First Grade
Worksheets
Prin the Rockhopper
Prin peeked out from between her rockhopper father's knees. She was now three weeks old.
She squawked, hoping to attract his attention. Rockhoppers were not large birds, and her parents' nest was right behind a large rock. So much for a nest with a view! Prin tried to wriggle out of the stony nest.
"Stay where you are, Princess," Dad squawked at her.
"I want to go out and look around," she replied.
"Not yet," he said. "You are not big enough. If you wander alone, you might be attacked by a skua, petrel, or gull. They like nothing better than to eat little rockhoppers."
Prin crouched down again. She did not want to be seen. She did not want to be eaten.
The little penguin tried to be patient. Mom came once a day to feed her. Mom's feathers smelled like salt from the ocean.
Later that day, Mom came and fed Prin until she could eat no more. Prin felt like she could hardly move.
"Tomorrow," said Mom, "Dad and I must go and hunt. We will take you to a safe place. There will be other young penguins there, too. We will come there for you when we return."
