In the big garden behind the classroom, the kite flaps against the fence and gets stuck in a tiny gap between the hedge and the wall. Minibelle runs to the hole, listens to the paper rustling, and says, "I can help!" Voices reply, "You are too tiny."
Minibelle watches the big kids pulling on the string. The kite crumples and gets stuck even further back, deep inside. Minibelle presses her lips together. A red feather trembles in the leaves. Then she gets down on all fours and measures the space with her hand.
Minibelle slips into the gap, crunching on the gravel. The branches tickle her sleeves. Then she stops in front of a big root blocking the way. "Oh dear," she breathes. She climbs just enough, and a ladybug lands for a second on her nose before flying away.
Minibelle reaches out for the kite. But its tail gets caught on bean stalks and makes three pots dance on the tiles. Tap-tap-tap. Minibelle looks around, grabs a little forgotten blue watering can, and gently pushes the tail with the spout of the watering can to free it without breaking anything.
Minibelle crawls a little more and finally grabs the kite's string. But just before the exit, the passage dips into a muddy puddle. Minibelle lets herself slide all at once — splat! — and comes out all splashed, the kite above her head. The paper flaps like applause.
Minibelle brings the kite back to the yard. They shake off the mud drops, and the big garden smells of wet earth and crushed mint. Minibelle smiles when they clear the way for her, saying, "Make way for Minibelle!" Then the kite rises into the sky, and everyone looks up.
