The Missing Tent Poles

Marek and Luz drove to the campsite on Friday evening. They wanted to set up before dark. Marek opened the car trunk and pulled out the tent bag.

"Where are the poles?" he asked. He searched the bag twice. He found only the tent cloth and the stakes.

"We packed them at home," Luz said. "I remember putting them by the door."

"They're still by the door," Marek said. "We left them at home."

The sky grew dark, and the campsite had no store nearby. Luz looked around and had an idea.

"We can use branches instead," she said. "Strong ones, from that tree over there."

Marek smiled and grabbed his small saw from the car. He cut four straight branches. Then he trimmed the small sticks off each one.

Luz held the tent cloth. Marek pushed the branches through the fabric loops. It took a long time, but the branches fit well.

They tied the corners with rope from the car. Then they pulled the tent tight. It stood a little crooked, but it held.

"It's not perfect," Marek said, "but it's ours tonight."

Luz laughed and crawled inside first. "It even smells like pine," she said.

They lit a small lamp and listened to the wind outside. The tent held through the night without a problem.