Jack’s Humming Game

Jack pushes a toy boat across the mat. He hums a tune as it goes. Aunt May listens from the cushion.

The boat climbs a pretend wave. Jack’s humming stays low. He stops. “My sound did not go up with the boat,” he says.

Aunt May hums a note and slides her voice higher. Jack watches her hand rise slowly. “Like that?” he asks.

He tries a gentle hum. As the boat goes up, his voice rises too. Then the boat comes down and his sound falls.

Jack makes a small wave. His tune moves just a little. He makes a big wave next. His humming travels higher.

Aunt May takes the boat. Jack hums while she moves it. Sometimes she waits. Jack holds his note, then takes a breath.

Now Jack moves the boat and Aunt May follows with her voice. They smile when the boat suddenly stops beside the cushion.

“It is in the harbour,” says Jack. His last hum is soft and low. He rests the boat and listens to the quiet.