The Bermudian tradition of kite flying on Good Friday has forever been immortalised in a brand new book by the Rev. Ed DeLong, former pastor at Centenary Methodist Church in Smith's.

The book, "Just Out of Reach," was launched in October, 2006, and tells the tale of Rev. DeLong's trials of losing his kite in the trees last year at Horseshoe Bay. While the story is Rev. DeLong's, the text was put together by his friend, Rev. Galen Menne, while the photos were Rev. DeLong's. The book also features a couple of sketches by Peter Woolcock.

"This children's book came about because I learned how to make Bermuda kites last year when I was interim pastor at Centenary Methodist," Rev. DeLong said.

He was particularly intrigued by the Bermuda kite, which, according to tradition, was used years ago by a Sunday School teacher to explain with her class the concept of the resurrection. On a traditional kite, the kite's frame sticks are in the shape of a cross and there are 11 patches of tissue paper to represent the 11 disciples. Also, the the design of the kite's head is said to represent a church steeple, and the common use of three colours represent the Holy Trinity.

Rev. DeLong took his own kite along to the Good Friday festivities at Horseshoe Bay last year and it somehow became stuck in a tree about 25 to 30 feet in the air. However, it seemed the kite might be lost, as, even though a wide variety of people were working together to get the kite down, including a friend with a cherry picker and men on stilts, the kite remained in the trees. Finally, after around three hours and using a rock and some string, the kite was finally brought down, amazingly enough, without any tears.

The tale inspired Rev. DeLong and his friend, Rev. Menne, to compose the tale for primary school aged children, with the primary message of sharing the resurrection story with them, but also about working together.

"The book teaches what God can do when people start talking together," Rev. DeLong shared.

The book was published through Rev. DeLong's own group, the DeLong Group. It is currently available locally at Brown & Co. and at the Christian Book Store.