1. What did Ha-Ha-3000 do?
- Tell funny stories
- Water the garden
- Bake buns
Answer and explanation
The machine told a funny story when its button was pressed.
Ha-Ha-3000 Takes a Break
How shall we read?
Reading settings
The cat built Ha-Ha-3000, a joke machine. When he pressed its button, it told a funny story.
His friend, the dog, came to hear a joke each day. Today, he sat down with his head low.
The cat pressed the button. The dog did not laugh. “I’m tired,” he said. “Could we have some quiet?”
The cat switched the machine off. “Would you like some tea?” he asked. “Or shall we just sit?”
The dog chose tea. The cat brought tea. They sat and watched the rain.
Soon the dog smiled. “Thanks for the quiet,” he said. He felt better now.
The cat left the machine off. Sometimes a friend needs care more than a joke.
The next day, he asked if the dog wanted to hear a joke first.
The whole story
The cat built Ha-Ha-3000, a joke machine. When he pressed its button, it told a funny story.
His friend, the dog, came to hear a joke each day. Today, he sat down with his head low.
The cat pressed the button. The dog did not laugh. “I’m tired,” he said. “Could we have some quiet?”
The cat switched the machine off. “Would you like some tea?” he asked. “Or shall we just sit?”
The dog chose tea. The cat brought tea. They sat and watched the rain.
Soon the dog smiled. “Thanks for the quiet,” he said. He felt better now.
The cat left the machine off. Sometimes a friend needs care more than a joke.
The next day, he asked if the dog wanted to hear a joke first.
Story questions
Choose an answer or discuss it aloud.
2. What did the tired dog ask for?
- A louder joke
- Some quiet
- A new machine
Answer and explanation
The dog was tired and asked for quiet.
3. What did the cat learn?
- Friends always need jokes.
- Jokes should be louder.
- Listen to what your friend needs.
Answer and explanation
The cat listened and chose quiet time with his friend.