SHIPS AND SEAS

Story of a a boy and his chalk...

     Jamal was very happy when he got a box of sidewalk chalk for his birthday.  “But where will I use them?” he asked. “I don’t want to draw pictures on the pavement where everyone can step on them.”

 

     “Try the back porch,” his mother advised. “They’ll be safer there. So Jamal did. He drew a big ship in full sail. It had a laughing dolphin for a figurehead, and waves curled under it. When his parents came out on the porch, they were careful to step around it. Jamal’s baby sister didn’t walk yet, but when she did he’d train her to step around his drawing too.

 

 

     “Are you sure it’s going to last that long?” his father asked.

 

 

     “I’m sure,” Jamal said. “I’m going to keep it forever.”

 

     “Well, the weatherman predicts rain for tomorrow, and that porch isn’t covered.”

 

     “I’ll protect my drawing,” Jamal said. And he tried.

 

     When the rain started Jamal went out with an umbrella and held it over his picture. But the rain got harder and harder and the wind blew in harsh gusts. Jamal’s umbrella was turned inside out. Heavy drops pelted the porch. “No!” Jamal cried. “Noooo…”

 

     The waves began to move and she ship moved with them. Tall and proud, it floated off the porch. A sailor sat on top of the rigging. He saluted, and Jamal saluted back. Then the ship was gone.

 

     Jamal took his inside out umbrella and went back inside. “I’m sorry  your ship got ruined,” Mother said.

 

     “That’s all right. It went where ships are supposed to go. Besides I’m going to start making my drawings out front, where everyone can see them.”

 

     Jamal was already thinking about a tree that would grow, a bird that would fly, a sidewalk blooming with magical flowers of coloured chalk.

Reviews

[Divya]

Cute and a creative work, shows creativity of a child and his poaitive response at situation.

[Marie]

Thank you.