Where

Is Coco?

Author: Hegra Al-Sawi

Illustrator: Yousef Zaidan

3asafeer.

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.

After a long day on the city streets, the cars turned off their headlights and went to slept in the garage. But wait a minute…do you hear some whispering? It’s coming from that dark corner over there.

It was an classic antique car covered with dust. Her name was Coco. She coughed as she told his story and keep mumbling to herself.

“Ah! The good old days. The streets were empty. We had so much room to cruise on the roads. Sometimes we would race as well. Ah! Those were the days...” said Coco.

“Ha! It must be your first day here. Just wait, next she’ll tell us about her grandmother who had a steam boiler.” said the electric white car. I really want to go to sleep. Will he be done soon?” asked the orange car.

“Wait, a car that ran on a steam boiler?? Now I want to hear this story. Go on....” said the white car.

“It was my GREAT grandmother. What do you know about her or me, young man? She would be two hundred years older than you by now.” said Coco.

“Go on, Grandma car, your stories are very interesting. I’m glad we are neighbors,” said the white car.

“YWell, you seem to be a smart, curious little car. I’ll tell you about my great steam grandmother,” agreed Coco.

“She was the first car to move using an engine. She had three tires and she was invented by Nicholas-Joseph Cugnot. Her engine ran on steam and not gas,” said Coco.

The electric car asked, “Where did she live?” Coco replied, “In France. She used to work for the army, pulling heavy equipment like cannons. With the soliders, she defended her country, until something happened that totally changed her life.

One day, grandma was in the front line at a big parade. Unfortunately, the driver lost control because her steam boiler was so heavy and so she crashed into the wall.

“She crashed?” asked the electric car.

“No, she didn’t but the wall did. Grandma is still alive and healthy today. She lives at the Metiers Art Museum in Paris” answered Coco.

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“Ok, we’ll stop now. Good night.” said Coco.

“Now cars are even powered by solar energy. It’s one of mankind’s major inventions. Can you stop talking? I really need to go to sleep,” said the solar powered car.

All the cars in the parking lot then fell asleep, with a surprise waiting for them next morning.

They woke up and looked around but Coco wasn’t there.

“Where is Coco?” asked the white car.

“Maybe she went for a ride and forgot the address. We should go look for her,” said the orange car.

“Maybe she went out to look for a job. She hates to be bored,” said the solar energy car.

They looked for Coco at gas stations and electric charging stations. They looked for Coco in parks and gardens and in garages. They even checked with the local mechanics.

“Where is Coco?” asked the white car.

“Where is Coco?” asked the orange car.

They were tired after their search and decided to take a break. Some of them were totally out of gas.

“I’ll need to get to a charging station. It’ll take two hours or so,” said the white car.

“Well, I don’t need all that time. I can fill up my tank in two minutes,” said the orange car.

Solar car zoomed around her friends. She was full of energy!

I’m always charged. Thank goodness for the sun. You all go to the charging and gas stations yourselves and I’ll keep looking for her.

That night the three cars saw a wreck and began to cry. The search was finally over, but…

While the cars were wiping their tears, they looked up and saw a big sign above the wreck. Coco finally found something very special to - she had become a star!

THE END