1 Tim and Tess had a visitor. He was their cousin, Mitchell. Tim and Tess had prepared for his visit. They knew that Mitchell was
deaf. He had not been able to hear since he was just a few months old. Tim and Tess could talk to him easily. They used sign language.
2 Wendy asked Tim and Tess to teach her how to talk with Mitchell. She learned to sign a few phrases. She learned, "Hello"; "How are you?"; and "Would you like some lemonade?" Tim and Tess would be able to say anything else she needed to say.
3 The children talked about how hard it must be for Mitchell. Tim said, "Aunt Heather says we talk to each other all the time without using words."
4 "I don't think I know what you mean," said Wendy. "I talk to you all the time using words."
5 "Aunt Heather explained it to us," said Tess. "If you lost your voice, how would I know if you were sad?"
6 "You might look at my face," answered Wendy. "I might look sad or cry."
7 "And what if I wanted you to be quiet?" added Tim. "How might I show you and still be quiet myself?"
8 "You could put you fingers to your lips," answered Wendy.
Paragraphs 9 to 17:
For the complete story with questions: click here for printable