The crane lives by a lake, deep in the Punjabi forest. It would be very happy there if it wasn't for the other animals teasing it for being ugly, especially the mean peacock. Then a boy called Gagan accidentally starts a fire in the forest, and all the animals that can't fly are stuck. Maybe they'll realise that the crane is a really important animal after all....

The Unfortunate Crane: A Punjabi Tale is part of the Reading Planet Cosmos range of books from Hodder Education. Cosmos provides a vibrant collection of fiction and non-fiction books that will widen children's reading horizons. Reading Planet books have been carefully levelled to support children in becoming fluent and confident readers. Each book features useful notes and questions to support reading at home and develop comprehension skills.

Reading age: 7-8.