The Clubhouse With No Room

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ISSUE 06

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A FRIENDSHIP ADVENTURE

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LITTLE NAUTS

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THE CLUBHOUSE WITH NO ROOM

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Ask. Listen. Make room together.

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Four friends. Different ideas. A place for all of us.

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Rain tapped the classroom window. The Little Nauts had a whole morning of indoor play—and four ideas for what to do.

Pax

That puddle is getting a puddle of its own.

Lux

We could make a clubhouse in here.

Jahari

A clubhouse for all of us?

Lux

All of us.

Jahman

You can use these shared cushions. Keep this walking space clear, and leave the table where it is.

Lux

The cloth makes a cozy hideaway.

Pax

With an adventure outside!

Zion

Could I draw in our clubhouse?

Jahari

And I'll invite everyone to a picnic.

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They all said yes to a clubhouse. Each was imagining a different kind of fun.

Pax

I can already hear the jungle.

Zion

I can hear the rain.

Jahari

I can hear my picnic guests arriving.

Lux

First we need somewhere to welcome them.

Lux

Here's our doorway. And a place for each of us.

Jahari

Welcome to our picnic. The biscuits are very imaginary.

Pax

Then I can have a very imaginary enormous one.

Zion

I'll sit here. My paper stays still on this cushion.

Zion

I'm drawing a tree, with a little path beside it.

Jahari

Trees are welcome at the picnic, too.

Pax

A lion lives at the end of my path.

Lux

Our clubhouse has a jungle already?

Pax

A very small jungle.

Pax

This would make a good stepping stone.

Zion

Wait—I'm using that.

Pax

Just one little step.

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Pax was thinking about his trail. Zion was trying to keep his picture still.

Pax

Here comes the lion. Rrr!

Jahari

Would anyone like a cup of—

Pax

Rrr! I'm coming through!

Jahari

—rain? My picnic has become a path.

Zion

The roaring is very close to my drawing place.

Pax

You can be in the jungle with me.

Zion

I wanted to draw with you here.

Lux

The doorway keeps moving, too.

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Their clubhouse had room for four bodies. Their games kept getting in each other's way.

Jahari

We wanted to play together. Why is it getting so difficult?

Lux

What if everyone gets a corner? One place each. Then we'll all have the same amount.

Pax

A lion corner!

Zion

A drawing corner.

Jahari

We can try it.

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They made four separate places and tried again.

Lux

Now we each have a corner.

Pax

Mine has a lion in it.

Jahari

Mine has four imaginary cups. But only one guest.

Pax

Rrr! The lion is visiting.

Zion

I need a quieter place for this bit.

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The corners stayed apart. The sound didn't.

Jahari

Tea, cushion?

Jahari

Hmm. Very quiet guest.

Lux

We made a place for everyone.

Jahari

But Zion's place is empty. And he's still right here.

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Jahari could see Zion wasn't enjoying the game. What could he ask to find out what would help?

Jahari

What would help you enjoy our clubhouse?

Zion

I want to be with you. I want my picture to stay still. And the roaring is too loud beside me.

Jahari

Would you like a place on your own?

Zion

A quiet place with you.

Jahari

Oh. Quiet, and together. I thought you wanted to be away from us.

Zion

I didn't. I just wanted the noise farther away.

Jahari

Thanks for telling me. Can we talk with Pax and Lux?

Zion

Yes. I'll bring my picture.

Jahman

We can leave the clubhouse here while you talk. There's time.

Jahari

I wanted a picnic with my friends. It wasn't much fun inviting an empty cushion.

Lux

I wanted a snug hideaway where we could welcome each other.

Pax

I wanted to go on an adventure. I still do.

Zion

I want to draw here with you. I need the paper to stay still, and a quieter space beside it.

Pax

Even if you aren't playing lion?

Zion

Even then.

Jahari

We don't all have to do the same thing to be together.

Lux

I made four corners. I didn't ask what you wanted to do in them.

Zion

The corners didn't stop the roar.

Lux

You're right. We need a plan for the space and for our game.

Pax

The lion needs to hear this plan, too.

Pax

I moved your cushion without asking. Sorry. Shall I put it back where you were drawing?

Zion

Yes, please. I still need it for my paper.

Pax

Is that steady now?

Zion

Yes. Thank you.

Pax

Next time I'll ask first.

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Pax couldn't undo the slip. He could help put things right.

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A picnic, a cozy hideaway, an adventure, and a quiet drawing place. What could they change so they can enjoy being together?

Lux

We could bring our sitting places together again. The picnic and drawing can be our quiet home base.

Pax

And the adventure?

Lux

Around the outside. Then your path won't go across the picnic or Zion's paper.

Jahari

Can we sit near each other, instead of guarding four corners?

Zion

Yes. Keep this cushion here for my picture, please.

Lux

We can do that. May I move the red entrance cushion to this side?

Jahari

Yes. That will leave room to come in.

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They moved the shared cushions by agreement. Now the path went around their places, and everyone could sit together.

Pax

Ready for a test visit?

Jahari

The picnic is open.

Zion

My drawing place is ready, too.

Pax

Here comes the—

Pax

Oh. My roar will still reach you, won't it?

Zion

It will. The path moved, but my ears are still here.

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Their new places helped. The game needed a change as well.

Pax

Can this lion visit with quiet paws?

Zion

Yes. I'd like that. I'm going to keep drawing for a while.

Pax

All right. Very quiet paws.

Lux

The doorway is ready for a quiet visitor.

Jahari

Welcome, lion. Would you like an imaginary biscuit?

Pax

Two, please. I asked very quietly.

Zion

I can draw and be here with you now.

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Pax has another idea for a stepping stone. Zion is still using that cushion. What could Pax say before taking it?

Pax

May I borrow the blue cushion when you've finished using it?

Zion

When I've finished this part. I'll tell you.

Pax

Okay. I can use the red stepping stone while I wait.

Lux

I'll come around the path with you.

Zion

I've finished that part. You can borrow it now.

Pax

Thank you. I'll bring it back after this turn.

Jahari

Is our plan working for everyone?

Lux

It's cozy, and I can come and go.

Zion

My picture stayed still. And I'm with you.

Pax

The lion has an adventure—and a picnic invitation.

Jahari

Try a little play plan with a friend or grown-up. Each share one thing you'd like to do.

Zion

Say it, point to it, or draw your idea. Ask what matters to the other person, and let them finish.

Lux

Tell them what you understood. They can help you change your guess.

Jahari

I'd like to tell a story.

Lux

I'd like to draw. Could we sit together while you tell it?

Jahari

I'd like that. Let's try.

Pax

You can play together, take turns, or do different things beside each other. Find a plan you both want to try.

Zion

Then check: “Is this working for you?” You can change the plan.

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Playing on your own? Draw two pretend playmates with different ideas, then draw a little plan that makes room for both. Next time, ask a real friend what they would like.

Jahman

If a disagreement feels too big, a trusted grown-up can help you talk it through.

Pax

And ask before borrowing a thing someone is using.

Pax

Cushion returned. Lion included.

Jahari

Everyone's invited to the picnic.

Lux

Now our clubhouse feels like ours.

Zion

There's room for what we each wanted.

Pax

May this lion have another biscuit?

Lux

Do lions like biscuits?

Pax

This one does. You asked.

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Their clubhouse hadn't grown bigger. They had made room by asking, listening, and trying a plan together.

Jahari

Room for you?

Zion

Room for us.

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MAKE A LITTLE PLAY PLAN

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Each share one thing you would enjoy doing. Say it, point to it, or draw it.

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Ask what matters. Listen, then check what you understood.

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Agree on a plan you both want to try: together, taking turns, or side by side.

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Ask before borrowing something being used. A friend can say no or ask for more time.

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Try it, then ask: Is this working for you? Change the plan if needed.

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On your own, draw two pretend playmates with different wishes and a possible plan. Ask a real friend next time.