Astro observed Nora, his robot teacher. She had an odd form: she was like a cone on wheels topped with a transparent cover, under which were turning workings composed of tiny cogs.

“Lesson number one: obedience,” announced Nora, her plier-like arms raised in the air like a schoolteacher.

“What is obedience?” asked Astro. “I saw the word in the dictionary, but I didn't understand what it was for.”

Just then, through the window, he saw the emergence of a huge spaceship that looked a bit like his toy rocket. He had never seen it in reality, and it was so close by that he could see the people in it through their windows! The little robot rushed to the window. Fascinated, he fixed his eyes on the huge machine. The ship was flying majestically, coasting over the park slowly like a gliding bird – it was forbidden to fly fast in city airspace.

“Wow! What is that?”

“You're not very attentive,” called Nora. “Come back here!”

Astro reached for the opening latch on the window.

“No, Astro! Don't open that!” exclaimed Nora. “Be careful, we're on the seventy-sixth floor! The professor will disassemble me if you get hurt!”

Astro turned to her: “I must go and see. This is too amazing!”

“But no! You're here to learn, and it is I, your teacher! Stop! Oh, you wear down my circuits...”

“Please don't break your gears, Nora, I'll be right back!”

Laughing, Astro opened the window and held out his arms to better approach the ship. If he just leaned a little, he could touch it with his hand...a little more, just a little more ...

Suddenly, he toppled into the void.