The Box in the Barn by Barbara Eckfeld Conner

Jason heard his mom calling him. Instead of answering her, he slipped deeper into the tall weeds behind his house. He
closed his eyes, thinking of what he had done. He had gotten up that morning in a good mood. Raspberry pancakes were
on the table when he walked into the kitchen rubbing his eyes and yawning. “After breakfast, Jason, I want you to go
into town with me,” Mom said quietly. “It’s your sister’s birthday, and we need to shop for her gifts. Jason was eager to
go, even if the gifts weren’t for him. As they drove to town, Jason couldn’t help but ask the question that had been on
his mind since yesterday when Aunt Nancy came. “What’s in the big box that Dad took to the barn, Mom? Is it
something Aunt Nancy bought for Megan’s birthday?” “It’s a surprise, Jason, and I don’t want you going near that barn
today. Do you hear me?” Jason sat staring at the road ahead.

Back home, Megan ran out to meet Jason, her eyes wide and excited. “Jason, Jason, I’m six years old!” she cried,
jumping up and down. “I know, I know.” Jason gave her a big hug. Soon the house was buzzing with excitement. Megan
sat on the stool watching while Mom and Aunt Nancy prepared the birthday dinner. Dad wouldn’t be back for at least
two hours. Jason wandered outside trying to think of something to do, but his thoughts kept returning to the box in the
barn. He started walking toward the barn, not at all sure what he’d do when he got there. He was hoping for just a
glimpse of the box. Instead he heard a strange noise coming from inside the barn. He wished he could just turn back to
the house, but his legs carried him into the barn. Jason saw the box. It was sitting between two bales of hay. He could
hear loud wailing cries. Leaning over, Jason carefully lifted the lid. There was the cuddliest puppy he had ever seen!
“You must be pretty scared, huh, fellow?” Jason said quietly as he held the wiggly dog. “Megan’s going to love you!” He
secretly wished the puppy was for him. After all, Mom and Dad knew that he had wanted his own puppy. Probably Aunt
Nancy didn’t know that, and anyway Megan would be happy. Soon Jason was playing happily with the puppy, and
he forgot that he wasn’t supposed to be in the barn. Taffy, their big brown horse, stuck his head in the window as if to
say, “What’s going on?” Jason jumped, remembering that he wasn’t supposed to be there. The puppy ran off as fast as it
could out of the barn and into the field. Jason stumbled out of the barn looking wildly for any trace of the puppy. “Come
on, puppy! Oh, please come here!” he called, his eyes welling up with tears.

Now here he was, two hours later, hiding in the weeds. He’d looked everywhere, but the puppy was gone. He had
ruined his sister’s birthday. “Jason! It’s time for dinner!” Mom called even louder now. Just when he was determined to
stay forever in the tall weeds, he heard his sister’s voice. “Jason! It’s time for my party, Jason!” Megan yelled excitedly.
Jason rubbed his swollen eyes, trying to look normal. He couldn’t ruin everything for her. “I’m here, Megan,” he called.
“Are you OK?” she asked with genuine concern. “Sure. Let’s hurry.” Jason grabbed her hand as they ran back.

As soon as they reached the house, the party began. When it was time to open Megan’s birthday gifts, he sat in the big
easy chair, hoping no one would notice him. Finally the last present was open. “I’ll be right back,” Dad said. Jason knew
Dad was going to the barn. Megan would probably never forgive him for losing her birthday puppy. Everyone, even Aunt
Nancy, would be angry when they found out the puppy was gone. “Jason! Come here!” It was Dad calling from the front
yard. Jason slowly got out of the chair. It was hard to move, but Megan grabbed his hand and said, “Come on, Jason!
Let’s see what Dad wants.” Jason followed Megan out the door. Mom and Aunt Nancy followed close behind. There was
Dad standing with the box next to him in the grass. “Jason, I want you to open this box and see what’s inside.” Jason
looked up and saw that Dad was smiling. He turned and saw that Mom, Aunt Nancy, and Megan were smiling, too. What
would he say to them when there was nothing in the box? But as Jason looked down, expecting to see nothing at all, he
jumped back in surprise. The puppy looked up at him with sleepy eyes. “Wow!” said Jason, bewildered. “The puppy’s for
you, Son,” his father said. “I thought you’d like a gift, too, even if it isn’t your birthday,” said Aunt Nancy, laughing.
Megan started clapping. “Isn’t he wonderful, Jason?” The puppy jumped up, ready to play. Jason and Megan spent the
rest of the day with the puppy.
Comprehension Questions:

1. When Megan spoke to Jason in the tall weeds, she was concerned that:
A) He had lost her birthday present
B) He was feeling sick
C) He was hiding from their parents
D) He was upset about something

2. What does Megan say in the story that shows how she felt about Jason’s getting a gift on her birthday?
A) "Jason, I'm so happy you got a gift too!"
B) "It's okay, Jason. We can share the puppy!"
C) "I don't mind, Jason. I love you."
D) "I'm sorry, Jason. I wish you could have one too."

3. Jason’s problem could have been prevented if:

A) He hadn't gone to the barn
B) His parents had locked the barn door
C) He had listened to his mom and stayed away from the barn
D) He had brought the puppy back immediately after finding it

4. Jason probably would have felt better at the birthday party if:
A) He had found the lost puppy
B) He had received a present too
C) Megan had shared her gifts with him
D) His parents had scolded him for his actions

5. Aunt Nancy showed his love for Jason when:

A) She scolded him for going to the barn
B) She laughed with the family at the birthday party
C) She gave him a hug and reassured him
D) She brought him a separate gift to the party

6. What was Jason's initial reaction to his mom's instruction about the barn?
A) He eagerly agreed to stay away from the barn
B) He ignored her and went straight to the barn
C) He hesitated but eventually obeyed her command
D) He questioned her about the contents of the barn

7. How did Jason feel about the surprise gift in the box initially?
A) He was excited and couldn't wait to see it
B) He was apprehensive and unsure of what to expect
C) He was disappointed because it wasn't for him
D) He was curious but didn't want to disobey his mom's orders

8. What does Jason wish for when he sees the puppy in the barn?
A) He wishes the puppy belonged to him
B) He wishes the puppy would run away
 C) He wishes Megan wouldn't like the puppy
D) He wishes he had listened to his mom and stayed away from the barn

9. How does Jason's guilt affect his behavior after realizing the puppy is missing?
A) He feels relieved and goes back to the house
B) He panics and searches desperately for the puppy
C) He blames Megan for not taking care of the puppy
D) He decides to hide and avoid facing his family

10. What prompts Jason to finally reveal himself and return to the house?
A) Megan calls out for him excitedly
B) His mom threatens to punish him if he doesn't come out
C) He hears his dad's voice calling him from outside
D) He realizes he can't ruin Megan's birthday party

11. How does Megan react to Jason's presence when he returns to the house?
A) She ignores him and focuses on her gifts
B) She expresses genuine concern for his well-being
C) She accuses him of losing her birthday present
D) She laughs at him for hiding in the tall weeds

12. Why does Dad ask Jason to open the box in the yard?
A) To surprise him with a gift inside
B) To punish him for disobeying his mom
C) To see if Jason will confess about the missing puppy
D) To reveal the surprise gift for Megan's birthday

13. How does Jason react when he sees the puppy in the box?
A) He jumps back in surprise
B) He bursts into tears of joy
C) He pretends not to see anything
D) He feels disappointed because it's not for him

14. What does the ending of the story suggest about Jason's relationship with his family?
A) They forgive him easily for his mistakes
B) He learns a valuable lesson about responsibility
C) They prioritize Megan's happiness over his feelings
D) He feels overshadowed by Megan's birthday celebration

15. What lesson can be inferred from the story's resolution?

A) Curiosity can lead to unexpected consequences
B) Family bonds are strengthened through forgiveness
C) Communication is key in resolving misunderstandings
D) Disobeying parents can sometimes lead to positive outcomes