The Little Kite That Won't Quit

Riya couldn't wait to go fly her new kite that she got for her birthday. It had shimmery blue, green, and orange colors and a long, flowing tail.

On a breezy Saturday, Riya and her friends Sara and Noah headed to the open hill near their neighborhood that was the best place for flying kites.

Clutching the ball of string tightly, Riya gave her kite a running start. It wobbled briefly, then caught the wind and soared up into the sky above her cheering friends below.

"Great launch!" yelled Sara as she sent her red kite zooming up to join Riya's. Noah's yellow kite wavered unsteadily before joining the other two dancing on the wind.

The three friends ran across the grass guiding their kites in loops, dives and spirals. "Let's see who's kite can go highest!" said Riya. The kites seemed to playfully compete, each reaching for the clouds.

But suddenly, dark clouds started gathering. Strong winds buffeted the kites, threatening to rip them from the children's hands. Fearful, they gripped the strings tightly.

"Come back down where it's safe!" Riya cried to her kite. But it was too high, spinning wildly in the building storm. She knew she couldn't let go of the string, determined not to lose her brave kite.

The storm passed as fast as it came. And miraculously, all three kites survived the ordeal, still fluttering proudly in the clearing sky.

Riya smiled, feeling she learned a lot from her kite's courage in the storm. Sara and Noah felt the same about their kites. The friends walked home with a new appreciation of bravery.