He laboriously gathered his books together and made a neatly organized heap upon which he could stand. When the pile was high enough, he carefully clambered on top of his books and stood on his tiptoes to see the top of his dresser.
Thomas was shocked to see that his gold watch had disappeared. He moved his arm frantically around the top of his dresser, disarraying his carefully warded keepsakes in his haste to find his treasure. Thomas’s agitated motions dislodged the books beneath his feet and he fell backwards and landed on the floor with a loud thump. Thomas lay on the floor spread-eagled, momentarily stunned by the fall. He moaned his loss and looked up to see his mother rushing to his side. “Honey!”, she exclaimed in concern, “Are you alright? Did you hurt yourself? Mommy heard you moan! Where does it hurt?”