Ekin's Camp Day
A Day at Vision Taekwondo
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A Day at Vision Taekwondo
Tap Next to start the day →
Chapter One · 1 of 52
On a sunny morning, Ekin woke up early, because today was a camp day at Vision Taekwondo on Woodhaven Boulevard, and his dad stood at the door of his room and smiled, because a camp day is a day that starts with a smile. Ekin jumped out of bed, because he had been waiting for this day, and he put on his clothes fast, because a boy who is going to camp does not want to waste a single minute of the morning.
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Ekin put on his helmet and his shoes, and his dad took out his bicycle, the one with a seat in the back for Ekin to sit, because they were going to camp on one bike, and a bike ride in the morning is the best way to start a day. Ekin climbed into the back seat, and his dad fastened the straps, because straps keep a boy safe on a bike, and Ekin checked the straps twice, because a strap that is fastened well is a strap you can trust, and then they were ready to go.
Chapter One · 3 of 52
Dad pedalled his bike down the street at 8 in the morning, and Ekin sat in the seat on the back with his straps fastened, and the sun was shining, and the air was cool, and Dad pedalled fast, because the camp was waiting for them, and Ekin held on tight, because a boy in a back seat holds on tight, and his dad rode safe and steady, because a dad with his son on the back rides safe and steady. The street was quiet in the morning, and the birds were singing, and Ekin sang a little song as he rode, because a morning ride is a ride that makes you want to sing.
Chapter One · 4 of 52
They rode past shops and trees on Woodhaven Boulevard, and Ekin waved at a dog from his back seat, and the dog wagged its tail, and his dad laughed, because a boy who waves at a dog from a bike is a boy who makes a dog happy. Ekin waved again at a big tree, and then at a red car, and his dad said that his wave was the best wave in Queens, and Ekin agreed, because a wave that makes everyone smile is the best wave there is.
Chapter One · 5 of 52
Soon they could see the big building with the big red letters that said VISION TAEKWONDO, and Ekin pointed at it and said that they had arrived, because a building with red letters is a building you can see from far away. The letters were big and red, and the windows were big and bright, and Ekin could see children inside, and his dad pedalled faster, because children inside a building means friends inside a building.
Chapter One · 6 of 52
Dad parked his bicycle by the door, and he locked it, because a locked bike is a safe bike, and then he unfastened Ekin's straps and helped Ekin climb down from the back seat, and then they walked to the entrance together, and Ekin held his dad's hand, because a new place is easier to enter when you hold the hand of someone you love. The door was big and glass, and through the glass Ekin could see grey mats and green chairs, and he smiled, because a room with grey mats is a room made for games.
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At the entrance, some children take off their shoes, and some of the girls take off their socks too, and one of the boys takes off his socks too, because a taekwondo room is a room where you walk in socks or in bare feet, and Ekin took off his shoes and kept his socks on, and his dad took off his shoes too, and Ekin liked the rule, because a room with no shoes is a room that feels like home. His shoes were next to many other shoes, big and small, and next to the shoes were socks, and Ekin counted the shoes, one, two, three, because many shoes by a door means many children inside.
Chapter One · 8 of 52
Ekin put his shoes in a cubby by the door, next to all the other shoes, and his dad waved goodbye, because dads do not stay at camp, and Ekin waved back, because a wave goodbye is a promise that Dad will come back at the end of the day. His dad said to have a great day, and Ekin said that he would, because a camp day is a day full of games, and games are what Ekin loves best.
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Inside, the room was big and bright, with grey mats on the floor and big windows and white shelves full of sports gear, and green chairs in a row, and Ekin looked around, because a new room is a room you must look at with big eyes. The mats were soft under his feet, and the shelves were full of mats and balls and cones, and Ekin thought that this was a room made for running and jumping and playing, and he was right.
Chapter One · 10 of 52
The camp teacher welcomed everyone, and all the children sat down in a circle on the soft grey mats, and Ekin sat in the circle too, because a circle is a shape where everyone can see everyone else, and that is the best shape for a camp. The teacher smiled and said good morning, and the children said good morning back, and Ekin said it the loudest, because a good morning said loudly is a good morning that everyone hears.
Chapter One · 11 of 52
The teacher told them about the day, and the day was full of games, first sports, then a snack, then play time, then lunch, then arts and crafts, then more sports, and Ekin listened, because a day full of games is a day you must listen to, so you do not miss a single game. The teacher said that they would play Four Corners first, and Ekin clapped, because Four Corners was a game he had never played, and a new game is a gift.
Chapter One · 12 of 52
Sports first! Everyone stood up from the circle, and the mats were soft under their feet, and the children stretched their arms high, and Ekin stretched his arms the highest, because a stretched arm is an arm that is ready to play. The teacher said that sports are the best way to start a camp day, because sports wake up your legs and your arms, and Ekin agreed, because his legs wanted to run.
Chapter One · 13 of 52
The first game was Four Corners, and the teacher put a colour in each corner of the room, red in one corner, blue in the next, green in the third, and yellow in the last, and the children ran to the corners, because a game that starts with running is a game that starts with fun. Ekin ran as fast as he could, and his feet were quiet on the mats, because mats are soft, and soft mats are made for running.
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There were four corners and four colours, and the colours were bright, red like an apple, blue like the sky, green like grass, and yellow like the sun, and Ekin looked at all four of them, because choosing a colour is the hardest part of the game. His friends ran to their colours, and Ekin thought hard, and then he ran, because a colour that you choose with your heart is a colour that will be lucky.
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Here is how you play Four Corners: first you go to a colour, any colour you like, and then the guy in the middle stands in the middle of the room, and he says a colour out loud, and if you are standing in that colour, you are out, because that is the rule of the game. The guy in the middle is like a caller, and the caller must have a strong voice, because everyone in the room must hear the colour he says.
Chapter One · 16 of 52
Ekin ran to the blue corner first, because blue is the colour of the sky, and Ekin loves the sky, and his friends ran to the other corners, and the room was full of children, red and blue and green and yellow, and it looked like a rainbow, because a room full of colours is a room that looks like a rainbow. Ekin stood in the blue corner and waited, and his heart beat fast, because waiting for the caller is the hardest part of the game.
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The guy in the middle said a colour, and he said red, and all the children in the red corner were out, and they walked to the side and sat down, and they watched the game, because being out is not the end, it is a chance to watch and cheer. Ekin was in the blue corner, so he was safe, and he smiled, because being safe in a game feels like a small win.
Chapter One · 18 of 52
Ekin ran to the green corner, because green is the colour of grass, and Ekin loves grass, and the guy in the middle said yellow, and all the children in the yellow corner were out, and they joined their friends at the side, and they cheered, because cheering is the job of the children who are out. Ekin was in the green corner, so he was safe again, and he did a little jump, because two safe rounds is a very good start.
Chapter One · 19 of 52
Then Ekin ran to the red corner, because red is the colour of an apple, and Ekin loves apples, and the guy in the middle said red, and Ekin was in that colour, so he was out, and Ekin walked to the side and sat down, and he laughed, because being out is not sad when you had fun. He sat with his friends, and they talked about the colours, and Ekin said that blue was his lucky colour, because blue had kept him safe the longest.
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The game went on, and the colours were called, one after another, and more children were out, and soon only two children were left, standing in two different corners, and all the children at the side cheered, because the end of Four Corners is the most exciting part of the game. The two children stood very still, and the caller said a colour, and one of them was out, and the other one was the winner, and everyone clapped, because a winner is a boy or a girl who played well.
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The winner smiled, and Ekin clapped the loudest, because a winner deserves a big clap, and the teacher said that it was time for the next game, and Ekin stood up, because a new game is a new chance to run and laugh. He stretched his legs, because his legs wanted to run again, and he looked at the next game, because the next game looked like a game with long and colourful things.
Chapter One · 22 of 52
The next game was a game with noodles, long and soft and colourful noodles, the sea noodles that you use for swimming, and the teacher held one up, and it was blue, and it was as long as Ekin's arm, and Ekin touched it, because a noodle is soft and bendy, and a soft thing is a good thing to play with. The noodles were red and blue and green and yellow, like the corners, and Ekin liked them, because colourful things are fun things.
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Here is how you play the noodle game: the guy in the middle holds a noodle, and he swings it, and the other children run and dodge, and if the noodle hits you, you are out, because a noodle that touches you is a noodle that says you are out. The noodle is soft, so it does not hurt, and the game is fun, because a soft noodle is a noodle that you can laugh at, even when it touches you.
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Ekin ran and dodged, left and right, and he jumped over the noodle when it swung low, and he ducked under it when it swung high, and he laughed, because dodging a noodle is a game that makes you laugh, and Ekin was very good at dodging. His friends ran around him, and they dodged too, and the room was full of laughing children, because a noodle game is a laughing game.
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There was one more rule in the noodle game, and it was a very important rule: if you cross the red line on the floor, you are out again, because the red line is the line that you must not cross, and a line that you must not cross is a line that you must watch. The red line was long and straight, and it went across the whole room, and Ekin looked at it, because a red line is a line that is easy to see.
Chapter One · 26 of 52
A friend of Ekin's ran too far, and he crossed the red line by mistake, and he was out, and he walked to the side and laughed, because crossing the line by mistake is a funny way to be out, and he did not mind at all. Ekin laughed too, because his friend's face was funny, and the friend said that next time he would watch the line, because a line that you watch is a line that you will not cross.
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Ekin was quick, and the noodle swung past his legs, but it missed, because Ekin jumped at just the right time, and the noodle went under his feet, and Ekin laughed, because a noodle that misses you is a noodle that makes you feel fast. He ran to the left, and then to the right, and the noodle missed again, and Ekin felt like a superhero, because dodging a noodle twice is a superhero thing.
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Then the noodle swung again, and this time it tapped Ekin's arm, soft and gentle, and Ekin was out, and he smiled and sat down at the side, because being tapped by a noodle is the nicest way to be out of a game. He sat with his friends, and they talked about the noodle, and Ekin said that the noodle was very fast, and his friends agreed, because a fast noodle is a noodle that taps everyone in the end.
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The game went on, and the noodle swung, and more children were out, and soon only one child was left, standing in the middle of the room, and everyone cheered, because the last child standing is the winner of the noodle game. The winner smiled, and the teacher took the noodle, and the game was over, and Ekin stood up, because it was time for a snack, and a snack after a game is the best snack there is.
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Sports were over for now, and it was snack time, and the children walked to the tables, and Ekin opened his backpack, because his snack was in his backpack, and he had brought it from home. The backpack was by the wall, and Ekin found it fast, because a backpack that you packed yourself is a backpack you can find with your eyes closed.
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Ekin took out the chocolate waffle he had brought from home, and it was wrapped in foil, and it smelled sweet even through the foil, and Ekin unwrapped it slowly, because a chocolate waffle is a treat, and a treat must be unwrapped slowly, so the smell lasts longer. The waffle was brown and sweet, with chocolate in every square, and Ekin smiled, because a chocolate waffle from home is the best snack in the world.
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Ekin ate his chocolate waffle slowly, bite by bite, and it was sweet and soft, and his friends ate their snacks too, and they talked about the noodle game, and Ekin said that the noodle was very fast, and his friends said that Ekin was very fast too, because Ekin had dodged the noodle for a long time. The waffle was so good that Ekin closed his eyes when he ate it, because a waffle that good deserves closed eyes.
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Ekin saved the last bite of his waffle, because the last bite is the best bite, and he ate it very slowly, and then he licked his fingers, because chocolate on your fingers is a taste you do not want to waste. He folded the foil neatly, because a neat boy folds his foil, and he put it in the bin, because a bin is where foil goes, and then his snack was over.
Chapter One · 34 of 52
Ekin drank water from his bottle, because running and playing makes a boy thirsty, and the water was cold and good, and Ekin drank it all, and then he put the bottle back in his backpack, because a bottle back in a backpack is a bottle that will not be lost. He felt full and happy, because a chocolate waffle and cold water is a snack that makes a boy ready for the next game.
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Now it was play time, and the children walked to the big television in the corner, and the Nintendo Switch was under the television, and the screen was bright and colourful, and Ekin sat down in a green chair, because a green chair in front of a big television is the best chair in the room. The television was very big, and the game was Super Smash Bros, and Ekin had played it before, and he loved it, because Super Smash Bros is a game where your favourite characters fight.
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The children sat on the bright green chairs and watched the screen, and the screen showed the characters, many of them, all in a row, and the children pointed at their favourites, and Ekin pointed at his favourite too, because pointing at your favourite is the first part of the game. The chairs were bright green, like fresh grass, and the children sat in a row, and it looked like a garden of green chairs, because a room full of green chairs is a room that looks like a garden.
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Ekin and another kid from the camp sat down to play together, and the kid was a new friend, and they both held a controller, and Ekin held his controller tight, because a controller that you hold tight is a controller that does what you want. The new friend smiled at Ekin, and Ekin smiled back, because a new friend is a friend you have just met, and a new friend is a gift.
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Ekin chose Dr. Mario for the fight, because Dr. Mario is a doctor who throws pills, and he wears a white coat and a red hat, and Ekin likes him, because a doctor who fights is a funny doctor. Ekin pressed the buttons, and Dr. Mario appeared on the screen, and he was big and strong, and Ekin said that Dr. Mario was going to win, because a boy who chooses Dr. Mario believes in Dr. Mario.
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The other person took Pichu, the little yellow mouse, because Pichu is small and fast, and it sparks with electricity, and it is very cute, and the friend liked it, because a little mouse that sparks is a mouse that can surprise you. Pichu appeared on the screen, small and yellow, and it jumped up and down, and Ekin laughed, because a little yellow mouse that jumps is a very funny fighter.
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The other people, the children who were watching, cheered for Mewtwo, the strong purple fighter, because Mewtwo is big and powerful, and it floats in the air, and the children liked it, because a fighter that floats is a fighter that looks like a superhero. The children shouted Mewtwo, and Mewtwo appeared on the screen, purple and strong, and the room was full of cheering, because a room full of cheering children is a room full of joy.
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The fight started, and Dr. Mario threw his pills, and Pichu sparked with yellow electricity, and they jumped and ran across the screen, and Ekin pressed the buttons fast, because a fight in Super Smash Bros is a fight that needs fast fingers. The pills flew, and the sparks flew, and the children watched, and they held their breath, because a fight on a big screen is a fight that everyone wants to see.
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The fight was close, and Dr. Mario and Pichu were both strong, and Ekin and his friend both played very well, and the children cheered, because a close fight is the best kind of fight, and Ekin laughed, because laughing while you play is the best way to play. The boys looked at each other and smiled, because a game against a friend is a game where nobody really loses, and a game where nobody loses is a game where everyone wins.
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The fight ended, and both boys had played well, and everyone clapped, and Ekin shook his friend's hand, because a handshake after a game is the best way to say well played, and his friend shook his hand back, and they both smiled, because a game with a new friend is a game that makes a new friend into an old friend. The controllers went back on the table, and the children stood up, because it was time for lunch, and lunch smells good.
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Lunch time was coming, but first there was a surprise at the door, because a woman had come quietly into the room, and she was holding pizza boxes, and she smiled, and she did not say a word, because a surprise is a surprise that must stay quiet. The pizza boxes were big and white, and they smelled wonderful, and the woman put them on the lunch table, because a pizza on a table is a pizza that is waiting for hungry children.
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It was Ekin's mom! She had brought the pizza, and Ekin did not see her at first, because he was still thinking about Super Smash Bros, but she saw Ekin playing, and she smiled, because a mom who sees her son playing is a mom who is happy. She stood at the door and watched him, and she did not call his name, because she wanted the pizza to be a surprise, and a surprise pizza is the best pizza there is.
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Mom put the pizza boxes on the lunch table, and she waved at the teacher, and the teacher waved back, and Mom smiled one more time at Ekin, and then the lunch was ready, because pizza on a table and hungry children in a room is a lunch that is ready to begin. The pizza boxes were warm, and the smell filled the room, and the children sniffed the air, because pizza smell is a smell that finds your nose.
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It was lunch time, and Ekin smelled the pizza, and he saw the boxes on the table, and he ran to the table, because a boy who smells pizza runs to the table, and his eyes were wide, because pizza for lunch is a lunch that makes a boy's eyes wide. The boxes were big, and there was cheese and tomato, and Ekin said that this was the best lunch, because a lunch with pizza is a lunch that is always the best lunch.
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Surprise! Mom had brought the pizza, and Ekin saw his mom at the door, and he waved to her and said thank you, because a mom who brings pizza deserves a big thank you, and his mom waved back and smiled, because a wave from your son is a wave that makes a mom happy. Ekin's friends said thank you too, because a pizza that is shared is a pizza that makes everyone happy, and the whole room was full of thank yous.
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Everyone ate pizza together, and the cheese was warm and stretchy, and it stretched from the slice to Ekin's mouth, and Ekin laughed, because stretchy cheese is the funniest cheese, and his friends laughed too, because stretchy cheese makes everyone laugh. The pizza was hot and good, and the children ate it fast, because pizza eaten together is pizza that tastes twice as good.
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Ekin ate two slices of pizza, and they were warm and cheesy, and he saved room for the afternoon, because the afternoon would have more games, and a boy needs room in his tummy for more games. He drank his water, and he wiped his mouth, and he felt full and happy, because two slices of pizza and a morning full of games is a morning that makes a boy happy.
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After lunch, the children helped clean up the tables, and Ekin put his plate in the bin, and he wiped the table with a paper towel, because a clean table is a kind thing to leave for the next person, and the teacher said thank you, because children who clean up are children who are kind. Ekin put the pizza boxes in a pile, and he folded the paper towels, and then the lunch was over, and the tables were clean, because clean tables are tables that are ready for crafts.
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The morning was over, and the afternoon was coming, and the afternoon would have arts and crafts and more sports, and Ekin stood up from the table, because a boy who has finished lunch is a boy who is ready for the afternoon. He stretched his arms, and he smiled, because the morning had been full of games and pizza, and the afternoon would be full of games too, and a day full of games is the best day there is.
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After lunch, it was arts and crafts time, and the tables were covered with paper and crayons, and the crayons were in boxes, red and blue and green and yellow, and Ekin sat at a table, because a table full of crayons is a table that is waiting for an artist. The teacher said that today they would make a turkey, and Ekin clapped, because a turkey is a bird with big feathers, and a bird with big feathers is a bird that is fun to colour.
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Ekin got his paper, and the paper had a turkey on it, a turkey to build and colour, and the turkey was big, with a round body and a long neck and big feathers, and Ekin looked at it, because a turkey on paper is a turkey that is waiting for colours. The paper said BUILD A TURKEY, and Ekin read it, because reading the words on your paper is the first step of making a craft.
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Ekin took a brown crayon, and he coloured the turkey's body brown, and he coloured it slowly, because a turkey's body must be brown all over, and brown is the colour of a turkey, and Ekin pressed the crayon hard, because a strong colour is a colour that you can see. The body became brown, like the bark of a tree, and Ekin smiled, because a brown turkey is a turkey that looks real.
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Then Ekin coloured the feathers, and he coloured them red and orange and yellow, like the leaves in autumn, and each feather got a different colour, because a turkey with many colours is a turkey that is beautiful. He coloured one feather red, and the next one orange, and the next one yellow, and then he started again, red, orange, yellow, because a pattern of colours is a pattern that makes a turkey pretty.
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Ekin drew a little hat on the turkey's head, because a turkey with a hat is a turkey that is ready for a party, and he coloured the hat black, and he added a yellow band, and the turkey looked very smart, because a hat on a turkey is a hat that makes a turkey smile. Ekin laughed at his turkey, because a turkey in a hat is the funniest turkey in the world.
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He coloured the turkey's beak yellow, and he coloured its wattle red, because a wattle is the red thing that hangs under a turkey's beak, and Ekin had learned the word wattle from the teacher, and he liked the word, because wattle is a funny word to say. The beak was yellow like the sun, and the wattle was red like an apple, and the turkey was almost done, because a turkey with a beak and a wattle is a turkey that is nearly finished.
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Ekin showed his turkey to his friend, and his friend showed his turkey to Ekin, and the two turkeys were different, because one was redder and one was yellower, and that is good, because two turkeys that are different are two turkeys that are both beautiful. The boys laughed, because their turkeys looked like they were talking to each other, and Ekin said that his turkey's name was Tom, because Tom is a good name for a turkey.
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The teacher pinned the turkeys on the wall, one by one, and soon the wall was full of turkeys, red and orange and yellow and brown, and they looked like a flock of turkeys, and Ekin looked at them, because a wall full of turkeys is a wall that makes you happy. His turkey was in the middle, and it was the one with the hat, and Ekin pointed at it, because a turkey with a hat is a turkey you can find in a flock.
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Ekin wrote his name on his turkey, because a turkey with your name on it is a turkey that is yours, and he wrote E-K-I-N, slowly and carefully, because a name written slowly is a name written well. The letters were big and clear, and Ekin read them out loud, Ekin, because reading your own name is a thing that makes you proud.
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Ekin put his turkey in his backpack very carefully, because a paper turkey must not be folded, and he put it on top of his water bottle, and he zipped the backpack, because a zipped backpack is a backpack that keeps your turkey safe. He patted the backpack, and he smiled, because his turkey was safe, and a safe turkey is a turkey that will go home with you.
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More sports! The next game was freeze dance, and the children stood on the grey mats, and the teacher held a music player, and the music was about to start, and Ekin stood ready, because a game that starts with music is a game that starts with dancing. The mats were soft, and the room was big, and Ekin wiggled his feet, because his feet wanted to dance.
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Here is how you play freeze dance: when the music plays, you dance, and you can dance any way you like, you can spin and jump and wiggle, and when the music stops, you freeze, and you must stay very still, like a statue, because a statue does not move, and a boy who moves is out. The teacher said that the game was easy to learn, and Ekin nodded, because a game with music is a game that is easy to love.
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The music started, and the children danced, and they spun and jumped and wiggled, and Ekin danced too, and he spun like a top, and he jumped like a kangaroo, and he wiggled like a worm, because a boy who dances is a boy who can be anything. The music was happy, and the room was full of dancing children, and it looked like a party, because a room full of dancing children is a party.
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Then the music stopped, and everyone froze, very still, like statues, and Ekin froze with one arm up in the air, and he did not move, not even a little bit, because a boy who freezes well is a boy who stays still. His arm was up, and his foot was up, and he was frozen like a statue of a dancer, and the teacher looked at him, because a statue of a dancer is a statue that is hard to hold.
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A friend of Ekin's wobbled, and he was out, because a wobble is a move, and a move when the music stops is a move that says you are out, and the friend laughed, because being out of freeze dance is a funny way to be out, and he sat down and watched. Ekin did not laugh, because laughing is a move too, and Ekin was frozen, and a frozen boy does not laugh, even when his friend is funny.
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The music played again, and the dancing went on, and the children danced even more, and Ekin danced in a circle, and he clapped his hands, and he tapped his feet, because a second dance is a dance that is even better than the first. The music was louder now, and the children were happier, and the room was full of music and dancing, because a room full of music is a room full of joy.
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The music stopped again, and Ekin froze like a statue, and his friend made a funny face at him, and Ekin did not move, not even his eyes, because a frozen boy is a boy who does not move his eyes, and the teacher smiled, because Ekin was the best freezer in the room. His friend made a funnier face, and Ekin still did not move, because a boy who freezes is a boy who is stronger than a funny face.
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The last dancers froze, and the music stopped for the last time, and the game was over, and everyone clapped, because freeze dance is a game that ends with clapping, and Ekin bowed, because a bow after a game is a bow that says thank you. The children clapped for each other, and Ekin clapped for his friends, because a game with friends is a game that ends with friends clapping.
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It was snack time again, and the children walked to the tables, and Ekin sat down, but he did not eat, because he was not hungry, and a boy who is not hungry does not eat, because his tummy is still full of pizza. His friends ate their snacks, and Ekin watched them, and he felt happy, because a boy who watches his friends eat is a boy who is happy to be with his friends.
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Ekin drank his water and rested his legs, because dancing and running and playing makes a boy's legs tired, and the water was cold and good, and Ekin drank it slowly, because cold water after dancing is water that tastes like a reward. He put the bottle down, and he stretched his legs, because stretched legs are legs that are ready for the next game.
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Ekin watched his friends eat, and he told them about the turkey he made, and he told them that his turkey had a hat, and his friends laughed, because a turkey with a hat is a turkey that is funny, and they said that they wanted to see it, and Ekin said that it was in his backpack, safe and sound, because a turkey in a backpack is a turkey that is waiting to go home.
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A friend offered Ekin a cracker, and Ekin said thank you, but he did not take it, because he was not hungry, and a boy who says thank you and no thank you is a boy who is polite, and his friend smiled, because a polite boy is a boy that everyone likes. The friend ate the cracker himself, and Ekin drank his water, and they both smiled, because a snack time with friends is a snack time that is good, even when you do not eat.
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Sports again! Now it was soccer time, and the children went to the big mat floor, and the teacher put a soccer ball in the middle, and the ball was black and white, and it was round and ready, and Ekin looked at it, because a soccer ball in the middle of a room is a ball that is waiting to be kicked. The children were split into two teams, and Ekin's team was ready, because a team that is ready is a team that will play well.
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There were two teams, and Ekin's team wore bright green shirts, like the camp shirts, and the other team wore their own shirts, and Ekin liked his green shirt, because a green shirt is a shirt that says you are on Ekin's team. The teams stood on opposite sides, and the teacher blew a whistle, and the game began, because a whistle is a sound that starts a game.
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The ball rolled, and Ekin ran to it, and he kicked it to his friend, and his friend kicked it back, and the ball went back and forth, and Ekin laughed, because passing a ball to a friend is a game that makes you laugh. The ball was fast, and the children were fast, and the room was full of running feet, because a soccer game is a game of running feet.
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Ekin ran fast after the ball, and his friend passed it back to him, and Ekin kicked it again, and the ball rolled across the mats, and the children chased it, because a ball that rolls is a ball that must be chased. His legs were fast, and his feet were quick, and he felt like a real soccer player, because a boy who runs after a ball is a boy who plays soccer like a star.
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The other team scored a goal, and their fans cheered, and the ball went into the goal, and Ekin watched it, because a goal against your team is a goal that makes you want to try harder. The other team's children jumped up and down, and Ekin clapped, because a good goal deserves a clap, even when it is not your goal, and a boy who claps for the other team is a good sport.
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Ekin's team tried again, and Ekin got the ball, and he kicked it hard, but the ball missed the goal, and it rolled past, and Ekin sighed, because a ball that misses is a ball that makes you sigh, but he did not give up, because a boy who tries again is a boy who never gives up. His friend patted his back, and Ekin smiled, because a pat on the back is a friend's way of saying good try.
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The other team scored again, and the game was over, and the whistle blew, and Ekin's team had lost, and the children walked to the middle, because the end of a game is a time for handshakes. Ekin's team had lost, but Ekin was not sad, because losing a game is not losing a day, and the day had been wonderful.
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Ekin's team lost, but Ekin smiled and shook hands with the other team, because a handshake after a game is the best way to say well played, and the other team shook his hand back, and they smiled too, because a handshake is a promise that we are still friends. Ekin's hand was sweaty, and his face was red, and he was happy, because a boy who shakes hands after losing is a boy who is brave.
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Losing is okay, because playing with friends is the best part of soccer, and Ekin walked with his friends, and they talked about the goals, and Ekin said that his team would win next time, because a team that loses and still smiles is a team that will win one day. His friends agreed, because a team that believes is a team that tries, and a team that tries is a team that wins in the end.
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The teacher said that the last game of the day was ghost tag, and the children sat in a circle, and the teacher explained the game, and Ekin listened, because the last game of the day is a game you must listen to, so you can play it well. The teacher said that ghost tag was a game of running and chasing, and Ekin liked running games, because running games are games that make your heart beat fast.
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Here is how you play ghost tag: one player is the ghost, and the ghost chases everyone else, and you have to run away from the ghost, because if the ghost touches you, you are tagged, and being tagged means you are the new ghost, and a new ghost is a ghost that must chase everyone. The ghost is not scary, because it is just a friend playing a game, and a friend who is the ghost is a friend who is very fast.
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There is one more rule in ghost tag, and it is a very important rule: the ghost and the players only run on the lines, and the lines are painted on the floor, and you must stay on the lines, because a line is a path, and a path is where you run. Ekin looked at the lines, because the lines went across the whole room, and they made a big shape, like a maze, and a maze of lines is a maze that is fun to run on.
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A friend was the ghost first, and he chased Ekin on the lines, and Ekin ran fast, and the ghost ran fast, and the children laughed, because a chase on the lines is a chase that is funny, and Ekin zigzagged, because zigzagging is a way to lose a ghost. The ghost was close, and Ekin could hear his feet, and he ran faster, because a ghost behind you is a ghost that makes you run fast.
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Ekin ran fast on the lines, and he turned left and right, and the ghost could not catch him, because Ekin was very fast, and his feet knew the lines well, and he felt like a rabbit, because a rabbit that runs on lines is a rabbit that no ghost can catch. The ghost tried and tried, but Ekin was too fast, and the children cheered, because a boy who outruns a ghost is a boy who deserves a cheer.
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Then the ghost tagged a friend, and the friend was tagged on the shoulder, and he laughed, because being tagged is not sad, it is a new job, and the friend became the new ghost, and he started to chase everyone, because a new ghost is a ghost with new energy. Ekin ran away from the new ghost, and the new ghost ran after Ekin, and the game went on, because a game of ghost tag is a game that goes on and on.
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The new ghost chased Ekin, and Ekin ran, and then the ghost tagged Ekin, right on the shoulder, and Ekin laughed, because being tagged means you are the ghost now, and being the ghost is the best job in ghost tag. Ekin stood up tall, and he said that he was the ghost, and his friends ran away from him, because a ghost that says he is the ghost is a ghost that is coming for you.
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Ekin the ghost chased his friends on the lines, and his friends ran and laughed, and Ekin ran after them, and he was fast, because a ghost is a ghost that must be fast, and he almost tagged one friend, but the friend turned a corner, and Ekin laughed, because a friend that turns a corner is a friend that is clever. The lines were long, and the children were fast, and the chase was the best chase of the day.
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His friends ran and laughed, and no one could catch the ghost, because the ghost was Ekin, and Ekin was fast, and the children ran in circles, and they giggled, because a game where everyone runs and laughs is a game that is the best game of the day. Ekin chased and chased, and his friends ran and ran, and the room was full of laughter, because ghost tag is a game of laughter.
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The game ended, and everyone was tired and happy, and the children sat down on the mats, and they breathed hard, because running makes you breathe hard, and Ekin sat down too, and he was smiling, because a game that ends with tired and happy children is a game that was played well. The teacher said that ghost tag was the last game, and Ekin nodded, because his legs were tired, and his heart was happy.
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It was the last snack time, and Ekin ate a red apple, and the apple was crunchy and sweet, and he bit into it, and it went crunch, and Ekin smiled, because a crunchy apple is an apple that sings when you bite it. The apple was red like a ruby, and it was cold, and Ekin ate it slowly, because an apple eaten slowly is an apple that lasts longer.
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Ekin ate his apple, bite by bite, and it was sweet, and the juice ran down his chin, and he wiped it with his hand, because apple juice on your chin is a sign of a good apple, and his friends laughed, because apple juice is a funny thing to wipe. He ate the apple down to the core, and then he put the core in the bin, because a core in a bin is a core that is finished.
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Ekin drank the last of his water, because running and playing all day makes a boy very thirsty, and the water was cold, and it was the last of his bottle, and Ekin drank it all, because a bottle that is empty is a bottle that did its job. He put the bottle in his backpack, and he zipped the backpack, because a zipped backpack is a backpack that is ready to go home.
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The clock on the wall said it was 4:45 in the afternoon, and it was time to go home, because camp ends at 4:45, and Ekin looked at the clock, and he felt a little bit sad, because a camp day that ends is a camp day that you want to keep. But he smiled too, because a camp day that ends is a camp day that you can tell your dad about, and telling your dad is the best part of going home.
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Dad came to the door, and Ekin saw him, and he waved, because a dad at the door is a dad who has come to take you home, and his dad waved back, and Ekin ran to him, because a boy who has had a great day runs to his dad. His dad asked how the day was, and Ekin said that it was the best day, because a camp day with games and pizza and a turkey is the best day there is.
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Ekin put on his shoes at the entrance, and he grabbed his backpack, and he checked that his turkey was safe inside, because a turkey in a backpack is a turkey that must go home, and he zipped his jacket, because the afternoon was cool. His dad held the door, and Ekin walked out, and he waved at the teacher, because a wave goodbye is a wave that says thank you for the day.
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Dad pedalled his bike home, and Ekin sat in the seat on the back, and the sun was low in the sky, and the air was cool, and Ekin told his dad about the whole day, about Four Corners and the noodles and the chocolate waffle and Dr. Mario and the pizza and the turkey and the freeze dance and the soccer and the ghost and the apple, because a day like that is a day you must tell all of it. His dad listened, and he smiled, because a dad who listens to his son's day is a dad who is happy.
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Ekin showed his dad the turkey, and he took it out of his backpack, and his dad looked at it, and he said that it was the best turkey he had ever seen, because a turkey with a hat is a turkey that is the best, and Ekin smiled, because a dad who says your turkey is the best is a dad who is proud of you. His dad held the turkey carefully, because a paper turkey is a turkey that must be held with care.
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At home, Ekin put his turkey on the fridge, with a magnet, and it stayed there, red and orange and yellow, and Ekin looked at it, because a turkey on a fridge is a turkey that you see every day, and a turkey that you see every day is a turkey that reminds you of a great day. His dad put the bike away, and Ekin put his backpack away, and the camp day was over, because a day that ends at home is a day that ends well.
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Ekin said that today was the best camp day, and his dad agreed, because a day with games and friends and pizza and a turkey is a day that is the best, and Ekin yawned, because a long day of games makes a boy sleepy, and his dad said that tomorrow he could tell his mom all about it, because a day that you tell your mom is a day that you live twice. Ekin smiled, and he went to bed, and he dreamed of noodles and ghosts, because a camp day is a day that you dream about.