Lily's red ball bounced into the street. She ran after it without looking.
A car honked and screeched to a halt. A woman ran over and pulled Lily back.
Mom knelt at the curb. 'Stop, look, and listen,' she said. 'Three times, then you cross.'
Lily stopped. She looked left. She looked right. She held up one finger. Then two.
Lily checked both sides. The street was quiet. She crossed all by herself.
Next, Lily hopped on her bike. She zoomed down the sidewalk — then remembered her helmet.
Mom came out with a yellow helmet and clicked it onto Lily's head.
Lily put on her helmet, looked both ways, and rode across the street.
Lily saw Max running toward the street after his toy. She ran after him.
'Stop!' Lily grabbed Max's hand. 'Stop, look, and listen,' she said.
They checked together — left, right, both sides. Then Max crossed with a big grin.
Lily rode through the neighborhood, waving to everyone. She felt proud.