Tom Builds a Boat

What floats on water? Tom does not know. He wants to make a boat. He stands by the river with his red toolbox. Dad is next to him. The water is clear and cool.

"Let's try!" Tom says. He picks up a stone. He puts it in the water. The stone goes down. It does not float.

"Stones go down," Dad says. "Try something light."

Tom looks around. He sees a piece of wood on the grass. It is flat and dry.

"Let's try!" he says. He puts the wood on the water. It does not go down. It floats! "Look, Dad!" Tom says. "The wood floats!"

"Now you can make a boat," Dad says.

Tom opens his toolbox. He takes the hammer and a small nail. Dad holds a long stick on the wood. Tom hits the nail. Now the stick stands up.

"A boat needs a sail," Tom says. He finds a big green leaf. He puts it on the stick. It falls on the grass.

"Let's try again!" Tom says. This time, he pushes the stick through the leaf. The leaf stays. Now the boat has a green sail.

Tom puts the boat on the river. The wind comes. It is soft and warm. The green sail is full. The boat starts to move. Slowly at first. Then faster. It goes away from Tom and Dad. It goes under the bridge.

"Oh no!" Tom says. "My boat!"

Tom and Dad run to the river. They look at the water. They look at the bridge. They look at the boat. It is far now.

"Let's try to catch it!" Tom says. Dad finds a long branch. The boat stops near some tall grass. Tom takes the branch and pulls. The boat comes close. Tom holds it in his hands. It is wet, but it is not broken.

"My boat floats and my boat sails," Tom says. He is very happy.

"You are a good builder," Dad says.

Tom looks at the river. "Tomorrow, let's make a bigger boat," he says.

See you next time, Tom!