I think I can

My friend P was entertaining our taxi driver on the way to the Top View restaurant, located at the top of a high precipice in Addis Ababa, when the small, blue Lada reached a steep incline and its engine began to rev. I began to chant "I think I can, I think I can," but the tiny car came to a stop and the driver, apologizing, backed the car back down the hill to make a second attempt in a lower gear. When that didn't work, we did the only thing we could think of--we got out to see if the car could go the remaining 100 meters or so to clear the slope. As we exited the car, a number of young children surrounded us and we all watched the taxi inch its way a bit further to no real avail. Suddenly a few of the boys began pushing the taxi and making some progress. I was about to tell them not to do such a dangerous thing, but then I saw P throw his weight behind the small Lada as well. Still with a ways to go, I ran and joined them too, and soon enough the taxi had cleared the slope. We waved thanks to the kids and jumped back in and the driver took us the rest of the way. No doubt, it was an interesting way to work up our appetites before the meal.
(*Click HERE for an image of the Lada)