READING FLUENCY

Practice Expression: “The Girl and the Chenoo”

Expression in reading is how you use your voice to express feeling. Use this passage to practice reading with proper expression. Print a copy of this passage from InsideNG.com to help you monitor your progress.

MOOSBAS. [snatching food from a young child] Give me some of that. [The young child looks upset but does not say anything.]

LITTLE LISTENER. Moosbas, there’s enough food for everyone.

MOOSBAS. But I wanted that piece of fish. It was a very good piece of fish.

LITTLE LISTENER. That’s all the more reason to share. You know, if you are too greedy and selfish, you might turn into a Chenoo.

MOOSBAS. What is a Chenoo?

LITTLE LISTENER. Are you sure you want to know? It’s getting dark and this is a scary story.

MOOSBAS. Tell me. I won’t be afraid.

OTHER CHILDREN. Tell us. Please, please.

LITTLE LISTENER. I can see that you are all brave, so I’ll tell you. A Chenoo is a huge monster whose hunger is never satisfied. Its stomach hurts all the time because it is so hungry. And do you know what a Chenoo looks like?

MOOSBAS. [hesitating before he speaks] No.