The Magic Cape

THE MAGIC CAPE

Superman was my hero, and dreams of flying like him were my favorite fantasy.

I was about seven at the time. I found that if I climbed the back fence I could stretch my arms up, and leaning forward, I could just reach the roof of our garage. I hesitated because I would not be able to get down the same way I got up ! Pulling myself up with all of my strength, I threw a leg over the edge and in a flash I was on the flat roof, a different world. Oh it seemed like such a long way down, I stood there, taking in the glory of that moment. I could see in all the backyards, I could see the laundry sheets gently billowing like sails on ships of adventure. The air was fresh, the sun was warm, and life is good. Now if I were Superman I could fly down to the backyard or even go up as high as the trees ! But I wasn’t Superman no matter how much I pretended. If I had a suit like his or even just the cape I was sure I could do it. Thats it I thought. I needed a cape. Not just any cape, a magic cape. I went to the end of the garage, climbed over, and let myself down holding on with my finger tips, I dropped into the woodpile and found that I wasn’t hurt. Over the next week I asked Mom every day to make me a cape. I didn’t tell her why, she might think it was too dangerous. I had decided that when I got my cape it would take me through the air and over to the next garage.

( it seemed an incredible distance ) Impossible without the magic cape.

Then one day Mom called me and showed me a cloth large enough to be a cape.

“Here’s your cape “ she said. But it’s white........it should be red......”Well I’m sorry but this is all I’ve got, and you should be happy with that.” But Mom....not only is it white, it doesn’t have the special S for Superman on it. So Mom got some coloring crayons and made something that looked like the comic book pictures. I wasn’t too sure of of this cape, maybe it wouldn’t work. I thought I better try it out on something safer than the roof of the garage. The neighbors porch was a good place for a test flight. I sprang off the porch ( about three feet ), but I couldn’t tell. Next jump I had to look over my shoulder and see if the cape was floating up, not just hanging there...it was !! Another jump and I knew it was working. Mom saw me and laughed at the sight of me jumping and looking over my shoulder at the same time......Little did she know about the big jump that was coming up soon. If I told her she would forbid me, so I can wait for my chance. ( What your parents never knew ).

The next day, standing at the front of the garage, I tried to jump the distance from driveway to driveway. It seemed to be the width at the top of the garage. With a short running start I could do it most of the time....... With the cape I knew it would work.

Very carefully I tied the cape around my neck, climbed up to the top of the fence,stood up balancing myself and reached forward to the edge of the garage roof. The breeze cooled my face and I smiled when I noticed the cape was restless and ready. I stood at the edge a long time wondering if I should do this and a doubt came into my mind...But after all, I thought I’ve been very careful trying it out and it should work. The breeze had been gently moving the cape but now it snapped angrily ! It seemed to be nagging me to be brave because after all it was the magic cape as soon as I put it on.

     I walked backwards to the other side, then with a short sprint and in a burst of strength,pushed off the edge and I was flying !! In slow motion I saw the ground below, I thought I could hear the magic cape fluttering. My eyes were on the edge of the other garage roof, my target. I saw my foot reaching,..... stretching, ........ and finally touching.
My legs gave out when I landed, and I took some skin off my knees, but I flew ! I flew !
Several more times I flew across but I realized my magic cape would never have enough power to lift me to the trees. ( If only it was red instead of white )
     Summer seemed to pass so quickly, and my cape went into the wash. the crayon coloring smeared and Mom threw away my magic cape. I searched the trash and found it. Sadly I pulled it from the garbage, Mom was right, it was a mess and the magic was gone. She promised we would make another one, we never did. Because as time went on I realized that I didn’t need the magic cape.
The magic was not in the cape.............it was in that moment.......... When I believed.

  boy adventures............Ron Francis

Eight years old with a flower sack cape, Tied all around his neck

He climbed up on the garage,Figurin' what the heck

He screwed his courage up so tight, The whole thing came unwound

He got a runnin' start and bless his heart, He headed for the ground

Chorus

He's one of those who knows that life Is just a leap of faith

Spread your arms and hold your breath And always trust your cape

All grown up with a flour sack cape Tie all around his dreams

He's full of piss and vinegar He's bustin at the seams

He licked his finger and checked the wind It's gonna be do or die

He wasn't scared of nothin', Boys He was pretty sure he could fly

Chorus

He's one of those who knows that life Is just a leap of faith

Spread your arms and hold your breath And always trust your cape

Old and grey with a flour sack cape Tied all around his head

He's still jumpin' off the garage And will be 'till he's dead

All these years the people said He's actin like a kid

He did not know he could not fly So he did

Chorus

He's one of those who knows that life Is just a leap of faith

Spread your arms and hold your breath And always trust your cape