Radical

12 strokes

bamboo (321a) + temple 寺 (464a) = wait for 等

Two other major meanings are “grade” and “etc”; notice that we have sneaked these meanings into the story too.

[平等 (309) píngděng equality, equal status]

[久等 (364) jiǔděng to wait for a long time]

He takes the bamboo to the temple but has to wait for the chief monk to come and grade it, etc. / Teddy is bored, and plays in the dung. (Yuk!)

earth 土 (54a) + inch 寸 (104a) = temple 寺

The pilgrims kneel on the earth and move forward inch by inch towards the holy temple. / [No pronunciation needed]