Dakota and Gary:
#14 The Sailboat
The sound “ir” will be the focus of this story. How is this sound spelled?
During a windy day in early fall, Dakota and Gary went for a walk by a pond. Gary saw something.
“Isn’t that the flower your sister likes,” said Gary
But before Dakota could answer, Gary scurried off. He was about to cut the flower down when something surprised him.
“What in the world! Dakota come have a look,” he said, turning back to his friend.
At first Dakota wasn’t sure what it was. Gary had found something covered with dirt and grass. Dakota and Gary pulled back weeds. They wiped the dirt away from the thing.
“Gary, you’ve found a toy wooden sailboat,” said Dakota.
“What should we do with it?” asked Gary.
“Let’s put it in the pond and take a ride,” said Dakota.
“Do you know how to sail?” asked Gary.
“No, but it can’t be that hard,” said Dakota.
Dakota and Gary pulled on the sailboat. It didn’t move.
“Don’t worry,” said Dakota.
Dakota and Gary pushed the sailboat. Nothing happened.
“No problem,” said Dakota.
Dakota and Gary tugged at the sailboat. It moved forward a little. But then it returned to its place.
“This isn’t working,” said Gary.
Dakota was about to try again with another firm push when he saw a turtle.
“Turtle, can you help us?” shouted Dakota.
The turtle was getting ready for winter but he came over to help. He moved slowly like maple syrup. After a little while, he moved the sailboat forward. With a splash it was in the pond.
Dakota and Gary got on the sailboat. They drifted to the middle of the pond.
“How do we get the sailboat to move to the other shore?” asked Gary.
Dakota looked around.
“Let’s try the rudder,” said Dakota.
Dakota and Gary moved the rudder but that didn’t help much.
“What about the sail?” offered Gary.
Dakota and Gary raised the sail. The sailboat started to move faster away from the shore.
“Let’s tie down the sail,” said Dakota.
He and Gary tied the end of the sail to the sailboat. At first the sail moved back and forth. Then it caught the wind. Dakota turned the rudder. The wooden sailboat started to move toward the shore.
Dakota turned the rudder again. The sail swung to the other side of the sailboat. The wind caught it.
“You’re sailors now,” hollered Grandma from the shore. She came to the pond to relax by some ferns.
“Do you know how to stop the sailboat?” Gary asked Dakota.
“No, we’ll think about that later,” said Dakota. “For now, let’s just enjoy the afternoon.”








