The Rainstorm Brainstorm

Scrub-a-Dub-Dub

The next morning, they see Kendall brought an assortment of tools for their project. Work gloves, scrub brushes, rags, soapy water. Camille, who loves water, volunteers to be on scrub duty. Willa offers to help. Emerson takes Kendall’s apron, and says she’ll cut the weeds and vines. Kendall can pick up and sort the items. Ashlyn, who prefers not to get dirty, says she’ll make a list of the things they may be able to use later.

Things start out well, but as the day wears on, the air gets hot, and the girls get tired. Emerson’s hands begin to get sore, and Camille and Willa have prune fingers from the washing. Ashlyn is discouraged because the items still look dirty, old, and like junk.

Ashlyn walks away from the girls, and goes off to sit in the shade of a big maple tree and doodle. Emerson goes to sit next to Kendall, too—cutting vines is hard work! Kendall continues to work separating a spring that’s caught in a vine.

Emerson takes the apron off, and wraps it around her shoulders like a cap. She grabs the scissors and pretends they’re a microphone, dancing and singing in the shade. Camille and Willa see Emerson and Ashlyn laughing, and make their way over to them.

Camille puts on the safety goggles and pretends she’s a deep sea diver. She uses Kendall’s hammer as if it’s a seahorse in the water. Willa holds up the tape measure, saying it looks like a big ladybug.

All of a sudden, the spring Kendall is working with comes loose, and she falls back on her bottom. But nobody notices… they’re all too busy playing with Kendall’s tools under the big tree.