📖 Part 1: Read and Identify

Read the story below, then answer the questions.

The Lost Kiwi

One misty morning in the Waitākere Ranges, a young kiwi named Koa wandered too far from his burrow. The tall ferns dripped with dew and the bush was very quiet. Koa sniffed the damp earth with his long beak, searching for worms, but nothing smelled familiar.

Suddenly, he heard a soft rustling. His mother appeared through the ferns, her feathers ruffled with worry. "Koa! I've been looking everywhere for you!" she said.

Koa nuzzled close to her warm side. Together, they waddled home through the misty bush, and Koa promised himself he would never wander so far again.

1. Who are the characters in this story? Circle all that apply.

Koa the young kiwi

A friendly tūī bird

Koa's mother

A forest ranger

2. Where and when does this story take place? Choose the best answer.

On a sunny beach in the afternoon

In the misty bush in the morning

In a school classroom at night

On a farm at lunchtime

3. What is the problem in this story?

Koa could not find any worms to eat

Koa wandered too far and got lost

Koa's mother was angry at him

The bush was too dark to see

4. How is the problem solved at the end?

Koa found his own way home

A ranger carried Koa home

Koa's mother found him and they walked home together

Koa decided to stay in the bush

🗺️ Part 2: Story Map

Use the story above to fill in the story map below.

5. Characters — Who is in the story?

6. Setting — Where and when does the story happen?

7. Beginning — What happens first?

8. Middle — What is the problem?

9. End — How does the story finish?

✏️ Part 3: Sentence Stems

Use the sentence stems below to write about the story in your own words.

10. The characters in this story are ___________________________________________

11. The story takes place ________________________________________________

12. First, ______________________________________________________________ happened. Then, _________________________________________ happened. Finally, ____________________________________________.

⭐ Bonus: Draw your favourite part of the story in the box below!