Cursive

Handwriting
Introduction
& Practice

Zaner-B`loser S`tyle
7 Different Covers Systematic Introductions Meaningful Practice
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Included at the beginning of this file are book cover possibilities for your students. Both full color
and ink friendly versions are included.

This book can be printed all at once and stapled (will need a large capacity stapler), spiral bound,
or put in a three ring binder for your students. Alternatively, you can print the sheets out as your
students need them.

The book is divided into sections and grouped according to how each letter is formed. These
sections are distinguished with a unique border.

The booklet begins with lower case letters and includes practice on each page that is targeted to
the particular letter being learned, plus a cumulative practice. After each group of letters have
been learned, students are provided with a matching practice and a cumulative practice. I have
been mindful to have students practice common letter patters and difficult cursive patterns.

After students have learned the lower case letters, several pages of practice are provided.
Students will practice the third grade Dolche sight word list, plus selections from the Dolche
common noun list.

After the lower case letters are learned, students begin the upper case versions. After every
group of two upper case letters, students practice writing. I have tried to choose proper nouns
for most of this practice and academic words.

After all of the upper case letters have been learned, practice is provided in the form of days of
the week, months of the year, a passage taken from Aesop’s Fables, and The Tale of Peter Rabbit,
by Beatrix Potter. Please know that the Beatrix Potter story and artwork is now within public
domain as is the Aesop Fable.

In this new addition I have updated much of the artwork and tried to fix any lines that were a bit
off due to the cursive font used to create this resource. The new resource also contains The Tale
of Peter Rabbit which the earlier one did not. I hope this updated version continues to serve you
and your students well!
 Cursive
Handwriting
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 Cursive
Handwriting
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 Cursive
Handwriting
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 Cursive
Handwriting
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 Cursive
Handwriting
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 Cursive
Handwriting
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 Cursive
Handwriting
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 Cursive Handwriting
Introduction

_____
Top Line
STOP—Never write above this line!
Middle Line
Base Line
Drop Line
Or below this line!

Cursive letters can be group into four groups depending upon how the letters begin.
1. Helicopter letters: These letters all start on the base line, stop at the middle line,
(except t, which goes to the top line) and go down again. i, j, p, r, s, t, u, and w are
the helicopter letters.
i, `j, `p, `r, `s, `t, `u, `w
2. Loop Letters: Loop letters start at the base line and make a loop either at the
middle or top line. Loop letters are: e, l, h, b, f, k

`e, `l, `h, `b, `f, `k

3. Super C Letters. Super c letters all begin with the c and can be transformed into
the other letters. Super C letters are c, a, o, d, q , and g.
c, a, o, d, q, g
4. Roller Coaster Letters (or hump letters). All of these letters are formed by
making humps—like a roller coaster! The Roller Coaster letters are n, m, v, y, z, and x.
`n, `m, `v, `y, `z, `x
 Cursive Handwriting
Part 1: Helicopter Letters
These letter begin on the baseline, touch the middle line, (except t,
which goes halfway between the middle and top line) and scoop
down. When forming these letters you can think of the way a
helicopter moves. A helicopter takes off straight up into the air
and can make scoops and swoops as it flies.

i, r, s, t, u, w, j, p
 Color:
i=`i
I
Trace.

`i `i `i `i `i `i `i
Trace and write.

i` i` i` i` i`
`i `i `i `i `i
i` `i `i `i `i
 Color:
r=`r
R
Trace.
`r `r `r `r `r `r
Trace and write.
r` r` r` r` r`
`r `r `r `r `r
Practice Connecting. Trace and write.
`ir_ i` r_ _`ri_
`ri__ `ri_ i` r__
 Color:
s=`s
S
Trace.
`s `s `s `s `s
Trace and write.
s` `s `s `s `s
`s `s `s `s `s
Practice Connecting. Trace and write.

i` s_ `sr_ s` ir_
`rs__ `ri_ i` r__
 Color:
t=`t
T
Trace.
`t `t t` `t `t
Trace and write.
`t `t t` `t `t
`t `t `t `t `t
Practice Connecting. Trace and write.
i` t_ `st_ `stir _
`tr_ `st``r_ `it_
 Color:
u=`u
U
Trace.
`u `u u ` ` u
Trace and write.
`u `u u ` ` u
`u `u `u `u
Practice Connecting. Trace and write.
i` u_ `us_ u
` r_
`suit_ `ui_
 Color:
w=`w
W
Trace.
`w `w `w `w
Trace and write.
`w `w `w `w
`w `w `w `w
Practice Connecting. Trace and write.

i` w_ u` w_ w` r
`ws_ w ` i__`wt_
 Color:
j=`j
J
Trace.
`j `j `j `j `j
Trace and write.
`j `j `j `j
j`
`j `j `j `j _`j_
Practice Connecting. Trace and write.
i` j_ `jw_ j` r _
`ju_ j` ust ___
 Color:
p=`p
P
Trace.
`p__`p__`p p`
Trace and write.
`p__`p__p__p
`p `p p__`p
Practice Connecting. Trace and write.
`pw_ `put _ _
`ps_ `spit __ _
 Match Them!
Draw a line to match the print letter to its cursive mate.

i `w
r `s
s `j
t ` u
u `r
w `i
p `p
j `t
 Practice Connecting. Trace and write.

`tip_ `jut _ _
`pit `sir
`stir `rut
`wrist _
`wit `tur
`put `is
 Cursive Handwriting
Part 2: Loop Letters

These letter begin on the baseline and loop up

and around to the left. e loops at the middle
line, but l, h, b, f, and k all loop at the top line..

e l, h, b, f, k
 Color:

e=`e
E
Trace.

`e _`e _`e _`e _`e

Trace and write.
`e _`e _`e _`e _`e
`e _`e _`e _`e _`e
Practice Connecting. Trace and write.

`et _ `er_ _`re _

`were__ _ `ue__
 lL
Color:

l=`l
Trace.

l` _``l_``l_``l_``l_`l_
Trace and write.
`l_ `l _`l _`l _`l_
`l_ `l _`l _`l_ `l_
Connect and Write
`lip_ _ `sled
 h=`h hH
Color:

Trace.

h` _ `h_ `h_ `h`_

Trace and write.
`h_ `h _`h _`h
`h `h _`h _`h__
Connect and Write
`hl__ `hip _
Trace.
b=`b bB
Color:

`b `b `b `b` `b b`
Trace and write.

`b `b `b `b` `b b`
`b_ `b _`b _`b
Connect and Write

`br__ `blip _
 f=`f fF
Color:

Trace.

f_ `f_ `f_ f` _ `f
Trace and write.

`f _`f_ `f_ `f `f
`f_ `f _`f _`f _f_
Be Careful! Do not let your letters go above the top line or too far below the
line. You can do this!

`fr_ `feet
 k=`k k
Color:

Trace.

`k _`k_ `k_ `k
Trace and write.

`k_ `k _`k _`k

`k_ `k_ `k__`k _
`kh__ `kr_ kl
kip `kiss
 Match Them!
Draw a line to match the print letter to its cursive mate.

k `b
f `h
b `k
t e`
h `t
l `f
e `l
 Practice Connecting. Trace and write.

`list_ fish` _
`pet s` hell
`bell h` ush
`rush
`us `wish
`purr `wet
 Cursive Handwriting
Part 3: Super “C” Letters
In this part you will learn the cursive letters
that begin with the “Super C.”:

c, a, o, d, g, q

We begin SIX letters of the alphabet with

the letter “c!”
 Color:

c=c
C
Trace.
c_c_c_c_c_c_
Trace and write.
c_ c_ c_ c c
Practice Connecting. Trace first, then write on your own.
`ct__`wreck
`

`clue __clip
`

`crew _ `lick
`
 Color:

a=a
Trace.
A
a_a_a_a_a_ Trace and write.

a _a_ a a_
Practice Connecting. Trace first, then write on your own.

apple
`

`pack
`

`back `
 Color:

o=o
O
Trace.

o_ o_ o_ o _
Trace and write.
o _o_ o o__
Practice Connecting. Trace first, then write on your own.

`boat
` `of
`coat
`soap
 Color:

d=d
Trace.
D
d_ d_ d_ d _
Trace and write.
d _d_ d d__
Practice Connecting. Trace first, then write on your own.
dot _ deep
`

do _ due
down`
 Color:

g=g
Trace.
G
g_ g_ g_ g
Trace and write.
g _g_ g g_
Practice Connecting. Trace first, then write on your own.

got _ good
`

get _ goat
edge _
`~
 Color:

q=q
Q
Trace.
q q q q q q
Trace and write.
q _q_ q q__
Practice Connecting. Trace first, then write on your own.
quick _
`

quit _
quell _
`
 Match Them!
Draw a line to match the print letter to its cursive mate.

c g
a o
o d
d c
g q
q a
 Practice Connecting. Trace and write.

cast _
`shag
`shape
`wrap
`fast
guest
Cursive Handwriting
Part 4: Roller Coaster
Letters
All of these letters start on the baseline
and then form a hump like a roller coaster!

`n, `m, `v, `y, `z, `x

 n=`n
Color:

Trace.
N
`n n` `n `n `n `n
Trace and write.

`n _`n_ `n
Practice Connecting. Trace first, then write
on your own.
`nap _ an
`

gnat _
 m=`m
Color:

Trace. M
` `m `m `m `m
m
Trace and write.

`m _`m_ `m
Practice Connecting. Trace first, then write
on your own.
`` an
m _
`meat _
 v=`v
Color:

Trace.
V
`v v` `v `v `v v` `v
Trace and write.

`v _`v_ `v v`
Practice Connecting. Trace first, then write
on your own.
`v` est _
`verse _
 y=`y
Color:

Trace. Y
y` `y `y `y `y `y `y
Trace and write.
`y _`y_ `y `y
Practice Connecting. Trace first, then write
on your own.
`y` our _
`very _
 z=`z
Color:

Trace.
Z
z` `z `z `z `z z` `z
Trace and write.
`z _`z_ `z z`
Practice Connecting. Trace first, then write
on your own.
`z` ipper _
`zest _
 x=`x
Color:

Trace. X
x` `x `x `x `x x` `x
Trace and write.
`x _`x_ `x x`
Practice Connecting. Trace first, then write
on your own.
`` ext
n _
`mix _
 Match Them!
Draw a line to match the print letter to its cursive mate.

n `x
m v`
v z`
y ` m
x `y
z `n
Practice Connecting. Trace and write.

`quiz _
`guest
`near
`met
`scrap
 Practice Reading
and Writing in Cursive
1. Read the word and trace it.
apple
2. Write the word in print. 3. Write the word in cursive.
_____ _____
`baby
_____ _____
`bear
______ _____
`birthday
______ _____
`brother
______ _____
 Practice Reading
and Writing in Cursive
1. Read the word and trace it.
children
2. Write the word in print. 3. Write the word in cursive.
_____ _____
door
_____ _____
`farmer
______ _____
`flower
______ _____
`garden
______ _____
 Practice Reading
and Writing in Cursive
1. Read the word and trace it.
`horse
2. Write the word in print. 3. Write the word in cursive.
_____ _____
`house
_____ _____
`letter
______ _____
`money
______ _____
`morning
______ _____
 Practice Reading
and Writing in Cursive
1. Read the word and trace it.
` m
2. Write the word in print.
other
3. Write the word in cursive.
_____ _____
`night
_____ _____
`party
______ _____
`picture
______ _____
`snow
______ _____
 Practice Reading
and Writing in Cursive
1. Read the word and trace it.
`street
2. Write the word in print. 3. Write the word in cursive.
_____ ____
`table
_____ ____
`thing
______ _____
`watch
______ _____
`window
______ _____
 Practice Sight Words
Read. Trace. Copy.

about _____
`better _____
`bring _____
carry _____
clean _ ____
cut _ ____
done _ ____
draw _ ____
drink __ ___
 Practice Sight Words
Read. Trace. Copy.

`eight ____
`fall ____
`far ____
`full ____
got __ ___
grow ___ __
`hold ___ __
`hot __ ___
`hurt ___ __
 Practice Sight Words
Read. Trace. Copy.

`if ____
`keep ____
`kind ____
`laugh ____
`light __ ___
`long ___ __
`much __ ___
`myself ____ _
`never ____ _
 Practice Sight Words
Read. Trace. Copy.

only ____
own ____
`pick ____
`seven ____
`shall ___ __
`show ___ __
`six ____ _
`small ___ __
`start ___ __
 Practice Sight Words
Read. Trace. Copy.

`ten ____
`today ____
`together ____
`try ____
`warm __ ___
_____ ___ __
_____ ___ __
_____ __ ___
_____ __ ___
 More Practice
Read. Trace. Copy.

_____ _____
_____- _____
_____ _____
_____ _____
_____ __ ___
_____ __ ___
_____ __ ___
_____ __ ___
_____ __ ___
 Cursive Capital Letters

A_B_C_D_E_
F_G_H_I_J_K
L_M_N_O_P
Q_R_S_T_U
V_W_X_Y_Z
 Cursive Capital Letters
Capital letters are used at the beginning of a
sentence, at the beginning of proper nouns, in
titles, and abbreviations..

You will learn to write capital letters just like the

lowercase letters—using common starting points.

1. Super C letters are C, A, D, O, Q, and

E.
2. Roller Coaster letters are N, M, U, V, W,
Y, Z, K, H, and X.
3. Helicopter letters are B, P, and R,
4. Loop letters are L, S, G, I, and J.
5. Down and Scoop letters are F and T.
 Trace.

C=C C_C_C_C
Trace and write.

C_ C_C_ C
Cat Cot
Trace.

A=A A A_A A
Trace and write.

A_ A__A_ A
Ab All
Practice! Trace and write.
California ______
Carolina _____
Christmas _____
Christ _____
Crucifix _____
Alaska ______
Atlantic ______
Alabama ______
Antarctic ______
America ______
 Trace.
D=D D_D_D_
Trace and write.

D_ D__D_
D`r.__Dad__
Trace.
Q=Q Q Q_Q Q
Trace and write.

Q_ Q__Q_ Q
Quest Qu
Practice! Trace and write.
D`r. ______
Dallas _____
Dover _____
Delaware _____
Denver _____
Quebec ______
Q`uincy ______
Q`uality ______
Q`uench ______
Q`uiz ______
 Trace.

E=E E_E_E_E
Trace and write.

E_ E__E_ E
Ed__ East _
Trace.

O=O O O_O O
Trace and write.

O_ O__O_ O
Open Out
Practice! Trace and write.
East ______
Ecuador _____
Eleanor _____
Estonia _____
Element _____
October ______
O`hio ______
Octopus ______
O`liver ______
Odd ______
 Trace.

N=N N_N_N_N
Trace and write.

N_ N__N_ N
Net Next
Trace.

M=M M M_M M
Trace and write.

M_ M__M_ M
Mr. Mrs.
Practice! Trace and write.
North ______
November _____
Number _____
Nebraska _____
Nigeria _____
Montana ______
Monday ______
Month ______
Mississippi ______
Michigan ______
 Trace.

U=U U_U_U U
Trace and write.

U_ U__U_ U
Up Us
Trace.
V=V V V_V V
Trace and write.

V_ V__V_ V
V`ent___Vase_
Practice! Trace and write.
Utah ______
Under _____
United _____
Universe _____
Umbrella _____
V`iolin ______
V`estment ______
Valid ______
V`iolet ______
V`ictory ______
 Trace.

W=W W_W_W W
Trace and write.

W_ W__W_ W
Was W`ere___
Trace.
Y=Y Y Y_Y Y
Trace and write.

Y_ Y__Y_ Y
You Yes
 Practice! Trace and write.
Washington ______
World _____
W`ilbur _____
W`illiam _____
Walter _____
You ______
Yak ______
Yellow ______
Yangtze ______
York ______
 Trace.

Z=Z Z_Z_Z Z
Trace and write.

Z_ Z__Z_ Z
Z`est___Zoe
Trace.

K=K K K_K K
Trace and write.

K_ K__K_ K
Kit Kent
Practice! Trace and write.
Zebra ______
Zero _____
Zachary _____
Zen _____
Zeta _____
Kelvin ______
Kansas ______
Kentucky ______
Kilogram ______
King ______
 Trace.

H=H H_H_H H
Trace and write.

H_ H__H_ H
Ham His
Trace.

X=X X X_X X
Trace and write.

X_ X__X_ X
Xy___Xip___
Practice! Trace and write.
Hour ______
Harry _____
H`eight _____
H`ead _____
Hourly _____
Xylophone ______
X-`ray ______
X-axis ______
Xing ______
X, X, X ______
 Trace.

B=B B_B_B B
Trace and write.

B_ B__B_ B
B`ig___Bob
Trace.
P=P P P_P P
Trace and write.

P_ P__P_ P
Pat Pam
Practice! Trace and write.
B`rown ______
Boston _____
Baltimore _____
Body _____
B`illion _____
Pacific ______
Potomac ______
P`enny ______
P`redicate ______
P`resident ______
 Trace.

R=R R_R_R R
Trace and write.

R_ R__R_ R
Red ____
Roman____ _
Rochester____
Radius_____
 Trace.

L=L L_L_L L
Trace and write.

L_ L__L_ L
L`iz__L ate
Trace.

S=S S S_S S
Trace and write.

S_ S__S_ S
Sam Sal
Practice! Trace and write.
Louisiana ______
Latitude _____
Longitude _____
Lake _____
Liter _____
Saturday ______
Sunday ______
South ______
S`ix ______
S`econd ______
 Trace.

G=G G_G_G G
Trace and write.

G_ G__G_ G
Gab G`us_
Trace.

I=I I I_I I
Trace and write.

I_ I__I_ I
I`s I`t____
Practice! Trace and write.
G`erund ______
G`ermany _____
G`rand _____
G`ram _____
G`u
` lf _____
I`ndian ______
I`ndigo ______
I`sland ______
I`nterstate ______
I`ndependent ______
 Trace.

J=J J_J_J J
Trace and write.

J_ J__J_ J
Jay Jet
Trace.

F=F F F_F F
Trace and write.

F_ F__F_ F
F`red____
 Trace.

T=T T_T_T T
Trace and write.

T_ T__T_ T
T`ed___Tam
Congratulations!
You `have `learned
all `the `letters of `the
alphabet `in cursive!
Practice! Trace and write.
T`uesday ______
Third _____
T`bsp. _____
T`erritory _____
T`ertiary _____

Awesome
Work!
 Put it together! Sentence Work
Read the passage. Copy the Aesop Fable in the space provided.
The Lion and the Gnat
“Away `with `you, `vile
`insect!” `said a Lion angrily
to a G`nat `that `was `buzzing
around `his `head. But `the
G`nat `was `not `in `the `least L
disturbed.___________
________________
________________
________________
________________
________________
 The Lion and the Gnat (p.2)

“Do `you `think,” `he `said`

`spitefully `to `the Lion, “`that
I am afraid of `you `because
`they call `you `king?”____
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
 The Lion and the Gnat (p.3)

The `next `instant `he `flew

at `the Lion and `stung `him
`sharply on `the `nose. Mad
`with `rage, `the Lion `struck
`fiercely at `the G`nat,____
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
 The Lion and the Gnat (p.4)

`but only `succeeded in `tearing

`himself `with `his claws.
Again and again `the G`nat
`stung `the Lion, `who `now
`was `roaring `terribly.
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
 The Lion and the Gnat (p.5)

At `last, `worn out `with `rage

and covered `with `wounds
`that `his own `teeth and claws
had `made, `the Lion gave `up
`the `fight.___________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
 The Lion and the Gnat (p.6)

The G`nat `buzzed away `to

`tell `the `whole `world about `his
`victory, `but `instead `he `flew
`straight `into a `spider’`s `web.
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
 The Lion and the Gnat (p.7)

And `there, `he `who `had

defeated `the `king of `beasts
came `to a `miserable `end, `the
`prey of a `little `spider.
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
 The Lion and the Gnat (p.8)

The `moral of `this `story

`is: P`ride over a `success
`should `not `throw `us off our
guard.____________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
_______________
 The Days of the Week

S`unday _____
Monday _____
T`uesday _____
W`ednesday ______
T`hursday ______
F`riday ______
Saturday ______
The Months of `the Year
January _____
F`ebruary _____
March _____
April _____
May ______
June ______
July ______
August ______
S`eptember _____
The Months of `the Year
October _____
November _____
D`ecember _____
 O`nce `upon a `time `there `were
`four `little Rabbits, and `their
`names `were—F`lopsy, Mopsy,
Cotton-tail, and P`eter. They `lived
`with `their Mother `in a `sand-
`bank, `underneath `the `root of
a `very `big `fir-`tree.
'Now `my dears,' `said old
Mrs. Rabbit one `morning, ‘`you
`may go `into `the `fields or down
`the `lane, `but don't go `into Mr.
McGregor's garden: `your Father
`had an accident `there; `he `was
`put `in a `pie `by Mrs. McGregor.’
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 'Now `run along, and don‘`t
get `into `mischief. I am going
out.’
Then old Mrs. Rabbit `took
a `basket and `her `umbrella,
and `went `through `the
wood `to `the b` aker‘`s. She `bought
a `loaf of `brown `bread and `five
currant `buns.
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 F`lopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-
`tail, `who `were good `little `bunnies,
`went down `the `lane `to gather
`blackberries: B`ut P`eter, `who `was
`very `naughty, `ran `straight away
`to Mr. McGregor‘`s garden, and
`squeezed `under `the gate!
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 First `he ate `some `lettuces and
`some French `beans; and `then `he
ate `some `radishes; And `then,
`feeling `rather `sick, `he `went `to
`look `for `some `parsley. But `round
`the `end of a cucumber `frame,
`whom `should `he `meet `but Mr.
McGregor!
Mr. McGregor `was on `his
`hands and `knees `planting out
`young cabbages, `but `he `jumped `up
and `ran after P`eter, `waving
a `rake and calling out, 'Stop
`thief!‘
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 P`eter `was `most dreadfully
`frightened; `he `rushed all over `the
garden, `for `he `had `forgotten `the `
way `back `to `the gate. H`e `lost one
of `his `shoes among `the cabbages,
and `the other `shoe amongst `the
`potatoes. After `losing `them, `he
`ran on `four `legs and `went `faster,
`so `that I `think `he `might `have
got away altogether `if `he `had `not
`unfortunately `run `into a
gooseberry `net, and got caught `by
`the `large `buttons on `his `jacket. It
`was a `blue `jacket `with `brass
`buttons, quite new.
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 P`eter gave `himself `up `for
`lost, and `shed `big `tears; `but `his
`sobs `were overheard `by `some
`friendly `sparrows, `who `flew `to
`him `in great `excitement, and
`implored `him `to `exert `himself.
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 Mr. McGregor came `up `with
a `sieve, `which `he `intended `to p` op``
upon `the `top of P`eter; `but P`eter
`wriggled out `just `in `time, `leaving
`his `jacket `behind `him.

And `rushed `into `the `tool-`shed,

and `jumped `into a can. It
`would `have `been a `beautiful `thing
`to `hide `in, `if `it `had `not `had `so
`much `water `in it.
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 Mr. McGregor `was
quite `sure `that P`eter `was
`somewhere` in `the `tool-`shed,
`perhaps `hidden `underneath a
`flower-pot. He `began `to `turn
`them over carefully, `looking
`under `each.
Presently P`eter `sneezed—
'Kertyschoo!' Mr. McGregor `was
after `him `in `no `time.
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 And `tried `to `put `his `foot `up
on P`eter, `who `jumped out of a
`window, `upsetting `three `plants.
The `window `was `too `small `for
Mr. McGregor, and `he `was `tired
of `running after P`eter. He went
`back to `his `work.

P`eter `sat down `to `rest; `h `was

out of `breath and `trembling `with
`fright, and `he `had `not `the `least
`idea `which `way `to go. Also he
was `very damp `with `sitting `in
`that can.
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 After a `time `he `began `to
`wander about, going `lippity—
`lippity—`not `very `fast, and
`looking all `round. He `found a
door `in a `wall; `but `it `was
`locked, and `there `was `no `room
`f`or a `fat `little `rabbit `to `squeeze
`underneath.
An old mouse was `running
`in and out over `the `stone
doorstep, carrying `peas and `beans
`to `her `family `in `the `wood. Peter
asked `her `the `way `to `the gate, `but
`she `had `such a `large `pea `in `her
`mouth `that `she could `not answer.
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 S`he only `shook `her `head at
`him. P`eter `began `to cry.

Then `he `tried `to `find `his

`way `straight across `the garden,
`but `he `became `more and `more
`puzzled. P`resently, `he came `to a
`pond `where Mr. McGregor `filled
`his `water-cans. A `white cat `was
`staring at `some gold-`fish, `she `sat
`very, `very `still, `but `now and
`then `the `tip of `her `tail `twitched
as `if `it `were alive.
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P`eter `thought `it `best `to go away
`without `speaking `to `her; `he `had
`heard about cats `from `his cousin,
`little B`enjamin B`unny.
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 He `went `back `towards `the
`tool-`shed, `but `suddenly, quite
close `to `him, `he `heard `the `noise
of a `hoe—`scr-`r-`ritch, `scratch,
`scratch, `scritch. P`eter `scuttered
`underneath `the `bushes. B`ut
`presently, as `nothing `happened,
`he came out, and climbed `upon
a `wheelbarrow and `peeped over.
T`he `first `thing `he `saw `was Mr.
McGregor `hoeing onions.
His `back `was `turned `towards
P`eter, and `beyond `him `was `the
gate!
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 P`eter got down `very quietly
off `the `wheelbarrow; and `started
`running as `fast as `he could go,
along a `straight `walk `behind
`some `black-currant `bushes.
Mr. McGregor caught `sight of
`him at `the corner, `but P`eter did `
`not care. He `slipped `underneath
`the gate, and was `safe at `last `in
`the `wood outside `the garden.
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 Mr. McGregor `hung `up `the
`little `jacket and `the `shoes `for
a `scare crow `to `frighten `the
`blackbirds. P`eter `never `stopped
`running or `looked `behind `him
`till `he got `home `to `the `big `fir-`tree.
He `was `so `tired `that `he
`flopped down `upon `the `nice `soft
`sand on `the `floor of `the `rabbit-
`hole and `shut `his `eyes. His `mother
`was `busy cooking; `she `wondered
`what `he `had done `with `his
clothes. I`t `was `the `second `little
`jacket and `pair of `shoes `that P`eter
`had `lost `in a `fortnight!
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 I am `sorry `to `say `that
P`eter `was `not `very `well during
`the `evening.
His mother `put `him `to `bed,
and `made `some camomile `tea;
and `she gave a dose of `it `to P`eter!
'One `table-`spoonful `to `be `taken at
`bed-`time.'
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 B`ut F`lopsy, Mopsy, and
Cotton-`tail `had `bread and `milk
and `blackberries `for `supper.___
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