Part One
Nikki was happy to visit the special park her mother had been telling her about.
When they arrived, she could hardly believe her eyes.
As she stood on the sidewalk in front of the entrance, she could barely see over the hedge that made a fence around the park.
She could see the top of a red and white tent and the head of a dinosaur. She heard carousel music, the sounds of ducks, and children playing. Nikki could smell popcorn, hot dogs, flowers, and fresh straw.
The most exciting sight of all, however, was the huge hot-air balloon that swayed gently in the breeze just outside the park.
It was tied down to stakes that had been hammered into the ground.
It was the biggest balloon Nikki had ever seen.
She wanted to get closer to see inside the basket that hung from the balloon.
It was tied to the balloon by large ropes.
The man who sold balloon rides was reading his newspaper. Nikki's mother walked over to talk to the man. Nikki walked over to look at the basket. She had never seen a hot-air balloon up close.
The basket had high sides. Ropes went up from the basket to the balloon above.
She got up on her toes to peek inside.
To get a better look she pulled herself up on the edge of the basket, but lost her balance and toppled into the basket head first.