Setting Out on the Moana
The boat Moana gently rocked in the harbor. It had terracotta sails and an old wooden deck, making it look different from the modern yachts nearby. Kara ran down the steps, calling out for her father to wait. The boat was drifting toward the narrow opening in the harbor, but her father quickly turned the boat back by moving the tiller. Kara grabbed the rope and shouted, “Take me with you!”
Her father asked, “Aren’t you supposed to be at school?”
“I can’t go today,” Kara replied. “Not today.”
Kara wanted to ask him if Moana was really going to be sold, but she didn’t. It felt better not to know for sure. Her father looked at her and said, “Get in.”
Kara climbed aboard, put on her life jacket, and they sailed out of the harbor, moving past the town and toward the open sea.
The Sail and the Memories
Once they were out in the bay, the sea got rougher, and the wind pushed them forward. They sailed past the school, Aunt Bev’s house, and other boats. Kara sat next to her father, but he looked far away, like he was thinking about something else.
It started to get cold, so Kara took out a blanket from the locker. It was old but smelled like the sea. She wrapped herself in it and remembered her mother, who used to paint dolphins on the boat’s hull. Kara couldn’t quite remember the dolphins anymore, but the memory of her mother felt close.
The Lobster Pot and the Truth
When Kara woke up, they were in a quiet cove where her father kept the lobster pots. He was pulling one up from the water, and inside was a big lobster with eggs on its belly.
Her father decided to put the lobster back in the marine reserve. Kara talked about Jake’s dad, Dougie, who might dredge the reserve when the ban was over. Her father looked upset. “Stay away from Jake,” he warned.
Kara then asked again, “Is Moana going to be sold?”
At first, her father didn’t answer. He threw the pot back into the water, but Kara asked again. Finally, her father said, “Yes. We owe money, and we can’t afford the mooring fees anymore.”
Kara asked about her mother. Her father’s voice became quiet as he said, “It’s been a year since your mum passed away today.”
Kara shook her head. “Mum would never sell Moana. She’ll come back,” she said, hoping.
Her father looked at her with sad eyes. “There are no signs, Kara,” he said gently. “Mum is never coming back.”
Multiple Choice Questions and Answers
- What feature makes the boat Moana stand out from the modern yachts?
A. Its powerful engine and speed
B. Its molded whiteness and large size
C. Its terracotta sails and open wooden deck
D. Its metal hull and sleek design - Why does the narrator initially avoid asking Dad if he is selling Moana?
A. They forgot the question on the way.
B. They don’t want to upset Dad on his birthday.
C. Not knowing leaves a “small space inside for hope.”
D. Dad told them to be quiet before they could ask. - What does the narrator remember Mum drawing on the hull of Moana?
A. Starfish and seashells
B. Pencil drawings of leaping dolphins
C. Their names in flowing script
D. A picture of the harbor and headland - What is the specific reason Dad gives for having to sell Moana?
A. He wants a new, faster boat.
B. He needs to pay off money owed and cannot afford the mooring fee.
C. The boat is too old to be safe for sailing.
D. He is moving to a new city far from the sea. - What significant, painful anniversary is today, according to Dad?
A. The day Moana was completed.
B. The anniversary of Mum’s disappearance one year ago.
C. The narrator’s first day of high school.
D. The day Dad started his fishing business.