Will’s Skittle Game

Will and Beth set up a skittle game on the lawn. Grandad lent them eight wooden skittles and a soft ball. “Let’s see how many stay standing,” said Will. They made sure the grass behind the skittles was clear.

Will rolled the ball along the ground. It bumped into the front of the group. Three skittles fell over with a clatter. Beth cheered. Will began counting the ones still standing, but the fallen skittles lay across his view.

“I can move the fallen ones aside,” said Beth. She put the three fallen skittles in a separate group. Now Will could see the standing skittles clearly. He touched each one as he counted. There were five still standing.

Grandad asked, “Can you tell me the whole turn?” Will pointed to both groups. “We started with eight. Three fell. Five stayed standing.” Beth checked that the three fallen ones and the five standing ones still made eight.

“My turn!” said Beth. Will stood all eight skittles up again. He did not add any new ones. Beth rolled gently. This time, only one fell. “That leaves seven,” she said. They counted the standing skittles to check.

Will fetched the soft ball from beside the hedge. “When fewer fall, more stay standing,” he said. Grandad smiled. “You noticed a connection.” Beth stood the fallen skittle up, ready for another turn.

They played until the afternoon began to cool. Each time, they started with eight skittles. They separated the fallen ones, counted those still standing and told Grandad their number story. Sometimes the ball missed them all!

At last, Grandad brought out some drinks. Will and Beth packed all eight skittles into the box. “None are missing,” said Will. Beth picked up the ball. “Tomorrow,” she said, “I’m aiming for the middle!”