The Low Picture

Ages 12-15

Lani holds the shared picture against the wall.

Its top edge lines up with the shelf. A little paper wheel turns inside a square opening.

Her younger brother stands beneath it.

Lani turns the wheel with its loose tab. The picture changes from a plain street to a street with a bus.

Her brother reaches up. His finger touches the bottom frame, below the tab.

Lani holds the picture a little lower.

The top no longer lines up with the shelf.

She lifts it back.

Her brother puts his hand down.

Lani looks at the loose tab, then crouches beside him. From there, the frame covers most of the little opening.

She lowers the picture to the empty space beneath the shelf.

Her brother reaches the tab. He turns it halfway. The bus stops in the middle of the square.

Lani steadies the bottom edge while he turns it the rest of the way.

At the lower mark Mommy made on the wall, Lani fastens the picture in place.

Lani stands back. Her brother turns the wheel again.

She crouches beside him, and the bus travels across the square between them.