Stop, Wheels, Stop!

Brantley and Mimi have just finished a bright TinkerTile car when its speedy wheels pop loose and zip down the path. They splash past puddles and flowerpots, chasing the wheels toward the big hill ahead. With a pocket full of TinkerTiles and only a few rolling seconds left, Brantley begins building a ramp.

Brantley clicked the last TinkerTile onto the bright car. He was good at making pieces fit. Mimi spun both wheels. "Fast!" they said. The car gave a tiny shiver.

Pop! Both wheels sprang free and zipped down the path. Brantley grabbed for them and caught only air. "Come back!" he called, already running after the rolling pair.

The wheels splashed through a puddle and wobbled past three flowerpots. Brantley followed their zigzag tracks in the damp dust. Mimi hopped the puddle and pointed. "There!"

At the end of the path stood the big hill. The wheels raced ahead toward its steep green rise. Brantley ran faster, cheering on the chase. "Look at them go!"

Brantley slapped his pocket. The round tin of TinkerTiles clicked inside. He skidded beside the hill and snapped tiles together, fast. A smooth silver track began to climb between two wide rails.

"This side!" Brantley said. Mimi pressed the ramp's wide rail into the grass while Brantley shoved the other rail firm. The wheels buzzed closer, closer, closer.

Whoosh! The wheels climbed the ramp. The wide rails tipped them up and sideways. Instead of racing over the hill, both wheels tumbled into a soft patch of grass. Brantley threw both arms up.

Brantley and Mimi carried a wheel each all the way home. Together, they pressed the wheels back onto the bright car. Brantley gave it a gentle push. Mimi grinned as it rolled straight.