Kate Has No Friends

Author : Al-Sayyed Ibrahim

Illustrator : Doha Al-Khateeb

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The original work of this book was made possible through the generous support of the All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development (ACR GCD) Partners (the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), World Vision, and the Australian Government). It was prepared by Asafeer Education Technologies FZ LLC and does not necessarily reflect the views of the ACR GCD Partners. Any adaptation or translation of this work should not be considered an official ACR GCD translation and ACR GCD shall not be liable for any content or error in this translation.

An egg hatched on a leaf and Kate the caterpillar emerged. It was Kate’s first time seeing the sun.

She ate and ate the berry leaves. Then she rolled and played and laughed until she got bored.

Kate started to feel sad because she was alone. So off she went to look for a friend. On her way, she saw a bee making some delicious honey.

She went up to her and asked, “Honey bee, honey bee, would you be friends with me?” “Oh!” said the bee. “I’m sorry, no. As you can see, I’m very busy. After making honey, I need to take a nap. See you later Kate, goodbye.” Kate groaned because she was all alone.

So off she went to look for a friend. On her way, she saw a beetle rolling a huge ball of manure. He was singing, “Who is stronger than me? Who can roll a ball that’s so heavy?” “Hey,” called Kate, “Would you like to be friends with me?”

“How about a football match? You throw and I’ll catch.” The beetle shook his antenna and said, “This ball is a meal for my young. Maybe I’ll see you later, Kate. Goodbye.” Kate groaned because she was all alone.

So off she went to look for a friend. Along the way, she met a small spider. He was shedding tears from each of his eight eyes. Kate asked, “Why are you sad?”

He wiped his tears away and said, “I fell off the tree and I can’t go back to my mommy.” Kate said, “Don’t worry. Get on my back and we’ll find her together.” And off they went.

Up in the tree, Mama Spider was waiting for her baby spider. When he came back she hugged him with her eight arms and said, “Welcome home, my dear. What’s your friend’s name?” The baby spider replied, “Her name is Kate.” Mama Spider thanked her and Kate was so happy she cried and said, “Yes, we are friends!”

Kate and Baby Spider had a wonderful time playing together. They had lots of fun until one day Kate said, “Now it’s time for me to go inside my cocoon, my friend.”

Then Kate started making her cocoon and Baby Spider watched her quietly.

Baby Spider kept an eye on the cocoon the whole time and Mama Spider decided to help him spin a web to protect the cocoon.

The days passed one after another. The cocoon just sat there quietly. Then suddenly it shook and cracked and Kate came out. Baby Spider said, “Wow, she became a wonderful butterfly!”

Kate offered him a ride on her back and said, “This time we’re going to fly up high into the sky.” Baby Spider smiled and said, “High, high the friends shall fly!

The End