The Silver Bell in the Snow
Snow fell all night long before Christmas Eve. In the morning, the yard looked like a soft white blanket. Mia and Leo pulled on their warm red mittens and boots. They ran outside to build a little snowman by the fence. The cold air made their cheeks turn bright pink.
While digging in a snowdrift, Mia saw something shine. A tiny glint of silver peeked out from under the ice. Leo helped her brush the cold flakes away with his mitten. It was a shiny silver bell hanging from a green ribbon. The name "Mrs. Gable" was printed neatly on the back.
Mia knew that Mrs. Gable was their elderly neighbor down the lane. The bell was an old Christmas tree ornament that looked very special. Leo held the ornament with both hands so it would not drop. The children walked carefully across the snowy sidewalk together. They did not run because they wanted to keep the keepsake safe.
Mrs. Gable opened her front door with a warm smile. When she saw the silver bell, her eyes opened wide with joy. She told the children that her mother had given her that bell long ago. It must have fallen from a box while she carried gifts to her car. Mrs. Gable thanked Mia and Leo and hung the bell on her porch wreath. The little bell jingled happily in the winter breeze.
- blanket:
- A thick, soft layer covering an area, like deep snow on the ground.
- snowdrift:
- A deep pile of snow banked together by the wind.
- ornament:
- A pretty object used as a decoration, often hung on a tree.
- keepsake:
- Something special that a person keeps to help remember someone or something.
- wreath:
- A circular ring of leaves, flowers, or branches used as a holiday decoration.
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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.
Vocabulary
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Writing Prompts
Use the passage as a springboard for short written responses, from personal reflection to evidence-based arguments.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What did Mia and Leo go outside to build?
- 2What color mittens did Mia and Leo wear?
Where this passage belongs
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About this short story passage for 2nd Grade
“The Silver Bell in the Snow” is a short story reading passage about Finding a Lost Christmas Keepsake, written for 2nd Grade. It takes about 2 minutes to read (232 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.