The Puddle That Borrowed the Sky
A puddle seems to hold clouds, branches, and a passing bird until Sora changes where she stands.
Read together at your own pace. Pausing, rereading, or stopping is always okay.
Sora found the whole sky lying in a puddle. Clouds floated between wet stones, and a branch reached down instead of up. She bent closer, but her own face pushed the clouds aside.
She moved left; the chimney appeared. She moved right; the school roof entered the water. Nothing inside the puddle had been collected. Light was carrying pictures from above to her eyes.
A breeze wrinkled the surface and broke the sky into wavy pieces. When the water became still, the picture returned. Sora tossed no stones because she wanted to watch the change happen gently.
By afternoon, sunlight had made the puddle smaller. Sora drew its outline in chalk before leaving. The borrowed sky would dry away, but her careful looking could travel home.
Story workshop
Notice, talk, and play
Words to notice
- reflection
- an image made when light bounces from a surface
- surface
- the outside or top layer
- outline
- a line showing the outer shape
Talk about the story
- Why did different pictures appear as Sora moved?
- What did the breeze do?
- Why did she choose not to throw stones?
Try it together
With an adult, find a safe reflection in water, glass, or a spoon. Move slowly and describe how the image changes.
Activities are designed for shared use. An adult should choose materials and supervision appropriate to the child.
Keep reading
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