Inside a bright yellow school bus humming along a country road, golden morning light streams through the windows. Matt sits squeezed into a green vinyl seat, his knees bent high against the seat in front of him, ducking his head under the bus luggage rack with a startled, hurt look on his broad, ruddy face. On his lap sits an open tin lunchbox showing thick purple berry bread. On the metal window ledge beside him, Fillbert the worm scout stands alert in his khaki sash, clutching his wooden walking stick with concern. Three seats back, a curly-haired boy in a striped sweater stands in the aisle, pointing and laughing. The camera captures an over-the-shoulder shot from the bus aisle, highlighting Matt's oversized frame and the sudden bus teasing.
Our Path

The Giant Lunchbox

The yellow school bus bounces over every bump. Matt is eight feet tall. His long knees poke above the seat. Beside him, Fillbert wiggles in the morning sun. Matt pops open his tin lunchbox. Inside rests sweet purple bumbleberry bread. It smells like honey and wild clover. "Pee-yew!" a loud voice crows from row five. "Look at that giant eating purple mud!" Toby points and laughs. Other kids turn to stare. Matt freezes instantly. A cold splash of embarrassment floods his belly. His broad cheeks turn fiery red. Laughter bounces off the metal bus ceiling.