The other boys held back; none of the girls ventured.
"All right, Carlia," shouted the boys on the other bank.
The girl stood looking at the frail pole.
"Come on, it's easy," they encouraged.
Carlia placed her foot on the pole as if testing it.

The other girls protested.

She would fall in and drown.
"You dared us; now who's the coward," cried the boys.
Carlia took a step forward, balanced herself, and took another.

The children stood in spell-bound silence.

The girl advanced slowly along the frail bridge until she reached the middle where the pole swayed dangerously.
"Balance yourself," suggested the second boy.
"Run," said the first.
But Carlia could neither balance nor run.