The Side Compartment

Ages 12-15

Perly stands first in line beside the classroom door.

Behind her, a classmate keeps opening the group's carrying bag.

The bag has a broad main pocket and a little side compartment. The side compartment is empty.

"We're ready," Perly says.

Her classmate closes the main pocket, then looks inside the little one again.

"There's still the magnifying glass."

Perly shifts her feet toward the doorway.

The other children line up behind them. A girl at the back pulls her coat straight.

"We can go without it," Perly says.

Her classmate holds up the bag. The little compartment has a round padded bottom.

"That's where it goes."

Perly looks toward the supply shelf. The magnifying glass lies in its shallow basket.

She steps out of line and takes it.

A child behind her moves into the first place.

Perly brings the magnifying glass back. Her classmate holds the compartment open, and Perly lowers it onto the round padded bottom.

The bag closes.

Perly goes to the end of the line. From there, she sees the classroom door open and the full group bag pass through it.