The Hallway He Walked Back Through

Chapter 1Beside the Cupboard

Mr. Feld, the school's caretaker, was showing two boys the cleanup cupboard.

"Dry paper scraps go in this basket," he said. "If you see a spill, tell an adult. These things are for staff use."

Meir heard the beginning. Then he noticed a small broom leaning by the wall.

"I know how to sweep," he interrupted.

He told Mr. Feld about sweeping after a craft project at home.

By the time he finished, Rebbi was calling the boys back to class.

That afternoon, paper scraps lay under the craft table.

A cup of water had tipped near the table leg.

Meir remembered the small broom. He went into the hallway and reached for it beside the closed supply cupboard.

He could finish cleaning quickly.

Then he remembered Mr. Feld saying something after the basket instructions. Meir had been talking at the time.

He carried the broom toward the classroom, unsure whether it belonged in his hands.

Rebbi stopped him at the door.

"What are you planning to clean?"

Meir pointed to the water and the paper.

Rebbi put the broom safely aside and asked the children to stay away from the wet floor.

"An adult will handle the spill. Did Mr. Feld give you this broom?"

Meir shook his head.

"I didn't hear the whole explanation."

He wished he had asked before taking it.

Rebbi went with Meir to find Mr. Feld in the public school hallway.

Meir wanted Rebbi to speak for him. But the missing words were missing because Meir had interrupted.

"I talked while you were explaining," he told Mr. Feld. "Could you tell me again what we may use?"

Mr. Feld listened. He did not need to hear the home-sweeping story again.

"You can collect dry paper in the basket when Rebbi says it's safe. Leave spills and staff supplies for an adult."

Mr. Feld came to the classroom to clean the water. Rebbi kept the boys clear of the wet area.

When the floor was safe, he gave Meir the paper basket.

Meir picked up dry paper scraps from the other side of the table.

There was no broom in his hands. He still had a useful part of the cleanup.

When another boy pointed to a damp scrap near the spill, Meir left it for Mr. Feld instead of trying to collect everything.

Meir returned the basket with Rebbi's permission.

Mr. Feld began to explain where it should sit so it would not block the cupboard.

Meir thought of a question about the handle. This time he waited until the explanation ended.

Then he asked.

Mr. Feld showed him the place. Meir put the basket there and walked back to class.

The hallway was the same length as before. Going back through it had saved him from doing a job he had not understood.