Family Tree Words

Little Thunder found a big drawing of a tree. Its branches had empty boxes.

"It's a family tree," said Suzy. "It shows who is in a family."

"Grandma and grandpa go at the top," said Spike. "Then mum and dad. Then brothers and sisters."

Madrid the cow wandered over. "In Spanish, grandma is abuela and grandpa is abuelo."

"What about mum and dad?" asked Little Thunder.

"Mamá and papá," said Madrid.

Paris the cow joined in. "In French, mum is maman, and a brother is frère."

Rome the cow smiled. "In Italian, a sister is sorella, and an aunt is zia."

Berlin the cow nodded. "In German, an uncle is Onkel, and a sister is Schwester."

Little Thunder filled in the boxes, one by one. "Grandma, grandpa, mum, dad, aunt, uncle!"

Then he looked at Spike and Suzy. "Can I put you on my tree too?"

"Of course," said Suzy. "Friends are family too."

Little Thunder drew two kelpies on the very best branch.