1. Tom writes in the dirt: In Chapter 1, when Tom is supposed to be whitewashing the fence, he "writes his name in big letters on the side of the gate," likely using a stick or some other tool to inscribe the letters in the dirt, rather than sand. This highlights his playful and mischievous nature.
2. Tom draws in the sand: While Tom doesn't write directly on the sand in the book, it's possible he would have drawn pictures or written messages on the sand in other scenarios, as this is a common activity for children playing by the river.
Therefore, while Tom doesn't specifically write in the sand in the book, his actions imply that he would be capable of and perhaps even inclined to do so.