Selenga was swinging in the park.
Back and forth. Back and forth.
The wind brushed against her face. Her hair flew behind her. She closed her eyes and smiled.
"I'm going higher!" a voice called out.
Selenga opened her eyes. In the swing next to hers sat a boy. He was pushing hard with his feet, swinging faster and faster.
The Challenge
“Want to race?” the boy asked. “Who can swing the highest?”
Selenga looked at him thoughtfully. “Why would we race?”
"Because it's fun!"
“Swinging together is fun too.”
The boy paused. “But racing is more fun.”
Selenga thought for a moment. “What does the winner get?”
“To win.”
"That's it? No prize?"
“Winning is the prize.”
Selenga swung gently. "What's your name?"
“Cem.”
“Cem, I love swinging. Not to go higher, but to feel the wind and the movement. Why do you love it?”
Cem's Answer
Cem slowed down. He thought about it.
"I'm not sure. My friends were racing, so I did too."
“Did you enjoy it?”
Cem looked at his swing. He swung slowly and gently. The wind touched his face.
“Actually, this feels nice,” he said quietly.
“Even without racing.”
“Yes.”
Together
Selenga and Cem swung side by side. At the same pace. In the same rhythm.
When they swung forward, their eyes met and they both laughed.
“This is better,” said Cem.
"Because we're doing it together," said Selenga.
They swung in comfortable silence for a while.
“Can you come back tomorrow?” Cem asked.
“I can,” said Selenga. "But we won't race."
“Okay,” said Cem. "We'll just swing."
“And talk.”
“And talk.”
Questions for Parents
**Does everything need to be a competition?** No. Some activities are simply for enjoyment. Racing can sometimes take away from the fun. Help your child discover the joy in doing things just for the pleasure of it.
**How do children make new friends?** Like Selenga did—by asking a simple question and listening to the answer. Sometimes that's all it takes.
A Note for Parents
This story is especially meaningful for children who feel pressure to compete in everything. Consider asking your child: “Do you ever feel like Cem, doing things just because others are doing them?” This opens a conversation about peer pressure and finding their own joy in activities. Help them understand that true friendship comes from shared experiences and genuine connection, not from winning or being the best.