Grade 3+ illustrated reading story

The Wobbly Birdbath

Read this free illustrated story, then open Story Garden for word help, narration, and a comprehension question.

Illustrated scene 1 from The Wobbly Birdbath
Illustrated scene 2 from The Wobbly Birdbath
Illustrated scene 3 from The Wobbly Birdbath
  1. 1

    Tariq began a new project at his aunt's garden.

  2. 2

    The goal was to repair a tilting clay birdbath.

  3. 3

    Before building, Tariq sketched a plan and listed needed materials.

  4. 4

    The first attempt showed a problem: one leg had sunk into soft soil.

  5. 5

    Tariq felt disappointed, but treated the failure as useful evidence.

  6. 6

    Tariq invited his aunt Dalia to examine the design.

  7. 7

    They measured carefully and discussed which part should change first.

  8. 8

    Their revised plan used a level board and a bed of pebbles.

  9. 9

    They changed only one feature so the test would be fair.

  10. 10

    The second attempt worked better, although it still needed adjustment.

  11. 11

    Tariq recorded the result instead of trusting memory.

  12. 12

    A final improvement made the design safer and more reliable.

  13. 13

    The team repeated the test to make sure the success was not luck.

  14. 14

    This time, the project produced a steady bath visited by three sparrows.

  15. 15

    Tariq labeled the model so others could understand each part.

  16. 16

    Visitors asked thoughtful questions and suggested future experiments.

  17. 17

    Tariq discovered that strong projects grow through testing and revision.

  18. 18

    The finished work was useful, but the learning mattered even more.

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