Level 8Free online reader Tap ▶ to hear each page — words light up as they are read.
The end! 🎉 There are many more books like this in the app — with quizzes, a picture dictionary, and read & record.
Today we are in sunny Rio. Our plane is at the gate. Dad is an airline pilot. I wear my red backpack and camera.
Yesterday we were packing at home. Today we roll our bags outside. Warm air smells like sea. We say Oi. It means Hi in Portuguese.
We ride a cable car up. The green hill is very tall. The car floats over trees. I can see boats and beaches.
At the top, Rio shines below. The bay curves like a smile. Far away, a tall white statue stands. Its arms are wide and welcoming.
We go down again to the beach. The sand is golden and warm. Blue umbrellas dot the shore. Waves roll in with steady sound.
Dad buys cold coconut water. I watch kites and soccer. I look around. Dad is not here. The beach is crowded. I feel very small.
A boy in a yellow-and-green shirt waves. He holds a small round drum. He taps a gentle rhythm. He says, Oi! I am Lucas.
He smiles. Can I help you? I nod. We listen for Dad's voice. We walk by umbrellas. Lucas taps the drum. Tap tap, like footsteps.
We look up to the mountain. The tall white statue is there. Its open arms face the sea. Lucas says, It watches over Rio.
A tiny sand crab pops from a hole. Its shell shines like wet gold. We crouch and watch quietly. The crab waves and scuttles sideways.
Lucas hands me the drum. I tap softly. Tap tap, like the tide. We drum together on warm sand. The rhythm feels happy and brave.
Dad finds us by the umbrellas. His smile is wide again. I was worried, he says. Thank you, Lucas. You are a good friend.
I lift my yellow-strap camera. Lucas holds the drum high. The statue is tiny behind us. Click! Today in Rio, our memory is bright.
We say Tchau to Rio and Lucas. We ride back to our hotel. My red backpack rests by me. Hello, Big City. I can travel, and be brave.
← About this book · More Level 8 books
