By lunchtime, the notice beside the school office had gathered a small crowd. BRING A BOX FOR FRIDAY, it said. No one could agree what sort of box was needed.
“The bigger the better,” said Jonah, spreading his arms. “We’re making a castle.”
Priya shook her head. The class had discussed a collection of objects from home, not a castle. She read the notice again. Below the heading, someone had written: Details in tomorrow’s assembly.
That evening, Priya found a shoe box. She left it empty and put a note on top: Check before filling. Jonah arrived the next morning with a huge cardboard box balanced awkwardly against his chest. It barely passed through the classroom door.
At assembly, the teacher explained the task. Each pupil would bring a small box containing three objects that told a story about their family. The boxes would be displayed on a narrow shelf.
Jonah looked at his box and sighed. Priya offered to help him find a smaller one. Together they carried his large box to the art cupboard, where it could be used for another project.
Before going home, Priya stopped at the noticeboard. A second notice now gave the size, number of objects and date. She smiled, but Jonah read every line twice.