When the school holidays began, Maya and her cousin Leo were sent to stay with their grandmother in a quiet coastal village. They were not thrilled at first—no internet, no television, and the nearest town was over ten kilometers away. But everything changed one morning when Leo discovered an old map tucked inside a dusty book in Grandma’s attic.

The map showed a small island just off the coast, marked with a red “X.” Their grandmother had never mentioned an island, and curiosity quickly replaced boredom. The very next day, armed with backpacks, binoculars, and a sense of adventure, they borrowed a rowboat and set off toward the mysterious island.

As they approached, thick fog wrapped around them like a blanket. The island emerged slowly, covered in tall, swaying trees and strange bird calls. Exploring the island, they found a crumbling stone structure, almost hidden by vines and moss. Inside, they discovered old coins, broken pottery, and a journal written in strange handwriting.

They spent the next few days deciphering the journal, which seemed to belong to a sailor who had been stranded there centuries ago. Though they found no treasure chest, the real treasure was the story they uncovered—of survival, hope, and adventure.

When their parents came to pick them up, Maya and Leo had a thousand stories to tell. That summer, the quiet village became the backdrop for the greatest adventure of their lives.

Questions

1. Why were Maya and Leo initially unhappy about going to the coastal village?
2. What changed their minds about the place?
3. What did they find in the attic that sparked their adventure?
4. Describe what the island looked like when they arrived.
5. What did Maya and Leo learn from the journal they discovered?

Answers

1. They were unhappy because there was no internet, no television, and the nearest town was far away.
2. Their curiosity was sparked after finding an old map in the attic, leading them to an adventure.
3. They found an old map hidden inside a dusty book.
4. The island was covered in fog, had tall swaying trees, strange bird calls, and a hidden stone structure.
5. They learned about a sailor who had been stranded on the island and his story of survival and hope.