Grade 4 Comprehension 5

 Grade 4 Comprehension 5                              

                                   

Leaving Her Mark

     

Read the given passage and answer the questions that follow:

Wherever she goes, Molly leaves her mark. Without saying a word, she speaks to people with her kind eyes. Even when she walks away, she leaves an impression. Molly's mark is a smile, stamped into the ground by the horseshoe at the bottom of her false leg.

A few years ago Molly a pony was badly attacked by a dog. The dog bit all four of Molly's legs and left large gashes in her face. Molly's owner, Kaye Harris, took her to an animal hospital. Veterinarians there were able to save Molly's life, but soon one of her legs became very infected. The only way to save her life was to amputate, or remove, the infected leg.

At first, veterinarians thought Molly would have to be put to sleep. But Molly changed their minds. This pony doctors noticed shifted her weight, and rested her good leg from time to time. Doctors knew that Molly had amazing intelligence, and that she wanted to live.

Several veterinarians operated on Molly, and amputated her infected leg. A false leg, called prosthesis (pros-THEE-sis) was made for her. Molly's prosthesis was a hollow cast with a pole at the bottom for balance. Doctors gave Molly a special horseshoe at the bottom of her prosthesis. This horseshoe had a stamp of a smile face in it!

After the operation, Molly walked around on all four legs, as if nothing had ever happened to her! Now, with every step she takes, she stamps a smile in the dirt. But she leaves her mark in other ways, too.

Kaye Harris took Molly to the prosthesis center. There were children there who, like Molly, had artificial limbs. They were amazed to see a pony with a prosthetic leg. Molly made them smile and gave them hope.

Soon, Molly began to visit schools, nursing homes, army bases, and hospitals. A book was even written about Molly!

Molly has become a symbol of hope for people of all ages. Her story leaves a smile on people's faces, just as clearly as her horseshoe leaves a mark in the sand.