A donkey named Sylvester discovers a magical red pebble that grants his wishes. However, when he wishes to become a rock to escape a hungry lion, he becomes trapped in his new form. As time passes, Sylvester's family and friends search for him, but he remains stuck as a rock. Eventually, his parents, who have been grieving his disappearance, have a picnic on the same spot where Sylvester has been stuck. The mother, feeling a strange connection to the rock, expresses her desire for Sylvester to be with them. When the father wishes for Sylvester to be himself again, the magic pebble, which has been found nearby, is activated, and Sylvester transforms back into his true self. The family is reunited, and they realize that true happiness comes from being together, not from making wishes.
Here are the key facts from the text:
1. Reed Scott is reading the book "Sylvester and the Magic Pebble" written and illustrated by William Steig.
2. Sylvester Duncan lives with his mother and father at Acorn Road in Oatesdale.
3. Sylvester's hobby is collecting pebbles of unusual shape and color.
4. On a rainy Saturday, Sylvester finds a flaming red, shiny, and perfectly round pebble.
5. When holding the pebble and making a wish, the rain stops, and the sun comes out.
6. Sylvester tests the pebble's magic by making another wish, and it works again.
7. Sylvester wishes for a wart on his left hind foot to disappear, and it does.
8. While crossing Strawberry Hill, Sylvester encounters a hungry lion and is frightened.
9. Panicked, Sylvester wishes he was a rock, and he becomes one.
10. The lion cannot recognize Sylvester as a donkey and leaves him alone.
11. Sylvester is stuck as a rock and cannot move or talk.
12. Sylvester's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Duncan, search for him but cannot find him.
13. The Duncans conclude that something dreadful must have happened to Sylvester.
14. A month later, Mr. and Mrs. Duncan go on a picnic to Strawberry Hill.
15. Mrs. Duncan sits on the rock that is Sylvester, and he is awakened from his deep sleep.
16. Mr. Duncan finds the red pebble and puts it on the rock.
17. Mrs. Duncan says she wishes Sylvester were with them, and suddenly Sylvester is transformed back into a donkey.
18. The Duncans are overjoyed to be reunited with Sylvester.
19. Mr. Duncan puts the magic pebble in an iron safe.
20. The Duncans realize they have everything they want and don't need to use the pebble's magic again.