Progressive 04
The Glittering Stream
The summer sun shone brightly as Kimi and Markus walked through the forest behind their grandparents’ house. They had spent every summer there, but today they decided to go farther than before. Suddenly, they saw something amazing—a sparkling stream.
The water shone in the sunlight like tiny diamonds. “Wow,” Kimi whispered, bending down to look closer. “It’s so beautiful.”
Markus knelt beside her. “Look at the stones,” he said, pointing. Smooth, colorful rocks were on the bottom of the stream. “I’ve never seen anything like this.”
Kimi touched the water and picked up a bright blue stone. It glowed softly in her hand. She dropped it quickly. “Did you see that?”
“It glowed!” Markus said. His eyes were wide. He picked up a red stone. It shone too. “This is incredible!”
They spent hours looking at the stones. Each one was a different color. But soon, they began to argue.
“We should tell Grandma and Grandpa,” Kimi said, holding a green stone. “They’ll love it.”
“No,” Markus said. “This place is special. If we tell everyone, it won’t be magical anymore.”
“Magical?” Kimi asked. “It’s just a stream.”
“Too many people will change it,” Markus said.
Kimi thought for a moment. “But it is on their land. Don’t they deserve to know?”
The sun began to go down. Finally, they agreed to show the stream to their grandparents.
At the house, Grandma was on the porch. “Grandma, come with us!” Kimi said.
“What’s happening?” Grandma asked, smiling.
When they reached the stream, Grandma’s eyes opened wide. “Wow,” she said, picking up a glowing stone.
“Did you know this was here?” Markus asked.
Grandma smiled. “I always thought there was something special in this forest. Your grandfather and I explored it when we were young. Some treasures are better left secret.”
Kimi and Markus looked at each other. “What do you mean?” Kimi asked.
“Some places are special because they are hidden. You can share them with people you trust, but when a secret is gone, it’s never the same.”
The siblings nodded. That night, Kimi put the green stone on her nightstand. They decided to keep the stream as their family’s little secret. Some treasures are better left undisturbed.
Comprehension Questions
Where did Kimi and Markus go in the story?
What did they find in the forest?
Why did Kimi and Markus argue?
What did Grandma say about the stream?
What did Kimi decide at the end of the story?
Your Thoughts
Do you think Markus was right to want to keep the stream a secret? Why or why not?
Have you ever found a place that felt special or magical? Describe it.
Do you think some secrets should always be kept? Give an example.
