No Room for Pokey!

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Animal Decodable Reader with <ough>

Practice Words

Words with the 'ough' letter pattern, which can produce multiple different sounds.

enough fought rough though thought through tough
Page 1
Pokey stands on the right side of the image, facing the viewer with a friendly, slightly uncertain smile and wide round eyes, positioned beside a tree trunk and a blue hydrangea bush. Pokey is a small orange tabby kitten with a compact round body, warm orange fur with darker brown tabby stripes on the head, back, and tail, a lighter cream chest and belly, large expressive white eyes with black pupils, a small pink nose, and visible whisker dots on the cheeks. The scene is set outdoors in a suburban neighbourhood at dusk, with warm golden and orange tones washing across the ground suggesting the sun is going down, and a soft pale green sky behind. The left side of the image is open plain background.

Hi there, I'm Pokey the cat! Life on the streets is tough. The sun is sinking behind the houses, and the air is turning cool. I trot past a big tree and a bush covered in blue flowers, looking for somewhere safe and warm. I need to find a good spot to sleep before it gets dark.

Page 2
On the left side of the image, a large cardboard box sits on the ground of a suburban street, stuffed full of animals. Calico is lying inside the box with an annoyed, unwelcoming expression — a small chubby calico kitten with predominantly white fur, orange patches on the forehead and left ear, and black patches on the top of the head, with large round black eyes with white highlights. Grey Spot is squeezed in beside Calico looking wide-eyed and startled, paws up against the edge of the box — a small lavender-purple puppy with darker purple-grey spots on the back and head, large wide-set white eyes with black pupils, a small dark nose, and triangular ears with peach-pink inner colouring. Pokey stands just outside the box at the upper left, peering in with a surprised expression at the crowded scene. There are several additional cats crammed into and around the box, including ones perched on the rim and tucked inside. The right ~40% of the image is plain warm beige background.

Oh, there's a nice looking box over there! But when I peek inside, it's already stuffed full of animals. 'What are you looking at, Pokey?' snaps Calico from deep in the pile. 'This box is taken,' says Grey Spot, pushing a paw against the edge. 'No need to be so rough about it,' I say. I thought they might share, but I move on.

Page 3
On the right side of the image, Pokey stands on tiptoes beside a purple trash can, lifting the lid with a surprised expression and one paw raised in shock — discovering Inky already curled up inside, with paws poking out over the rim. Inky is a small black cat with a white chest and belly patch, a white spot on top of the head, white inner ears, and large round yellow eyes with black pupils. In the upper-left background, a row of additional trash cans lines an alley beside a building. The scene is set outdoors in a suburban back alley at dusk, with warm, soft fading light.

Now I need to find another spot. I wonder if these trash cans are empty? Though even if one is full of garbage, that could be soft enough to sleep on. I lift the lid of the nearest one and get a big surprise. Someone is already curled up inside!

Page 4
On the left side of the image, Inky is sitting inside a round trash can surrounded by bits of garbage, looking up with an angry, snarling expression and bared teeth. Inky is a small black cat with a white chest and belly patch, a white spot on top of the head, white inner ears, and large round yellow eyes with black pupils. Pokey is leaning over the rim of the trash can from the right, peering in with a hopeful, wide-eyed expression, front paws gripping the edge. Scattered food scraps and trash bits surround them. The scene is set against a plain pale green background, with the right ~40% of the image left empty.

'This is my trash can!' snarls Inky, teeth bared. 'But we could both fit,' I say, leaning over the rim hopefully. 'Tough! Find your own spot, Pokey!' Inky growls. I sigh and walk away. I thought the other cats would be kinder, but sometimes they're just too rude.

Page 5
On the right side of the image, Pokey sits among low leafy plants, looking straight up at the dark rainy sky with a distressed, open-mouthed expression, raindrops splashing on the top of his head. Pokey's orange fur is getting visibly soaked and matted from the rain. The scene is set outdoors at dusk transitioning to nighttime with a dark teal sky filled with streaking rain, and wavy cloud patterns overhead.

Just then, the sky turns dark. I feel drops of water on my head and look up at the clouds. Rain! I sit among the plants getting soaked, my mouth hanging open in shock. Isn't my day rough enough already? I still haven't found a spot to sleep, and now I'm drenched!

Page 6
On the left side of the image, Pokey is partway up a wall near the roof of a house, gripping the ledge with his claws and a determined but slightly anxious expression, straining to pull himself up as rain falls around him. Pokey's orange fur is soaked and matted from the rain. The tiled roof of the house extends from the upper left, and dark rain clouds loom overhead with rain streaking down across the scene. The right side of the image is open with a plain light background and faint greenery.

I spot a hole near the roof of one of the houses. That might be enough! I scramble up the wall, gripping the ledge with my claws. The rain makes everything slippery, but I keep going. One more stretch. If I can just get to the top, I will be dry and able to rest.

Page 7
On the right side of the image, Pokey is curled up on a high ledge or balcony floor under a roof opening, looking slightly damp and contemplative, gazing out through a triangular opening toward a rainy suburban street scene below. Pokey's orange fur is still damp from the rain. The left side is plain dark background. The mood is sheltered but cold — Pokey appears relieved to be out of the storm but with a thoughtful, slightly worried expression, as if wondering about the other cats still outside in the rain.

I made it! There's room up here for me and a lot more. Through the opening, I can see the rain hammering the streets below. It is cold, but at least I am out of the wind. I curl up on the ledge and think about the other cats. Are they safe out there tonight?

Page 8
A large cloud-shaped panel fills the left half of the image against a plain pale-green background. Inside the cloud-shaped scene, all four animals appear together in a thunderstorm. On the right side of the cloud, Pokey — an orange tabby cat with a cream chest — stands on a stone ledge beside a small roofed structure, fur damp with raindrops flying off him, yelling with a wide-open mouth and alarmed wide eyes. A bright yellow lightning bolt zigzags across the dark stormy sky above. On the left side of the cloud, three animals huddle in front of a blue metal fence in the pouring rain. Inky stands on the far left with a startled, scared expression and both paws raised — a small black cat with a white chest patch, white head spot, and round yellow eyes. Grey Spot sits nearby looking frightened with one paw raised to its mouth — a small lavender-purple puppy with darker purple-grey spots and large white eyes. Calico crouches low to the ground with a worried open-mouthed expression — a small chubby calico kitten with white, orange, and black patches. Rain streaks down across the whole cloud scene.

Flash! Bang! Crack! Lightning and thunder! A terrible thought hits me. Those poor cats in the box! And Inky in the trash can! I picture them huddled by the fence, scared and soaked. 'Get out of there!' I yell, even if they can't hear me.

Page 9
In the lower-right portion of the image, Calico, Grey Spot, and Inky stand on a winding rain-soaked path, all facing toward a large fire blazing in the lower left, with alarmed expressions. Calico is closest to the fire — a small chubby calico kitten with white, orange, and black patches, mouth open in shock as she stares at the flames. Grey Spot is in the middle of the group — a small lavender-purple cat with darker purple-grey spots, pointed feline ears, and a curled cat tail, one paw raised to its mouth in worry. Inky is at the rear, highest up the path closest to a house and gate in the upper-right corner — a small black cat with light markings above its wide eyes, mouth open in alarm. Rain streaks fall across the scene under a deep blue stormy sky, with droplets splashing around the animals. Pokey, an orange cat, stands at the open gate at the top of the path in front of a blue-roofed house decorated with a gold star, smiling cheerfully with one paw raised in welcome. The fire engulfs a wooden crate and a tipped-over grey trash can in billowing orange and red flames with thick grey smoke.

The lightning has started a fire! The box is burning and the trash can has tipped over. Through the smoke and rain, I see Calico, Grey Spot, and Inky rushing up the path towards me. 'Quick, up here before there's more lightning!' I call from the gate. But where will they sleep now? Everything they fought over is gone.

Page 10
On the right side of the image, four animals are climbing up a railing or ledge in the pouring rain. Grey Spot is lowest on the railing, gripping it with a worried expression and looking upward — a small lavender-purple puppy with darker purple-grey spots, soaking wet. Calico clings just above, also soaking wet with wide anxious eyes — a small chubby calico kitten with white, orange, and black patches. Inky is climbing between them — a small black cat with a white chest patch and white head spot, yellow eyes wide and anxious, fur drenched. At the top, Pokey leans down from the ledge, reaching a paw down to help them climb, with a determined, kind expression. Rain streaks fall across a dark, overcast outdoor scene. The left side of the image is open dark background.

'Can we come up here with you?' asks Grey Spot, gripping the railing in the pouring rain. I think about it. They were rough with me before, and maybe I should say no. But it's tough out here for a cat on the streets. 'Come on up, quick!' I say, reaching my paw down to help them climb.

Page 11
On the left side of the image, four animals are huddled together under the peaked apex of a rooftop during a rainstorm. Pokey sits in the centre with wide, relieved eyes, taking up most of the space — a small orange tabby kitten with damp fur. Calico is squeezed to Pokey's left with a slightly sheepish, apologetic expression — a small chubby calico kitten with white, orange, and black patches. Grey Spot is pressed against the far left edge, looking relieved to be safe — a small lavender-purple puppy with darker purple-grey spots and large white eyes. Inky is tucked in on the right side of the group, peering out with a grateful look — a small black cat with a white chest and belly patch, a white spot on top of the head, and large round yellow eyes. All four are squashed tightly together under the small triangular shelter of the roof peak, their fur still damp but beginning to dry. Rain falls heavily around them against a grey, stormy sky, with floodwaters visible below the roofline. The right side of the image is plain background.

Now we are all up here, squashed together under the roof. Calico, Grey Spot, Inky, and I, packed in tight. Floodwater swirls below, but we are safe and dry. 'I'm sorry we were rough to you before,' says Calico. 'Don't worry about it,' I say. 'We've been through enough tonight.'

Page 12
On the right side of the image, four animals are huddled together under the peaked overhang of a rooftop, sheltering from light rain. Inky is lying in front, eyes closed contentedly — a small black cat with a white chest and belly patch, a white spot on top of the head, and large round yellow eyes (now closed). Behind Inky, Calico is curled up sleeping peacefully — a small chubby calico kitten with white, orange, and black patches. Grey Spot is nestled beside them, also relaxed and content — a small lavender-purple puppy with darker purple-grey spots, resting with eyes half-closed. Pokey is curled up at the back of the group with a warm, gentle smile, looking content and thoughtful — a small orange tabby kitten with cream chest and belly. All four are pressed together sharing warmth, their fur mostly dry now. Rain drips down from the teal-green roof tiles around them, but the animals are dry and cosy in their sheltered spot. The left side of the image is open sky with the first hints of clearing weather.

Soon, we all forget that we fought over spots to sleep in. Tucked together under the roof, it's not so cold anymore. Life is tough out here for cats on the streets. But tonight I have a thought that makes me smile. When we help each other through, everything is a little better.

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