The Recess Crew and the Rainy Day

One morning at Brightfield School, it rained so hard that recess had to happen inside, in the big hall. And inside recess, there was only one box of building blocks.

Everyone wanted the blocks. Very soon, there was a crowd around the box, and a lot of grabbing, and one very upset little mole named Nubbin, who was sitting in the corner with his head down.

“Nobody let me have ANY blocks,” Nubbin sniffed. “They all hate me.”

The recess crew came over to help. All six of them.

Tortle went first, because Tortle always goes slowly first. “Let’s take a breath, Nubbin. In like a flower. Out like soup.” They breathed. “Now, how big does it feel?”

Nubbin thought. “Really big.”

“Really big,” Tortle nodded. “Thank you for telling us.”

Then Rocco held up his magnifying glass. “Nubbin, do you think they all hate you? Or could there be more than one reason why you didn’t get blocks?”

Nubbin frowned. “Well… there was only one box. And it was really crowded. And maybe they didn’t see me because I’m small.”

“Three reasons!” said Rocco. “And none of them is they hate you.”

Nubbin’s head came up a little.

“Now,” said Rocco, “what could you try? My friends each have a move.”

Corkie hopped forward. “You could bring an idea! You’re good at drawing, right? You could offer to draw the plan for a block castle. Builders need a plan.”

Waverly wagged. “Or you could find another friend. a little hedgehog is over there with the puzzle, all on her own.”

Wimble bounced. “Or you could start your own game! Grab some cushions and start a fort. Call out: anybody can join!”

And Dabney said softly, “And tonight, you could tell a grown-up how it felt. That makes it lighter.”

Nubbin looked at all of them. So many ideas. His tummy didn’t feel so tight anymore.

“I think,” Nubbin said slowly, “I’ll try Corkie’s idea first.”

He walked to the block box. “I can draw a plan for a really big castle, if anyone wants one.”

“Ooh, yes!” said the builders, and they made room.

The recess crew watched Nubbin and grinned at each other. Not every bump needs every move. But it helps to have a whole crew of ways: more than one reason, a slow breath and a size, and more than one thing to try.