Ola and Tymek find a strange silver rocket at the playground and climb inside. A glowing blue button starts to wake the ship, and something exciting is about to happen.
Ola loved the little playground near her house. The swing squeaked, the slide shone in the sun, and the sandbox always held at least three buried treasure maps.
One afternoon, she went there with her best friend, Tymek. They were racing toward the climbing frame when they stopped so fast their shoes almost slid in the sand.
Next to the swing stood a rocket.
It was big and silver and so shiny that Ola could see her own surprised face in its side. Small coloured buttons blinked near the door. A tiny red light flashed once, then twice, as if the rocket were waiting for them.
Tymek leaned closer. "It wasn't here yesterday," he whispered.
Ola reached out and touched the smooth door. The rocket gave a soft hum. Then, with a hiss, the door swung open by itself.
Inside, the cabin glowed with blue light. There were levers, buttons, and screens that sparkled like little stars. Tymek stepped in first, holding onto the doorway. Ola followed, her heart thumping like a drum.
A cheerful voice echoed above their heads. "Welcome aboard!"
The children froze.
In the middle of the cabin sat one huge blue button, glowing brighter and brighter. A little sign beside it blinked: START.
Tymek looked at Ola. Ola looked at Tymek.
Then the lights began to flicker, the floor gave a tiny shake, and the voice said, "Departure in ten seconds."
Ola's hand moved toward the button just as the rocket doors began to close.