Chapter 1: Daniel’s Present
Daniel lived on a property near Alice Springs. For his ninth birthday, his Uncle Ben, who was a talented artist, gave him a wooden boomerang. It was painted with bright yellow and red dots. Uncle Ben taught him the right way to hold it and the correct way to throw it into the wide, blue sky.
Chapter 2: Practice Makes Perfect
Daniel practised every afternoon after school. At first, it just flew away and landed straight on the ground. He had to run a long way to pick it up. It was frustrating, but Uncle Ben said, “The key is the spin, Daniel, not the power.”
Chapter 3: The Right Spin
Daniel thought about the spin. He tilted his wrist slightly, like a tennis player. He took a deep breath. He threw the boomerang, giving it a strong, clean spin. It flew higher this time, spinning like a helicopter propeller. It went out… and then, it started to curve around!
Chapter 4: Almost There
It came closer, but landed just past Daniel’s head, right under the big old Ghost Gum tree. Daniel was very excited. The next time, he stood on the small mound near the water tank. He threw it again, giving it an even better spin.
Chapter 5: The Catch
The boomerang flew out, curved perfectly, and came straight back! Daniel held his hands out. THWACK! He caught it cleanly. He felt a rush of pride. It took patience, practice, and the right technique. Daniel learned that with a little determination, even the hardest trick can be mastered. He couldn’t wait to show Uncle Ben.
Exercise: Inference and Meaning
Answer the question:
What did Daniel mean when he learned that the key was the “spin” and not the “power”? (Use your own words to explain what he had to change about his throw.)