Sylvia’s Floating Leaf

Sylvia and Cheryl collect fallen leaves for a floating game at the garden table. Dad fills a shallow blue tray with water. The girls choose a broad leaf for a tiny wooden passenger.

The leaf floats alone. When Sylvia adds the wooden mouse, its curled edge dips. Cheryl lifts the toy out before water reaches it. The empty leaf rises again.

They try putting the mouse nearer the middle. The leaf still leans to one side. Dad asks them to compare its shape with the other leaves on the table.

Cheryl finds a wider leaf with a flatter surface and no torn edges. They leave the curled leaf aside. First, they test their new leaf without the passenger.

Sylvia places the wooden mouse in the centre of the wider leaf. It settles a little lower but stays level. The toy’s feet are above water, with room around it.

Cheryl makes a gentle ripple with one finger at the far end of the tray. The leaf travels towards Sylvia. She steadies it softly without pressing its edge beneath the water.

They send the mouse back and discuss why the second leaf worked better. Dad helps them notice its wider, flatter shape. They cannot expect every leaf to carry the same load.

After playing, they dry the wooden mouse and return the leaves to the compost. “Our passenger needed a better boat,” says Sylvia, pleased that comparing shapes gave them another idea.