Fifth Grade
Worksheets
Retreating from Reptiles
The sun rose on a clear fall day. The Anderson family had plans to go to the zoo that day. All the kids were looking forward to it and were already out of bed--except Meghan.
Meghan liked the zoo--most of it, anyway. But she did not like the reptile house. She would rather not walk through the darkened and damp hallway. Her brothers and sisters were fascinated by the colorful snakes and lizards. However, Meghan would much rather look at giraffes.
So the morning of the zoo trip, Meghan did not hop out of bed like she normally did. A morning person by nature, she generally was up before any of her siblings. This time, though, she covered her head with her blanket after hitting the snooze button for the third time.
Finally, Meghan's mom came to her bedroom doorway.
"Meghan, it's time to get up. We're leaving soon!"
Meghan sighed. "I don't want to go."
Meghan's mom strolled over to the bed and sat down. She playfully tugged the blanket off Meghan's face.
"What's the matter honey? Don't you feel well?"
Meghan was briefly tempted to say that her stomach was bothering her. She wasn't really sick, though.
"I just don't want to go," she replied, half lying by not telling the real reason behind her feelings.
"I don't understand, Meghan," her mom said, a hint of frustration in her voice. "You've always liked the zoo."
