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KIRSTEN MCDONALD

Carlos and Carmen: The Wobbly Wheels

 

Summary:  Carlos and Carmen aren't sure that they're ready to take the training wheels off their bikes, but Dad is all set to help and Mom's got a new box of bandaids.  In the end, the twins reassure each other and buckle on their bike helmets.  And that's when the wheels start to wobble and the twins discover who can really ride a bike.   

 

Word Count:  1000 words

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Chapter One: Leaves and Wheels

 

One warm Saturday morning, Mamá and Papá were raking leaves.  Carlos and Carmen were pouncing in the leaf piles, and Spooky was catching the leaves that fluttered down from the trees.

           

Papá leaned on his rake.  He looked at the twins and said, “If you help with the leaves, I’ll help you gemelos to learn to ride your bikes.”

           

“But we already know how,” said Carlos.

           

“We can go really fast,” added Carmen kicking leaves into the air.

           

“Sí, but can you ride with just two wheels?” asked Papá.

           

“Not two wheels already!” said Mamá with alarm. 

           

“Oh, Mamá,” said Carmen.  “We’ll be fine.  Right, Carlos?”

           

“Yo no sé,” said Carlos slowly reaching down to rub Spooky.

          

 “You can show us first, right Papá?” asked Carmen.

           

Papá scrunched up his nose and said, “Not today.”

 

Mamá rolled her eyes.  She leaned her rake against a tree and said, “Let me go get the curitas.”

 

 

 

Chapter Two: Getting Ready

 

Chapter Three: Wobbling

 

Chapter Four: On Two Wheels