Chapter 1: Morning Commute
Every morning, the children of Red Gum Primary walked past the bush reserve to get to school. They saw kangaroos, galahs, and sometimes a lazy koala. But lately, there was a new routine. They had to stop for Florence the Emu.
Chapter 2: The Busy Road
Florence was very large and very protective of her new family. She had ten fluffy chicks! To get them from one side of the reserve to the other, Florence had to cross the main road. This road was busy with cars and big delivery trucks.
Chapter 3: The Stand-Off
When Florence wanted to cross, she would walk right to the white lines and stop. She’d look left, look right, then stand right in the middle! Cars had to slow right down. Mr. Jenkins, the bus driver, always stopped with a patient smile. The children called her the “Emu Crossing Guard.”
Chapter 4: Helping Hand
One day, a young driver rushed around the corner too fast. He didn’t see Florence and her chicks until the last moment! Tara, a third-grader, was quick. She ran to the edge of the road and waved her bright yellow school bag. The driver saw the flash of colour and stopped just in time.
Chapter 5: Safe Passage
Florence looked at Tara, as if to say Thank you. She quickly ushered her chicks across the road and into the scrub. The children cheered! Florence wasn’t just a bird; she was a reminder to everyone to be responsible and alert near the road. Tara felt proud that she had helped the “Crossing Guard” do her important job.
Exercise: Vocabulary Match
Draw a line to match the word with its meaning:
| Word | Meaning | |
| Routine | In a hurry, quickly. | |
| Protective | A set way of doing things. | |
| Rushed | Wanting to keep someone safe. |