The Clay Beside the Square

Ages 9-12

Zelig spreads the oilcloth across the kitchen table.

His cousin sets a lump of gray modeling clay in the middle. They bought it together. Each will make a tower.

Zelig has already drawn his on a scrap of paper: a wide square base, three blocks getting smaller as they go up, and a little round knob on top.

Before they divide the clay, they agree that Zelig will split it and his cousin will choose first.

Zelig breaks off a piece and rolls it between his palms. He sets the round lump in front of his cousin.

The rest is much bigger.

Zelig presses it into a thick slab beside the square on his paper. He lays the paper against its edge. The slab is wide enough for the whole base, with clay left for the blocks.

His cousin reaches for it.

Zelig puts his palm over the slab.

"That one's mine."

"I choose first."

His cousin reaches again.

Zelig moves the slab back into the middle. He pinches a thick piece from its edge and presses it onto the smaller lump.

The slab no longer reaches across the square on his paper.

He pinches another piece off it. He presses that onto the round lump too. He pushes the round lump back toward his cousin.

His cousin takes the round one. It is still a little bigger.

Zelig gathers the clay that remains and rolls it flat again.

Beside him, his cousin begins a base.

Zelig cuts a smaller square from his own slab. He shapes one block, then another. The clay left over makes only a knob.

He crosses out the third block on his drawing and sets the knob on the second.

His cousin sets his tower beside Zelig's. Then he goes to wash the clay from his hands.

Zelig presses the little knob down firmly.

On the paper beside the two towers, the crossed-out block stands above the little knob.