Maryam and her friend stood at the swing set. Both grabbed the same chain.
"My turn!" Her friend yanked hard and stomped away. Maryam stood alone.
Maryam sat on the ground and pushed the swing with one foot. Creak. Creak.
The empty seat swung back and forth. No one sat in it.
Maryam climbed onto the slide. Down. Up. Down. She checked the swing each time.
The late sun stretched long shadows across the playground. Everything felt very quiet.
Maryam ran home. She came back with a small paper bag.
Inside were three strawberries. Bright red and shiny.
She walked to the swing and held the bag out. Her friend was there.
Maryam opened the bag. Her friend looked at the strawberries. Then she looked at Maryam.
Her friend took one strawberry and held it out too. "Want one?"
They sat side by side on the bench and ate. The empty swing creaked behind them.
