One Tiny Step

At the bottom of the tall new slide, Shellyn stopped. A child whooshed down with a windy WHEEE and landed in a puff of sand. Shellyn pulled back her little feet and looked way up. “Too tall,” she whispered.

Shellyn touched the first step. Just one tiny step. Then another. Click, click went the metal ladder under her claws. The yellow slide flashed in the sun.

Three steps up, Shellyn froze. A sneaker zoomed past. Rattle-clack-clack! Shellyn ducked into her shell for one beat. Then she peeked out and took one more tiny step.

At the top, Shellyn sat very still. Then one small push— WHOOOOSH! Down the bright slide she flew.

At the bottom, Shellyn popped up laughing. A dry leaf sat on her head like a silly hat. She looked at the ladder again. “One tiny step!” said Shellyn.

Back over the warm wood chips went Shellyn. Not fast. Not scared. Just ready. One tiny step at a time.