The Gate at the End

Ages 6-9

A little paper gate lies beside Basi's friend's knee.

Between them, a string makes the path for their pretend garden.

Basi draws a curved flowerbed beside it.

At the end, the string reaches beyond her curve. Basi pulls it shorter.

Her friend moves the gate toward the new end.

There is no room.

"Leave that bit long," her friend says.

Basi pulls the string against the chalk curve.

"It goes here."

Her friend holds the gate above the pavement.

"I need the gate at the end, with space to open."

Basi puts down the string.

She watches her friend lay the gate flat and fold its little doors outward.

One door touches the flowerbed curve.

Basi rubs away the end of her chalk line. She draws it a little farther back.

Her friend stretches the string to its old length. The gate fits at the end.

Basi adds a small flower beside the new curve.

Her friend opens both paper doors. Between them, the long string path reaches into the pretend garden.