I did it !
KAIA ( stops spinning )
ARBOR / DAD A new record ! That ’ s my girl ! I ’ m so proud of you , sweetheart .
You ’ re insane , Kaia .
RIO / MOM
ARBOR / DAD Hey , like father , like daughter . Please accept this majestic leaf as your grand prize trophy … my world champion tire swing spinner !
( The memory ends . KAIA looks at the leaf in her hand , takes a beat and hands it to ARBOR , who sticks his arm through the ring and takes the leaf . He moves the ring over his body and places it back on the ground . He resumes his pose as a tree , the leaf in one hand . RIO keeps her ring up . KAIA moves downstage center , opens the shoebox , takes out a rock , and holds it out toward RIO .)
KAIA Rio , you taught me to persevere . To ride the flow of the water and trust its path . Do you remember this rock from our rock skipping contest ? Mom was oddly competitive that day .
( A new memory begins .)
RIO / MOM Alright , Kaia . Skipping rocks across a river is no small feat . But I loved doing this as a kid .
KAIA ( looking out toward the audience ) I don ’ t see how this is even scientifically possible . rocks are heavy . They just sink to the bottom . How can they skip across water ? Plus I really like this rock . I kinda want to keep it .
RIO / MOM
( nods toward ARBOR ) Well , just see if you can skip it all the way across the river so it lands over by that tree . Then it can be your reward . Maybe you can add it to that shoebox you keep under your bed .
KAIA How do you know about …? I don ’ t understand why you ’ re making such a big deal out of this .
RIO / MOM I just want to see you try something new and not be afraid to fail . It ’ s a good life skill .
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