Primary Category Winner

"This unusual story is about a girl who dreams of one day having her friend Rollo, the famous gymnastic, perform amazing tricks for her on the planet Pluto.

The story has been well researched and is based on the true life of Venetia Burney who officially named the planet when she was eleven years old.

As you read this story learn about the history of Pluto and its amazing structure."

Rollo's big year out

By Jesse Webb-Smith
Geraldton Grammar School, WA.

Venetia could think of no one better than Rollo to perform her secret wish. He proved himself at the magnificent garden party her father had just held to celebrate her eleventh birthday. For you see Rollo was the celebrated master of gymnastics.

Venetia already knew from researching in the London library where her father worked that Rollo's current weight of 70 pounds would quickly disappear into 4 pounds. Wouldn't that make his jim jam, double flips look even more cool! She couldn't wait to tell Rollo her plan.

The only problem Venetia could see was the terrible cold. A huge minus 236 Celsius! Not even her big woolly coat and galoshes would help. Perhaps her friend the astronomer, Mr Tombaugh could do something to keep them warm on their big day out.

While Mr Tombaugh worked on this problem in his Observatory in Arizona, Venetia rang the big space station to find out the planned date of the first ever space journey to her planet. She was well known to the space station because she had given the last planet to be discovered in the solar system its official name of Pluto.

Pluto was the Greek God of the underworld and Venetia thought this name was best for a planet that was the furthest away from the sun. The planet was ugly brown in colour with a sad black sky. She couldn't believe it when she had won the name the planet competition and a cheque for a hundred pounds.

The big day arrived but only Venetia and Rollo knew it. Rollo was already there at the space station admiring the brand new rocket that would take them to her Pluto. Their space suits had PLUTO MISSION 1930 written on the back. Rollo used an extra suit called a wet suit to use for his gymnastics.

Venetia hoped that the hundred pounds she had won and spent on the trip would be worth it.

They soon blasted off into the sky to the planet of Pluto. "Where are its rings?" asked Rollo. Together they looked down from the rocket at tiny Pluto. "It doesn't have rings silly. It's an ice planet."

Rollo put on his special wet suit and began warming up.

"How long have we got up here?" Venetia laughed.

"All year. You see each day on Pluto takes about 6 days on earth. So we can stay up here for only 60 days and that means a year in earth time."

So they practised hard and each day flew past. Rollo could do the most amazing tricks because he was so much lighter. Venetia made up a point board to help Rollo score from. A flip was worth 50 points, double flip 300 points, a triple flip 600 points and a jam 100 points. They had been up there for an earth year and finally his show was ready.

"Ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to Rollo's big year out," began Rollo. Venetia clapped loudly to make up for no-one else being in the audience. She settled back to watch the best show ever in the secret shelter of Pluto.

 

Sources of Information

www.enchantedlearning.com

www.kidsastronomy.com

Public
Public