Andrew’s New Kitten
Reading Comprehension Activity
Author: RV Staff Writer E.T.
Andrew thought he wanted a cat, but he didn’t realize it would be so much work! He also isn’t sure how he feels about his kitten’s claws. Will he learn to get along with his new pet? Students will read the story and answer follow-up questions about character, plot, and other story elements.
Topic(s): Realistic Fiction. Skill(s): Summary, Character Traits, Story Elements. Genre(s): Prose
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Andrew loved cats. He liked their soft fur and pointy ears. He liked the way they walked so softly that you could barely hear them. He even liked when they licked his hand with their rough tongues. Andrew was very excited to have a kitten of his own.
The kitten was gray with a white belly. It had a little pink nose and green eyes. The new kitten came home in a cardboard box. Andrew named it Slush, since it looked like dirty gray snow on top but had clean snow underneath on its white belly.
It was Andrew’s job to feed the kitten every morning and evening. When the kitten spilled food on the floor, Andrew had to wipe it up. He also had to make sure there was fresh water to drink.
Andrew made sure he did his job every day, but he wished that Slush would play with him. Slush spent most of the day sleeping in his box or playing with a small ball that had a bell inside.
One day, Andrew saw Slush pushing the ball with his paw. Andrew laughed. Slush looked like he wanted to play soccer! Andrew knelt down on the floor and reached for the ball with his hand.
Quick as a flash, Slush smacked Andrew’s hand with his paw.
Andrew jumped back. “Hey! That wasn’t very nice!”
Andrew was disappointed. He wanted to play with Slush, but Slush wasn’t being very friendly.
Andrew’s Aunt Stephanie wanted to help. “Slush is trying to play with you, but he doesn’t understand that his claws can hurt. Let’s make a better toy to play with.”
Aunt Stephanie took a piece of blue yarn out of her sewing basket. She tied one end to the ball and handed the other end to Andrew. “Try pulling the ball along the floor and see what happens,” she said.
Andrew slowly pulled the ball away from Slush. Slush looked at Andrew, then back at the ball. Then Slush jumped on the ball!
Now, Andrew laughed. He pulled the ball again, and Slush pounced again.
Andrew was happy to have a game he and Slush could play together. He knew he and Slush would be good friends.
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