The park was empty after school. Ali ran across the grass and kicked the ball high.
It sailed over the slide and thunked right into the branches of the old oak tree. Ali looked up. The ball was stuck.
He tugged and pulled at the trunk. The bark was rough under his palms. The ball wouldn't budge.
Ali climbed up. He stretched. He could almost reach. The ball wiggled — but stayed put.
Ali hopped down. His friend Sam waved the ball. His friend Mei tapped the tree. Nobody knew what to do.
Sam threw a stick. It bounced off the branch. Mei shook the tree. The leaves fluttered. The ball didn't move.
Ali sat on the grass and stared at the ball. A butterfly landed on his knee. It stayed for a moment, then flew away.
Ali stood up. "We can build a tower," he said. Sam found a box. Mei found a bucket.
Ali placed the box on the bucket. Sam climbed up. His fingers brushed the ball. The box tipped.
Sam wobbled. Ali caught his arm. The ball tumbled down — whoosh — and bonked right on Ali's head.
Ali laughed. Sam and Mei laughed too. Ali picked up the ball. It was warm from the sun.
"Your turn to kick," Sam said. Ali kicked. The ball arced through the air. They chased it together across the grass.