Grandfather says that a man should walk barefoot on the bare earth every day. Mother says that a man can do so if he likes, but her daughter will wear shoes. I explain this to Grandfather when he tells me to take off my shoes.
We are sitting on our special rock at the beach where the soil ends and the sand begins.
Grandfather laughs.
“Manami,” he says, “there was a time when my daughter did not always wear shoes either. My daughter is correct: you should wear shoes. But we are going to walk on the beach. So for now, take them off. Otherwise they will fill with sand and salt water. My daughter would not like your shoes to be ruined.”
I know he is right, so I take off my shoes and follow Grandfather to the dark, wet sand where the beach ends and the water begins.
Comprehension Questions
1. What is Manami and her grandfather sitting on?
A. Their special rock
B. Blankets on sand
C. Lawn chairs
A. They will fill with sand and water
B. The ground is cool enough to walk on
C. They got wet from the ocean
Your Thoughts
Vocabulary
4. List any vocabulary words below.