The Fridge Box
The fridge was not the interesting part.
A new fridge arrives, and twins Hattie and Gus claim the box. As their games wear it out, they keep finding something else it can be. A playful make-believe story for sharing with ages 3–5.
An Again, Please originalAges 3–5English
The Fridge Box
The fridge was not the interesting part.
The new fridge came on a Tuesday. Two men carried it in, plugged it in and drove away. Mum looked at the fridge. Mama looked at the fridge. Hattie and Gus looked at the box.
Mum cut a door. Mama cut a window. Now it was a house. Mum had to knock to bring their lunch. Hattie and Gus read in it. Gus fell asleep in it by accident and had to be carried to bed, house and all.
On Saturday it rained. Hattie and Gus stayed in their house. Then Gus leaned on the wall, and the house fell over. “It’s a boat,” said Hattie. “Get the mop. We need an oar.” It was still a good box.
The boat crashed into the sofa. (“Whale,” said Gus.) One whole side came off. Gus stood what was left on its end. “Rocket,” he said. “Ten, nine, eight…” They got to four before the top fell in. It was still a good box.
After the rocket tipped over, Mama came in with the washing. She couldn’t see past the basket. CRUNCH. Now it was flat. “Sorry,” said Mama. Hattie and Gus lay down on it. “Flying carpet,” said Hattie.
The flying carpet flew up and down the hall all week, until it tore right down the middle. Half each. Hattie’s half was a shield. Gus’s half was a hat. Then Gus wore his hat in the bath.
Two weeks after the fridge arrived, there was one piece left to play with. It was the size of a book. It had a bite out of one corner (nobody would say who). “It’s not a good box anymore,” said Gus. “We can’t even fit on it.” Hattie turned it over. Then she looked at their bedroom door.
They got the crayons. They drew a door, and two faces, and a crown. Mum found them some string, and they hung it on their bedroom door. “What does it say?” said Mama. “It says knock first,” said Gus.
The doorbell rang. Two men were standing on the step with a brand new washing machine. Hattie and Gus looked at the box.
