Leo stretches his arms up as high as they go. His fingertips just miss the cold metal of the monkey bars. He kicks his sneakers against the woodchips, letting out a frustrated puff of air.
He stands back, watching the bigger kids easily catch wild basketball throws across the court. They leap high, and not a single ball hits the ground.
Suddenly, a loud bark rings out across the park! A tiny brown puppy darts wildly across the blacktop, scrambling away from the heavy, bouncing basketball.
The panicked little dog spots the lowest step of the wooden bleachers. It squeezes narrowly into the gap, wedging itself deep underneath the rough wood. Leo hurries over.
A tall friend drops to his hands and knees to reach under. His wide shoulders quickly scrape against the thick boards, stopping him short before he can pull the dog out.
The tight space beneath the lowest wooden board is nothing but a slice of dark shadows. Damp earth and old scattered leaves smell like a quiet, untouched cave.
Leo looks at the gap, knowing his own size. He drops onto his elbows and scoots his small frame right past his friend's big red shoes.
He slips entirely beneath the thick lowest step. The loud shouts of the playground quickly fade into a muffled hum as he wriggles deeper into the dim, tight space.
Shimmering dust dances in a tiny beam of sunlight as Leo wiggles forward on his belly. Suddenly, a cold, wet nose bumps directly into his hand.
"I've got you," he whispers softly into the dark. He gently scoops the squirming dog into his arms and begins shimmying backward toward the exit.
He pops out backwards, blinking against the sudden bright sunshine. The gathered kids erupt into wild cheers as they see the tiny pup held safe.
The tall friend gives Leo a massive, resounding high-five! The squirming puppy reaches up and happily licks Leo's chin with a rough, warm tongue.
Leo grins broadly, taking a deep breath of fresh air. He carefully sets the pup down, then firmly dusts the dry dirt off his knees.
Standing up straight and proud, he tears off running toward the busy blacktop. He passes under the towering monkey bars without even a second glance.
