A Day at the Nature Center
Emma stared(凝视) sadly out of the window of the bus. Only 50 miles outside town was the farm. She thought about the farm all the time, especially the animals.
When her family sold the farm and moved to nearby town, Emma was excited. But when she got to the new school, she felt very lonely.
With a sigh(叹气), Emma turned her attention back to the present. The bus came to a stop. "Welcome to the Leinweber Nature Center," her teacher said. "A guide will give us a presentation about animals, and then you'll help to feed the baby squirrels, now, I want everyone to find a partner."
Emma didn't have any friends yet—who would be her partner? Emma got close to Julia, a talkative and outgoing girl. "Could I be your partner?" Emma asked uncertainly.
"Sure," said Julia warmly.
Together, the girls walked into the center. After the presentation, a keeper showed them how to hold the bottle of milk for baby squirrels. Then the girls started to feed their own baby squirrels.
After the babies finished eating, the keeper asked, "Would you like to help feed the adult squirrels, too?"
Emma was quick to volunteer, but when the keeper opened the first cage, the squirrel inside jumped out. Emma remained calm(镇静的), held out her hand, made quiet sounds, and then quickly got it.
"Wow!" Julia said. "You're always so quiet, I thought you were afraid of everything, but you were brave."
"I know that when animals are frightened or excited, you have to stay calm."
The keeper nodded in agreement and asked Emma, "Would you be interested in volunteering to help out with the animals at the center?"
"Interested? I would love to work here! What an opportunity!" Emma was excited.
That afternoon, in the bus on the way back to school, Emma sat next to Julia, her new friend. A rush of newfound happiness washed over her.
