The Extra Spoon

Hannah was helping set the table for lunch. She counted four plates, four cups, and four spoons. The biggest spoon went beside her own bowl because the soup had little round noodles she liked.

Before everyone sat down, the doorbell rang. Their neighbor had come to return a ladder. His wife was away caring for her sister, and he had been working alone all morning. Dad invited him to stay for lunch.

Hannah looked at the table. There was room for one more chair, but she would have to move her drawing papers from the end. She also noticed that the basket of bread was already cut into four pieces. Her first thought was that an extra guest would leave less for her.

Mother brought another bowl. Hannah folded her papers and put them on the shelf. She found a clean spoon, moved the cups closer together, and cut two pieces of bread in half. Then she pulled out the chair for their neighbor.

During lunch he told them about the birds nesting near his shed. Hannah described a robin she had seen by the fence. Afterward, their guest helped Dad carry the ladder back to the garage.

Hannah had enough soup, and her drawing was still waiting on the shelf. Making room had cost her a little time and a little space. It had also turned an ordinary lunch into a welcome. God's Word teaches us to do good and share what we have. An extra spoon can be a small beginning.