Douglas’s Leaf Boat

Douglas and Simon make a leaf boat in the garden with Dad. They choose a broad green leaf and place it in a shallow tray of water.

The leaf floats, but one side curls up above the water. When Douglas gently pushes the tray, the boat spins instead of moving towards Simon.

Simon notices how the leaf’s curled side catches the water. “Perhaps we can make the sides more even,” he says. He looks closely at the leaf.

Dad helps them fold the raised edge down without tearing it. Douglas smooths the fold with his finger. Simon holds the leaf steady on the table.

They put the boat back and make a small wave with their hands. This time it crosses the tray without spinning. Simon catches it at the other end.

Douglas adds a little wooden duck as a pretend passenger. The boat sinks lower. The boys stop and check its edges. They are still above the water.

Simon makes a gentle wave while Douglas watches their passenger sail. They take turns sending the duck across. They use smaller waves to keep its boat upright.

After the game, they lift out the duck and empty the tray with Dad. “Our leaf needed a little change,” says Douglas, “and we needed gentle hands.”