The Space Beside Me

Read independently, with an adult or together in your lesson. Pause to talk about what you notice.

Arun chose a seat near the classroom window. He put his bag on the chair beside him. Inside it was a folded picture of a fox.

“Find a partner,” said Ms Bell. “Draw a place you would both like to visit.”

Chairs scraped. Children called to one another.

Arun looked at the chair beside him. He moved his bag to the floor. Then he watched the door.

Maya stood near the bookshelves. She held a green pencil but no paper.

Arun tapped the empty chair. Maya did not notice. She was looking at the drawings on the wall.

Arun looked down. Perhaps she wanted to work with someone else.

The chair stayed empty.

Ms Bell stopped at his table. “Is someone sitting here?”

“Not yet,” said Arun.

“Does anyone know they can?” she asked.

Arun looked towards the bookshelves again.

“Maya, would you like to sit here? We could draw a forest.”

Maya turned. “Could it have a river?”

“Yes. And a fox.”

Arun unfolded his picture. One corner was torn.

“My little brother helped,” he said.

Maya smiled. “Then we can give the fox a little brother too.”

Soon, a green river ran between two orange foxes.

When Ms Bell brought another child to their table, Maya moved the pencils. Arun pulled up a chair.

“We have room,” he said. “What would you like to add?”