The man who sold balloon rides was reading his newspaper. Nikki's mother walked over to talk to the man. Nikki walked over to look at the basket. She had never seen a hot-air balloon up close.

The basket had high sides. Ropes went up from the basket to the balloon above.

She got up on her toes to peek inside.

To get a better look she pulled herself up on the edge of the basket, but lost her balance and toppled into the basket head first.

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