Imogen’s Safe Parcel

Imogen has made a large clay bird for Grandma. The clay is dry, but its painted wings need careful handling. “I want it to arrive safely,” she tells Mum. They find a clean cardboard box.

The bird fits inside with space around it. Imogen closes the lid and lifts the box a little. She hears a soft knock. Mum helps her set it down and open it again.

The bird has slid to one side. Its wing rests against the hard wall of the box. “There is too much room to slide,” says Imogen. She leaves the bird on a soft cloth while they plan.

Mum brings clean scrap paper for padding. Imogen crumples it into loose balls. They place a soft layer across the bottom of the box. Mum lowers the bird gently onto the paper, keeping its wings clear.

Together they tuck more crumpled paper into the spaces around the bird. They do not press hard against its wings. Imogen feels the paper beside it. “This makes a soft nest,” she says.

They close the lid and carry the box slowly across the room. There is no knocking this time. When they open it, the bird is still in the middle, resting on its paper nest.

Mum carries the parcel when they visit Grandma. Imogen helps lift the lid and remove the loose paper. Grandma takes out the bird with both hands. Its painted wings look just as they did at home.

“The nest helped protect it,” says Imogen. They save the clean paper and box for another parcel. Grandma puts the bird on her shelf, and Imogen tells her how they tested the packing.