Fourth Grade
Worksheets
Sudden Trouble
SOS Rescue Day
Reading Comprehension for October 3
Charlie mopped his forehead with his handkerchief before stuffing it back into his pocket. The aluminum boat rocked gently with his movement. He stared up at the changing clouds overhead. It wasn't as bright and sunny as it had been when they set out in the boat.
Melinda, his sister, looked up from the book she was reading in the stern of the rowboat.
"The weather is changing. We should get turned around and head home. Do you want me to help row back to the dock?" she asked.
Charlie shook his head. "Naw, I can manage. We aren't that far from the cottage. It didn't take long to get out here; getting back should be as fast."
He settled the long, heavy, wooden oars into their locks and took two or three strong pulls on one side. The boat turned back toward land easily. Charlie smiled to himself. This should be easy.
Charlie's little brother, Chris, hung over the bow of the boat, staring down into the impenetrable, dark water. His bright orange life jacket contrasted with the shadowy water. Between his lips was a high-pitched silver whistle. He blew it at the water in what seemed like random patterns of sound.
"What is that noise for?" asked Charlie irritably after rowing for several minutes with no real progress. The wind was gusting across the lake's surface, and the water was becoming choppy.
"I've been learning Morse code," said Chris. "I thought that maybe the fish would come up and talk to me if they heard it."
