Short Story Past Tense
Short Story Past Tense
Louis got a new book. The book was about Daniel wanted to visit a farm. He asked his
animals. Louis loved animals. The book had lots parents to take him to a farm. His teacher
of pictures. It had pictures of dogs and cats. told him about the animals on a farm. There
It had pictures of cows and pigs. It had are lots of animals on a farm. Daniel wanted to
pictures of chickens and rabbits. It had see the animals. He wanted to see the cows.
pictures of squirrels and birds. Louis looked at He wanted to see the chickens. He wanted to
the pictures on the first page. Then he turned see the pigs. He wanted to pet the animals. He
the page. He looked at the pictures on the wanted to feed the animals. He loved animals.
second page. Then he turned the page again. He wanted to live on a farm. He wanted to live
The book had 30 pages in it. Louis looked at all with cows and chickens and pigs. They would
the pictures on all the pages. be his friends. He didn’t have any friends in
school.
A Funny Story A Happy Cat
Barbara likes funny stories. She likes to hear Bruce picked up the cat. The cat meowed. The
funny stories. She likes to tell funny stories. cat didn’t like most people. The cat liked to be
She told her mom a funny story. When she alone. It liked to sleep on the sofa. It liked to
finished, she waited for her mom to laugh. sleep in the fruit bowl. It liked to sleep on top
"Mom, why aren’t you laughing? That was a of the TV. It liked to chase bugs in the front
funny story," Barbara said. "Oh, I’m sorry," yard. It liked to chase lizards in the back
her mom said. "Sometimes you think something yard. It liked to chase flies in the kitchen.
is funny, but someone else thinks it isn’t Bruce put the cat on the floor. He rubbed the
funny." So, Barbara’s mom did not laugh at cat’s stomach. The cat liked that. The cat
Barbara’s story. Barbara told the same story licked his hand. Bruce rubbed the cat’s
to her younger sister. Her younger sister stomach some more. The cat meowed. The cat
laughed at the story. was happy.
Swimming Pool A New Car
Sharon jumped into the water at the swimming Mark bought a new car last week. He is happy
pool. She held her nose. She went under the with his new car. He got a good deal on his new
water. Then she came back up. She swam to car. It was on sale. His new car is green. The
the ladder in the pool. She climbed out of the four tires are black. His new car has four
pool. She stood at the edge of the pool. She doors. It has one trunk. The spare tire is in
held her nose. She jumped in again. Sharon the trunk. All new cars have a spare tire. His
liked to jump into the pool. The water felt new car has one hood. The engine is under the
good. It was a hot day. The water was cool. hood. All new cars have an engine. His new car
The water felt so good. Sharon’s mother had has two big seats. One seat is in the front.
brought her to the pool. Her mother was One seat is in the back. Mark sits in the front
sitting in a chair. She was watching Sharon. seat when he drives his new car. He always
She wanted Sharon to have fun. buckles his seat belt.
A New Card Good Teacher
Dora wanted to buy a card for her mother. Jeff sat down. He was in class. He was at
Her mother’s birthday was next week. Dora school. He was in English class. He liked his
loved her mom. She wanted to get a nice English class. He liked his teacher. His
birthday card. She wanted a card that was teacher was friendly. His teacher helped all
pretty. She wanted a card that said the right the students. His teacher answered everyone’s
thing. What was the right thing? The card questions. Jeff asked a new question every
must say, "I love you, Mom." It must say, day. Yesterday he asked his teacher a spelling
"Mom, you are the best mother in the world." question. He asked his teacher how to spell
It must say, "I’m so happy that you are my "myself." His teacher told him how to spell it.
Mom." Those are all the right things for the Jeff thanked his teacher. His teacher said,
card to say. But there was one more thing the "You’re welcome. Ask me anything anytime.
card must say. It must say, "Happy Birthday!" That’s what I’m here for, to help you."
Chicken Soup A Good Boy
William looked at his bowl of soup. It was Billy always listens to his mother. He always
chicken soup. There was white rice in the soup. does what she says. If his mother says, "Brush
William liked rice. There were pieces of your teeth," Billy brushes his teeth. If his
chicken in the soup. William loved chicken. The mother says, "Go to bed," Billy goes to bed.
pieces of chicken were white. They were small Billy is a very good boy. A good boy listens to
and square. They weren’t big and round. There his mother. His mother doesn’t have to ask
were pieces of orange carrots in the soup. him again. She asks him to do something one
William didn’t like carrots. He picked up a time, and she doesn’t ask again. Billy is a good
piece of carrot with his fingers. He put it on boy. He does what his mother asks the first
the table next to his bowl. He took all the time. She doesn’t have to ask again. She tells
pieces of carrots out of the bowl. He put them Billy, "You are my best child." Of course Billy
all on the table. Then he ate his soup. is her best child. Billy is her only child.
Who is it? The Moon
Joseph never opens the front door. When He looked at the rising moon. It was rising
someone knocks on the front door, Joseph above the houses. It was big and orange. It
says, "Who is it?" But he does not open the looked bigger than the rising sun. How could it
door. His parents told him to keep the door be so big? How could it be so orange? Several
closed. His parents want him to be safe. He hours later, he looked at the moon again. Now
will be safe if he doesn’t open the door. it was high in the sky. Now it was smaller. It
Yesterday someone knocked on the front door. wasn’t orange anymore. Now it was white.
"Who is it?" Joseph asked. "It’s the mailman," What happened? It changed size. It changed
the person said. "I cannot open the door," color. Before, it was big and orange. It was
Joseph said. "Okay, I will come back like a big pumpkin. Now, it was smaller and
tomorrow," the mailman said. "Goodbye," white. It was like a light bulb. But it was still
Joseph said. Joseph is a good boy. He listens pretty. It was still bright. It was the
to his parents. He doesn’t open the door for brightest light in the sky.
any person.
The Birthday Cake Lost Pencil
It was Jenny’s fourth birthday. She was four David lost his yellow pencil. He could not find
years old. Her mom baked a cake for her. Her it. "Where is my yellow pencil?" he asked his
mom baked a chocolate cake for her. The cake sister. His sister did not know. "I don’t know
had two layers. Her mom put vanilla frosting where your pencil is," she said. David thought
on the bottom layer. Her mom put vanilla about it. He thought and thought. He used his
frosting on the top layer. Her mom put vanilla yellow pencil before lunch. He used it to write
frosting all around the cake. Now the a note to his teacher. The note said, "Dear
chocolate cake was completely white. Her mom teacher, Thank you for helping me. David." He
put four pink candles on top of the cake. Her put the note in an envelope. Where was the
dad lit the four pink candles. The four pink envelope? He looked in the kitchen. He looked
candles were lit. Jenny’s mom and dad sat on the kitchen counter. He found the envelope.
down next to Jenny. They sang Happy It was next to the toaster. He found the
Birthday to her. "Happy birthday to you," they pencil. It was under the toaster.
sang. Jenny sang with her mom and dad.
"Happy birthday to me," she sang. Her mom
said, "Now make a wish and blow out the
candles." Jenny made a wish. Then she blew
out all four pink candles.
Feed The Pigeon A Growing Baby
She liked to feed popcorn to the pigeons. The A baby has arms and legs. It has a mouth and
pigeons liked to eat her popcorn. She put eyes. It looks at everything. It eats
popcorn in her hand. A pigeon ate the popcorn everything. It smiles a lot. It cries a lot. It
in her hand. She put popcorn on her shoulder. eats a lot. It drools a lot. It pees a lot. It
A pigeon ate the popcorn on her shoulder. She poops a lot. It sleeps a lot. It tries to talk. It
put popcorn in her hair. A pigeon ate the makes funny sounds. It says "Googoo" and
popcorn in her hair. She sat down on a bench. "Gaga." It waves its arms and legs. It doesn’t
It was a wooden bench in the park. She put do much else. It doesn’t sit up. It doesn’t
popcorn all over the bench. She put popcorn all stand up. It doesn’t talk. It lies on its back. It
over her clothes. She put popcorn on her head. lies on its stomach. After a year, it will do
She put popcorn on her lap. Many pigeons many things. It will crawl. It will stand up. It
landed on the bench. Many pigeons landed on will walk. It will talk. But in the beginning, it
her. Nobody could see her. Nobody could see just grows. It grows bigger and bigger.
the bench.
Circus Clowns A Bad Babysitter
She went to the circus with her parents. She She was a babysitter in her home. She took
was excited. She had never been to a circus. care of 10 little children. They were not her
There were many clowns at the circus. She little children. They were the sons and
liked the clowns. They had funny faces. They daughters of other people. She did not have a
had big, red noses. They wore funny hats. son. She did not have a daughter. She was not
They wore big shoes. Their shoes were much a mother. She was a babysitter. The children
bigger than her dad’s shoes. They were twice were 1 to 4 years old. She babysat them all.
as big as her dad’s shoes. The clowns had loud She kept them in her house all day. They all
horns. They honked their horns at each other. stayed in her living room. She gave them toys
They didn’t talk. They used their horns to talk. to play with. She gave them books to look at.
Honk, honk! She laughed at the clowns. They She gave them pillows and blankets. Some kids
were so funny. They made her laugh. She told played with the toys. Some kids looked at the
her dad, "Daddy, guess what? When I grow up, books. Some kids slept. She usually didn’t
I’m going to be a clown!" watch the kids. She usually watched the TV.
A New Pet Store I Want All of Them
It was a new pet store. Brian walked into the Betty was excited. It was December 1.
new pet store. He said hello to Paul, the owner. Christmas Day was only 24 days away. She was
Paul said hello to Brian. Brian said, "This is a looking at a magazine. It was a magazine for
clean pet store. This is a quiet pet store. This little girls. There were many pictures in the
pet store doesn’t smell." Brian looked around magazine. There were many pictures of dolls.
the store. Brian walked around the store. He The dolls were from many countries. There
didn’t see any pets. He didn’t see one pet. were dolls from Mexico. There were dolls
"Where are the pets?" he asked. "The pets from China. There were dolls from France.
are right here," said Paul. Paul opened a There were dolls from everywhere. There
catalog. The catalog was full of pictures. It were so many dolls. She showed the pictures
was full of pictures of pets. "Just pick any pet to her mom. "Mommy, will Santa bring me all
you like," said Paul. "We will mail it to you." these dolls?" she asked. "No, honey," her mom
"What if I don’t like it?" asked Brian. "Just said, "Santa will bring you only one doll. So
mail it back," said Paul. pick the one you like best." "But, Mommy," she
said, "I like them ALL the best."
Where did she go? Sleep in or get up?
Debby was in the first grade. Her brother They drove to the park. They got in line. Many
Tommy was in the second grade. They lived in cars were in front of them. They should have
Florida. They lived in a small town in Florida. gotten up earlier. "We should have gotten up
They walked to school in the morning. They earlier," said Mom. "I know," said Dad. "We
walked home from school in the afternoon. On should not have slept in." "I know," said Mom.
Monday Debby and Tommy were walking home. "But sometimes it’s nice to sleep in, especially
They were walking with a couple of Tommy’s on the weekend. Weekends are for sleeping
friends. Tommy told his friends that Debby in." The line moved slowly. Finally they were at
still sucked her thumb. "She still sucks her the front of the line. "I’m sorry," said the
thumb," he said. His friends laughed. Debby park ranger. "We’re closed." "What?" said
started to cry. She ran away from Tommy and Dad. "It’s not even noon. How can you be
his friends. When Tommy got home, his mom closed?" The ranger said the parking lot was
asked, "Where’s Debby?" Tommy said he didn’t full. There was no place to park. He said to
know. He thought she was already home. "No, come back tomorrow. "Don’t sleep in," said the
she’s not home," his mom said. She called the ranger. "The early bird gets the worm."
neighbors. Then she called the police.
A Baby and A Sock
The mother gave her baby a red apple. The Thank You Mom
baby tried to eat the apple. His mouth was too
I love my mom. She took care of me when I
small. And he didn’t have any teeth. His
was very young. She took care of me when I
brother took the apple. His brother ate the
was sick. She taught me how to read. She
apple. The baby cried. His brother gave the
taught me how to get dressed. She taught me
baby a blue ball to play with. The baby smiled.
how to button my shirt. She taught me how to
His brother took the ball from the baby. He
tie my shoes. She taught me how to brush my
rolled the ball on the floor. The brown and
teeth. She taught me to be kind to others.
white dog picked up the ball. The dog chewed
She taught me to tell the truth. She taught
on the ball. The baby cried again. His brother
me to be polite. She took me to school on my
picked up the cat. He put the cat on the bed
first day of school. She held my hand. She
with the baby. The baby pulled the cat’s tail.
helped me with my homework. She was nice to
The cat jumped off the bed. The dog chased
all my friends. She always cheered me up.
the cat. The baby cried again. His brother let
Next year I will graduate from high school. I
the baby hold a sock. The baby played with
will go to college. I will do well in college. I will
the sock. The baby was happy.
do well after college. My mom has taught me
well.
Does it hurt?
Jenny went to the lake. She went to the lake School Start
with her dad. It was a big lake. It was a big,
It was the first day of school. Pete was in the
blue lake. It had a lot of water in it. It had a
first grade. He got on the school bus. It was a
lot of fish in it. Big fish were in the lake.
big yellow school bus. He did not know the kids
Little fish were in the lake. Jenny didn’t see
on the bus. The kids on the bus did not know
any fish. "I don’t see any fish. Where are the
him. Many kids were talking. They were talking
fish, Daddy?" she asked. "They’re swimming
with one another. Pete sat in a seat by
around. They’re looking for food," her dad
himself. He sat alone. He looked out the
said. Dad put a worm on a hook. "Does the
window. His mom was standing outside the
hook hurt the worm?" Jenny asked. "No, the
window. He waved goodbye to his mom. She
hook doesn’t hurt the worm," her dad said.
waved goodbye to him. The bus took off. The
"How do you know?" she asked. "How do I
bus was going to school. Another boy sat down
know?" her dad asked. "Well, the worm doesn’t
next to Pete. He said hello to Pete. Pete said
say anything. So I guess the hook doesn’t hurt
hello to him. The boy’s name was Eddie. He was
it." Jenny said, "But how can the worm say
in the first grade. He said he was a new
anything, Daddy? The worm can’t talk!"
student. He didn’t know anyone. Pete said he
was a new student, too. He didn’t know anyone, garage and got his bike. He went for a bike
either. ride. Rex ran next to the bike.
In The Garden
A Birthday Dress
Don,t do this, mommy said.
It was Ellen’s 12th birthday. Ellen was 12
years old. Her mom took her shopping. They Don’t wipe your nose on your sleeve. Don’t pick
went shopping at the mall. "You can pick out a your nose. Don’t interrupt me. Don’t talk with
dress. You can pick out a pretty dress," Mom food in your mouth. Don’t go swimming right
said. "I will pick out a pretty, blue dress," after eating. Don’t forget to feed the dog.
Ellen said. They went into JC Penney. JC Don’t forget to take the dog for a walk. Don’t
hit your sister. Don’t make your brother cry. asked. "No, only good people go to heaven,"
Don’t chew with your mouth open. Don’t make Dad said. "What is heaven like?" Adam asked.
fun of other people. Don’t slam the door. Don’t "It is a happy place," Dad said. "Everyone is
play in the street. Don’t be late. Don’t bother happy. Everyone is your friend. Everyone likes
me now. Don’t shout. Don’t yell. Don’t scream. you. You like everyone." He told Adam to be
Don’t litter. Don’t be rude. Don’t drop out of polite. He told Adam to be honest. "If you are
school. Don’t talk while you eat. Don’t make a polite and honest, you will go to heaven," Dad
mess. Don’t talk so loud. Don’t fight with your said. Adam said, "I want to go to heaven. I will
brother. Don’t worry. Don’t give up. Don’t eat be polite and honest." Dad said there was one
that. Don’t talk to strangers. Don’t play with more thing. Adam had to do one more thing to
matches. Don’t play with fire. go to heaven. "What’s that?" Adam asked. "If
you want to go to heaven, you have to do your
homework," Dad said.
He Will Go To Heaven
The world map
Adam was doing his homework. He stopped
Jerry was looking at a map. It was a map of
doing his homework. He was bored. He didn’t
the world. The map showed many countries. It
like homework. "Dad, what happens when we
showed all the countries in the world. All the
die?" Adam asked. "You will go to heaven," Dad
countries were different colors. There were
said. "Does everyone go to heaven?" Adam
red countries, green countries, and blue He and his brother slept in a bunk bed. He had
countries. Jerry pointed at one country. the bottom bunk. His brother had the top
"Daddy, why is this country red? Is it on fire? bunk. The top bunk had a guard rail. The rail
Did someone paint the ground red? Does it kept the sleeper safe. His brother didn’t like
have a lot of tomatoes?" Jerry pointed at the rail. He always left it down. One time his
another country. It was a green country. brother fell out of the top bunk. He hit the
"Daddy, why is this country green? Does it carpet and woke up. He said, "Ouch!" Then he
have a lot of grass? Did someone paint the climbed back into the top bunk. When he woke
ground green?" Jerry pointed at another up the next day, his back was sore. Mom took
country. It was a blue country. "Daddy, why is him to see the doctor. The doctor examined
this country blue? Is it full of blue water? him. The doctor said he was okay. He said to
Does it have a lot of bluebirds? Did someone keep the guard rail up. His brother said he
paint the ground blue?" His daddy said, "No, would do that. That night his brother climbed
the colors make the map pretty. They don’t into the top bunk again. He left the guard rail
mean anything." down. He said the guard rail was like jail. He
didn’t want to feel like he was in jail. He fell
asleep. Then he fell out of the top bunk again.