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From Wondery, I'm Virginia Madsen, and this is a special episode of Imagine Life for the whole family.

Because ever since we first launched Imagine Life, parents and their kids have been listening to some of our episodes together. So throughout this season, we'll have episodes like this one, made especially for families to listen to and enjoy.

So kids, this one's for you.

Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to go on a journey with someone who changed the world?

And what makes a famous person known for their big accomplishments, just the same as you or me?

On this episode, you will be that person everyone knows. You might be a musician, or an athlete, a scientist, or a painter.

You may know who the person is, or you might know something they've done or accomplished. But you will experience the challenges and triumphs they faced along the way as they became someone who changed the world and made a difference.

There will be clues to who you are, so pay attention. But only at the end will you find out who you are.

So sit back and imagine your new life as the astronaut.

Imagine your nine years old, and the souls of your shoes are caked with dark red powder.

You feel a slight bounce under your feet as you cross the clay tennis court towards your waiting mom.

She wraps her arms around you, adjusting the grip on the handle of a tennis racket.

The tape wrapped around the wooden handle feels sticky under your fingers. You shift your grip, and you can feel the weight of the racket change.

Here, hold it like this. There you go.

Your mom lets go, and the top of the wooden racket droops a bit before you get a stronger grip on it. You like the way the weight feels in your hands.

It feels natural, like it belongs there. Are you ready?

You bend your knees a bit, bouncing on the balls of your feet. You feel yourself slipping to focus. Your mom crosses to the other side of the net. A basket of brand new fuzzy tennis balls at her side.

I'll keep your eye on the ball.

She gently tosses one towards you. You listen, and keep your eye on it.

And you send the ball right back over to her. You can feel the vibrations of the racket buzzing in your wrists.

She tosses another, and you swing again. And again, and again.

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