The Glasses at the Door

Ages 9-12

Pinchas takes his new glasses off at the door of the classroom, and holds them in his hand.

They are brown, with round lenses. He got them on Sunday, and he wore them to the car, and then home, and then at supper.

He puts them in his shirt pocket, and walks to his seat. The desks are a blur of tan. He finds his by the scratch on the corner, and sits.

The rebbi comes in. He is a tall shape at the front, and he is holding something white. Pinchas hears the chalk start. He sees the gray board, and the white marks on it, and he cannot tell what they say.

Pinchas looks at the board. He looks at the pocket. He takes the glasses out, and unfolds the arms, and puts them on.

The board jumps. The marks have edges. It is one word, written large, at the top, and the rebbi has underlined it twice.

"Pinchas," says the rebbi, without turning. "Read it for us."

Pinchas reads it.

The rebbi nods, and goes on writing.

Pinchas pushes the glasses up his nose with one finger. They slide down a little, and he pushes them up again.