Mindspaces Read Free

crossly as she tried to wipe it off. The mark just smeared.
    The Bird Problem needed to be solved! And Art was determined to solve it. What could he use? In the lost property box was a brown hand towel.
    Carefully, Art crawled along the bench, holding the towel. He threw it. And missed!
    â€˜Leave it alone!’ Mario was looking upwards. The bird dropped again. On Mar Bar’s nose this time.
    â€˜Yuk!’ He wiped his nose and said something rude. And changed his mind about leaving the bird alone. ‘Open the windows! Leave the door open. Then it will fly out by itself.’
    But the bird didn’t know what it was expected to do. Mario was good at telling people what to do. And so was India. But Art just got on with solving the problem. He crept along, holding the towel. A row of white spots like bird measles dropped on grade 4’s artwork drying on the bench.
    Art moved quietly towards the bird. He threw the towel again. This time, the towel began to fly.
    â€˜A brown ghost,’ laughed India. ‘Or the flying towel.’
    â€˜Dumb bird!’ said Mario.
    Slowly the towel fell to the ground. Art was ready. With both arms, he gently closed around the towel. ‘Got it!’
    â€˜Get out of the way Mario,’ ordered India.
    Gently Art unwrapped the towel and the bird flew for the trees. Then Art groped for his puffer. His chest felt tight from all the bird business running around. But he had solved the problem. Sometimes his asthma was a nuisance. He breathed deeply. Then he put away his puffer just as India called ‘Mars!’
    Mario turned and looked back at her.
    â€˜Did you sit on something?’
    On the back of Mario’s jeans were white marks. Art looked closely. Then whacked Mario’s bottom so the dust flew out. ‘Chalk dust! You sat on the duster. Nothing worse.’
    â€˜Get lost Art,’ Mario pushed his hands into his jeans pockets.
    â€˜Art’s a good problem solver.’ India stuck her nose in the air. ‘He’s going to find a way for me to take part even if I’m still on crutches for Tournament Day.’
    You won’t be in it,’ said Mario. ‘We’ve got the best team. Art couldn’t even read the instructions.’
    â€˜I bet you Art is the best problem solver around. ‘ As India protested, Art felt awful inside. India had stuck up for him. How could he opt out now?

Chapter 4
Rings!
    TOM rehearsals were after school in the General Purpose Room.
    â€˜Be there,’ said India ticking things off on her list. India was a list-o-maniac. She loved collecting and listing things and people. Art still wasn’t keen on joining India’s tournament list.
    â€˜It’s not about who wins the computer,’ said Mrs. Tasker. ‘Tournament of Minds is about solving problems. And taking six weeks to work out answers as a group. Performing on the day is just part of it.’
    â€˜Do we have to read a script?’
    â€˜Probably.’
    Art still hoped that what he had discovered might save him from going in the team.
    Mario was signing India’s cast, in Italian.
    â€˜Are you sure it says “Get well’ ‘. India was suspicious.
    â€˜Can’t you tell?’
    â€˜Not from that writing.’
    â€˜Neither can anyone else.’ Art peered at the squiggles.
    â€˜Now. Are you joining us, Art? Jo’s not sure if he’s coming back. Anyway, he’s got basketball practice. Getting this cast is a problem. ‘
    Overhearing ‘cast’ , Mario got mixed up.
    â€˜I bet your cast cost too much, India,’ he said triumphantly. ‘If it’s over fifty dollars, you can’t use it as a prop. You’ll muck up the team’s budget. So you can’t take part against my team.’
    â€˜Who says?’
    â€˜The rules. And you’ve got the cost of the crutches too.’
    â€˜Oh.’ That was a shock. India had forgotten about the crutches. But