Morning Colors
Bright flags wiggle in the breeze. Music hums in the street. Drums go boom-boom. Bells go ting-ting. The air is warm and happy.
Milo is four. He wears a tiny hat with stars. He has a bright scarf with dots. He smiles and claps. He twirls one small twirl.
“Today is carnival,” says Milo. “I will sing my song.”
Mama kneels beside him. “I am here,” she says. “You can do it, my star.”
Milo takes a big breath. He taps his toes. He holds his little song in his heart.
“My song is short. My song is sweet,” he says. He sings in a soft voice.
“Carnival, carnival,
Sing with me,
Clap your hands,
One, two, three!”
He stops. He nods. He sings again, a little louder.
“Stamp your feet,
Tap your knee,
Wave hello,
Dance with me!”
Mama claps. “Lovely,” she says. “Let's practice again.”
Milo giggles. He sings it two more times. His voice sounds like sunshine.
Practice Parade
They walk to the street of streamers. Confetti floats like tiny rainbows. Ribbons flutter like friendly birds.
“Hello, Milo!” says Mr. Jax the baker. His hat is tall and white. Sugar sparkles on his sleeve. “Sing your song for me.”
Milo sings.
“Carnival, carnival,
Sing with me,
Clap your hands,
One, two, three!”
Mr. Jax claps and spins. “Delicious music!” he says. He gives Milo a round cookie. “A star for a star.”
Milo takes a little bite. “Thank you,” he says. He hums and bounces.
A cat with silver bells strolls by. Ting-ting. Ting-ting. The bells dance with the beat.
“Hi, Cat,” says Milo. “Listen to my song.”
He sings again. The cat blinks and purrs. Ting-ting. Ting-ting.
For a tiny moment, Milo pauses. “What is next?” he whispers.
Mama smiles. She taps his knee. “Stamp your feet,” she says. “You know it.”
Milo grins. “Yes!” He stamps. He sings the next bit strong and proud.
“Stamp your feet,
Tap your knee,
Wave hello,
Dance with me!”
A ribbon twirler twirls. A drum goes boom-boom-boom. People laugh and sway. The street feels like a big, bright hug.
The Big Song
The parade begins. Trumpets toot. Drums thump. Feet step in a happy line. Balloons bob up, up, up.
Milo holds Mama's hand. His red balloon floats like a cherry moon. He feels ready. He feels brave. He feels big and small at once, and it is okay.
A friendly clown waves. “Sing it now,” he says. “We will sing with you.”
Milo nods. He takes a gentle breath. He sings, clear and bright.
“Carnival, carnival,
Sing with me,
Clap your hands,
One, two, three!
Stamp your feet,
Tap your knee,
Wave hello,
Dance with me!”
People clap. People smile. Some sing the words with him. The cat's bells go ting-ting. The drums go boom-boom. The whole street sings like a choir of colors.
Milo bows a tiny bow. Mama hugs him warm. “You did it,” she says.
As the sun softens, the music slows. Milo and Mama sit on a blanket of stars and dots. He hums his song one last time, soft and sweet.
“Sing with me,” he whispers.
The breeze sings back. The lights twinkle. All is bright, calm, and happy.
