Cover of The Bike Chain That Came Loose

Casimir and Malia rode their bikes along the river trail. The sun was warm, and the path was empty that morning.

Halfway through the ride, Casimir's bike made a strange clicking sound. Then the pedals stopped turning. The chain hung loose by the back wheel.

"My chain came off," Casimir said. He got off his bike and looked down at it.

Malia stopped beside him. "Do you have a tool kit?" she asked.

"It's in my bag," Casimir said. He pulled out a small kit with a chain tool inside.

Malia held the bike steady. Casimir worked on the chain. He looped it back over the small gears and pulled it tight.

"There," he said. "That will fix it."

He turned the pedal slowly. The chain moved smoothly around the gears.

"Try it now," Malia said.

Casimir got back on the bike and pushed off. The chain held, and the wheels turned without a sound.

"It works," he said. "Thanks for waiting."

"That's what friends do," Malia said. She got back on her own bike.

They rode the rest of the trail together, side by side.

🧠 Check your understanding

  1. What breaks on Casimir's bike?

    Show answer

    Answer: The chain comes loose

    The pedals stop turning, and the chain hangs loose by the back wheel.

  2. What does Malia ask Casimir?

    Show answer

    Answer: If he has a tool kit

    Malia asks, "Do you have a tool kit?"

  3. How do they fix the chain?

    Show answer

    Answer: Casimir loops it back over the gears

    Casimir loops the chain back over the small gears and pulls it tight.

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