The Empty Bowl

Ages 6-9

Hila's chair stands pulled out from the lunch table.

Several children have bowls of soup in front of them. Liat holds the ladle above the pot.

Hila opens her lunch bag at her feet. She takes out her empty bowl.

Her mouth opens. No words come.

She sets the bowl beside the pot.

Liat lifts the ladle and fills the next child's bowl.

Hila waits. Her empty bowl stays beside the pot while the child takes a spoonful of soup.

Liat dips the ladle into the pot again. She pours soup into Hila's bowl and sets the ladle down.

Hila carries her bowl to her place.

Her bowl sits among the others. At her feet, the lunch bag stays open.