Lesson 17 Reading: Julius Caesar Is Kidnapped

Julius Caesar Is Kidnapped

For use after Lesson 17.

Sight Words to Know

there, where, very

was, his

one, from, into, to, done, who, the

live, for

they, you

would, could

this, with, then

said, again

come, someone

Sight or Common Words Child Should Be Becoming Familiar With

know

how, now, down

people

everything

been

couldn't, he'd, I'm

these

once

upon

their

Words above Instructional Level (From Context, Parent)

Point out what a child knows about the word; briefly explain rules he doesn’t know yet.

ship, think, three

charge, want, chief, part, roll, war

young

consul, away, began, Roman, kidnap, trial (2 syllables, but otherwise mastered)

pirate, Julius, Caesar, belong, better, truly, going, ready

            Once upon a time, there was a young man named Julius Caesar. He lived in Rome, and one day he hoped to be in charge of it. He wanted to be a consul – a lot like a chief. But to make the people of Rome choose him as a consul, he needed to know how to speak well. So he sailed off to a place where they would teach him.

            But as soon as Julius’s ship got away from land, another ship came into sight. It began to chase them. “Pirates!” the people on Julius’s ship cried. But the pirate ship sailed very fast, and soon it reached Julius’s ship. The pirate crew went onto Julius’s ship and stole everything they could get their hands on.

            “Stop!” yelled Julius. “This sea belongs to Rome! You had better sail off!”

            “Ha!” said the pirates. “We rule the sea!” But they could see that Julius was not part of the crew. He was dressed like a very rich Roman.

            “You will come with us,” said the pirate chief. “I bet someone will pay a lot for you.” So the pirates kidnapped Julius. They kept him on their ship and waited for someone to pay for his life.

            But Julius did not act like he had been kidnapped. He acted like he was the one in charge. He treated the pirates like his slaves. “My next meal better not taste like the last one!” he’d yell. “I couldn’t chew the meat. And do you truly think I can choke down these rolls? I’m going to retch.”

            At last the people in Rome paid for Julius to go free. But he was not done with the pirates. As soon as he got back, he got three war ships. And he sailed off away from land.

            Soon the pirate ship came into sight again. It chased Julius’s ships and the pirates got ready to loot and steal again. But Julius was ready this time! There was a quick fight, and then the pirates were tied up to go back to Rome for trial.

            “Who rules the sea now?” crowed Julius.