The Closed Counters

Ages 12-15

Ettel sets her little bag of wooden counters beside her coat.

The group can play the game she brings or the word game another girl suggests.

Hands go up for the word game.

Ettel lowers hers.

The other girl begins the first word.

Ettel reaches for the counter bag.

She closes its loose top and leaves it beside her coat.

The first girl chooses a word. The next changes one letter to make another.

At Ettel's turn, two classmates look toward her.

She studies the word on the small board.

She can change its last letter. She says the new word.

The next girl begins immediately.

Ettel sits back. Beside her coat, the little bag stays closed.

After three rounds, the group stops. Ettel picks up her coat.

At the doorway, she pauses while the last girl wipes the word from the board. Then they leave together.