A champion jump

The steps leading down from the library to its lower-level exit. A mother is holding open the heavy wooden door. Her son, about four years old, hesitates, six steps up. I'm behind him on the landing. I don't want to rush him.

He takes a step down, then steps back up.

"Come on," his mother says. "Don't play around."

He steps back down one step, then JUMPS over the remaining four steps and lands beside his mother.

"WOW!" I say. He grins broadly.

"That was a champion jump," I say to his mom, who's h...