.
Peter stole food for them from the beaks of passing birds, but it was not a proper meal.

Now they were flying over the sea, and there was a new danger.
If they fell asleep, they dropped down, like stones, towards the waves.

Peter thought this was very funny.

He waited till the last minute to swoop down and rescue Michael, before he hit the sea.( That was clever, but unkind, Wendy thought. )

Peter showed off a lot and kept flying away and leaving them, to talk to marmaids or stars.

He always came back in the end, and they followed him, bumping into the clouds every so often.

Then, at last, they saw the Neverland below !

The sun sent a million golden arrows to point it out.
It was just as they had imagined.

They could see the lagoon, the redskin's wigwams, and the wild animals.

But then the sun went in and everything became dark and frightening.

They began to wish they were back in the nursery with Nana and the night lights.

They were flying low through the tree-tops now.
It felt queer, as if something was pushing them, to keep them away from the island.

" They don't want us to land ! " said peter, his eyes sparkling.

(7/30)