Story Sprouts · ages 3–4 · read-along · narrated by “One Shot Seany”
Ro loves things that go fast. So when she finds a really tiny raft, she wants it to zoom — but it only drifts. It’s only when Ro sits very still that the quiet pond shows her everything she’d been racing past. Wait… and watch.
▶ Watch the full read-along, or scroll down to read it page by page.
Page 1
This Is Ro
This is Ro. Ro loves things that go fast. Zoom, zoom — faster!
Page 2
A Really Tiny Raft
One sunny day, by the pond, Ro found a little raft. A really, really tiny raft.
Page 3
“Let’s Go Fast!”
"A raft!" said Ro. "Let's go FAST!" She gave it a great big push.
Page 4
So, So Slow
But the raft did not zoom. It went slow. So, so slow.
Page 5
Huff and Puff
"Go faster, little raft!" Ro huffed. Ro puffed and blew. The raft just drifted.
Page 6
Nothing Made It Hurry
Ro stamped. Ro sighed. Nothing made it hurry.
Page 7
Ro Sits Still
So Ro sat down. Ro went still. And Ro began to wait. Wait… and watch.
Page 8
A Slow Turtle
Plip. A little ripple. Up popped a turtle! Slow, slow turtle. Wait… and watch.
Page 9
A Blue Dragonfly
A blue dragonfly came. It landed on the leaf. Still as still. Wait… and watch.
Page 10
Little Fish
Ro looked down, down, down. One, two, three little fish! Swishing slow. Wait… and watch.
Page 11
A Tall Heron
Tall in the reeds — a heron. It did not rush at all. It watched, like Ro. Wait… and watch.
Page 12
Light on the Water
The sun touched the water. Tiny lights danced, slow. Sparkle… sparkle. Wait… and watch.
Page 13
Ro Wonders
Ro had never seen these things. She was always too fast. "Oh," whispered Ro.
Page 14
Slow as the Raft
Ro lay back in the grass. Slow as the little raft. Breathe in. Breathe out.
Page 15
Hello, Snail
A snail came by — the slowest of all. "Hello, friend," said Ro.
Page 16
Frog and Flower
A frog went plip on a lily. A flower opened, slow. Ro saw every bit. Wait… and watch.
Page 17
A Soft Breeze
Then a soft breeze blew. The little raft began to glide. "Not too fast," whispered Ro.
Page 18
Walking Slow
Ro walked beside it, slow. Along the quiet shore. Just looking. Just being.
Page 19
The Sunset Pond
The sky turned soft and pink. The pond went calm and gold.
Page 20
Meet Drift
"I'll call you Drift," said Ro. "Because slow is lovely too."
Page 21
The First Star
Ro and Drift watched the first star. Twinkle. So slow. So far away.
Page 22
Still Loves Fast
Ro still loves things that go fast. Zoom, zoom!
Page 23
The Secret
But now Ro knows a secret: slow things are wonderful too.
Page 24
Goodnight, Drift
"Goodnight, little Drift," said Ro. "Tomorrow… let's go slow."
The Refrain“Wait… and watch.”
🔢 Count with Ro
Count the quiet things at the pond, then tap the right number. Take your time!
🔎 Which One Is Different?
Most are the same — can you spot the one that’s different? Look closely.
🔍 Word Search
Find the pond words from the story — three levels to choose from.
🃏 Memory Match
Flip the cards to match each word with its clue.
🔤 Word Unscramble
Tap the letters to spell each story word.
🧠 Story Quiz
How well do you remember Ro and Drift?
📋 Story Sequencing
Put the quiet pond day in the right order.
✏️ Fill in the Blank
Can you finish the line? “Wait… and ___.”
🎵 Rhyme Time
Tap all the words that rhyme.
🎁 Free printable activity pages
An 8-page calm pack — story, vocabulary, sequencing, a slow-down page, word search, coloring, and a certificate.
