The Backpack

The Backpack

“I can’t find it anywhere.” Jason said, sounding defeated.

“Well, it has to be somewhere. Instead of looking more places why don’t you think for a few minutes,” Gramma said.

“I have to find it! I’ll miss the bus!”

“I’ll drive you if you miss the bus. You need to stop worrying about that, and think about where you left your
backpack.”

Jason flopped into a chair. “I had it on my back, I know that because it was heavy. I was thinking I should clean stuff out maybe when I got home.”

“OK! So, you got home and did what?”

“Huh?”

“Did you stop and take off your coat? Did you get a snack? Was anybody in the kitchen when you came in?”

“Gram!”

“You will find it if you think about where it could have gone.”

Jason sighed, “I came in, nobody was in the kitchen but I smelled the cookies you made. I remember going to the counter to get one, I tossed my jacket in the back room…”

“And your backpack?”

“I wouldn’t have tossed it because I had my kite in it and it might break.”

“So, you either took it off, or put it somewhere before you tossed your coat…”

“I don’t remember even thinking about it, I was thinking cookies…”

“So, if you threw your coat in the back hall, you had to have done something with your backpack before that…”

“I know where I left it! I remember!”

“Where?!”

“On the bus! I took it off so I could lean back in the seat and then I was talking to Bonnie. Then Henry, called our street and I ran to the front. I forgot my backpack!”

“OK! So go catch the bus now, your backpack is probably still there!”

And it was.