Oliver’s Bus Ride

Oliver usually goes to town in a car. Today he and Dad will take the bus to the library. “How will we know where to get off?” he asks.

Dad shows him a picture route. The bus will pass the school, the park and the clock tower. “The library stop is after the clock tower,” he says. Oliver traces the route.

They wait well back from the road. When the bus stops, Dad and Oliver let people get off first. Then they step aboard together and Dad pays for their journey.

The driver greets them. Dad and Oliver sit down before the bus moves. Oliver notices passengers with shopping bags, a walking stick and a folded pushchair. “People are going to different places,” he says.

Through the window, Oliver spots his school. Next comes the park. He checks the picture route with Dad. “We are getting closer to the clock tower!”

Soon the tower comes into view. Dad presses the stop button at the right time. They stay seated until the bus has stopped, then get off together onto the pavement.

The library is a short walk away. “The driver helped us get here,” says Oliver. “And the route helped me know where we were.” Dad nods. “Both were useful.”

After choosing their books, they look for the stop for their journey home. Oliver points to the route. “We will see our landmarks in a new order. Let us check before we go.”