Cameron’s Sand Tunnel

Cameron and Grant make a tunnel through a low mound on the beach. They plan to roll a yellow ball through it. One boy will catch it on the other side.

Cameron gives the ball a gentle push, but it stops inside the mound. Grant waits at the far opening. He cannot see the ball, but he hears it knock against something.

Dad helps them look through the tunnel from each end. The passage turns sharply in the middle. The ball has reached a wall instead of a clear way through.

They lift the sand above the bend and take out the ball. Then they rebuild the passage in a straight line. They check that they can see each other through the openings.

Grant smooths the sandy floor with his palm before Cameron tries again. This time the ball rolls through and stops beside Grant’s hand. A narrow track is left behind it.

The boys swap ends and send the ball back without pushing harder. Dad points to the track and asks what changed between their first try and their second one.

They add a little sandy yard outside each opening and continue their game. When loose grains fall into the tunnel, they clear the passage before sending the ball through again.

Before leaving, the boys flatten their mound and pack the yellow ball. “Our tunnel needed a clear path,” says Cameron, “and looking inside helped us find the bend.”