When Pippi was away sailing the seven seas as a pirate on her father’s ship, the mailman had many problems trying to fit all the mail she had received through the small slot in the door. He resorted to stuffing it through the barely open window near the front of the house. Over many months, Pippi accumulated so much mail that she could rake it around and create large piles that her, Tommy and Annika would play in.
Pippi had decided that she would open one letter a day because she felt that if she opened everything at once, that there wouldn’t be anything to look forward to while sipping her morning coffee.
Today she decided to open a large white envelope. It had a very “official” looking seal in the corner, and was addressed to her using her full and proper name. Captain Longstocking clearly didn’t think too much about how Pippi’s name would go on an envelope, because it was so long that it barely fit.
She began to read the letter and because it took so long to read it because Mr. Nilsson kept making a trail of flour dust around the kitchen and making a mess, the summarized version is that Pippi had received something of a scholarship.
“What could I possibly be receiving a scholarship for, Mr. Nilsson?,” asked Pippi.
As she read on, she learned that someone had seen her talent for super strength on display at the circus and was somehow affiliated with a small college in America, which was interested in bringing Pippi aboard to help improve their weight lifting team.
This made Pippi very excited, because she knew that Tommy and Annika were headed to school in America very close by, and they could all now complete the journey together.
Although Pippi knew she would be sad to leave her home at Villa Villekula, she was excited for the new adventure that lay ahead for her. Over the next few weeks and with the help of Tommy and Annika, she packed up her gold coins, some clothes, and new outfits for Mr. Nilsson, and was ready to go to college.
Tommy and Annika had traveled many times before on a plane with their parents around Europe, and knew the procedure about security and dealing with the “mean men in ugly uniforms,” as Pippi referred to them.
“Are you going to take my shoes away, sir? You know, my Papa bought me these shoes because he said that I could have them until my foot is about two feet long –“
The agent interrupted her, “Madame, please remove your shoes. They will not be taken from you, they are in fact dirty and too big for my feet. But they’re so big that Lord knows what could be hidden in there.”
“Oh sir, don’t worry. All of my gold coins are safe and sound. You know, in Japan, they put crickets in their shoes to give you a leg up when you’re walking.”
The guard ignored her and continued to yell at the crowd of people still in line. Tommy laughed as he nudged Pippi forward, almost like the big brother of the two ladies he was travelling with. Annika cautiously removed all the liquids from her bag, proceeded to place every item of clothing and luggage in an individual bin to ensure that she was following the rules.
Pippi did a cartwheel through the security machine and as soon as she stood back up again a guard shouted from across the room, “Young girl, please come with me!”
Tommy rushed over to the guard, “Sir, please forgive her. We are headed to Boston in America and it is her first time travelling. She has been offered an athletic scholarship, and it is very important that we make our flight.”
Annika batted her eyelashes a couple of times and made a few compliments to the guard as the three friends walked to the gate.
Pippi, Tommy and Annika had a long flight ahead of them. But while sitting on the plane, Tommy was eagerly anticipating the new classes, new friends, and new city he was going to be living in. Annika was thinking about her brother and her dear friend Pippi, and although she was happy, she was sad because she knew she wouldn’t be seeing them as often as her brother would be very busy and Pippi would be at another school.
Pippi was gazing out of the window watching the moon cross over the wing of the plane. As Mr. Nilsson slept silently in her lap, she rubbed his soft belly and whispered, “Gotta make Papa and Mama proud, Mr. Nilsson.”
Before closing her eyes for the night, she looked over at her two friends and smiled. She knew this adventure and growing up would be difficult, but easier with their love, and she was excited for the challenges and opportunities this journey would bring.