Photography, Nature, Everything Fun!
Monkey See, Monkey Do!
Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Self”
Wanna hang out? Kid at heart!
If you’re familiar with some of my stories and photos, you’ll know that I love doing headstands. Headstands are a fabulous way to get upside down, but hanging upside down on monkey bars?
Way more fun!
Back in 2019, when I embarked on a personal fitness journey, one of my goals was to cross the monkey bars — and have a chicken fight against my son. At the time, I couldn’t hang onto one bar for more than two seconds and I thought I’d never reach this goal. My son could hang onto the monkey bars — forever. I watched him cross those monkey bars back and forth with ease and wished I could the same.
He’d laugh and shout, “Watch me, Mommy!”
I watched him — over and over again. In the meantime, I worked on strengthening my upper body, core, and arms — through regular push-ups, plank, weights, personal training, and lots of practice on the monkey bars. Eventually I was able to cross the monkey bars and have a chicken fight with my 9-year-old son that summer!
I shouted and laughed, “Watch me, son!”
A chicken fight is when two kids (or a 50-year-old “kid-at-heart” and her son) dangle from the monkey bars facing each other (by gripping their hands on the bars) and try to wrap their legs around each other’s bodies in an attempt to pull down the opponent and make him lose balance or grip until he falls to the ground.
Now, (on a good day if I’m feeling strong), I can cross the monkey bars six consecutive times, but my son still beats me whenever we chicken fight! Maybe I’ll conquer him someday — when he’s exhausted or lets Mommy win because he wants something!
Chicken fight (and keep practicing) like nobody’s watching!
I was digging through my photo archives to see what I could find that would be a fun fit for Hollie Petit, Ph.D.’s new publication. The moment I saw this one — I knew it would be perfect because according to Hollie, “monkeying around is mandatory!”
This fun post is a response to my January Six Word Photo Story Challenge: “Self” in combination to support Hollie Petit, Ph.D.’s publication, “Everything Fun!”
About the Writer
Mary Chang is the editor of the Six Word Photo Story Challenge publication — inspired by her original 6-Word Photo Story Summer Challenge writing prompt (2021) on Medium. She’s also a writer, parent, and fitness enthusiast — and loves hanging out on monkey bars!
Fueled by cartwheels, laughter, and encouraging people to shine. Read her blog at www.marychangstorywriter.com
