They Are Not The Boss UFLI Foundations Lesson 81

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They Are Not The Boss

Practice Words

fur curl birds blurts chirp dirt girl lurk smirks squirm squirms stir turn turns
Page 1
On the right side of the image, The Cat sits perched on a purple armchair with a green polka-dot cushion, gazing forward with a calm, self-assured expression. In front of the chair, the girl (shoulder-length dark navy-blue wavy hair, maroon t-shirt, gray pants) lies on her stomach on a colorful plaid rug, drawing a picture of a cat on a sheet of paper with a focused expression. The scene is set indoors in a cozy living room with a soft blue-gray background. Only one of the three kids is visible in this illustration.

I am a cat. This is my home. A girl sits on the rug. She sketches my fur and my whiskers. People think this is their home and I am their pet. They are wrong.

Page 2
In the lower half of the image, The Cat sits on a pink/red cushion or box on the left side, licking one paw with a smug, self-satisfied expression — grooming itself clean. In the lower right, one of the kids stands pushing against a small, muddy brown dog, trying to wash it near a metal tub of water, a bottle of soap, a red bucket, and a scrub brush laid out on the ground. The kid has a determined, slightly strained expression as the dog resists. The scene is set outdoors in a suburban backyard with green bushes in the background. The top half of the image is plain white/light blue watercolor wash.

People think a big tub is the best spot to get clean. They are wrong. I lick my fur and I am clean. No tub for me. The dog is muddy and full of dirt. He squirms and splashes in the tub.

Page 3
On the left side of the image, three kids are sitting and kneeling on a colorful checkered floor in yellow, green, and orange tiles. One of the kids, a boy with brown hair in a blue striped shirt, sits cross-legged in the center, smiling happily while holding The Cat in their lap. The Cat, an orange tabby, is curled up contentedly on the kid's lap with eyes closed, looking relaxed and happy. A second kid, a boy in a red hoodie and jeans, kneels on the left beside them, leaning in with a smile and reaching out to pet The Cat's head. A third kid, a girl with a dark blue ponytail wearing a maroon shirt, kneels on the left side beside them, smiling and also reaching over to pat The Cat. The right ~40% of the image is plain white background. The scene is indoors with a soft blue wash suggesting a cozy living room setting.

The best place to nap is on a lap. I curl up, and the kids pat my soft fur. They think they are kind to me. Well, I like it in this home.

Page 4
On the right side of the image, Mom stands smiling at an open front gate of a suburban house, waving goodbye to the kids as they head off to school. The kids are walking away from the house with backpacks — one boy waves back cheerfully while another boy and the girl walk ahead with arms outstretched in excited motion. The Cat is lounging contentedly on a ledge or windowsill above the front porch of the house, watching the scene below. The setting is outdoors on a bright daytime morning, with trees and greenery visible behind the house. The left side of the image is plain white background, leaving space for text.

Every morning, Mom hands the kids their backpacks. She waves at the gate, and one kid turns and waves back. Then the home is all mine. I stretch on the ledge over the porch and plan my time.

Page 5
In the lower half of the image, The Cat peeks around a purple wall corner at floor level on the left side, in a low crouch with a focused, determined expression and wide green eyes, watching a small gray mouse on the right. The mouse is scurrying across a tiled kitchen floor carrying crumbs in its mouth. The scene is set indoors on warm-toned tile flooring with a pale wall behind.

A pest darts over the tiles with a scrap. I lurk at the corner. I do not stir one whisker. People think a pest is fast. Well, I am faster. No pest can get past me.

Page 6
On the right side of the image, The Cat is mid-leap with front paws stretched forward, wrapping its claws around the edge of a pink/red low wall, with a playful, focused expression and bright green eyes. Wriggling beetles peek out from under leaves at the base of the wall, and small wrens hop along tree branches above. The scene is set in a sunny backyard with lush green bushes along the bottom, a tree trunk and leaves visible in the upper right corner, and a clear blue sky with soft clouds. The left side of the image is open sky and white space, free of characters or detail.

I spring up on the wall and grip the edge. Bugs squirm under the plants, and birds chirp on the branch. This yard is all mine. It is never dull in my yard.

Page 7
On the left side of the image, Mom stands with a shocked, disgusted expression, her hands raised in alarm as she looks down at The Cat, who sits calmly on the floor near the window holding a snail in its paws with a proud, unbothered expression. One of the kids peeks out from behind Mom, looking on with a curious, amused smile trying not to laugh. The scene is set indoors near a window, with soft natural light coming in. The right ~40% of the image is plain white background.

I bring a pest in and set it by the sill. Mom gasps in shock. 'A pest!' she blurts. A kid smirks behind her. Mom thinks pests are bad. She is wrong. This is my home.

Page 8
On the right side of the image, Naughty Neighbor Boy stands in a taunting pose, pulling the corners of his mouth wide with his fingers and sticking his tongue out mockingly. Beside him on the far right, The Cat faces him with a fierce, angry expression — mouth open in a growl, showing teeth, standing in a tense, confrontational stance. The scene is set outdoors on a pink-toned sidewalk or path with a soft blue sky behind them. The left side of the image is open, plain background.

A kid mocks me on the path. He pulls a rude face at me. My fur stands up, and I show my fangs. He thinks he can be mean because he is big. He is wrong.

Page 9
On the left side of the image, The Cat stands in the foreground with a determined, slightly mischievous expression, looking directly at the viewer. Behind The Cat looms a large tiger — representing The Cat's fantasy of growing big — standing in the same pose with a fierce expression, sharp claws extended and fangs bared, set against a soft blue-green watercolor cloud. The right ~40% of the image is plain white background.

I have a plan. I will turn into a huge tiger with big sharp fangs. Then I will march up to that mean kid. He will not mock me then.

Page 10
On the right side of the image, The Cat is curled up contentedly at the foot of a bed, eyes half-closed and purring peacefully. One of the kids is lying in bed under a green-striped blanket, asleep with a calm expression. The scene is set indoors at nighttime in a cozy bedroom, with a window on the far right showing a dark blue night sky and purple curtains partially drawn. Through the window, three cats are visible sitting on the outside windowsill, peering in through the glass with curious expressions.

It is dark. Cats sit on the sill and look in the glass. They think the yard is the best place. They are wrong. I curl up snug on the bed by my kid. I like my home, and I like my pet kids. Nothing can change that.

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