The Story on the Cover
Fifi can't wait to read her new book, but Mom is on the phone. Momo helps her turn waiting into a silly guessing game.
Fifi burst into the kitchen, holding a new library book high. 'Mom! Can you read this?' Her mother held up one finger and kept talking on the phone. Fifi flopped onto the rug with a huff.
Momo trotted over and nosed her knee. 'What will we do while we wait?' he whispered. Fifi stared at the book's cover, feeling grumpy.
Momo sat beside her and tilted his head at the cover. 'Maybe we can guess the story from the picture?' Fifi looked at the smiling cat with a big hat. She puckered her lips, thinking.
'I think, ' said Fifi, 'that cat is a secret spy!' Momo's ears twitched. 'And it only eats broccoli!' he added. Fifi clamped a hand over her mouth to stop a loud giggle.
Just then, Mom clicked off the phone. 'Now, what's this story?' She settled onto the rug. Fifi climbed into her lap, and Momo curled up close. They turned the pages together.
The cat in the book only wanted a nap in a sunny spot. Fifi giggled. 'Our story was way sillier!' Mom hugged her. Fifi traced the cat on the cover, her waiting feeling far away.
This English moral short story was checked for clear language, age-appropriate content, and a lesson that follows naturally from the story.