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Today I worked with a third grader on multiplication. I told him that zero was an easy one to remember because it made all other numbers turn to zero. 4 x 0? Zero. A million times zero? Zero. I said, "Zero is a bully that way."

He said, "But in addition, zero never gets anywhere. It doesn't change a number at all. I think that's how it became evil; the wretched origin of zero." (yes, he really said that)

I said, "That sounds like a great story to write.

His eyes LIT UP and he said, "Please can I write that story?" When I agreed, he said "THIS is why I LOVE going to Bronwyn!"

The story is barely started but includes the lines:

“Zilch had a wretched soul because nobody wants to be zilch”

(That was because it doesn’t change the number in addition)

"But one day he discovered ’times’ and what it can do” (change all the other numbers to zero)

And then zilch laughs an evil laugh.