What does split the kindling mean in Tom Sawyer?

"Split the kindling" means to break up small pieces of wood for use as fuel in a fire. In the context of the novel "Tom Sawyer", it refers to the task that Tom and his friend Huckleberry Finn are given by their Aunt Polly as a punishment. The task of splitting the kindling is meant to be a tedious and laborious chore, but Tom and Huckleberry manage to turn it into a game and enjoy themselves in the process. The phrase "split the kindling" also symbolizes the challenges and obstacles that Tom and Huckleberry face throughout the novel, and their ability to overcome them with creativity and imagination.