Rush Order at the Trophy Shop: Words for Workers

The Big Order

1Grandpa Kwame is an engraver. In the back of his small shop on Elm Street, a machine carves letters into metal plates, glass blocks and shiny trophies. Every spring, the town holds an awards night at the community center, and Grandpa makes all the prizes. This year, the order came in late, and the ceremony was only three days away.

2On Monday after school, Ama found Grandpa at his desk with a long list. "I need a helper," he said, handing her a pencil. "You can be my checker. Read every name and title on this list, and make sure each one is spelled correctly. Once the letters are carved, a mistake cannot be fixed." Ama sat up a little taller. Being a checker sounded important.

3The list was full of interesting jobs. There was a plaque for Mr. Bello, an electrician who had fixed the lights at the community center for free. There was one for Ms. Tran, a pianist who played at the children's hospital every Sunday. A glass star would go to the best young artist in the spring art show, and a gold cup would go to the organizer of the river cleanup. Ama read each line slowly, saying the long words one part at a time.

4Near the bottom, she stopped. One line said, "Outstanding Musican: Leo Park." Ama sounded it out: mu-si-can. That did not look right. She remembered that musician, like electrician, ends with the letters c-i-a-n. "Grandpa, this word is missing a letter!" she said. Grandpa looked at the list and smiled. "Good catch," he said. "My machine would have carved it wrong for the whole town to see."

5For two evenings, the engraving machine hummed while Ama polished each finished plaque until it was brighter than a mirror. On Thursday night, the announcer at the awards night read every name. When Leo Park walked up to get his plaque, Ama checked the letters one last time. They were all correct. Grandpa winked at her. "Next year," he whispered, "you can be my assistant."