She enthusiastically sweeps the stoop with a little broom. Her mother dressed her in chore clothes that morning and this is her last assignment for the day.
It's the chore she does best, sweeping with impressive attention to detail for a five year old. She sings as the bristles wisk away the sand and soot. Her parents watch lovingly.
Now she sweeps her porch, her sidwalk, her courtyard, and her alley. She has a bigger broom and sings inside her head, instead of out loud. When the neighbors walk by, they comment on what a good job she's doing. She is waiting for the day someone aknowledges that she is caring for her home, not doing a job, and not hired help. They will say, "my, you keep a lovely home." And she will say, "thank you," and smile.
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