There was a line outside the ice cream shop.
A long line.
Selenga counted. Twelve people ahead of her.
"That's too many,“ said Selenga. ”I can't wait."
“Yes, you can,” said her mom. “Good things are worth waiting for.”
Selenga grumbled. She got in line.
Waiting in Line
One minute passed. The line didn't move.
Two minutes. It moved a little.
Selenga looked around.
The child next to her was also waiting. She wore a red hat. She had curly hair like Selenga—but hers was blonde.
The girl looked at Selenga too.
“What flavor are you getting?” asked the girl.
“Strawberry,” said Selenga. “You?”
“Strawberry too.”
Making Friends
"What's your name?" asked Selenga.
“Lena.”
"I'm Selenga."
“Selenga is a nice name.”
“Lena is too.”
The line moved slowly forward.
Lena was on vacation. So was Selenga. They'd both been swimming in the sea. They'd both played in the sand.
“The waves were really big,” said Lena.
“Mine too,” said Selenga. “Were you scared?”
“At first. Not after.”
“Me too!”
The line moved forward. Only eight people left now.
Ice Cream Time
Their turn came.
They both got strawberry.
They went outside and sat on a bench together.
The ice cream was melting. They had to eat fast.
“Here it comes,” said Lena.
“What?” said Selenga. She stuck out her tongue and licked. “Yum!”
They both laughed.
Goodbye
Lena's mom called her.
“I have to go,” said Lena.
“Okay,” said Selenga.
“Have a good vacation.”
“You too.”
Lena left. Selenga watched her go.
She knew her name. She knew Lena liked strawberry. She knew she'd been scared of the waves at first.
She didn't know anything else.
“Mom,” said Selenga.
“Yes?”
“I made a friend in line.”
“I saw.”
"Waiting wasn't so bad."
Her mom smiled. “I told you good things are worth waiting for.”
Selenga licked her ice cream. “You were right.”
A Note for Parents
When waiting in line during vacation, skip the phone. These moments teach children to entertain themselves, observe the world, and talk to new people—valuable skills for life.