Imani's Two Eraser Trades

Story One: The School Swap

In May, Imani carried her animal erasers to school in a tin. The classroom trading table stood beside the pencil sharpener. Above it, a poster had the heading “Eraser Exchange.” Its drawing showed two open hands. The caption said, “Ask before you swap.” Imani wanted Dev's silver fox. She offered him three small ducks, but he shook his head. Around them, classmates arranged their collections before the morning bell.

“Three for one is generous,” Imani said. “But I don't collect ducks,” Dev explained. Imani nearly added a fourth duck. Instead, she asked, “Which animals do you like?” “Frogs,” he said. Imani had a green frog she rarely used. She offered it instead, and Dev grinned. They each agreed to the exchange before moving the erasers.

As Imani placed the fox in her tin, she looked at the ducks still lined up on the table. More erasers had not made a better offer. Asking one question had helped more than adding another duck.

Story Two: The Camp Swap

In July, Imani brought the same tin to summer camp. During rest time, she and Noor spread their erasers on a cabin porch. Imani admired Noor's turtle and offered a blue whale. Then she remembered the small split underneath it. She could place the whale flat so Noor would not notice. Her fingers paused above the porch rail.

“Before you decide, look underneath,” Imani said. “This whale has a split.” Noor examined it. “That's fine for erasing my sketches. But I'm keeping the turtle. My sister gave it to me.” Imani's shoulders drooped. Then Noor pointed to an otter. “Would you like this one instead?” Imani studied its tiny whiskers. “Yes, if you still want the whale.” “I do,” Noor said.

They made the trade. Imani had wanted a turtle, but the otter fit neatly beside her fox. She was glad Noor knew about the split. This time, a good exchange had meant showing what was wrong and accepting that something special was not for trade.