IREAD-3 Fiction #3A (10/2025)
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Last updated 8 months ago
14 Nsɛmmisa
The Brave Squirrel and the Shy Turtle
1 One bright morning, Sammy the Squirrel scampered through the forest, leaping from tree to tree. His bushy tail flicked in the air as he jumped over a log and skidded to a stop by the riverbank. Sammy was always full of energy and loved exploring new places.
2 On the edge of the river, he spotted a small turtle hiding under a rock. It was Timmy the Turtle, one of the shyest animals in the forest. Timmy liked to keep to himself, always moving slowly and staying close to his safe, quiet spots.
3 “Hey, Timmy!” Sammy called, bounding over to the rock. “What are you doing here?”
4 Timmy peeked out cautiously. “I’m trying to cross the river,” he said quietly. “But I’m too scared. The water is rushing so fast, and I can’t swim very well.”
5 Sammy looked at the river. The current was indeed strong, and the water splashed loudly against the rocks. “Don’t worry, Timmy,” Sammy said confidently. “I’ll help you!”
6 Timmy blinked. “How will you help me cross? I’m too slow, and I don’t want to get swept away.”
7 Sammy grinned. “Leave it to me!” He quickly dashed into the trees and returned with a sturdy branch. He laid it across the river like a bridge, securing it between two large rocks.
8 “There! Now you can walk across safely,” Sammy said proudly.
9 Timmy stared at the branch, his tiny legs trembling a little. “What if I slip?” he asked nervously.
10 “I’ll be right here with you,” Sammy promised. “Just take it one step at a time.”
11 Timmy took a deep breath and slowly crawled onto the branch. Step by step, he inched forward, his heart pounding with every move. Sammy stood nearby, cheering him on, “You’re doing great, Timmy! Keep going!”
12 With Sammy’s encouragement, Timmy made it halfway across the river. The branch wobbled a little, but Timmy kept going. Finally, with one last push, he reached the other side safely.
13 “I did it!” Timmy exclaimed, his face lighting up with joy.
14 “I knew you could!” Sammy said, hopping across the branch himself.
15 From that day on, Timmy wasn’t as afraid to try new things. And whenever he needed a boost of confidence, Sammy the Squirrel was always there to lend a hand—or a branch.
Why is Timmy afraid to cross the river?
Which sentence from the story best shows how Sammy encourages Timmy?
What can the reader predict Timmy will most likely do after crossing the river
Which word best describes Sammy’s attitude throughout the story?
What did the author want you to learn from this passage?
Which sentence explains what happens in the story when Timmy starts crossing the branch?
Which detail from the story best shows how Sammy helps Timmy overcome his fear?
How does Sammy help Timmy cross the river?
The Garden Club
1 Emma peeked over the fence, watching her neighbor, Mrs. Johnson, kneeling in her garden. Mrs. Johnson’s garden was full of colorful flowers and vegetables, and Emma loved how beautiful it always looked. But Emma had never tried gardening herself, and she wasn’t sure she would be any good at it.
2 “Hey there, Emma!” Mrs. Johnson called out, waving her dirt-covered hand. “Why don’t you come over and help me plant some sunflowers?”
3 Emma hesitated. “I don’t know anything about gardening,” she admitted.
4 Mrs. Johnson smiled warmly. “You don’t have to know anything! It’s all about learning and having fun. Come on, I’ll show you.”
5 Emma climbed over the fence and walked toward the garden. Mrs. Johnson handed her a small packet of sunflower seeds. “Here, we’ll plant these together. It’s easy, I promise.”
6 Together, they dug small holes in the dirt and dropped the tiny seeds in. Mrs. Johnson showed Emma how to gently cover them with soil and give them just the right amount of water.
7 “That’s it?” Emma asked. “Now we just wait?”
8 “That’s right!” Mrs. Johnson replied. “It takes patience, but in a few weeks, you’ll see them start to grow. It’s one of my favorite things about gardening—watching something small turn into something amazing.”
9 Over the next few days, Emma found herself thinking more and more about the garden. She visited Mrs. Johnson every afternoon to water the seeds and check on their progress. One day, tiny green shoots appeared in the soil, and Emma felt a spark of excitement.
10 “Look!” she exclaimed, pointing to the sprouts. “They’re growing!”
11 Mrs. Johnson laughed. “See? I told you it would happen. You’re a natural gardener.”
12 As the weeks passed, the sunflowers grew taller and taller, their bright yellow petals beginning to open. Emma felt proud every time she saw them swaying in the breeze.
13 “Thank you for teaching me how to garden,” Emma said one day. “I never knew I could enjoy it this much.”
14 Mrs. Johnson smiled. “It’s wonderful, isn’t it? And now you can keep growing things—flowers, vegetables, whatever you like!”
15 Emma grinned. “Maybe I’ll even start my own garden next year!”
Why does Emma hesitate when Mrs. Johnson invites her to help in the garden?
What is the theme of this passage?
How does Mrs. Johnson help Emma become comfortable with gardening?
Which sentence from the story best shows how Emma felt at the end?
Which detail from the story best explains why Emma decides to help Mrs. Johnson with the garden?
Why does Emma feel excited about starting her own garden next year?