The Blue Roll

Ages 6-9

Bella waits beside the class game basket.

Inside are three little balls. She needs the red one for her short rolling game.

Her friend opens the basket and takes the blue ball.

"We're playing this."

Bella reaches for the red one.

"I wanted mine."

Her friend points to the wide chalk circle. Two other children are already waiting there.

Bella holds the red ball against her skirt.

The blue game begins. A child rolls the ball through the circle. Another stops it at the far edge.

Bella puts the red ball back in the basket.

She joins the child at the far edge.

When the blue ball reaches her, Bella rolls it across. It stops short of the line.

Her friend kneels and gives it a little push to the next child.

Bella stays beside the circle for the next roll.

In the basket, the red ball waits unused. At the chalk edge, Bella's blue roll reaches her friend.