Balancing Act

So R had her friend, K over to play after school. They are in the back yard playing because it is a beautiful day out. There is a form of play equipment in the back yard - you know, with the swings, and a ladder leading up to a platform, maybe some monkey bars - that kind of thing. There is a rope tied to the rail at the top of the play set and R and K think it's a good idea to try swinging from it. I tell them not to swing from the rope, cus frankly, I don't want to be responsible for any broken necks. So they continue playing, and I occasionally check to make sure they're not hanging by their neck from the rope. Then, R and K come into the house and over to the closet. I ask what they're doing. R replies, "We're getting something." This vague response, "something" tells me that they don't want me to know what something is. But I let them have their fun. They get their "something" and R has it conveniently hidden on the side of her body that I can't see. But, I let them go. I say nothing. Then I hear the back door close and I run to see what they're up to. R grabs the rope. Takes it at the end and pulls it tight, so it is straight out and parallel with the ground. K pulls out the something - AN UMBRELLA! She ejects the umbrella and is about to attempt to walk R's makeshift tightrope. With the umbrella held up above her head, she's about to take her first step onto the tightrope when.... I open the door and simply say, in a fierce tone, "No." That's all I had to say. I like to believe I saved a life that day.