Grade 3+ illustrated reading story

The Missing Drumstick

Read this free illustrated story, then open Story Garden for word help, narration, and a comprehension question.

1. 1

   Mateo arrived at the school music room expecting an ordinary afternoon.

2. 2

   Instead, Mateo decided to investigate a missing wooden drumstick.

3. 3

   The puzzle was difficult because rehearsal began in twenty minutes.

4. 4

   Mateo wrote down what was known before making any guesses.

5. 5

   A careful walk through the area revealed a soft tapping sound behind the risers.

6. 6

   Mateo asked Aaliyah from percussion club what had happened earlier that day.

7. 7

   Together, they compared the new information with the first clues.

8. 8

   Their earliest idea sounded possible, but one detail did not fit.

9. 9

   Mateo checked that detail instead of ignoring it.

10. 10

    That patient choice pointed the investigation in a better direction.

11. 11

    They retraced their steps and noticed something they had missed.

12. 12

    Soon, the separate clues began to form one sensible explanation.

13. 13

    Mateo tested the explanation without moving or damaging anything.

14. 14

    The test confirmed the stick rolling whenever the heater switched on.

15. 15

    Mateo explained the answer clearly to everyone nearby.

16. 16

    The group fixed the small problem and returned each item carefully.

17. 17

    Mateo learned that good detectives question their own first ideas.

18. 18

    The ordinary afternoon ended with one mystery solved.