“It's a windy day today, Sport. It's a perfect day for kite flying.” Mike stroked his dog. “Maybe Mom will let us go to the park. I have a brand new kite and lots of string. What do you say, Sport?”

The small black dog barked and wagged its tail.

Mike ran through the house in search of his mother. “Mom?” He found her in the den, reading a book. “Mom, I want to go to the park with Sport and fly my kite. The wind is blowing.”

“Would you like me to come with  you?” Mom put her book down. “I don't want you going by yourself. I'll tell you what, I'll come and sit on a park bench and read and you and Sport can fly your kite.”

“Okay. I'll go and get my kite.” Mike gathered everything he needed and they headed to the park.

Mom sat on the bench under a spreading oak tree. Mike and Sport ran off. “This is a perfect place.” He ran with the kite in his hand, releasing the string. The kite soared into the sky. When it was high enough, Mike stopped running. “There we go. Now we have to watch it fly around.” Sport wagged his tail.

A few birds flew around the kite, curious about the strange object, but then flew off without disturbing it.

After a while Mike started fidgeting. “I'm bored. It isn't fun to fly a kite all by yourself. Maybe Mom will come and help me.” Mike turned to see his mom. “Mom! Mom!” He shouted but she didn't hear.

Step by step he walked back, being careful not to let the kite fall. He was nearly to his mother when the kite did a nose dive and crashed into the grassy hill. “Oh no!”

Mom looked up and saw what had happened. “Mike, do you need some help?”

“I'll have to go and get the kite and make it go up in the sky again. Will you help me, Mom?”

Mom put her hand on Mike's shoulder. “Go on. Get the kite. I've not flown one since I was a little girl, but I'll bet we can get that kite up as high as the clouds.”

“Do you think so, Mom?” Mike giggled and ran after the kite. He came back with it in his hand.

“Run, Mike. Get the kite going.” Mom clapped her hands as the kite rose into the sky. “Higher, Mike.”

Mike handed the string to his mom. “You try. See how high you can get it.”

Mom took the string and let it go. The kite rose higher and higher, reaching for the clouds.

“Wow, Mom! That's so cool. Look at my kite.” He glanced at his mother. “I mean, look at our kite.”

Sport ran around the trees barking with delight. Mom and Mike laughed and watched another flock of birds fly by. “Thanks, Mom. This is fun.”

She hugged her son and looked up at the kite. “It is fun. Thank you for inviting me.”