Sammy's Secret Garden
Sammy was a little squirrel. He was in the Forest Scouts.
He wore a tiny green hat. He loved to help his friends.
One day, Sammy had to find food. He needed to save nuts for the cold winter.
Sammy found a big, brown acorn. He buried it under a tall tree.
"I will remember this spot," Sammy said. He did a happy dance.
But Sammy was a very forgetful squirrel. He forgot things all the time.
He forgot where he put his hat. He even forgot where he hid his nuts.
The next day, Sammy found a crunchy walnut. He buried it near a flat rock.
Then he found a small hazelnut. He buried it by the blue stream.
Sammy hid nuts all over the forest. He worked very hard every day.
Winter came and the snow fell. Sammy got very hungry.
He went to the tall tree. He looked for his acorn.
"Oh no!" Sammy cried. "I cannot find it!"
He went to the flat rock. He looked for his walnut.
He could not find that nut either. Sammy felt very sad.
His friends gave him seeds to eat. Sammy promised to be better next year.
Then the warm spring sun came out. The snow melted away.
- Scout:
- A member of a group that learns new skills and helps the community.
- Forgetful:
- When someone has a hard time remembering things.
- Buried:
- Put something under the ground and covered it up.
- Gardener:
- A person who takes care of plants and helps them grow.
- Amazing:
- Something that is very surprising or wonderful.
One passage, many ways to practice
Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts — all built from this text.
Main Idea
Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.
Context Clues
Use clues in the passage to work out what words mean. A separate printable Vocabulary worksheet is also available.
Summarize
Select, organize, and restate the most important information without adding opinion.
Purpose
Analyze what the author aims to do and how choices serve audience and purpose.
Structure
Analyze how sections and organizational choices build the text's ideas or effects.
Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
Fix the Sentence
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What kind of hat did Sammy the squirrel wear?
- 2Why was it important for Sammy to save nuts?
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About this short story passage for Lower Elementary
“Sammy's Secret Garden” is a short story reading passage about Community Garden, written for Lower Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (306 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.