Chapter 11 - Page 154 - Rhasha Goes Flying

   As the small twin engine plane headed back to the runway, it was clear Rhasha had something else on her mind. “Jim,” she finally asked, “is it hard to learn how to fly an airplane?”

   Jim misunderstood, thinking she thought he was extra-intelligent because he knew how to fly. “It’s not hard. Anybody who can drive a car can learn to fly a plane.” When he looked at her, he could actually see the gears turning in her head. He realized he’d been mistaken.

   “Jim,” Rhasha said slowly, “you’re teaching me how to drive the jeep, so do you think I’m smart enough to learn how to fly?”

   Now he understood. Jim didn’t know how to answer her. If he said yes, he knew Rhasha would ask him to teach her. If he said no, he would be lying. “Rhasha,” Jim said, already knowing what his answer would lead to, “you’re smart enough to do anything you want to do.”

   “Do you really think I’m smart?”

   “Yes, I do. You’re as smart as anyone I know.” Jim waited for the inevitable. “Jim, could you teach me how to fly?”

   The one thing he didn’t want to do was the very thing Rhasha had asked of him. Not wanting to hurt her feelings, he answered her the only way he could. “I can teach you how to fly, but don’t you think you should get more experience at driving first?”

   Rhasha didn’t have a problem with that. “OK,” she said, “after we land, could you finish teaching me how to drive the jeep? I can learn how to fly tomorrow.”