Thousand: Four Hundred Five

on the branch so steep and wobbly that one boy had felt daring leaning there, a foot hooked under another branch to keep his balance. “When the bough breaks,” murmured the earth boy. “When the boy breaks. When the boy leaps. The fate of us all. Down will come. Down will come.” The sky boy hummed along. “Bernie!” called a mother’s voice. “Bernie! Your friend Emily brought over a pie.” He heard the back door’s squeal. “Mom!” the two boys called out. “I’m up the tree!” continued the earth boy. “Down will come!” finished the sky boy. “I’m getting out