Powered by his flying reactors, Astro Boy slipped at full speed between the branches of the large trees in Metro City Park. Launched like a rocket, he brushed by the leaves that danced in his path. It amused him to pursue a little bird which he had met a few days earlier, flying over the city.

“Wait for me!" He shouted between laughs.

The bird, with beautiful iridescent blue feathering, swirled nimbly between the branches, happy to measure up to the most amazing and nicest person it had ever met. In all its memory, it had never seen a child capable of flying!

The bird multiplied its figures, chaining spins and dives, and Astro tried to imitate it, laughing. When the blue bird went down like an arrow to the travelling candy shop cart, Astro launched in pursuit with all his available power.

"Watch out, bird! I caught you!"

The little bird had no trouble shaving through the colourful display, on which all kinds of colourful candy was lined up. Light and lively, it sped between the red and white striped roof and the stall, brushing by the brave merchant who dropped his balloons! Astro approached at the speed of lightning, but it was much bigger than the bird...

Upon reaching the obstacle, the young robot suddenly knew that he could not pass through without causing major damage... at the last moment, he straightened his dramatic trajectory and cruised only a few centimetres above the cart, rustling the balloons and making the merchant's hat fly off.

The man had the scare of his life when he saw Astro like a cannonball!

"Help!" he yelled.

"Sorry to scare you!" shouted Astro, glad to have avoided the disaster.

In a beautiful curve, Astro resumed his altitude. A little tired by the party that lasted for a while, the child robot flew to the Ministry of Science roof.

It is here, in this great majestic tower, he was born and lived. Standing like a fortress, the building overlooked the park. For the entire city, it was a top-secret research lab, but for Astro, it was simply home.

Dr. O'Shay, the great scientist who created and taught him so much, lived there too. Although busy with his research, he always found time for Astro.

Astro cut his engines and landed on the rooftop terrace at the top of fifty floors. He liked coming here, watching his futuristic dream world. The bird came to rest beside him. It shook his feathers and made a "tweet-tweet!" sound of contentment.

"It was great," Astro said. "You're really too much! I hope that one day I get to fly as well as you!"

“Cheep! Tweet-tweet!”

"The professor thinks I need years to discover my abilities, but in the meantime, I have to improve myself. And to fly, I could not find a better coach than you!"

“Cheep, cheep!”

The bird cocked its little head and blinked as a sign of satisfaction.

"Tomorrow we can go flying between Metro City's skyscrapers. Whaddya say? And there, my little man, there's no question of low altitude to lose me! The fastest will win!”

***

"Ah, there you are at last!" said a voice behind the boy.

Astro turned. Nora, the teacher robot with a clear head full of cogs, approached. The sparks that crackled under dome showed quite well that she was not very happy.

"I've been looking for you for an hour, Astro! You should be in the study hall to review your lessons! "

"I was training to fly!"

Nora noticed the tiny bird sitting next to the child. She leaned toward him with a few creaks.

"And I suppose this is your teacher?"

“Cheep, cheep!”

Astro Boy smiled.

"It's time to go, my boy," said Nora, softened by Astro and his little companion. If the professor doesn't find us at work soon, he'll scold us both!"