The Shoelace Ladder

I scrambled out of the fuzzy slipper and marched straight toward a giant running shoe! Its neon braided laces were crisscrossed in perfect ladder rungs. Up I had to go! I seized the lowest loop with both hands, jammed my feet against the chunky rubber bumper, and hauled myself up. One rung, two rungs—the mesh fabric gave great traction! But near the top eyelet, the lace suddenly stretched and swayed. Whoa! I swung out like a little pendulum, clutching the cord tight while my brown hat knocked against the metal grommet. With one frantic kick, I scrambled over the edge and sat squarely on the padded tongue. High above the floorboards at last!