The Supper Seat He Kept for Himself
Chapter 1The Wide Chair
Nachum liked the chair at the end of the supper table.
It had space for his elbows and a view of the front door.
On Wednesday, he set his place there before the family guest arrived.
Mr. Adler was an older neighbour coming for supper while his kitchen floor was being repaired.
Nachum put an extra chair beside the table and laid out a plate.
His own wide chair stayed at the end.
He had helped set the table. He did not want to lose the best seat.
Chapter 2At the Door
Mr. Adler arrived with a walking stick.
Tatty welcomed him and took his coat.
Nachum moved the extra chair closer to the table.
It was beside a narrow gap between the table and the cupboard. To sit there, Mr. Adler would have to turn and squeeze past the chair's back.
Nachum looked at the end seat.
There was a clear path to it.
He had chosen that chair for elbow room. The same space might matter for a different reason to the guest.
Chapter 3The Wrong Kind of Help
Nachum almost pulled Mr. Adler toward the end chair.
He stopped before touching him.
A walking stick did not tell Nachum which seat the guest wanted, or whether he wanted anyone's arm.
"Would this end chair be easier to reach, or would you prefer another place?"
Mr. Adler looked at the chairs.
"The end would be easier. Thank you."
Nachum moved his plate to the other side.
"Would you like help with the chair?"
"Please hold it steady."
He did that and no more.
Chapter 4Smaller Elbow Room
Nachum sat between his brother and the cupboard.
His brother's elbow was close to his own.
He felt annoyed about the narrow seat and then annoyed with himself for feeling annoyed.
He could choose to give up a favourite chair without enjoying every part of it.
Mr. Adler settled at the end and laid the walking stick safely beside him, out of the path.
Tatty passed the bread.
Nachum shifted his plate a little. He could manage the smaller space without turning supper into an announcement of what he had given up.
Chapter 5The Bowl
When the soup bowl came around, Nachum reached to take Mr. Adler's serving for him.
Then he caught himself making another decision without a question.
"Would you like me to pass the bowl, or serve some?"
"Pass it, please. I can serve."
Nachum passed it.
Mr. Adler did not need every ordinary movement done for him.
They talked about the repairs in his kitchen and a cupboard he had built years before.
Nachum had expected the guest to need help. He had not expected to hear about fitting difficult hinges.
Chapter 6No Medal
After supper, Nachum carried the plates to the kitchen.
His brother said, "You gave up your usual place."
"It was easier for him to reach."
Nachum waited for somebody to say he had been especially generous.
Nobody did.
Mr. Adler had thanked him for the chair and had enjoyed supper. That could be enough.
Nachum rinsed a spoon.
Helping was not a bargain in which the other person had to admire how much the favourite seat had cost him.
Chapter 7Tomorrow's Table
Mr. Adler would return for supper the following evening.
On Thursday, Nachum set the end place for him, keeping the path clear.
When he arrived, Nachum asked whether the same seat still worked well.
"Yes, very well."
This time Nachum chose a place with a little more room on the other side of the table.
Making space for the guest did not require choosing the worst seat for himself.
The family passed the dishes around, and Mr. Adler began another story about the troublesome cupboard hinges.
Chapter 8The Chair at the End
When the kitchen repairs were finished, Mr. Adler no longer came for supper.
Nachum sat in his favourite chair again.
He stretched his elbows, then moved one back so his brother could reach the bread.
The chair was pleasant. It was not owed to him at every meal.
Next time a guest came, he could ask what would help and make room where it was needed.
He could listen to the answer without turning a person into a list of things they could not do.
He passed the bread to his brother.
