Afternoon Treat

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This morning, Meg and Ben were happy because now they were going to do a clay project. Mother said, “Ben, look through the Clay Fun book and pick out a project.”

Ben got his book and looked through it. He decided to make a pinch pot.

Mother laid newspapers down first. She took the lid off the box of clay and cut a piece of clay for Ben and another piece for Meg. They began to make their pinch pots. They both like to work with clay. Do you?

But can you guess what happened next? Yes, Chip was not behaving again. He came running into the room, saw the pinch pot Ben had made, took it in his mouth, and went running off with it! Ben was very upset and angry. Mother got the clay away from Chip, and put him in another room with the door shut. “Maybe he thought it would be good to eat,” said Mother.

This made Meg laugh, and even Ben felt a little better. He decided to make another pinch pot.

When Meg and Ben were finished, Mother told them to wash their hands. Mother put the lid on the box of clay so it would not dry out.

After lunch, Mother took Ben and Meg to the Putney Bakery for a treat. They were sitting on the porch eating cookies when all of a sudden, they saw a little bird hopping right under their feet. It was so little and it didn’t seem to know that it could get stepped on. It came right over to Meg’s shoe and sat there looking at her.

Meg broke off a piece of cookie and threw it down for him to eat. The little bird didn’t eat the cookie. Mother broke off a piece of bread and threw it down for him and he picked it up and ate it right away.

Meg and Ben wondered where the mother bird was. They didn’t have to wait too long before she came hopping towards her baby. She seemed to be saying, “Come with me,” but the baby didn’t seem to want to listen. Finally, the baby bird hopped off with its mother. Ben and Meg were happy it was safe.

After their treat at the bakery, Mother let Ben and Meg go into the bookstore next to the bakery. The bookstore has rocking chairs and toys for children. They sat for a long time looking at new and used books.

Today, John, the owner of the bookstore, is having a special sale, 25 cents for a used book. Mother said they could each pick one and she would buy it. It was very hard to choose one book each. Finally, Meg and Ben each chose a book and took it up to the counter for Mother to pay for it. John greeted them at the front desk. Mother took out her wallet and paid for the books. Then they went to the Putney General Store across the street.

A general store in Vermont is not like most stores. The Putney General Store is very old. There is a little of everything in it. The Swings rent their videos, buy their groceries, buy bolts and screws, and sometimes even get gifts at the General Store.

Inside, the floors are made of wood so old that it is uneven. Ben, Meg, and Mother have to watch how they walk or they might trip. Everything is very crowded, and in the summer it is very hot in there. I am sure the store must be at least one hundred years old. If you ever take a trip to Putney, Vermont, you should visit the General Store. I think you will find it interesting.

When Ben, Meg and Mother came out of the General Store they saw the Oak Meadow School sign across the street. Oak Meadow is on the second floor above the bookstore and bakery. Ben and Meg love to visit Oak Meadow. They have a lot of toys for children to play with and the people are friendly. Today Mother says they do not have time to visit Oak Meadow. She says she thinks it is time to go home. Mother said, “After we get home, I have a lot of work to do. I need you to play by yourselves.”

Meg and Ben said they would be happy to play by themselves all afternoon so Mother could do her own work. “It will be fun,” said Meg. Mother was glad the children like to play by themselves sometimes.

Ben and Meg decided they would play store. They wanted to pretend they were at the General Store. “May we have some food to sell?” they asked Mother. Mother said she would fill a bag with food and give them some change to play with.

Do you play by yourself sometimes so your mother can do her work?

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