Like Lightning

‘Come on, James!’

James doesn’t answer. He is sitting in his dad’s armchair, eyes fixed on the screen in front of him. He has been watching his favourite show, ‘Space Race’ for the last twenty minutes or so.

In the first galactic lane, there is a man who has been driving with great skill out in front. James is hoping he will win. On the top of his spaceship car, there is a sign that reads Lightning Bolt. In the next lane, another spaceship car comes roaring past as loud as its name - Thunder One. Now coming up in third place, there is a woman whose space car has black and white stripes. Her car is called Zebra Zen. She has been weaving and out of the other cars with fabulous ease and has now moved close to second place.

Suddenly, there is a loud noise and James’s face lights up as he looks at what the woman driving Zebra Zen has just done. The race has been fairly undramatic until the 13th lap. The drivers have been driving for about half an hour, and now the pace of the race has changed. Zebra Zen has been following the first two as close as possible, and the first two space cars have been keeping her in sight.

When they cross the starting line and go into the 13th lap Zebra Zen goes even faster and tries to pass Thunder One. At the same time, Thunder One's moved a little right into the next lane forcing Lightning Bolt has to hit the brakes to avoid hitting him. Zebra Zen has been coming just split seconds behind him and can’t slow down. She swings around in front of him and moves ahead.

Unfortunately, Thunder One tries to swing out too and crashes into Lightning Bolt like a rocket. What a scene: the two space cars start rolling over together before they finally come to a halt. Just as Zebra Zen crosses the finishing line, James hears a shout.

‘James, come on!’ cries his mum.

‘Yes,’ says James, ‘did you call me?’

His mum sighs, and says, ‘Yes, I’ve called you four or five times. We’ve been waiting for you to start dinner. Now, get yourself through to the kitchen, like lightning!’.