Hawkins Hollow Nursery Rhymes
Ribbon Apple-Picking Wiggle Rhyme B
“Look, reach slow, wait, then take.” The actual engine is look → wait → off-scene free friend reaches → holds → passes → choose. Callen models the words while holding Bentley securely. The same off-scene free friend performs the pretend reach, hold, and pass; Bentley never reaches, picks, counts, chooses, or receives an apple.
Rhyme
Ribbon Apple-Picking Wiggle
Meadow gate—look, then wait;
Callen said, “Reach slow and straight.”
Bentley rested, close and small;
Callen held him through it all.
Porch-step shade—one apple near;
A free friend reached when space was clear.
One careful hand held apple red;
“Pass it slowly,” Callen said.
Berry patch—what shall we say?
“Thank you, helper,” on our way—
Or whisper silly, “Apple-wiggle!”
Then rest while golden leaves all jiggle.
Old stump school in make-believe play
Sent ribbon-bright apple rhymes through the day.
Look, reach slow, wait, then take;
Careful hands leave room and space.
About This Rhyme
Performance style: Spoken, gently rocked, or lightly sung by a caregiver, with a slow-reach gesture for one off-scene free friend, one wait beat, and a kind-or-silly choice.
Estimated spoken length: About 30–45 seconds with echoes.
Ways to Join In
- Look: Callen may use gaze and voice while keeping both arms in the secure newborn hold.
- Reach slowly: the off-scene free friend may extend one empty hand slowly toward an imaginary apple.
- Wait: pause for one comfortable beat before the reach continues.
- Pass: the same off-scene free friend may mime a slow pass away from Callen and Bentley; neither receives the object.
- Choose: say “Thank you, helper,” rest, or whisper “apple-wiggle.”
- Participation may be spoken, gestured, rocked, seated, or watched. Callen maintains full head, neck, and body support for Bentley; all reaching, picking, holding, carrying, and passing belong to the same off-scene free friend.