Reverse Retribution!

Buck looked me straight in the eyes and said" "you've been talkine about how Mary likes to win every game she plays! Have you stopped to realïze just how much you like to win - especially at horseshoes? of course, you are almost unbeatable, but that doesn't keep the rest of us from trying to beai you!"

. "Yqy is very good at hopscotch, yet you always try io beat hèr. What,s the point? I'm very good at marbles, but so is Cary. t'm getting tired of everyone trying so hard to win. Why can't we just enjoy playing-all of our games together?"

I looked at Buck, marveling at his young wisdom! I considered carefully all he had said" then I replied, "I truly did not realize I was criticizing Mary foi the very_faults I am guilty of. Thank you for calling this to my atteition. iMaybe I should apologize to Mary. ,l really do enjoy having her around," I said sincérely.

Buck grinned and felt he had won a minor battle. "I don't think that will be necessary. Just don't try so hard all the time to win. All of us would have more fun if you and Mary would just relax and enjoy the games."

"Mary would probably be able to relax if I did"'I said with some wisdom of my own.

The next day when the twins came over after their chores, I was anxious to put Buck's new plan into action.

-^ It wasn't long before Mary noticed that I was not putting forth the usual effort to beat her. she also was aware that I seemed much rn-ore relaxed. My games seemed to get sharper. That really bothered her so she made a rup..-. effort to relax to see if her game would improve also.

Buck and Cary observing us, laughed until their stomachs hurt.

M_u.V and I had competed with a vengeance - now, relaxing had proved to .have the same result. we were still in a tie ôn almost everything -we playedl

Being the fun-loving kids we really were, Mary and I started-laughing at ourselves as hard as the boys. After all, suddenly the four ofus realizedThatjust playing our favorite games together was the real fun. Long after Buck and I went home, we would all remember these carefree days of this-special summer!