Today for my writing challenge, I tried to write a short story from the perspective of my son as he went through the airport for the first time. The prompt for today was Airport.
David was nervous. Today was going to be his first airplane ride. He liked to look at planes flying over his head, and play with toy airplanes in his room, but he wasn’t sure he wanted to go inside an airplane! The big glass doors opened as he headed into the airport. “Stay close now.” His mom held his hand and tugged him along. People rushed back and forth around him. Mom gave their suitcases to the lady behind the counter. His toys were in that suitcase! Where were they taking it? Mom said the suitcases were going on the plane. David wondered why he couldn’t take it on the airplane himself. Before mom could answer, they were in a long line. This line seemed like it went on forever! Rope walls kept the people in their places. The line curved like a snake as the people slithered along. There were old people and young people. A baby was crying. A man in front was taking off his shoes! David slowly walked through the winding line. Mom told him to take off his shoes and put them in a bin. David already gave up his toys. He didn’t want to lose his shoes too! What would they want next? He put his shoes in the bin and clung to his shirt! “Now stand here and hold your hands high in the air.” Mom let go of his hand and the machine whirred around him. Mom met him on the other side and led him to the line of bins. David found his shoes and wondered again where his suitcase was. “Hurry now!” Mom held his hand as they walked through the long hallways of the airport. There were stores with books, and stores with food. One store had cookies with big chocolate chips. David nibbled his cookie as they waited on a bench. The man behind the counter made an announcement and David was in another line. This line moved faster. The next thing he knew, he was stepping on the plane. “Hello. Welcome aboard.” said the friendly looking lady on the plane. They walked past a lot of seats before mom said he could sit down. He looked out the window at the people and planes outside. Suddenly, the people got smaller, and the planes looked farther away. David watched the clouds and mountains pass by his window. He wanted to get up and run around, but mom said he had to stay in his seat. Then the plane stopped, and David and his mom joined the other people who were getting off the plane. David was tired and grumpy. He wanted to play. He wanted to go home. Most of all, he wanted his toys that were in his suitcase. “Look up!” Mom pointed in front of him. There with her arms wide was Grandma and she had his suitcase! Maybe this wasn’t going to be such a bad day after all!