A Ride on the Rope Swing

I reached the wide oak tree at the edge of the park lawn, where a wooden swing seat was suspended from two thick hemp ropes. The smooth pine plank hung just a few inches above the clover, resting almost completely still. Setting my velvet-handled pumpkin bucket right in the middle of the board, I gripped the rough, twisted rope with both hands and gave the plank an easy forward shove. The swing glided forward in a grand, sweeping arc, sending my bucket on a gentle flight while my hollow straw stalk bobbed cheerfully over the rim. When the swing slowed down and swayed back into my reach, I caught the edge and let out a hearty laugh.