A Walk in the Park

Mother and father are so tall. I’m so small by comparison. I wish they’d lift me to their level. Of course, she says no again. How can your arms be tired if you haven’t been using them? That’s just a lie. I hate that she does that. Let me not show that I’m upset though. At least we’re at the park. I love it here. Let me enjoy this.

I think I’ll run. Woah, I’m cutting through the air so quickly as I speed along. That whooshing sound! I must be moving so quickly right now, but I can go even faster.

Let me stop to catch my breath. I can feel my exertion in my sides. I wonder if they saw how fast I’ve gotten. I hope they did. Oh, they’re talking, but at least now father has noticed me. His smile is warming and his congratulatory wave inviting — I think I’ll run back to him.

I won’t stop when I get close and instead just run into him. That’s how fast I’m running and, plus, he’ll catch me with a hug. Ahh, he’s also tickled me. It’s fun but overstimulating. I’m glad he released me quickly.

Mom is still absorbed in talking about some other topic, and father is listening to her now. Well, I have no concern over what it is they’re going on about. Let me go look around. Should I head to the playground? No, I think I’ll wander about and take in the grass, the dead leaves, the lizards and birds, and the trees.

Look at this little bird hopping around. What a funny creature! “Chirp, chirp.” I wonder why it does that. Is the little birdie hungry? Let me approach it slowly and quietly so it won’t fly off. Oh, but the leaves keep crunching under foot. I almost slipped while moving unsteadily! And just like that the bird has flown off. Well, at least now I’m free to jump up and down and give these dead leaves the satisfying stomping they deserve.

Wow, look at these massive trees. The texture on the bark is strange. It’s so rough, and it makes them feel old. There’s a mossy discoloration here. I love that color! I wish I could climb this giant thing!

Looking up at the light as it comes through the leaves is always such an idyllic feeling. I wonder why it always feels so good to see that specifically.

Oh, mom and dad have stopped — what are they doing? There’s a man selling ice cream! I want some! I’m going to run at my top speed. That was intense! It’s crazy how quickly I can run now!

Give me, give me. I want the ice cream. No, I don’t just want a bite of yours. Get me my own like you and father have. Why must things always be so unfair? Why must I be treated differently? They’re so mean to me. Is it such a big ask that I have what everyone else has? Why can’t I hold it? We’re outside anyways, so what if it drops?

Yes, yes, you tell me to calm down, but it’s you who is acting this way. Well, let me calm down, I can feel tears moving to my eyes, and I don’t want to be seen crying. Stupid parents, always imposing arbitrary rules.

The ice cream is delicious! I’m still a little irritated I can’t have my own, but that sweet taste is amazing. Let me ask for more. I’ll ask as much and fast as I can to make them regret not giving me my own.

No, it’s done so quickly. We should get more. I want more. Of course, it’s a no. It’s always a no. Oh, well, I’ll go back to playing. I’ve been impatient to see the playground anyways. I’ll jump on the seesaw first.

I’ve forgotten. It’s not quite so fun alone. Let me call over mom. She’s too far anyways. I’ll head over to the slide instead.

It’s actually a bit scary up here. I wonder if it’s okay for me to be up here alone. Well, they’re not looking over at me, so I suppose it’s fine. I hope the slide isn’t too fast. Here goes! That was fun! Though sliding off onto the ground, dirtied my pants a little. Oof, rubbing it didn’t help. Oh well. I think I’ll slide a few more times.

Okay, I’m a bit bored of this. Hmm, what next? Should I swing, or maybe I’ll climb this set of bars? Feeling a bit tired, so I think I’ll swing. I want to propel myself higher and faster. I wonder if I go high enough if mother and father will worry and rush over. I want to try it, but even I’m scared.

I swung so high that time the chain lost its tautness for a moment and gave me a jerk when I came back down. I thought I was going to fall for real! Let me not do that again.

Let me call father over. Finally, he’s coming. He’s jogging as well. I can tell he’s ready to play! I should take advantage. I wonder why adults only play in such short intervals. They seem to enjoy it. I guess father does get tired quickly though.

Let’s return to the seesaw. Woah, it’s a bit scary when I get lifted up like that. I don’t want to tell him I’m scared, but hopefully he doesn’t do it with such force next time. Oh, there we go again. Okay, just hold on tight and keep a straight face. I have to make sure to smile too. It’s nice to play with father.

I’ll run and see if I can get him to chase me. I bet he can’t if I run at this speed! Woah, that startled me. Father is fast! Let’s run more, but I’ll need a head start. What? Tired already? That’s disappointing. Well, let’s see what else there is around here.

I wish my friends were here. The park isn’t as fun alone. If we had a ball, we could play a game. I should’ve remembered to bring one! It’s nice to just walk anyways. I’ll try skipping. That was fun. Suddenly my throat feels so dry. Let me go to mother for some water.

I’m thirsty, but I don’t feel like running. I’ll just walk. It’ll be fast since they’re walking this way anyway. Yes, please hurry with the water. I’m so parched! Look how fast I can drink. I wonder if they’re noticing it. I’ll drink as much as I can. Wow, mother is really impressed that I handed her back the bottle almost empty after such a short time.

Only now I feel full. It feels uncomfortable to move too fast. I was just gently strolling anyways. I think I’ll walk in a silly manner though; it’s something to do. Maybe I’ll take very long steps or shift my weight side-to-side in an exaggerated way. I wonder if they see me doing this.

Wow, look at the clouds overhead. They’re so huge, but so slow-moving and peaceful as well. Looking at them always makes me feel as if I’m in a daydream. That one looks a bit like a dinosaur, and that other is shaped like a shoe. The breeze feels nice now. I got warm and sweaty with all the running back at the playground.

I wonder if it will be time to go soon. It seems we’ve been here for a while. Let me walk back over and ask. Soon? I’d rather leave now, but that’s fine. I’ll try to be patient, but I’m bored now. Let me ask mom some frivolous questions — hmm but what about?

I’ll ask her what’s for dinner, or better yet, if we can have pizza. Chicken? That’s a disappointment. I felt I only kind of wanted pizza a moment, but I feel as if I can’t bear to not have it tonight now. Let me ask if we can please have pizza.

Why is she so absolute about things. We can always have the chicken tomorrow. Who are they to always decide? When was I consulted? This is so unfair. Chicken is so boring. I feel I won’t even have an appetite for it.

Well, I don’t want to cause a scene or get in trouble, but I’ll continue to intimate my dissatisfaction to them with some overtly sullen gestures. Maybe when she’s seen that I haven’t smiled in a while, or that I’ve been quiet, or that I’m keeping my eyes aimed towards the floor, she’ll recognize just how displeased I am.

And when she asks me why I’m not happy, I’ll have an opportunity to raise the issue again. I might still get pizza yet.

What does she mean that I should stop sulking? Who says that I was sulking? It’s true that I was trying to garner some pity, but what does she expect? I really want some pizza. It’s not like I ask for it every night. Whatever, let me think about something else.

It’s so nice to be riding in a car. The hum of the engine, the vibrations from the road, and that perfect, constant airflow from the air conditioner. It’s lovely outside as well. The golden hour light is always so affecting. Look at how everything blurs and speeds past as we continue along.

When I hold out my hand like this and see everything flowing past behind it, it’s as if it were a tiny airplane. Look how it goes up and down on the wind currents. I feel so at peace right now, as if I could almost fall asleep.