The Pony Express Begins

PicoBuddyLower ElementaryReader's Theater1 min read118 words
Image for The Pony Express Begins

NARRATOR: It is a big day in St. Joseph, Missouri.

NARRATOR: People gather to watch the first rider.

RIDER: I am ready to go!

RIDER: I have the mail in my bag.

STATION KEEPER: Here is your fast horse.

STATION KEEPER: He is strong and ready to run.

RIDER: Thank you, my friend!

RIDER: I will ride as fast as I can.

NARRATOR: The rider jumps onto the horse.

NARRATOR: The horse begins to run down the street.

STATION KEEPER: Good luck on your ride!

STATION KEEPER: Take the mail across the West!

RIDER: Clip, clop, clip, clop!

RIDER: Off we go!

NARRATOR: The Pony Express is on its way.

NARRATOR: The mail will go very far today!

Glossary
gather:
To come together in a group.
rider:
A person who rides an animal or vehicle.
mail:
Letters and packages sent from one person to another.
strong:
Having great physical power.
street:
A public road in a town or city.

One passage, many ways to practice

Reading-skill questions, word work and writing prompts — all built from this text.

Also available in other languages.
  • Main Idea

    Identify the central idea and explain how important details develop it.

  • Vocabulary

    Practice words from the passage with a printable worksheet.

  • Writing Prompts

    Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.

Ready to use this passage in class?

Start free with the Mixed worksheet and 3 PDF downloads each week. Focused skill sets depend on plan.

Sign up with emailLog in

Preview questions from this passageShow
  1. 1Where does the story take place at the beginning of the script?
  2. 2Why are people gathering in St. Joseph, Missouri?

Where this passage belongs

You Might Also Like

Image for Teamwork on the Moon
Lower ElementaryReader's Theater
Image for Baking Pan de Muerto
Lower ElementaryReader's Theater
Image for The Dragon Who Traded Stories
Lower ElementaryReader's Theater

About this reader's theater passage for Lower Elementary

“The Pony Express Begins” is a reader's theater reading passage about Pony Express, written for Lower Elementary. It takes about 1 minute to read (118 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 “The Pony Express Begins” online and download a printable PDF worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

What reading level is “The Pony Express Begins”?

It’s written for Lower Elementary — a reader's theater text about Pony Express, about a 1-minute read (118 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.