Ella’s Long Bridge

Ella’s toy car has stopped at a gap. “It needs a bridge,” she tells Dad. Two low blocks make the banks, with space between them.

Dad brings two planks. One is short. One is long. Ella puts them side by side. They are the same width, but their lengths are different.

She tries the short plank first. It reaches from one bank, but not to the other. Dad holds it safely. “Too short,” says Ella.

They put the planks down with one end of each in the same place. The long plank reaches farther. “This one is longer,” Ella says.

Ella chooses the long plank. Dad helps her put it across the gap. They check that both ends rest on the low block banks.

The bridge reaches all the way. Dad makes sure it is steady. “Will the car get across?” he asks. Ella brings it to the start.

She rolls the car gently along the plank. It goes over the gap and onto the other bank. “Across!” says Ella. Dad smiles.

Ella parks the car beside the bridge. “The short one could not reach. The long one could.” She has found the right plank for her little journey.