Runaway

"Runaway" by Joseph Samachson is a science fiction novella in which a young boy named Plato, fueled by dreams of space exploration and adventure, decides to run away from his ordinary life. Upset by school and his name, Plato carefully plans to stow away on a spaceship, wanting to live like the heroes in his stories. His imaginary journey faces unexpected problems, however, when he is found and stopped by adults. The story shows the difference between the wild dreams of childhood and the hard facts of life, reminding us of how growing up can mean losing some of that childhood wonder as Plato's hopes for adventure clash with what is really possible.