Climb It, or Not Yet?

In the park stood a tall, tall rope climbing dome. Near the very top, Tai and Hana were waving. "Ren! Come up, hurry! You can see so far from here!" Ren looked way, way up. …It was high. His heart went thump, thump. Kurumi scampered a little way up a rope and looked back at him.

Ren gripped the rope tight. Heave, heave. He climbed the first part — he made it! …But when he glanced down. Whoa, he was already this high. His legs went tense. The top was still way, way up. "That's the way!" Tai laughed. His heart went thump, thump.

Ren looked up at the top. The view from up there — what would it be like? He really, really wanted to see it. — But the ropes swayed, wobble-wobble. His legs trembled, shake-shake. What if he got too scared…? Kurumi gave Ren's hand a little nudge. If I climb… what'll happen? If I stop…? His heart went thump, thump.

"Ren! You're almost there! You can do it!" came Hana's voice. Just then, a breeze drifted by. The ropes swayed, wobble. "Wha…!" Ren clung to the rope tight. Climb? Or climb back down here? He had to decide now. His heart went thump, thump — big and loud.

Two feelings collided inside Ren. If I climb — I push past the scary part, all the way to the top. A view I've never seen opens up wide. But my legs keep shaking. If I stop — I honor my own 'not yet'. Somewhere I feel safe, in my own way. But I won't get to see that view. Both are Ren's true feelings.

Kurumi looked steadily at Ren. The rope in his hands was warm. Tai and Hana waited up above. Below was soft sand. To climb even though you're scared, and to honor your own 'not yet' — neither one is wrong. Ren drew in a breath. His heart went thump, thump. And now —.

"Ren, I can reach you!" Tai stretched out a hand from above. Down below, Kurumi waited by the sand play area. Ren looked back and forth between the top and the ground. Climb? Push past the scary part and see that view? Or stop here? Go at his own pace today? It's okay to climb. It's okay not to, yet. …What will Ren do?