Two Sides of a Bark Bridge
Two original fables tell about the same garden crossing. A snail's first-person account and a third-person account following a beetle reveal how unspoken thoughts can lead to misunderstandings.
Play the quiz as a gameFirst Story: Neri's Account
I had spent the morning following the sweet smell of mint. When I finally reached the patch, a narrow rain channel separated me from its tender leaves. Tavi the beetle stood beside a strip of bark that stretched across the water. “A bridge!” I called. “May I cross?”
“Wait a moment,” Tavi said. He paraded past me with two empty seed shells, turning each one toward the sunlight. At least, that was how it looked to me. Here I was, ready for lunch, and he wanted to display his treasures! I grew impatient as he placed the shells beside the bark and moved them again.
“Are those for your collection?” I asked. Tavi looked surprised. “They're supports. The bridge wobbles, and I'm finding the best places to put them.” He tucked the shells beneath the lower edge of the bark. Then he walked across and back. This time, the bark stayed steady instead of rocking.
I slid over the bridge and offered Tavi a mint leaf. “I thought you were showing off,” I admitted. “I should have asked sooner.” Tavi accepted the leaf. The mint tasted wonderful, but discovering my mistake was useful too. A question had carried me farther than a guess.
Second Story: Tavi's Account
Tavi had found a strip of bark long enough to cross the rain channel. Unfortunately, one end rested unevenly on the pebbled bank. Whenever he tested it, the bark rocked beneath his feet. A snail could cross more easily if the bridge did not wobble, he thought.
When Neri arrived, Tavi was studying two empty seed shells. Their curved shapes might fill the gaps beneath the bark. He lifted each shell toward the light to check its shape, then tried several positions. He wanted the crossing to be steady before Neri used it, but he said little about his plan.
Tavi assumed that explaining each step would sound bossy. Surely Neri could see what he was doing! Then she asked whether the shells were for his collection. So that was why she kept frowning. He explained his plan, fitted the shells beneath the bark, and tested the bridge again. The shells held it firm.
After Neri crossed, she shared a mint leaf and explained her mistake. Tavi realized that she had not been able to read his thoughts any more than he could read hers. Next time, he would explain instead of expecting someone to guess. Even a good plan needs a few clear words.