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The short hiatus
Jonathans parents didn't want him to learn how to fly and continue what he did. They wanted him to behave like a normal seagull. He agrees and tries to obey them, but his desire to fly is to much for him. -
The first step in the learning process
Jonathan makes his first discovery of flight. Instead of eating with the rest of the flock that morning, he his thinking of a better purpose. As he slowly flew in the air he lost control and stalled and fell. It is dishonrable for a seagull to stall itself from flight. -
The test after dark
For the next few days Jonathan tried to behave like the rest of the flock, but to no aveil. He couldn't escape his desire for flight, so he went far out at sea to learn about speed. For the rest of the day he would practice and practice flying at high speeds to his limit, but lost control and fell towards the sea. He woke up after dark and returned to shore to put all that he learned to the test. -
Jonathans banishment
Throughout the night previously, Jonathans flight was the test of everything he had learned and practiced all that day. He managed to reach a terminal velocity of two hundred fourteen miles per hour that would become one of his greatest achievements not only for him, but the rest of the flock. When he returned to the fock, they gathered at the council where the they banished him. Jonathan tried to reason with them, but they misunderstood. He flew far beyond the cliffs and learned more, alone. -
Jonathans new life
Jonathan not only learned more about flight, but he also learned how to live without the flock. Instead of relying on fishing boats for sleep, he sleeps in the air following the course of the wind. He would eat insects instead of stale bread. One day in the evening two seagulls came to Jonathan and he tested them on slow flying. When they passed they told him they were a part of his flock and convinced him to return home to learn more. He agreed and ascended with them towards the sky. -
Jonathans realization
As Jonathan flew, he went faster and faster. He eventually reached up to two hundred seventy three miles per hour and couldn't go faster. He was dissapointed that there was a limit, in his mind there should never be a limit in this endless adventure. -
Jonathan begins too soar
When Jonathan entered this new realm he felt his body change. His feathers resonated a bright glow and felt as smooth and perfect as polished silver. As he flew he felt that he learned more and more about himself. -
The test and the learning curve
As Jonathan continues his flight, his guides abid adu. He realizes quickly that he is on his own. A bit further into his flight he notices his gulls off in the distance. He is confused as to why there were so few gulls. He was positive that there would be flocks and flocks of gulls, so why so few? -
No rest for the weary
Still confused over the small amount of gulls in this new life, Jonathan is taking in all of the surroundings, questions, and new thoughts he conjures up. It suddenly dawns on him that he is feeling very tired. How is this possible when one is not suppose to be tired in heaven. -
Jonathans new task
Jonathan realizes his new task is to embrace the new life and all that is being taught to him with it. He knows he is one of a kind and that he needs to take this new knowledge and share it with all of the others. He pays close attention to his mentor. -
The teachings of Chiang
Jonathan confronted the Elder Chiang of the few gulls within the realm and asked if this place was truly heaven. Chiang said that heaven was not a place, nor was it time, it was perfection. Jonathan asked to learn how to fly the way he did, he agreed. -
Chiangs farewell
After Chiang had finished teaching everything he knew about flying to Jonathan, it was time for him to go. Before he left he let him know to keep practicing and learning. His last words to Jon were "Jonathan, keep working on love" just before he vanished. -
The student becomes the teacher
From Jonathans original flock, one of the gulls named Fletcher wanted to learn more about flight and became an outcast like Jonathan. It was his turn to guide and teach all that he learned. He decided to share his knowledge with Fletcher to carry on his legacy. -
A change in the flock
Within the next six months more students joined to be taught how to fly. They were outcasts as well and some had more trouble learning then others. They decided to return to the flock and test everything they learned in front of the crowd. They were amazed at what they saw and wanted to learn how to fly, regardless if they were outcasts or not. -
The breakthrough for seagulls
Just like Chiang, it was Jonathans turn to pass the torch onto Fletcher. Fletcher would carry on the teachings of flight as well as others. Jonathans last words to Fletcher were "Don't believe what your eyes are telling you. All they show is limitation, Look with your understanding, find out what you already know, and you'll see the way to fly."
