life skills emotions · Ages 6-8

The Turn That Took Forever

While waiting for a turn, a child learns to plan, watch, and breathe instead of letting impatience take over the whole body.

The whole story

1. On Saturday morning, Maya hurried to the park with her blue kite spool. Today, she would fly the biggest kite on the hill.

2. But the line curled from the hill to the picnic table. Maya joined the end and stared at the children ahead.

3. Maya's toes tapped. Her fingers squeezed the spool. The turn ahead seemed to last forever.

4. Maya made a plan. She would watch one turn, then breathe three slow breaths.

5. Maya breathed in through her nose. She breathed out slowly. Her shoulders dropped, and her toes stopped tapping.

6. While she waited, Maya noticed how the helper tied the knot. She noticed which way the wind brushed the grass.

7. Maya planned her own launch. First, she would face the wind. Next, she would hold the string high. Then, she would let the kite rise.

8. The line grew shorter. Maya watched, planned, and breathed. Soon, only one child stood between her and the hill.

9. At last, the helper called, “Maya, you are next.” Maya took three slow breaths and stepped onto the hill.

10. Maya faced the wind. She held the string high. Then her blue kite lifted, and the long wait became part of the flight.

11. Maya smiled at the sky. Waiting had not disappeared, but it had stopped filling her whole body. She knew what to do with it now.

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