2007 Printable Manual - Texas State Library and Archives ...

Stories
Sail Away With Books!
1-2-3 GOLDFISH: An Interactive Story
(By Linda Befeld.)
When I was little, all I wanted for my birthday was a goldfish. I could see her, golden and finny,
swimming in a round bowl with colored rocks on the bottom, a little castle, and a nice plant. As a
matter of fact, just saying “Goldfish” made me smile. Can you put a big smile on your face and
when I count to three say “Goldfish?” 1-2-3 Goldfish!
But I didn’t have a goldfish…and that made me frown. Can you put a frown on your face and
when I count to three say “Goldfish”? 1-2-3 Goldfish. (sadly)
So I went to my Grandpa, who always gave nice presents, to ask for my goldfish. And this is
how I asked. “ I WANT A GOLDFISH!” (loud and demanding) When I count to three can you
say it just like that? 1-2-3, I WANT A GOLDFISH!
Grandpa said, “That’s no way to ask for something you really, really want.” So I asked again, but
this time I whined when I asked. “I wanna goldfish” Have you ever heard anyone whine? It can
be very annoying. When I count to three, whine with me. 1-2-3, I wanna goldfish. (nasally and
whiney)
Grandpa said, “That’s no way to ask for something you really, really want.” So I asked again, but
this time I pouted. “I want a goldfish.” Can you stick your bottom lip out and pout when I count
to three? 1-2-3 I want a goldfish. (pout, pout, pout)
Grandpa said, “If you really want a goldfish, before you ask again, you could help with the
chores, brush your teeth before you are told, and use the Magic word.”
So I did everything he said and was as good as gold. And the next time I asked, I used that Magic
word. Do you know what it is? That’s right, I said “Please, may I have a goldfish.” I’ll count to
three and you can say it with me. 1-2-3, please may I have a goldfish?
And sure enough, on my next birthday, I got a surprise. There on the kitchen table was a little
round bowl, with colored rocks in the bottom, a castle and a plant. And what was swimming
around in the water? That’s right…a goldfish! When I count to three can you say “Goldfish” like
you are surprised? 1-2-3, Goldfish! (throw up your hands and say it with surprise)
I named my fish Goldie, and Grandpa gave me a little round box of goldfish food and told me
how to feed her. “Once a day, everyday, a little bitty bit. (hand gestures) “Once a day” (hold up
one finger), “everyday” (make a sweeping motion with same hand), “a little bitty bit” (hold up
thumb and first finger to show a small amount). “Remember, once a day, everyday, a little bitty
bit.”
But that night, before I went to bed, I had a snack - some apple juice and peanut butter crackers -
and Goldie looked hungry. She made a hungry goldfish face. Can you do it? (put hands on each
side of cheeks, pinkies touching face and flap them in and out like gills while making goldfish
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