Tim stood at the daycare door, clutching his worn blue truck. Maya and Leo waved from inside.
Maya held out a bright red ball. Leo bounced on his toes. Tim's grip tightened on his truck.
Tim sat on a small blue chair and built a tower of blocks. He watched the playground through the window.
The next morning, Tim walked to preschool, his small hand held by the teacher. The playground was there again.
Tim stepped toward the swings. They creaked in the breeze. His legs felt small and unsure.
Tim sat on the swing and pumped his legs. One. Two. Three. He felt the wind pick up.
Whoosh! He flew higher than he ever had before. Maya and Leo cheered from the slide.
Tim laughed out loud and pumped his legs again, faster and higher, soaring all the way to the sky.
The teacher called Tim's name. It was time to go home.
Tim waved back at Maya and Leo. They waved too. 'See you tomorrow!' Leo called.
Tim walked home with the teacher, his worn blue truck safe in his pocket. Tomorrow he would go higher.
That night, Tim dreamed of swinging — all the way to the sky, faster and faster, with his friends cheering below.