Lost in the Desert
The Day I Got Lost in Big Bend
It all started with a dare. My older brother, Marco, said, "I bet you can't make it to the Rio Grande River and back before sunset!" We were visiting Big Bend National Park in Texas with our family. The desert stretched out before us, a sea of sand, rocks, and spiky cacti. I loved exploring, so I took the dare.
"Of course, I can!" I shouted back, grabbing my water bottle and a small bag of trail mix.
I started off strong, practically running through the sandy trails. Lizards darted across my path, and I spotted a roadrunner zipping by. The sun was high in the sky, beating down on me. The air was dry, and I could feel the sweat trickling down my back. I kept going, determined to prove Marco wrong.
After what felt like hours, I reached the river. The Rio Grande was wider than I expected. I dipped my hand in the cool water, a welcome relief from the desert heat. Then, I turned around to head back. That's when I realized I was lost. The trails all looked the same, and the sun was starting to sink lower in the sky.
- Dare:
- A challenge to do something risky or difficult.
- Landmark:
- A recognizable feature that helps you know where you are.
- Confessed:
- To admit something you did wrong.
- determined:
- Firmly deciding to do something and not letting anything stop you.
- relief:
- A pleasant, relaxed feeling when something hard, painful, or stressful stops.
- surroundings:
- The objects, area, and conditions that are around a person or place.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Why did the main character accept Marco's dare?
- 2Describe the landscape of Big Bend National Park.
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About this fiction passage for Upper Elementary
“Lost in the Desert” is a fiction reading passage about Desert Adventure, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (382 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.