Gus and the Great Storm
A ferocious storm hits the pirate ship. Only teamwork can bring the crew safely home.
The pirate ship Brave Heron was sailing home to Rainbow Port with crates of oranges in the hold. The sun was shining. The sea was calm. Gus was at the wheel, whistling a tune. ‘Smooth sailing,’ said Mia.
But Vik the parrot flew down from the mast, squawking, ‘Storm! Storm! Storm!’ Far away, a huge dark cloud was rolling in. The waves began to grow. The wind began to howl.
‘All hands on deck!’ shouted Gus. Ella the elephant, the strongest sailor, tied down the barrels. Mia climbed the mast to lower the sails. Vik flew ahead to look for the lighthouse.
The storm hit with a roar. Great waves crashed over the deck. Rain lashed down. Gus gripped the wheel and held on. His knees shook, but he thought, ‘If I stay calm, everybody else will too.’
‘Steady!’ called Gus. ‘Everyone, hold fast!’ Up on the mast, Mia yelled that the sail was safe. Below deck, Ella shouted that the barrels were tied. Everyone did their part, and the ship rode the waves.
Hours passed. The wind slowly died down. The clouds broke apart. Then Vik gave a loud squawk. ‘Light! Light!’ Far ahead, the sweep of a lighthouse beam cut through the dark.
They followed the light all the way into Rainbow Port. When the Brave Heron bumped against the dock, everyone cheered. Gus slid down onto the planks, weak with relief, but smiling.
‘Great sailing, Captain,’ said Ella, patting Gus on the back. ‘I couldn’t have done it without you all,’ said Gus. And that night, the whole crew ate hot soup on the deck under a sky full of stars.
The little lesson
In rough seas, calm voices and working together keep everyone safe.
Let’s talk about it
- What do you do when you feel scared?
- Which crew member’s job was most important?
Finish stories to collect Gus as a sticker in your Sticker Book.
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