Wilfred’s Wet Path

Wilfred and Dora carry empty plant pots towards the school greenhouse. Rain has stopped, but drops still hang from the leaves beside the path.

Ahead of them, a wide puddle covers the lowest part of the paving. Wilfred stops with his pots held against his coat.

Dora looks at the narrow strip along the edge. Wet leaves cover it, and there is not much room for their feet.

“We could go around by the gravel path,” Wilfred says. They ask their teacher to check before they take the longer way.

The teacher walks ahead and checks the firm gravel. It goes around the grass and comes out beside the greenhouse door.

Wilfred and Dora follow at an easy pace. They can hold the pots with both hands instead of trying to balance along the wet edge.

At the greenhouse, they set the pots on a dry shelf. Dora looks back and sees the puddle still shining across the other path.

Their shoes are dry, and the pots are ready to use. The longer path has taken a little more time, but it has worked well.