Rooster’s

Sor e Throat
by Rachel Johns
illustrated by Ian Forss

Copyright © by Harcourt, Inc.

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ISBN 10: 0-15-351417-5

ISBN 13: 978-0-15-351417-3

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 Rooster’s throat really hurt when
he crowed.
“I need a long rest,” he moaned.
“You know that’s impossible since
there is no one else to crow early
in the morning,” said Farmer.

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 Rooster went to bed. He felt awful.
“You look terrible,” said Cow.
“My throat is sore,” moaned Rooster,
“but there is no one else who can crow.”
“I could crow for you tomorrow,”
suggested Cow. “It would be fun.”

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 Farmer could not believe his eyes
when he looked out the window.
“That’s quite enough, Cow,” he called,
“you’re not a rooster.”

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 Cow stopped being a rooster.
He begged, “Please give Rooster
a rest since his throat is sore.”
“That’s impossible!” answered
Farmer impatiently.

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 Now Cow’s throat hurt.
“You look terrible, Cow,” said Goat.
“I crowed for Rooster this morning,”
groaned Cow, “and now my throat hurts.”
“I’ll crow tomorrow,” said Goat.

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 The next morning, Cow and Rooster
stayed in bed. Goat climbed onto the
fence at sunrise and bleated loudly.

9
 Farmer gave each animal an
envelope. Cow and Goat opened
the envelopes.
“These are bus tickets to the beach,”
they cried in amazement. “We don’t
understand!”
“Rooster needs a vacation,” said
Farmer, “and he won’t go without you.”
“If we go, there is no one else
to crow,” they exclaimed.

13

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 “There is now,” smiled Farmer.
He took an alarm clock out of his
pocket and said, “This rooster won’t
get a sore throat.”

14

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 Think Critically
1. What happened in the story when Rooster had a
sore throat?
2. How were Cow and Goat alike?
3. How do you know that Farmer felt sorry for the
animals, especially Rooster?

4. What kind of “rooster” wouldn’t get a sore throat?

5. If you could change the ending, what would happen?

Social Studies
A Farmer’s Jobs Write a list of all the jobs a farmer might need
to do. Draw a picture of a farmer doing one of the jobs.

School-Home Connection Think of a song that you

know about a farm or an animal and sing it for your family.

Word Count: 384

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