Reading Comprehension

Marie’s Day Out

From her comfortable position on the hilltop, Marie could see in all directions for a considerable distance. Fanning herself occasionally with a straw hat, she marveled particularly at the magnificent view of the nature reserve just below her. The gentle sun gleamed on the river winding through the woods. The foliage of trees rippled and sighed in the soft breeze. It was an exquisite sight. “Summer is waning,” she murmured to herself. She picked up her paintbrush and began to dabble in colours. She was trying to portray the summer landscape on her canvas. This lasted only a few minutes before her gaze wandered back to the scene below.

After a while, her eyes strayed in other directions. To the east, she could see smoke billowing lazily upwards from the town rubbish dump some distance away. In the opposite direction, several hot-air balloons drifted in and out of white clouds. A trio of balloons closest to her looked identical in their orange and black envelopes, each supporting a cane basket with some passengers. Another one was a bright yellow proudly displaying a sponsorship logo on one side. Closer to the ground, a fifth and final balloon appeared to be descending slowly for a gas refill. Marie told herself that one day when she had enough money, she would join them.

Then Marie’s attention was distracted by some activity not far away. A family was busily collecting firewood in readiness for the approaching cooler weather, now only weeks away. Looking past them, she saw her neighbour, Mrs. James on her daily trek through the nature reserve. Marie watched her until she was hidden from view. Marie remembered the altercation that she had had with Mrs. James the previous week. She had plucked a flower from the hedge lining Mrs. james’s garden. Mrs. James had been beside herself with anger. Marie had had to apologize for her behaviour.

By now, the late summer sunshine and the gentle breeze had made Marie drowsy. She put aside her painting things and lay down on the soft grass. Before long, she had fallen into a deep, peaceful sleep. The birds perching in the branches above her makeshift bed looked down curiously. Some even approached the sleeping figure, but fluttered away each time she moved.

Sleeping soundly for almost three hours, Marie awoke to the sound of the birds screeching across the reserve. They were returning to roost in the trees before the sun disappeared behind the hills and the chilly night set in. Taking her cue from them, Marie packed her painting equipment and set off for home. She would be in time to help her mother with the evening meal.