It was a boring summer day on the block, and Naman could almost feel the hot sun beating down on the sidewalk. He looked out the window for the millionth time this morning, but no one was out.
“Mom, can I see if Devin’s home?” Naman called into the kitchen.
“Go ahead.”
Naman ran into the stifling heat and pressed the doorbell until Devin’s mom arrived at the door. “He’s still asleep,” she said.
Then Naman went down to the little house on the corner and rang the doorbell. Andie opened the door and said, “I have to watch my baby sister.”
Maybe the other side of the street would be lucky today. Naman skipped a few blocks down and crossed at the corner—surely Lucas would be home and ready to play.
Naman marched up the concrete stairs and twisted his face muscles into a variety of contortions for the video doorbell as he rang it. A voice came out of the speaker—it was Lucas’ dad.
“Sorry, Naman, but Lucas has chores to do.”
Naman sulked his way back home and brooded his way slowly into the house.
“Nobody?” asked Mom from the hallway.
“Nobody,” Naman shrugged.
He went up to his room and sat on the floor for a long while until something under the bed caught his eye. He had forgotten about the building block set that had never been touched.
Naman diligently set to work, carefully creating a spacecraft. He was putting finishing touches on it when the doorbell rang.
“Lucas is here!” Mom called.
“I can’t come out!” Naman said, much too busy to play outside.
How does Naman feel in the middle of the story? How do you know?
He feels excited because Devin and Andie are able to play.
He feels charitable because he wants to share his new toys with someone.
He feels regretful because Lucas’ dad yelled at him for being a nuisance.
He feels frustrated because none of his friends are available.