Rafi Tries His Words Again

Rafi put three cups on the little table in his bedroom. Mum brought apple slices for snack. His friends, Lina and Ben, were finishing their drawings on the rug.

Rafi had drawn a house. Lina had drawn a purple cat with very long whiskers. He wanted her to sit beside him. He put an apple slice on the plate by his chair.

Lina carried her drawing to the table. Then she sat beside Ben.

“Can I see your green crayon?” she asked him.

Rafi’s cheeks grew hot. His tummy tightened. He looked at the apple slice on the empty plate.

“Your drawing is ugly,” he said.

Lina stopped reaching for the crayon. She pulled her picture close.

Rafi wanted her to look at him again. He pushed the empty chair towards her.

“I saved you this one,” he said loudly.

“I’m sitting here,” Lina said.