Milo sat on his bed. His sneakers were lined up neatly beside him. He picked up the left shoe and made two loops.
He tried to tie the knot, but the loops slipped apart. 'Oh,' he whispered. He sighed and tried again.
On the nightstand, Milo practiced with just the blue laces. He pulled hard, but they unravelled like a silly snake.
He scuffed his socked foot on the rug. Then he tried crossing the laces first. But the knot still wiggled like a worm.
Milo took a deep breath. He pushed the loops through with all his might — and the knot held!
The sneakers jumped up and down on their own. Milo's eyes went wide. 'Whoa!'
Milo grinned. He tied the laces one more time to be sure. Then he marched to the door.
At the door, Milo turned back and looked at his shoes. He was ready.