"Look, Mom, a rainbow slide!" Liam shouted, pointing excitedly.
"Wow, it is colorful," Mom agreed, smiling down at Liam. They had just arrived at the Fort Worth playground, and it was amazing! It had swings that looked like spaceships, a climbing frame that looked like a giant monkey, and that super cool rainbow slide.
Liam raced towards the slide, but Mom stopped him. "Hold on, little explorer. Remember what we talked about? Respect!"
Liam nodded seriously. "Respect the playground, respect the other kids, and respect myself."
"That's my boy!" Mom said, giving him a hug.
As Liam zoomed down the slide, he noticed something strange. There were little, glowing creatures hiding under the slide! They were blue and green and shaped like bouncy balls, with big, curious eyes.
One of them bounced closer. "Greetings, small Earth-friend!" it squeaked in a tiny voice. "We are the Zorp, from Planet Zorp!"
Liam giggled. "You're funny! Are you hiding?"
"Yes," another Zorp squeaked. "The big Earth-children keep bumping us with their feet, and it tickles... a lot!"
Liam thought for a moment. "I know! If we ask them nicely to be careful, they will! That's showing respect."
The Zorps all looked at each other, their big eyes wide. "Respect?" one squeaked. "What is this... respect?"
Liam explained how respect meant being kind to others and their things. He told them how much he loved the playground and would never want to hurt it.
The Zorps were amazed! They had never heard of anything like respect before. They were so used to bouncing around and doing whatever they wanted on their own planet.
Liam decided to show them what he meant. He gathered the other children at the playground and explained that the Zorps were visiting from another planet and needed a little space.
"We should be respectful and careful around them," Liam said. "Just like we are respectful of each other and the playground."
The other children thought about it. Then, they all nodded. It made sense to treat others the way they wanted to be treated! They promised to be extra careful around the Zorps.
The Zorps were so happy! They bounced up and down, their glowing bodies shimmering with joy. Playing with the respectful Earth-children was so much fun!
After a while, it was time for Liam to go home. He waved goodbye to his new Zorp friends and promised to visit again soon.
On the walk back, Mom smiled at him. "You were a very respectful playground friend today, Liam. I'm proud of you.”
Liam beamed. It felt good to be respectful. It also felt good to have made such unique new friends! He couldn't wait to tell the Zorps more about Earth and the importance of respect next time!
