Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Chapter 15

Chapter 16

Chapter 17

Chapter 18

Chapter 19

Chapter 20

Chapter 21

Chapter 22

Chapter 23

Chapter 24

Chapter 25

The

Centipede’s

Problem

3asafeer.com

Author: Asmaa Emara

Illustrator: Noreen Khan

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.

Fortunately, the centipede laid 150 eggs and she laid on her eggs for two weeks and a few days until they hatched.

Unfortunately, only 10 eggs hatched.

Fortunately, all of the hatchlings were healthy, and each had 4 pairs of feet.

Unfortunately, one of the hatchlings, was a small centipede who liked to sleep a lot.

Fortunately, the children grew every day and each of them grew a new pair of feet.

Unfortunately, the centipede did not have enough shoes and needed to buy more shoes for her children.

Fortunately, Mrs. Silk Worm, the Shoe Maker, had a big shop.

Shoe Store

Unfortunately, Mrs. Silk Worm’s shop was quite far away. It was under the huge mulberry tree across the forest.

Shoe Store

Fortunately, mother centipede left early that night to go to Mrs. Silk Worm’s shop so that she and her young ones were protected from the sun’s heat.

Unfortunately, the smallest centipede stopped at the end of the line and wouldn’t budge, complaining, “Just because I have so many legs doesn’t mean I am quick.”

Fortunately, just before sunrise, their mother noticed that her children had barely moved from their home and so she stood on her hind legs and told them to go back home.

Unfortunately, the children kept growing more legs and now they wanted to go hunt spiders.

Fortunately, their mother had already decided to count their legs and go to the store alone to quickly buy shoes and come back.

Unfortunately, the mother had to stop and lost count every time one of her children said something and then had to start counting all over again.

Fortunately, the mother finally realized she needed 100 pairs of shoes.

Unfortunately, centipedes have very short memories. She forgot how many shoes she needed halfway through her journey and had to return home.

Fortunately, their mother had seen an ad from

Shoe.com, a website that could deliver shoes straight to her door for free!

Free Delivery

Unfortunately, delivery could take several days and she was worried that her children would have more feet by the time the shoes arrived.

Fortunately, the mother centipede took a picture of one of her children’s feet with her phone. She explained to the salesperson that young centipedes grow a new pair of feet every day.

Unfortunately, the centipede forgot to ask which color shoes the kids wanted.

Fortunately, the salesman arrived in a big truck with all the shoes they needed.

Delivery

Fortunately, mother centipede was able to convince her young ones that mismatched shoes were the latest fashion trend this year!

THE END