The Balloon That Didn’t Know How to Fly

Once upon a time there was a red balloon. It looked just like any other balloon, but – it didn’t know how to fly. The little balloon’s parents got very worried because he was “not like all the others”, and they decided to send him to a special balloon school. There, the balloon goes through exhausting training, but he still can’t fly. His parents get anxious and take him to see a specialist, but that doesn`t help either.

And then, one day, while the balloon’s parents are busy worrying, a gust of wind bursts in through the window and carries the little balloon right out and up into the air. Of course, his parents think it`s because of all they`ve done. But the little balloon just enjoys more than anything being up in the air!

Towards the surprising end of the book, the balloon reaches a prickly thorn patch and overhears a conversation between two thorn-parents. They’re worried that their son is “not like all the others” because he doesn`t know how to prick. In a fateful decision, the balloon decides to help the little thorn, his soul mate, even at a very heavy price.