1 "Once upon a time, there were three little fishes," Maria's mother read.
2 "When is once upon a time?" Maria asked.
3 "It can be any time," her mother said. "Long, long ago or not so long ago."
4 "Okay, you can read now," Maria said.
5 "Once upon a time, there were three little fishes. They lived in a creek."
6 "What's a creek?" Maria asked.
7 "A creek is a very small river," her mother said. "There is a creek behind our garden."
8 "Are there little fishes in it?"
9 "Maybe," said her mother. "There used to be some in it."
10 "May I go look?" asked Maria.
11 Her mother sighed. "I guess so. You will not be still until you see the creek."
12 Maria climbed down from her mother's lap. She ran outside to the creek.
13 She looked for fish. She could not see any.
14 Maria saw two drink cans.
Paragraphs 15 to 34:
For the complete story with questions: click here for printable