📖 The Day the Body Woke Up
One morning, Oliver stretched his arm and rubbed his eye. His head felt heavy because his messy hair was sticking in all directions. “Time to get moving,” he whispered, opening his mouth wide in a big yawn that showed all his white teeth.
He sat up and scratched the back of his neck. His ear caught the sound of birds singing outside. He listened carefully with each ear, then smiled. His nose smelled toast from the kitchen, and his stomach gave a loud growl. “Breakfast!” he said.
Before he went downstairs, he stretched every part of his body. He raised one hand high in the air, then wiggled each finger. He bent his arm and touched his shoulder, then bent his knee and kicked out his leg. Finally, he stood on one foot, then the other, just to make sure both feet were ready for the day. His back felt a little stiff, so he bent forward and gave it a good stretch.
At the table, Oliver’s mother laughed. “Your hair looks like a bird’s nest!” she said. He touched the top of his head and laughed too. His mouth was soon busy eating toast, while his teeth crunched happily.
After breakfast, Oliver went outside to play football. He ran fast, using both legs and both feet to chase the ball. When the ball flew past him, he reached out his hand and touched it with one finger, though he knew he should only kick with his foot. Suddenly, he fell on his knee and rolled onto his back.
“Are you hurt?” asked his friend Sarah. Oliver shook his head and stood up. “I’m fine. My stomach is full of toast, so I have lots of energy!” His mouth broke into a big smile.
Later in the garden, they played a game of Simon Says. “Touch your ear!” Sarah called. Oliver tapped his ear with his hand. “Touch your nose!” she shouted. He touched his nose with his finger. “Touch your neck!” He bent his head and pressed the front of his neck with his hand. “Touch your back!” He reached behind with his arm. Soon, both children were laughing so hard that their stomachs hurt.
By evening, Oliver was tired. He sat in bed and brushed his teeth, then touched his messy hair once more. His eyes began to close, and his head slowly rested on the pillow. His ear listened to the quiet night, while his nose smelled the clean sheets. His mouth whispered, “Good night.” His legs, arms, hands, and feet all relaxed, and his back, neck, and stomach rested too.
That night, every part of Oliver’s body went to sleep, ready to wake up together again for another busy day.
