What a sunny day! On the playground, everyone's favorite swing is flying high, high, high. Squeak, squeak, sing the ropes, and happy laughter spills all across the grass.
The swing has a line — first you take a little orange wristband. Mariam slides one on. It looks just like a tiny sunset on one wrist! Then Mariam joins at the very back.
The swing goes SO high! Whoosh — up toward the clouds and back again. Mariam's feet get itchy and hoppy. Oh, to fly up there right NOW!
Mariam sneaks one tiny step ahead. Oh no — the boy's eyebrows crumple right up, and his mouth goes wobbly. "Sorry," whispers Mariam, stepping back into place with hot pink cheeks.
Then the boy grins a big friendly grin. "Waiting has games, you know! One push, two pushes, three..." So they count the swing together, louder and louder, giggling in between.
Now it's the boy's turn, and up he zooms! Mariam claps and cheers with all their might: "So high! Just like a little rocket!" Cheering turns out to be fun too.
Mariam closes both eyes and imagines flying already — over the slide, over the clouds, just like a bird! The wind feels almost real. The tummy goes all floaty and light.
"Your turn now!" Mariam hops on — one push, two pushes, higher and higher! The wind sings past both ears, and the whole playground turns tiny down below. Wheee!
"...nine, ten!" The count is done. Mariam hops off and holds the swing nice and steady for the girl. "Your turn now!" Handing over a turn feels warm and good inside.
"Mariam, come build a castle with us!" call the friends from the sandbox, waving. Off Mariam runs, little shovel held high. Everyone loves playing with a good turn-taker!