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Raja and Bamboo: An Unlikely Friendship

PicoBuddyUpper ElementaryFiction3 min read
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Raja and Bamboo: An Unlikely Friendship

In the heart of the vast jungle lived Raja, a magnificent tiger with stripes as bold as his roar. Raja was known throughout the jungle for his strength and, some whispered, his grumpiness. He preferred his own company and spent most days napping under the shade of the giant banyan tree.

One sunny morning, as Raja was settling in for his usual nap, he heard a soft, munching sound nearby. Annoyed, he opened one eye and saw Bamboo, a young panda, happily munching on a bamboo shoot. Pandas were rare in this part of the jungle, and Raja had never seen one up close before. Bamboo was small and round, with fur as white as snow and patches of black around his eyes.

"What are you doing here?" Raja grumbled, his voice like distant thunder. Bamboo, startled, nearly dropped his bamboo shoot. He looked up at the enormous tiger with wide, innocent eyes.

"I... I was just eating," Bamboo stammered. "I didn't mean to bother you."

Raja was about to tell him to go away, but something in Bamboo's gentle eyes stopped him. "You're eating my bamboo," Raja said, though his voice was a little softer this time.

Glossary
Magnificent:
Very beautiful and impressive.
Stammered:
Spoke with difficulty, often repeating sounds.
Unlikely:
Not likely to happen or be true.
startled:
Surprised or frightened suddenly by something unexpected.
enormous:
Extremely large in size or amount.
appreciating:
Recognizing the worth, value, or good qualities of someone or something.

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Preview questions from this passageShow
  1. 1How did Raja feel about being disturbed from his nap?
  2. 2Describe Bamboo when Raja first saw him.

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About this fiction passage for Upper Elementary

“Raja and Bamboo: An Unlikely Friendship” is a fiction reading passage about Friendship, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (438 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

Is this passage free?

Yes. With a free account, you can read “Raja and Bamboo: An Unlikely Friendship” online and download a printable PDF worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

What reading level is “Raja and Bamboo: An Unlikely Friendship”?

It’s written for Upper Elementary — a fiction text about Friendship, about a 3-minute read (438 words).

What’s included with this passage?

An illustrated reading passage, a glossary of key terms, comprehension questions with an answer key, and an interactive quiz.

Can I adapt it for my students?

Yes. Remix is included with Pro and Max for adapting it to another grade level or language.