Tākaro

Tākaro i runga i te Giggle Academy

Tākaro i runga i te Giggle Academy

Tom and the River

Kaituhi

Nazar Kramer

A gentle story about a boy named Tom, who rows down the river after the flood to find his lost toys. Along the way, he meets new friends and learns that every journey feels brighter when shared with a friend.

3 - 8 tau te pakeke

Friendship & Sharing

The river is wide. The water is high. Tom rows his small boat. The flood took his toys. He rows past roofs and trees. “Row, row, row,” he says.

A red ball floats near the boat. “My ball!” he shouts. The ball bounces, the ball jumps, The ball floats on the waves. Tom reaches, grabs, and holds it tight. “You can swim, but not alone,” he says.

The river flows and pushes. The wind blows and whirls. Waves rise, roofs shine, trees bend. The water moves, and Tom moves too. It’s hard to row, but Tom stays calm. “Down, down the river,” he says.

Tom sees a tree ahead. A blue hat hangs in the branches. He rows closer, the boat rocks. Tom climbs the tree and grabs the hat. The wind blows, leaves dance around him. “Fly no more,” he laughs.

A blue shoe floats by. Tom laughs — “You lost your pair!” Ahead, a boy sits on a dock. It’s Max, his friend. Max scoops things from the water with a net. “Hey, Max!” Tom shouts.

“You found your toys!” says Max. “Not all,” says Tom. “More to find.” Max smiles and waves his net. “Then let’s catch them together!” Tom rows, Max leans, both laugh. “It’s easier — and brighter — together,” he says.

Drops fall, then pour — rain again! Tom and Max laugh and splash. “Look!” says Max. “A toy boat!” Tom reaches, Max pulls it close. Both soaked, both smiling, they hold their prize. "Two boats, twice the fun,” he says.

A small cage floats on the waves. Inside, a yellow canary chirps and shakes. The door is open — the bird flies to Tom. It lands on his shoulder. Tom covers it with his blue hat. “We have one more friend,” he smiles.

The wind slows, the rain stops. Clouds break, and light spills through. The river shines again. The canary flies out and sings. A rainbow arches above them. “It’s lighter after dark,” Tom says.

Max lifts his net. A small toy car glitters in the sun. He holds it high and laughs. Tom rows closer, smiling. The river flows, gentle and bright. “One by one, we find them all,” Tom says.

The river flows, gentle and bright. The sky is blue and warm. Tom rows his small boat. The flood took his toys. He rows past roofs and trees. “Row, row, row,” he says.