Out on the Bay
Reading Level: Week 5 – Complex Vowel Teams

Paragraph 1
The loyal brown cowboy named Rua set out before dawn. Mist rolled over the bay as he loaded his waka with food and warm clothes. “Tonight we watch the sky,” Rua told his cousin, “and we listen for the owl’s warning.”

Paragraph 2
Out on the water the crowd of clouds grew wild. The boat rose and dipped, but Rua stayed calm. “Hold your breath through the rough swell,” he called. “We will not allow the storm to slow us down.”

Paragraph 3
They reached the glow of the lighthouse before night. The kōwhao in the rocks showed them a safe path to shore. As the waves pounded below, Rua wrote the weather data in his notebook. “These clues will help our whānau prepare,” he said.

Paragraph 4
Later, the cousins enjoyed hot soup by the fire. “I’m proud we chose to go,” Rua smiled. “Our people rely on us to protect the coast.”

Comprehension Prompts
1. Why did Rua leave before dawn?
2. Which words use the /ow/ sound? Which use the /oi/ sound?
3. How do Rua’s actions support his whānau?