The Adventures of Jacques and His Magic Bicycle

1. Happy Birthday, Jacques.

Jacques woke up so excited on this bright and happy day. It was his eighth birthday.
He jumped out of bed and raced downstairs to the kitchen. "Bonjour Mama, Bonjour Papa," he cried.

"Bonjour Jacques," his parents replied. "Bonne fête. Happy birthday."

While he washed up and then ate breakfast, Jacques wondered what his birthday present would be. He was hoping for a bicycle. He wanted a bicycle so much. He could picture himself cycling all around town with his legs pumping like mad and the wind in his face.

But Mama and Papa were worried. They had ordered a bicycle two weeks ago, and it hadn't come yet. It looked as if it was going to be a birthday with no birthday present. They knew that Jacques wouldn't make a fuss. But he would be very disappointed.

But then, the doorbell rang. Jacques ran to open the door. A tall, thin Delivery Man stood outside. He was dressed in dark blue from his peaked cap to his long jacket with gold buttons, his long straight trousers with gold down the sides and his dark blue shoes. Blue eyes twinkled beneath black, bushy eyebrows, and a thin black moustache twitched beneath a long, long nose.

"Bonjour," he said politely. "Are you Monsieur Jacques?"

Jacques nodded his head while his mother and father came up behind him.

"Eh, bien," said The Delivery Man. He stepped over to his blue delivery van, opened the blue door, reached in and brought out a deep blue bicycle and a matching helmet.

"These are for you, Jacques," he announced. "Happy Birthday."

"Merci," gasped Jacques. Then, while he took the bicycle and excitedly looked it over, his father spoke quietly with The Delivery Man.

"There must be some mistake," he said. "I ordered a red bicycle with three gears, not a blue bike with only one gear."

The Delivery Man shook his head. "Non, Monsieur. There is no mistake. The other gears will come later, when he is ready for them. And red is completely the wrong colour for a boy whose birthday is today. It has to be blue, or he won't be able to use the accessories."

"What accessories?" asked father. "Do I have to buy more things?"

"Non, non. Not at all. They are included in the price. They will also come when he is ready for them."

With that, The Delivery Man went back to his dark blue van, stepped in and drove away.

"How will we know when he is ready?" shouted Mama. But the van had turned a corner and was out of sight. Jacques put on his helmet and stood beside the bike.

"Well, well," said Papa. "I never ... well, well ..." His voice trailed off as he watched Jacques swing his leg over the crossbar of the bike.

"Here. I'll give you ... a hand."

Once again Papa's voice trailed away as Jacques pushed up on his two-wheeler and began pedaling in big circles.

"I guess you already know how to ride it," muttered Papa.

"Take care," called Mama. "And watch out for cars like we told you."

"Oui, Mama. I will," Jacques called back. "Au revoir."

This was going to be the most wonderful birthday ever. He couldn't believe that he could just get on this bike and ride it. Most of his friends had taken weeks to learn. It was as if the bike had been made just for him. Almost as if it were ... a part of him.