1 Jake and Jackie were playing catch outside Jake's house when Jake's four year old brother, Darren, ran by.
2 "Hey, buddy," Jake called. "Your shoes are untied."
3 Darren stopped in his tracks and looked down. He looked up at Jake. "I don't know how to tie my shoes yet," he said.
4 "Well, come here then, and I'll tie them," Jake said.
5 Darren walked over to Jake, trying not to trip on the flopping laces. He sat on the porch step.
6 Jake squatted down and pulled Darren's right foot up onto his knee. He began to tie Darren's shoe when Jackie said, "Why don't we teach him how to tie his own shoe?"
7 Jake looked at Jackie and rolled his eyes. Jackie made a face and turned to Darren.
8 "Hey, Darren. Would you like to learn to tie your own shoes?"
9 "Yes!" Darren cried out.
10 "Okay then. Let me sit by you, and we'll do it together."
11 Jake stood up and stretched, then crossed his arms. He watched Jackie help his brother. She sat next to Darren, facing in the same direction he was.
12 "Start out by holding one side of your shoe string in each hand. Pull the strings upward a bit until they are about even.
13 Jackie guided Darren's right hand and then continued.
14 "Cross this right string over the left one and put the tip through the loop you have created. Now pull the two strings to tighten it."
Paragraphs 15 to 28:
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