1 The young man arrived on the Massachusetts beach early carrying a portable radio, a shovel,
and an odd assortment of tools. There were a bricklayer’s trowel, a palette knife, spatulas, spoons,and a spray bottle.
2 He walked down near the water–the tide was out–put down the radio and tuned it to soft rock. Then he shoveled wet sand into a pile nearly four feet high and as many feet across. He took up the trowel and used it to slice large hunks off the pile, creating a rectangular shape.
3 After that, he set to work with palette knife, spatulas, and spoons. He shaped a graceful tower, topped walls with crenelated2 battlements, fashioned elegant bay windows, and carved out a massive front gate.
4 The man knew his sand. With deft3 strokes, he smoothly finished some surfaces, embroidered baroque designs on others. As delicate shapes began to dry, he gently moistened them with water from the spray bottle, lest they crumble in the breeze.
5 All this took hours. People gathered, commenting to each other and asking questions of the sculptor. Lost in concentration, he gave only perfunctory4 replies. At last he stood back, apparently satisfied with a castle worthy of the Austrian countryside or Disneyland.
6 Then he gathered his tools and radio and moved them up to drier sand. He had known for a while what many in the rapt crowd still overlooked; the tide was coming in. Not only had he practiced his craft with confidence and style, he had done so against a powerful, immutable deadline.
7 As the spectators looked on, water began to lap at the base of the castle. In minutes it was surrounded, a miniature Mont-Saint-Michel.5 Then the rising flood began to erode the base, chunks of wall fell, the tower tumbled, finally the gate’s arch collapsed. More minutes passed, and small waves erased bay windows and battlements–soon no more than a modest lump was left.
8 Many in the crowd looked distraught; some voiced dismay. But the sculptor remained serene. He had, after all, had a wonderful day, making beauty out of nothing, and watching it return to nothing as time and tide moved on.
Copyright © 1989 by The New York Times Company. Reprinted by permission.
1 squandered – wasted
2 crenelated – notched; indented
3 deft – quick and expert
4 perfunctory – showing little interest or care
5 Mont-Saint-Michel – a small island in northwestern France connected to the mainland by a road that is covered by water at high tide
A. He knows the tide is out on this particular morning.
B. It gives time for the crowd to gather.
C. He needs the sun to help dry the sand.
D. It is easier to begin with only a few people around.
A. enthusiasm.
B. skill.
C. speed.
D. motivation.
A. He attracted a large crowd.
B. He had an ability to create elaborate details.
C. He was able to finish his work.
D. His satisfaction with the results showed on his face.
A. It is time to begin working.
B. It is the busiest time of the day.
C. It is the end of a day’s work.
D. It is time for the spectators to leave.
A. They tried to save the sand castle.
B. They were upset to see the art ruined.
C. They were nervous about their own belongings.
D. They helped the artist finish the castle.
A. personal satisfaction.
B. attention from the crowd.
C. fame as an artist.
D. payment for his work.
A. nervous.
B. alert.
C. drowsy.
D. calm.