Spike and the Nightmare Cousins
Spike the hedgehog was feeling very excited. He was getting ready for a long-awaited camping trip with his friends, carefully preparing his gear: his new hat, his sunglasses, his sneakers, and his backpack. But just before he could leave, the doorbell rang.
He opened the door to be surprised by two visitors he hadn't seen in a long time: his cousins. The trouble started immediately. They began jumping and running everywhere, and while playing, they broke some plates in the kitchen. Spike felt very annoyed.
Spike remembered his appointment with his friends, so he went to apologize to them, leaving his cousins alone in the house for a while. In his absence, the two decided to make a dessert to surprise him. But they mixed strange ingredients together, like salt and pepper with the flour, which led to a small explosion in the kitchen that covered everything in soot.
When Spike returned, he found the house in a state of utter chaos. He tried to control his anger while his cousins began trying to clean the place. However, they didn't stop playing; they started playing with a balloon, which led to breaking what was left of the things in the house.
At the peak of the chaos, Spike squeezed his eyes shut... and then opened them to find himself in his bed. The house was quiet and clean. It had all been just a nightmare! He felt a great sense of relief and laughed.
But in the end, the doorbell rang. Standing before him were his cousins with their bags and wide smiles! Spike looked at them with renewed anxiety, hoping that reality would be better than the dream.
Moral Values & Lessons
- Respecting Others' Property: When we are guests in someone's home, we must take care of their belongings and not make a mess.
- The Difference Between Helping and Hindering: Good intentions (like making a dessert) are not enough; we must act wisely so as not to cause bigger problems.
- Patience and Self-Control: Spike tried to be patient with his guests despite their annoying behavior.
- Dealing with Anxiety: The story shows how our anxiety about a situation can make us imagine the worst-case scenarios.
Story Comprehension Questions
Simple Questions
- Where was Spike preparing to go?
- Who were the surprise visitors?
- Name two troublesome things the cousins did.
- How did Spike discover that everything that happened was a dream?
- What happened at the real end of the story?
Critical Thinking Questions
- Why do you think Spike had this nightmare? What was he worried about?
- Were the cousins evil, or just mischievous kids who didn't mean any harm?
- If you were Spike in the dream, how would you have handled them?
Connecting to Your Life
- Describe how you feel when a guest you haven't seen in a long time comes to visit.
- What are the rules for hosting guests in your home?
- Have you ever had a dream about something that then happened in reality?
Fun Interactive Activities
- Draw the Nightmare: Draw a funny picture of the kitchen after the "dessert explosion," with Spike standing confused in the middle of the mess.
- "The Perfect Guest" Rule List: Together, write a list of the most important rules to follow when we are guests at someone's house (e.g., we ask before touching things, we help clean up).
- Complete the Story: Imagine what will happen after Spike opens the door to his cousins in reality. Write or draw a happy and different ending to the story.