When Raccoon went outside, he saw

that it was a sunny day. Ill invite my

friend Skunk to a picnic by the stream in
the woods, he said. He will not guess
the invitation is from me. It will be such
a surprise.
3

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 INK

Raccoon made an invitation. He wrote,

Come to the stream in the woods at three
oclock today. You will find a surprise!
4

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 Skunk looked outside and saw that it was
a sunny day. Ill invite my friend Raccoon
to a picnic by the stream in the woods, he
said. He will not guess the invitation is
from me. It will be such a surprise.
5

RXENL08CRD2X_AL_02_TXT.indd 5 1/16/08 8:11:04 AM

 INK

Skunk made an invitation for Raccoon.

He wrote, Come to the stream in the woods
at three oclock today. You will find a surprise.
6

RXENL08CRD2X_AL_02_TXT.indd 6 1/16/08 8:11:38 AM

 Raccoon put Skunks invitation into an
envelope. He ran over the hill to Skunks
house and slid the invitation gently under
Skunks door. Then Raccoon quickly ran
home through the meadow.
7

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 Skunk put Raccoons invitation into
his pocket. He hurried through the meadow
to Raccoons house and slid the invitation
carefully under Raccoons door. Then
Skunk hurried home over the hill.
8

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 U NK
SK

When Skunk got home, he read his

invitation. I cannot go, he said. I am
going to surprise Raccoon by the stream
today. He was a little disappointed.
9

RXENL08CRD2X_AL_02_TXT.indd 9 1/16/08 8:13:24 AM

 RAC
COO
N

When Raccoon got home, he read

his invitation. I cannot go, he said.
I am going to surprise Skunk by the
stream today. He was disappointed too.
10

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 Raccoon got ready to surprise Skunk.
He put some fruit and vegetables in a
basket. He covered everything with a big
cloth and then set off through the woods to
the stream. Raccoon put the cloth on the
ground, set out the fruit and vegetables,
and waited for Skunk to arrive.
11

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 Skunk got ready to surprise Raccoon.
He put sandwiches and juice in a basket.
He covered everything with a big cloth
and then set off through the woods to the
stream. Skunk put the cloth on the ground,
set out the sandwiches and juice, and
waited for Raccoon to arrive.
12

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 Suddenly, in the distance, Raccoon
and Skunk spotted each other.
Surprise! they shouted across
the stream. Then they both laughed.
13

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 Think Critically
1. When did you know that both Raccoons and
Skunks picnics were at the same time?

2. What are three words that describe both Raccoon

and Skunk?
3. What did both Raccoon and Skunk do once they
had delivered their invitations?

4. Why do you think Raccoon and Skunk wanted to

surprise each other?

5. Would you change the ending of the story? How?

Social Studies
Write an Invitation Write an invitation to some friends asking
them to a community picnic in your neighborhood.

School-Home Connection Talk to a family member

about who you would like to invite to a picnic. Then talk
about where you could have the picnic.

Word Count: 403

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