Progressive 21
When the Sky is Clear
In a quiet corner of the neighborhood stood an old house. The windows were dusty, and the garden was full of weeds. Ms. Gofree, the owner, rarely went outside. When she did, she hurried back in. She didn’t like visitors and had no friends.
That changed when a boy and his dog moved in next door.
Every afternoon, ten-year-old Sam and his golden retriever, Max, explored the neighborhood. One day, Sam peeked through the cracks in Ms. Gofree’s fence. Her backyard looked magical: frogs hopped around a stone fountain, dragonflies zipped through the air, and butterflies floated from flower to flower.
The next day, Sam knocked on her door. Max wagged his tail. “Hello! Can I play in your backyard?” Sam called.
There was no answer.
Sam tried again the next day, and the day after that. On the fifth day, Ms. Gofree opened the door, frowning. “What do you want?” she asked.
“Can I play in your backyard? It’s amazing!” Sam said.
“Why my backyard? What’s wrong with your own?” she snapped.
“We live right behind you,” Sam said. “I can see your fountain. It’s awesome!”
“No,” she said and closed the door.
Sam didn’t give up. Each day he knocked on her door. One afternoon, she opened it again. “Why do you keep coming back? I said no.”
“Because I think you’re lonely,” Sam said. “And maybe you’re scared of people.”
“I’m not scared of anyone,” Ms. Gofree replied.
“You can be our friend if you want,” Sam said with a smile.
Her frown softened slightly. “Come back tomorrow,” she muttered.
That night, Ms. Gofree stepped into her backyard for the first time in years. She cleared weeds, cleaned the fountain, and made the yard safe. She dusted her furniture, swept the floors, and even cleaned her windows.
The next day, Sam and Max knocked, and Ms. Gofree opened the door with a small smile. “You can play in the backyard,” she said. Sam ran to the fountain with Max following him. Ms. Gofree watched from the porch, feeling happy for the first time in years.
Soon, neighbors noticed the activity. Curious, they visited Ms. Gofree’s house. She welcomed them, and they discovered her beautiful backyard and learned about her past.
Ms. Gofree had once been a science teacher who loved inspiring children. But after losing her husband and children in a car accident, she had shut herself away from the world.
Now, standing in her clean living room, she looked out the spotless windows. The sky was clear, and she could see the horizon stretching far and wide.
Sam appeared at the door with Max, waving. “Hi, Ms. Gofree! Are you coming out?”
She smiled and put on her hat. “I’ll be right there.”
Stepping outside, the warmth of the sun felt like a new beginning. She realized that when the sky is clear, you can see more—not just the world outside, but the possibility of letting people back into your heart.
Comprehension Questions
Why did Ms. Gofree avoid visitors and stay inside her house?
What did Sam notice about Ms. Gofree’s backyard?
How did Sam and Max convince Ms. Gofree to let them play in her yard?
What did Ms. Gofree do to her house and garden before letting Sam play?
What lesson did Ms. Gofree learn at the end of the story?
Your Thoughts
How can being kind and patient help someone who is shy or lonely?
Why do you think Ms. Gofree’s backyard looked magical to Sam?
What does the story tell us about second chances and new beginnings?
