In a cheerful children's room, right next to the window, stood a large, colorful box. It wasn't just any ordinary box. It was the home of a magical building set. And inside lived the Steps. They weren't the steps we take when we walk, but building pieces. Each one had a different color of the rainbow and its very own number.
They were all just waking up. Red Step number one stretched and yawned, "Good morning! We have an important job to do today!"
"What is it? What is it?" asked Orange Step number two curiously.
From the corner of the box came a rustling sound. It was the wise Mr. Instructions, folded from paper. He gently unfolded himself, and on his first page, a beautiful picture appeared. It showed a sturdy and radiant rainbow bridge.
"Wow!" all the Steps exclaimed at once.
"That's amazing!" said Yellow Step number three dreamily. "I want to be at the very top, so I can see the whole room!"
"But you can't do that!" objected Red Step. "I am number one! I must be first! I am the foundation; without me, everything will fall." He boasted about his importance and puffed himself up a little.
"And why should you be the most important?" frowned Blue Step number five. "I am the last one, I hold the bridge together at the very top. I am the keystone!"
Suddenly, a big argument broke out among the Steps. Each one wanted to be in a different place than the one Mr. Instructions had assigned. Green Step number four just watched quietly, not knowing whose side to take.
"Enough!" Blue Step finally decided. "We'll build the bridge our way! Without rules! It will be more fun."
The others agreed. Mr. Instructions sighed sadly and rolled himself back into a scroll. He hoped his friends would change their minds.
And so, the first attempt began. Yellow Step, who so longed to be at the top, tried to be the first piece. For a moment, he wobbled from side to side and then... crash! He fell onto the soft carpet. "Ouch! This isn't so easy!"
"Move aside, you dreamer!" commanded Blue Step. "My turn now!" He placed himself in the middle, but when Orange Step tried to join him, the whole structure collapsed with a loud clatter.
"This isn't working," said Green Step sadly. "We're just a messy pile."
All the Steps sat on the carpet, scattered and disappointed. No rainbow bridge in sight, only a colorful chaos. They felt confused and unhappy.
Just then, a gentle rustle came from the corner again. Mr. Instructions slowly unrolled. He wasn't angry, nor did he shout. He just quietly asked them, "My friends, why are you so sad?"
"We can't do it," complained Red Step. "We thought being first or highest was the best, but our bridge keeps collapsing."
Mr. Instructions smiled. "Perhaps it's not about who is the most important. Come, look closer."
The Steps moved closer, full of curiosity. On Mr. Instructions' page was a clear and simple picture. At the very bottom was a drawing of Red Step with the number one. Placed precisely on top of it was Orange Step with the number two. And so on, all the way to Blue Step at the very top. Each one had its exact place.
"Aha!" exclaimed Orange Step. "It's not a competition!"
"Every one of us is important," realized Green Step.
"But only when we are in the right place," added Red Step, feeling a little ashamed of his pride. "I'm sorry, my friends."
"We're sorry too," said the others almost at once.
And so they tried again. This time, they followed the plan perfectly. Red Step lay down as a sturdy foundation. Orange Step settled on top of him, a perfect fit. Yellow smiled, knowing his turn would come too. Green joined in with joy. And finally, Blue Step clicked into place at the very top.
Standing before them was a perfect, sturdy, and magnificent rainbow bridge. It shone with all the colors and was even more beautiful than they had imagined.
"We did it!" the Steps cheered. "Together!"
Mr. Instructions rustled with satisfaction. Joy seemed to shine from his page. The Steps understood that it wasn't important to be first or highest. The most important thing is to work together and to know that every step, even the smallest one, has its purpose when it is taken at the right time and in the right place.
And what do you think? Would you also like to try building something wonderful, step by step?