Every year, Ruby’s grandmother came to visit for Chinese New Year. Together they celebrated, eating special foods and making drawings for good luck. But this year, Grandmother was unable to travel. She would miss spending the holiday with Ruby.
And so Ruby made a decision. If Grandmother could not come to Ruby, Ruby would go to Grandmother!
Ruby drew the most beautiful picture of her family seated around a table full of noodles, dumplings, fish, vegetables, and holiday sweets- a gift for Grandmother. She folded the red paper, tucked it into a red envelope, and slipped it into her pocket.
Then she set off!
Not far down the path, Ruby spied Cat and Rat.
“Hello, Cat and Rat. I’m taking a gift for Chinese New Year to Grandmother. Would you like to come along?”
“Yes, of course!” said Cat. “But how will we cross the meadow and the pond?”
“Let’s ask Ox,” said Rat. “She’s so strong and dependable.”
“Yes, of course!” said Cat. “But how will we cross the meadow and the pond?”
“Let’s ask Ox,” said Rat. “She’s so strong and dependable.”
And so Cat and Rat and Ruby continued on their way.
Ox was walking along the path to the farmer’s home. On her back she carried packages of rice cakes and candies- sweet treats for the New Year.
“Hello, Ox,” called Cat and Rat. “We are taking a gift for Chinese New Year to Grandmother. Would you like to come along?”
“I would be happy to,” said Ox. “Climb on my back; we will make the journey together.”
And so Ox, Cat, and Rat, and Ruby continued on their way.
“I would be happy to,” said Ox. “Climb on my back; we will make the journey together.”
And so Ox, Cat, and Rat, and Ruby continued on their way.
Before the group had taken two steps, Tiger and Rabbit bounded out of the bushes, streamers flying behind them.
“Hello, Tiger. Hello, Rabbit,” said Ox. “We are taking a gift for Chinese New Year to Grandmother. Would you like to come along?”
“Oh yes, that sounds like fun!” said Tiger and Rabbit in unison.
“Oh yes, that sounds like fun!” said Tiger and Rabbit in unison.
And so Cat took a seat on Tiger’s powerful back, and Rat perched between Rabbit’s soft, friendly ears.
Together, Tiger and Rabbit, Ox, Cat, and Rat, and Ruby continued on their way.
Comprehension Questions
1. What color were the paper and envelope that Ruby would give her grandmother?
A. yellow
B. red
C. black
2. Where did Rat sit on the way to grandmother's?
A. Between Rabbit's ears
B. On Tiger's back
C. On Cat's head
A. Between Rabbit's ears
B. On Tiger's back
C. On Cat's head
Your Thoughts
3. Did you like this excerpt? Why or why not?
Vocabulary
4. List any vocabulary words below.