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Glen and the Silver Bell

Comparing: -er and -est 2nd-3rd Phase 5
Glen and the Silver Bell
Glen and the Silver Bell, page 1
1Glen the deer was the smallest of his friends, and the youngest too. Max the elk was taller and much bigger. Ned the bear cub was faster. Glen wished he could be the best at something, just once. One cold morning, the three friends hiked up the hill to explore a cave.
Glen and the Silver Bell, page 2
2Max wore his silver bell on a string. It was a gift from his dad, and he loved it. Ned ran ahead and got there first. Max took the longest steps. Glen came last, as always. "I am always slower than you two," he said sadly.
Glen and the Silver Bell, page 3
3Inside, the cave was colder than the hill, and it got darker with each step. Then Max bumped his head on a low rock. The string snapped! His silver bell fell, bounced across the floor, and rolled into a narrow crack at the very back of the cave.
Glen and the Silver Bell, page 4
4"My bell!" cried Max. He tried to squeeze into the crack, but he was much too big. Ned tried next. He pushed his arm in as far as it would go. "I can feel nothing but rocks," said Ned. "I need a longer arm."
Glen and the Silver Bell, page 5
5They poked a long stick into the crack, but the bell had rolled too deep. Max sat down with his head low. Glen looked at the crack. It was the deepest, darkest part of the cave, and he felt a little afraid. But it was just his size. "Let me try," said Glen.
Glen and the Silver Bell, page 6
6"I am smaller than you two. I think I can fit." Glen got down on his knees and crawled in. The rocks were cold and damp on his back. It was so dark that he could not see his own nose. He crawled slowly, inch by inch, and felt along the ground.
Glen and the Silver Bell, page 7
7Then he heard a soft ring. There was the bell! Glen picked it up with his teeth and crawled back out, quicker than he went in. "You got it!" yelled Max. He gave Glen the biggest hug. "You are the kindest and bravest friend I have."
Glen and the Silver Bell, page 8
8"Max and I could never have done that," said Ned. Glen grinned all the way home. The sun felt warmer outside the cave. He was still the smallest, and now he was glad. That day, the smallest friend was the best one for the job.
Circle or highlight all the words with an -er or -est ending in the story above. How many did you find?

Comprehension Questions

After reading, ask these questions to check understanding:

  1. What kind of animal is Glen?
  2. Where did Max’s silver bell roll?
  3. How did Glen feel about being the smallest at the end?
Keep practicing
Practice Comparing: -er and -est with 10 more free worksheets

Word work sheets for this skill to build, split, sort and write, plus this story's word sort, phrasing cards and word search.

Get the Comparing: -er and -est worksheets →
Glen and the Silver Bell printed mini-book cover Download Mini-Book
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Read-aloud version (one page per sheet, for projecting)
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Reader Details

Phonics Skill Comparing: -er and -est
Grade Level 2nd-3rd
Phase Phase 5
Worksheets Comparing: -er and -est Worksheets

Target Words

bigger faster longer softer taller smaller quicker slower colder warmer biggest fastest

Sight Words

the a and to was is it she he they said have with you are of for her there one into what when out about

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About This Decodable Reader

“Glen and the Silver Bell” is a free printable decodable reader designed for 2nd-3rd students practicing comparing: -er and -est phonics patterns. This mini-book uses phonetically controlled vocabulary so beginning readers can successfully sound out nearly every word in the story, building confidence and reinforcing the specific phonics skills they're learning.

The free PDF is a full-color illustrated mini-book: a cover, eight picture pages with one or two lines of story text each, and a back page listing the comparing: -er and -est words, high-frequency words, and discussion questions. Print the five sheets, cut each one in half along the dashed line, and staple — your child has a real little book to hold. A read-aloud version with one large page per sheet is also included for projecting to the whole class.

This reader is part of our collection of free decodable readers organized by phonics skill and aligned with the Science of Reading. For additional practice with comparing: -er and -est patterns, try our comparing: -er and -est phonics worksheets which include word sorts, phrasing practice cards, and rapid naming charts.