The Broken Chalk

Ruby and James were drawing a town on the driveway. Ruby made the houses while James drew a road around them. They shared one thick piece of yellow chalk for the windows and street lines.

James pressed too hard, and the chalk snapped. Ruby stared at the two pieces. She had planned to draw a bright sun above the town. She told James he always ruined the best things.

James put down his blue chalk and started toward the gate. Ruby looked at the broken yellow pieces. Both were still long enough to use. The problem had become much bigger because of what she said.

She called James back and apologized for saying he always ruined things. She explained that she was disappointed about the chalk. James admitted that he had pressed too hard. They gave one yellow piece to each person and tested them on an empty corner of the driveway.

Ruby drew her sun. James finished the street lines and added a crossing beside the school. Later, when a little rain washed through their picture, they watched from the porch instead of blaming each other.

We cannot control everything another person does. We can take responsibility for our own words and actions. God tells us to do our part in living peacefully. Ruby could not make the chalk whole again, but she could stop making the afternoon harder. An honest apology helped them begin again with what they still had.