The Foothold

Kirk reached up with his foot in search of another good foothold. He was surprised. He never dreamed he would be able to climb this high.

“Look at me, guys. Can you believe it?” called Kirk.

“Easy does it,” called Kirk’s dad. He was belaying Kirk, holding tightly to the rope. Kirk loved rock climbing. It was hard for Kirk to stay on the ground.

“Try to get up to the next level on the rock,” encouraged Dad.

“I’m having a hard time finding a hold for my left hand,” said Kirk.

“Go up a little further,” said Dad. “There’s a great hold just above you.”

Kirk slid his hand into position and put his weight on the hold to pull himself up. Just as he did, his right foot slipped and he fell off the rock. He was dangling in the air with one hand still on the rock.

“Hold on!” called his dad. “I’ve got you.”

“Ahhhh!” hollered Kirk.

Kirk continued to spin away from the rock, and he wondered if he was going to smash his head on the rock. He was glad he had his helmet on, but he wished he could do something for his stomach. It was spinning in circles.

Kirk’s dad cranked on the rope, and Kirk came to a sudden stop. “Now, grab hold of the rock again,” called his dad.

“I can’t. I can’t find a hold, and my head is spinning,” called Kirk.