Orange Shoes and the Slide Zoom

Orange Shoes and the Slide Zoom

The park was loud with happy noise, and Owen was the happiest noise of all. He climbed the tall slide, sat at the top, and wiggled. Frog sat on his shoulder, gripping on tight. "Ready, Frog?" said Owen. Frog blinked. That meant yes.

Down they zoomed! Owen landed in the wood chips with a flop, and Frog hopped up onto his head. Owen laughed so hard his tummy bounced. Then he ran around to the ladder and climbed again, faster than a beetle with a bus to catch.

Far across the grass, Dad cupped his hands. "Owen! Time to go!" But Owen was upside down at the top of the slide, looking at the sky, and the words floated right past his ears. Frog heard, though. Frog looked toward Dad and gave one worried croak.

So Sam walked over. He did not shout. He crouched down close, right at Owen's level, and looked him in the eyes. "Owen," he said, in a calm, clear voice. "Shoes on first." Owen blinked. Then he heard it, every word, like a bell.

Owen stopped. His socks were bare of shoes, and his shoes were nowhere. He had kicked them off ages ago for extra slide speed. "I'll find them," he said. Frog hopped down to help, ready to search the whole park.

Where does Owen find his shoes?