Milo stood beside his bright blue shoes by the door. He looked up at the shoe-tying poster on the wall. "I'll do it all by myself," he announced.
He slid his right foot into the first shoe and stomped his heel down. Then he tried the left shoe, but it wouldn't go on. He plopped down on the bench, scuffing his sneaker against the floor.
Milo pushed his foot back in and pushed and pushed. Pop! The left shoe went all the way on. He grinned and wiggled his toes, then got ready to buckle the straps.
He snapped the right strap with a satisfying click. The left strap was trickier — it kept poking his finger. He pressed hard until both buckles held. Next: the laces.
Milo tried tying the laces, but the knot kept coming undone. He threw both shoes in the air in frustration. They landed perfectly on his feet!
He stared at his shoes, then marched around the bedroom with his hands held high.
Milo walked to the open door and stepped outside into the sunshine. "All by myself," he said.
He looked down at his bright blue shoes. One foot tapped happily against the driveway.
