The New Player

Benjamin and Clara set up a table-tennis game at school. A new student, Toby, watches from the doorway. “Would you like a turn?” asks Clara. Toby nods and steps into the room.

Benjamin gives Toby a bat. Toby hits the ball, but it misses the table. He tries again and it goes too far. “I have not played this before,” he says.

“We can start slowly,” says Clara. She shows Toby how to hold the bat. Benjamin rolls the ball across the table. Toby taps it back with a small swing.

They practise a few gentle hits. Soon Toby sends the ball over the net. Clara hits it back to him. “That one worked!” says Toby. He begins to smile.

The three students take turns at the table. Benjamin counts how many times they hit the ball in a row. They reach six before the ball drops. “That is our best try yet,” he says.

At the end, Toby helps put the bats away. “Can we play again tomorrow?” he asks. “Of course,” says Clara. Benjamin picks up the ball. “Now we have a new player.”