The Green Steps
Liko stood on the giant green steps. The steps were made of dirt and stone.
They were the Banaue Rice Terraces. Liko's family built them a long time ago.
Apo, Liko's grandfather, held his hand. "Today, we plant the rice," Apo said.
The mud felt warm and squishy on Liko's bare feet. He giggled as his toes sank deep into the wet earth.
Apo handed Liko a small green rice plant. "Push it down gently," Apo showed him how.
Liko bent down. He pushed the little roots into the soft mud.
"Like this, Apo?" Liko asked. Apo smiled and patted Liko's shoulder.
"Yes, my boy," Apo said. "Your father did this, and his father did too."
Liko looked at the giant green mountain. The steps went all the way up to the blue sky.
He felt proud to help his family. He planted another green sprout in the mud.
The sun shone warm on his back. Liko was happy to grow food with his grandfather.
- Terraces:
- Flat areas cut into the side of a hill like giant steps, used for growing crops.
- Apo:
- A loving word used for grandfather in some Filipino cultures.
- Sprout:
- A very young, small plant that has just started to grow.
- Squishy:
- Soft and wet, making a splashing or squeezing sound when stepped on.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What are the giant green steps that Liko stood on called?
- 2What materials are the giant steps made of?
Where this passage belongs
About this short story passage for Lower Elementary
“The Green Steps” is a short story reading passage about Ifugao Rice Terraces Heritage, written for Lower Elementary. It takes about 1 minute to read (165 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.