The boy running across the park caught his eye.
He made for the large oak tree on the far side that had lost most of its leaves showing its great network of branches. He watched as the boy made the first heavy branch and sat for a while looking up. The gap to the next was considerable and the lad had to stand up shakily on his branch to get hold of the one above. He continued to climb for several minutes, finally straddling one of the highest branches. He just sat there for a while looking around. The watcher knew that he would have a marvellous view from up there.
Then, very slowly, the climber came down. When he reached the ground the watcher felt like clapping, but he wasn’t very good at it. There was a sadness about the watcher.
His mother says goodbye to her friend and approaches. She grabs the handles, saying, “Time to go, sweetheart.”
He pushes the brakes off, and he is wheeled away.