ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Broken Pencil

Okay kiddo, imagine you have a pencil in your hand. Now let's pretend that the pencil accidentally falls off your hand and it breaks into two pieces. That's what we call a broken pencil.

You see, a pencil is made up of different parts, one of which is the lead that we use to write or draw. The lead is encased in a wooden or plastic cover to protect it and make it easier for us to hold. When the pencil falls or is put under pressure, the wooden or plastic cover can crack or snap, causing the lead inside to break into pieces.

So, if your pencil is broken, you can't use it to write or draw properly anymore because the lead is now too short and it can be difficult to hold. You'll need to sharpen the broken end or get a new pencil altogether.

But don't worry, it's normal for pencils to break sometimes. Just be careful when using them, and if it happens, you can always get another one to keep on creating your masterpieces!