Nadia-The Secret of Blue Water (Storyteller Version)

Chapter 1: The Girl at the Eiffel Tower

It was the sixth day of May in France. The sky was clear and beautiful, and the sun cast its light on the newly constructed Eiffel Tower. Beyond the tower, on the grounds of the Champ de Mars, a special celebration was just beginning.

It was the first day of the Paris World Exposition. As lively music resounded from the square and hot-air balloons hovered over the streets, crowds of people marveled at the latest attractions and inventions. Others explored the Gallery of Machines, where massive engines, transformers, and other wonders of the century filled its exhibition halls.

Among the crowd was a boy who sailed in from Le Harve that morning to meet his uncle at the exposition. His name was Jean Rocque Raltique, and he was fourteen years old. He also happened to be an aspiring inventor. Now Jean was just enjoying himself when he heard an announcement.

COMPETITION ANNOUNCER: Welcome to the First International Flight Competition! Today's contest will decide which airship can fly the farthest distance! The grand prize winner will receive 20,000 francs!

Near the Eiffel Tower, a high ramp stood over the Seine River. Behind that ramp were a band of hopeful contestants, ready to show off their newly invented flying machines, which included biplanes, triplanes, and quadruplanes.

Eager to watch the competition, Jean searched through the crowd and found his uncle.

UNCLE: I've been looking for you!

JEAN: Sorry I'm late.

UNCLE: You didn't miss much... the first one's just getting ready to take off.

Gazing at the takeoff ramp, Jean's uncle gestured his nephew to a red-and-white quadruplane.

UNCLE: You think it has a chance, my boy?

JEAN: Those wings are far too flimsy to support that engine... Given the wind speed, there's no way it can fly more than, oh, eight meters.

UNCLE: (Laughing) Look out below!

Its propeller spinning, the contestant's quadruplane lifted off at the edge... but just then it broke apart and toppled into the water below!

JEAN & UNCLE (TOGETHER): Ohhhh!

COMPETITION ANNOUNCER: The flight distance for Contestant Number One was eight meters.

JEAN & UNCLE (TOGETHER): Like we said!

COMPETITION ANNOUNCER: And now Contestant Number Two! It's a ship that's flown over the white cliffs of Dover, piloted by Lord Arkwright. And away he goes!

LORD ARKWRIGHT: (Chuckling As He Begins To Run Down)

Lord Arkwright's automobile with motor-contolled wings rolled right off the ramp... and quickly sank like a lead balloon.

UNCLE: (Laughing) Better luck next time, Lord!

JEAN: When is it going to be our turn, Uncle?

UNCLE: Oh, I apologize, Jean; I drew Number 102.

JEAN: A long wait, then?

UNCLE: I'm afraid so. We could still go take the aircraft off of the boat if you like.

JEAN: Sure.

So Jean and his uncle went down to the docks. Together, they carried Jean's specially crafted glider off the boat and began to make adjustments.

UNCLE: You did a remarkable amount of work while you were on the boat.

JEAN: Thank you.

UNCLE: I wish I could have helped, but you know how I am with water craft!