Part 1: The Discovery

What am I doing out here? I wondered as I ambled aimlessly down the sidewalk. I had decided to take a stroll outside because I was too bored to stay at home, but I regretted that decision immediately once I realized it was scorching outside. It was as if the entire world had caught on fire. The sun enveloped everything in sight; I could not even look at a mailbox without being partially blinded by the glint from the sun.

What I had thought was going to be an adventure-filled afternoon had turned into a dull day of wandering around the neighborhood. I had gone to the park but no one was there. I searched the neighborhood for my friends, but they were no where to be found. I guess no one else was dumb enough to come outside. I shook my head as I realized what a bad idea leaving the house was. So, I decided it was time to head back home.

The sun was beating down on my back and I felt as if my clothes had permanently melted onto my skin. The stifling heat engulfed my body, making every move I made ten times more burdensome. My hair was weighed down by the humidity in the air and my shoulders slumped as I shuffled toward my house. Only two more blocks to go.

My eyes darted around the neighborhood, trying to avoid the harsh glare of the sun as I racked my third grade brain for something fun to do while walking home. Suddenly, I saw it - the answer to all my problems. My slouched gait transformed into a cantor and I sauntered over to the object of my excitement.

Part 2: The Leap

It was sitting right there in the middle of the sidewalk – a trashcan. Not just any kind of trashcan, but the perfect trashcan. When upright it was just an average, empty container. But when it was turned sideways, it was the hurdle to end all hurdles. Just looking at it made me feel as if the cloud of heat and humidity that surrounded me had disappeared.

This is just what I need. I smiled as I examined the smooth surface of the garbage can. It lacked any dents and the strange smells that seem to emanate from all trashcans, at least all of the ones that sit outside all day, were no where to be found. It was shrouded by the beaming sun, and it sparkled and shimmered against the the dull sidewalk.

I walked up to the trashcan and took ten big bounds backwards. one. two. three. four. five. six. seven. eight. nine. ten. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. I could hear the crowd cheering me on. Jump! Jump! Jump! I opened my eyes and crouched down to touch the ground just as sprinters do before the starting pistol goes off. three. two. one. I launched myself forward and propelled myself towards the hurdle. And I leaped.
Part 3: The Fall

It was invigorating. It felt as if time had stopped and I was on top of the world. The blazing sun and blistering heat had no effect on me. I was unstoppable. If I can conquer this hurdle, no obstacles can ever stop me. I thought to myself as I floated above the trashcan.
However, just as my pride was at its peak, I realized that I was falling. I was still above the hurdle, it was too early to be falling! I braced myself as I hit the trashcan with a thud. My arms flailed around trying to find a steady spot to land on as I grabbed at the air for something to balance with. But alas, I was unable to prevent the inevitable and I fell off the trashcan.

I tenderly stood up and began to limp back home. When I finally reached my house, my mother looked at my skinned knee in horror and and rushed me into the living room. As she was cleaning the little cuts on my legs, I thought about what had happened with the trashcan. It was then that I realized that not all obstacles can be overcome, at least not on the first try.

Looking back, even though I had not realized it at the time, I had learned a very important lesson about overcoming obstacles. It is funny how the most insignificant and adolescent things, like jumping over trashcans, can stay with you for years after the incident. From that day forth, every time I see a trashcan lying in the middle of the street, I leap and hope that maybe – just maybe- this time I will jump just a little bit further, just a little bit higher, and land with my feet on the ground.