Learning to Fly
Transcript of the Learning to Fly video story book
NARRATOR
Stanley lived with his dad and his older brother Kyle. His dad was never around and Kyle picked on Stanley.
KYLE
Have you bin playing my DS?
STANLEY
You broke mine.
KYLE
Yeah, because you lost my skateboard.
STANLEY
Someone took it. Doesn’t mean you can break my DS.
KYLE
I can do what I like, I’m bigger fart breath. Get me a drink!
STANLEY
Get it yourself.
KYLE
Get it or you’re dead!
STANLEY
Get stuffed!
KYLE Don’t kick me. Take that you little toss!
STANLEY
Ow! I’m tellin’ Dad.
KYLE
As if he’d care. And mummy’s not here.
STANLEY
I hate you!
NARRATOR
Stanley ran out of the house and down to the fig tree at the bottom of the yard. Stanley’s best friend was his mum but she died two years ago and Stanley was lonely.He climbed high into the branches, away from the world below. Stanley’s friend, Bonnie, came down the garden.
BONNIE
Hey, Stanerley, is that you?
STANLEY
Maybe.
NARRATOR
Stanley had lived next door to Bonnie since they were little but he ignored her at school because she wasn’t cool.
(Scene change to children walking to school)
BONNIE
Hi Stanerley.
FRIEND 1
Haha she’s stupid
FRIEND 2
Who’s your friend Stanley?
FRIEND 3
She thinks she’s clever.
(Scene change to Bonnie sitting with her mother at the kitchen table)
BONNIE
Stanley’s mean.
BONNIE’S MUM
It’s been tough for him and he needs to fit in.
(Scene change back to Stanley and Bonnie in the tree)
BONNIE
Has Kyle been horrid again?
STANLEY
It doesn’t matter.
NARRATOR
Bonnie liked to tell jokes to cheer Stanley up.
BONNIE
You want to hear a joke?
STANLEY
Your jokes are stupid.
BONNIE
You’re stupid, I was just trying to make you feel better.
STANLEY
I didn’t ask you to. I was happy here before you came. Go home, stop annoying me.
BONNIE
Mum said it’s hard since your mum died, that’s all.
STANLEY
Your mum’s just a big know-all, you’re stupid.
BONNIE
At least I’m not a scaredy cat that hides intrees, and not talk to my friend ‘causeof what other people say.
NARRATOR
Stanley felt angry. His face went red and without thinking, he shoved Bonnie. Bonnie fell backwards,landing in the branches below. Crying, she climbed down leaving Stanley along looking out from the branches.
STANLEY
(Talking to himself)
She deserved it.
COCKY
Oh, very clever. I thought she was your friend?
NARRATOR
Stanley looked around, but couldn’t see anybody.
COCKY
Up here, birdbrain... I mean boybrain.
NARRATOR
An old cockatoo with tatty feathers, was staring through the branches
COCKY
This tree is where we come for a bit of peace.
STANLEY
It’s not my fault. She asked for it.
COCKY
That’s a screech. Did you ask Kyle for it?
STANLEY
That’s different.
COCKY
Make yourmother cry, you would.
STANLEY
She doesn’t know.
COCKY
She used to sit up here when she was little and your grandfather. And his.I thought that’s why you came.
NARRATOR
It was true. Stanley always felt safe in the tree. He could feel the old people all around. Sometimes he even felt he could fly.
COCKY
I could fly once. Did something stupid, fell off me perch and here I am. You’ll never fly if you do stupid things, bullybrains.
STANLEY
Don’t call me that.
NARRATOR
Stanley didn’t like being called a bully.
COCKY
Shoving girls means your brain must be smaller than mine, and I’m a bird and that meansyou must be stupid.
STANLEY
My mum didn’t think I was stupid!
COCKY
She does now!
STANLEY
Did you really know my mum?
COCKY
She sat up here with her special things.Make her feel strong. Learnt to fly right here, right where you are.
NARRATOR
Stanley felt he could see his mother standing next to him, her arms stretched out like a bird about to take flight.
COCKY
She was a bright one. Brought you up here. Sang to you, sent yourfriend up to tell you jokes.You sure ruffled her feathers some. And her mother’s too I surmise.
STANELY
Bonnie won’t want to be my friend anymore. What’ll she do?
NARRATOR
Stanley was scarred Bonnie’s mum would be mad at him.
COCKY
Reckon a big man you might have to find out.Hey, there were ten copybrains perched in a tree.One fell out, how many were left?
STANLEY
Nine, of course.
COCKY
None. Get it?
(Cocky laughs)
STANLEY
Could I learn to fly?
COCKY
See that old hole there? Something in there I beenlookin’ after.
NARRATOR
Stanley reached down into the old possum hole as far as his arm would go. His fingersfelt something cold and hard and slowly he pulled out a rusty old tin.Stanley prised open the old tine and looked inside. Therewas an old carved bone haircomb, a glass marblewith a swirl of bright blue like a beady eye and asparkling crystal pushing out from a dull rock.
COCKY
I deduce she won’t be needin’ them anymore.Time to heal a few people round here. Take them, keep them close. Maybe you’ll fly one day.
STANLEY
Were they really my mum’s?
COCKY
Be more room in that hole for me now.Right. I’m wingin’ it Gotta fly.
STANLEY
I thought you couldn’t fly.
COCKY
Just joking! Going to be a good day tomorrow. See you later.
NARRATOR
With a screech, cocky took off into the sky leaving Stanleystaring at his precious things. Slowly, he put the treasure back in the tin. Stanley could hear his mother. He stood tall,and clutching his tin, spread his arms
MOTHER’S VOICE
-You can do it son-
NARRATOR
And launched himself into the air. He flew high over the giant fig tree. Soaring higher and higher he could see hi world far below. Passing his house to the big road, all the way to the school yard. He looked down over Bonnie’s house.
STANLEY
Hey Bonnie, I’m flying, no joke!
NARRATOR
Bonnie lay in her be cradled in her mother’s arms. Stanley flew straight into his house, round the big room where his dad had fallen asleep on the chair and into his room. He landed on his bed, next to Kyle who was fast asleep. He tucked his tin under the pillow, and lay down and fell asleep – a big smile over his face. Next morning, Stanley woke late and looked beneath his pillow. He prised open the tin and took out its treasures. He took the beady eye marble and slipped it into the sleeping Kyle’s hand. He put the sparkling crystal into his pocket and the carved bone haircomb into his bag andhurried off for school. As he walked towards the big road, he looked anxiously for Bonnie. On the other side, the boys were waving to Stanley, calling him over.
FRIEND 1
Hey Stanley!
FRIEND 2
Hurry up, I’ve got the footy man!
NARRATOR
Behind,Bonnie was limping towards him. Stanley felt really bad.
BONNIE
You OK?
STANLEY
I’m sorry Bonnie, I’m really sorry I shoved you.
BONNIE
That really hurt. My mother says you shouldn’t hit or shove anyone, ever.
STANLEY
Hitting is stupid, I know. I bet your mum really hates me.
BONNIE
She wants to talk to you and your dad.But she’s doesn’t hate you.
STANLEY
Are we friends again?
NARRATOR
Stanley took the precious haircomb from his bag and gave it to Bonnie.
STANLEY
This is for you. My mum said to keep it close. Want to walk to school together?
BONNIE
What about your friends?
STANLEY
I’ll play with them at recess.
BONNIE
Want to hear a joke Stanerley?
STANLEY
Sure.
NARRATOR
Stanley took the crystal from his pocket and smiled.Overhead, a flock of cockatoos screechedas Stanley and Bonnie made their way to school.