Marko ran through the tall golden rice, his arms waving. "Cousins!" he called. "Come on!"
Marko sprinted toward the banyan tree. Two older cousins were already there, with a jump rope and shiny marbles spread on a cloth.
Pea arrived last, her knees dusty and scratched. She sat alone on the grass. Her red bucket was pressed tight against her chest.
Marko ran over with a crumpled paper boat. Pea shook her head and her lip wobbled. Then the sandcastle crashed down with a loud rumble.
Marko clapped his sandy hands. "Let's build a bigger one!" The cousins rushed to help. He gave Pea the red bucket. "Water duty!"
Pea dashed back and forth to the irrigation ditch, pouring water into the moat. The others packed the castle walls.
Soon the moat was full and the castle stood tall. The cousins splashed their feet in the shallow water together.
The cicadas buzzed above. Mud squished between their toes. Marko looked at his cousins and grinned.
Pea kicked her feet in the water. She smiled. All four cousins laughed together in the shade of the great banyan tree.
The cicadas sang. The water rippled. Marko's cousins were the best team in the whole village.