Bright wildflowers danced at the top of the concrete steps. Akmal spotted them from below. "I have to get them!" he whispered.
Akmal tiptoed up the first step. His sneaker squeaked on a smooth stone. He grabbed his ankles and wobbled.
He peered at the flowers, eyes locked on their dancing petals. "Not yet," he thought. His toes dug into the rough concrete.
Akmal crouched low and launched himself into the air. Thump. He landed soft on the grass.
His fingers brushed only green leaves, not petals. Akmal puffed his cheeks and shook his fist. "Not them!" he grumbled.
A vine hung low from the old garden tree. Akmal reached up and wrapped his arms around it. The rough bark tickled his shirt.
Poof! The vine dropped a perfect bunch of wildflowers right into his lap. "I found them!" Akmal cheered.
Akmal marched to the path's end, holding the crinkled bouquet up high. A tall man stood there with his arms open wide.
The man caught the flowers and his smile spread wide to crinkle his eyes. He swooped Akmal into a wobbly lift.
Akmal giggled and pressed his ear against the man's chest. He could hear the happy thumping sound inside.
The man buried the wildflowers in soft earth near the concrete steps. He rested a hand on Akmal's head and pointed to the blooms.
Akmal leaned in and watched the red petals dance with the green leaves in the bright sun.