The Stopping Train

Ages 6-9

Dalia wants her friend's pretend train to stop at the station she makes.

Her friend drives it past.

"This is the fast train."

Dalia holds a tiny paper passenger beside the station.

The train comes around again without stopping.

Dalia sets the passenger on the platform, under the station's little blue roof.

"When does a stopping train come?"

Her friend puts the fast train at the far end.

"After this trip."

Dalia watches it finish the loop. She leaves her passenger under the blue roof.

Her friend brings a second toy engine from the basket. It moves slowly toward the station.

Dalia lifts her passenger onto its pretend seat.

The fast train stays at the far end. The stopping train waits under the blue roof.