The Mystery of the Missing Orca
The Mystery of the Missing Orca
Once upon a time, in the beautiful San Juan Islands, lived a young girl named Maya. Maya loved the islands more than anything. She knew every hidden cove, every sandy beach, and every tall evergreen tree. But what Maya loved most were the orcas that swam in the sparkling waters around her home.
One sunny morning, Maya went down to her favorite spot on the beach, Eagle Cove. She always saw the orca pod, known as the "Westside Pod," swimming by at this time. She watched them hunt for salmon. However, today was different. The water was calm, but the orcas were nowhere to be seen.
"That's strange," Maya thought. "They're always here!"
Worried, Maya ran home to tell her grandpa, a wise old fisherman. Grandpa Joe had lived on the islands his whole life. He knew everything about the sea and its creatures.
"Grandpa! The Westside Pod is missing! I can't find them anywhere," Maya exclaimed, bursting through the door.
Grandpa Joe stroked his beard thoughtfully. "Missing, you say? That is unusual. Orcas usually follow the salmon."
- Orca:
- A type of whale, also known as a killer whale.
- Buoy:
- A floating object used as a marker.
- Pod:
- A group of whales or dolphins.
- Marine Rescue:
- A group that helps save animals in the ocean.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1Where does Maya live?
- 2What are Maya's favorite things to do?
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About this fiction passage for Upper Elementary
“The Mystery of the Missing Orca” is a fiction reading passage about Island Mystery, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 3 minutes to read (514 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.