One More Game: story transcript
Page 1
One More Game
Page 2
Rill was leaving at sunrise. All day, Bramble watched her best friend hop along the fence, testing her wings. Rill had never flown so far before. Bramble had never watched Rill go farther than the hill. Tomorrow seemed much too close.
Page 3
"One more game," said Bramble. They played Hide the Pebble until Rill found it beneath Bramble’s neckerchief. They played Shadow Chase until their shadows ran together. When the sky turned peach, Bramble said, "There’s still time for another."
Page 4
Rill settled on the fence. "I need to rest before the long flight," she said. But her wings gave a little shiver. "Just think! I might see the sea!" Bramble looked away. If Rill was so eager to go, perhaps she wouldn’t miss her at all.
Page 5
"Then go now," Bramble said. Rill’s wings went still. "I didn’t mean—" she began. "You sound happy enough," said Bramble. She turned toward home, wishing Rill would call her back. Rill did not. For once, even the quiet between them felt far apart.
Page 6
At home, Bramble found the pebble tucked in her neckerchief. It was small and smooth and no fun to hide alone. She carried it back to the fence. Rill was there, awake, with her head tucked close against her wing.
Page 7
Bramble put the pebble on the fence post. "I’m sorry I said go now." Rill lifted her head. Bramble’s voice grew very small. "Are you glad to leave me?" The question had been waiting inside her all day, heavier than any pebble.
Page 8
"No," said Rill. "I’m glad to see places I’ve never seen. And I’m sad I won’t see you every morning." She looked at the pebble. "I thought if we kept playing, you wouldn’t notice how frightened I was to say goodbye."
Page 9
Bramble nudged the pebble toward Rill. "I noticed something was wrong. I just guessed the wrong thing." Rill pressed her beak against Bramble’s cheek. They stayed at the fence until the first stars came out. Neither asked for another game.
Page 10
Before sunrise, Bramble met Rill at the hill. "Which way is south?" Bramble asked. Rill pointed her beak beyond the far trees. Bramble stood beside her until the sky grew light. "There," she said. "You can start from here. I’ll watch."
Page 11
Rill flew. Bramble watched until she was only a dark stitch in the pale sky. Then Bramble walked home, carrying the pebble. It felt just as heavy as yesterday. She set it by her bed, where she would find it in the morning.
Page 12
That night, Bramble remembered how Rill had once hidden the pebble on top of Bramble’s head. "It’s behind your ears," Rill had insisted, while Bramble went round and round trying to look. Bramble smiled into her pillow. Then she fell asleep.
