Beginning
Middle
End
Ben and Mrs. Tibbets stand at
the edge of the pool. They
listen to the sounds of the
thunder, frogs and toads. Ben
feels quiet inside. He knows it’s
time. He tells Mrs. Tibbets “I
let the snakes out”
Mrs. Tibbets turns to face him.
Her headlamp is in his face and
he can’t see her. He says “it was
an accident” and apologizes.
He waits for her to answer.
Mrs. Tibbets puts her hand on
his shoulder and tells him it’s
okay and that she is sorry too.
Ben begins to cry.
Ben and I stand at the
edge of the pool. I love
the sound of the thunder,
frogs and toads singing
together. Ben is very
quiet. I wonder what he
is thinking. He says “I let
the snakes out”. I am very
surprised by his
confession.
I turn to face Ben. He
squints because my
headlamp is pointed at
him. He apologizes to me.
I’m not quite sure what to
say to him.
I put my hand on Ben’s
shoulder because I know
he is feeling upset. I tell
him “it’s okay”. He begins
to cry and I feel bad for
him. I say “I’m sorry too”
and I put my arm around
him.