Fill in the blank (_) in the following sentence from the following choices.
Sentence: It was easier to reach high places with the stool instead of the chair, because the _ was short.

Choice 1: It was easier to reach high places with the stool instead of the chair, because the chair was short.
Choice 2: It was easier to reach high places with the stool instead of the chair, because the stool was short.
Which of the choices is correct? Respond with only "1" or "2" and no additional text.
1
2.