Once upon a time, deep within a dark and mysterious cave, there lived a brave spelunker named Sam. Sam loved exploring the hidden depths of the earth and discovering all the secrets it held.

One day, Sam decided to venture into a cave that was known for its amazing formations. As he made his way through the narrow passages, he couldn't believe his eyes. The walls of the cave were covered in beautiful draperies and there were towering columns all around.

As he explored further, Sam came across a truly remarkable sight. There were stalactites hanging from the ceiling and stalagmites rising from the ground, forming beautiful natural sculptures. Sam was so awestruck that he couldn't help but take a closer look.

As he reached out to touch one of the stalactites, the ground suddenly shook beneath his feet. Suddenly, the walls of the cave started to crumble and a loud rumble echoed through the chamber. Sam realized that the cave was collapsing!

He quickly ran towards the nearest exit, but it was blocked by a wall of rubble. With no other option, Sam remembered a secret passage that he had heard about - a lava tube.

With no time to waste, Sam made his way to the lava tube and began crawling through the tight space. As he progressed, he could feel the heat from the lava that had once flowed through the tube. But he didn't let it stop him. He kept crawling, determined to reach the other side and escape the collapsing cave.

Finally, after what felt like hours, Sam emerged from the lava tube into the bright light of day. He was safe and sound, but he never forgot the incredible adventure he had in the cave.

From that day on, Sam went on many more adventures and explored even more amazing caves, but he always remembered the stunning formations, stalactites and stalagmites, and the incredible escape through the lava tube.

Reflections

1. What was Sam's job and what did he like to do?
2. What did Sam see when he entered the cave?
3. What happened to the cave while Sam was exploring it?
4. What did Sam do when he realized the cave was collapsing?
5. How did Sam escape the cave?
6. What did Sam remember about his adventure in the cave?
7. Can you think of another way Sam could have escaped the collapsing cave?
8. Why do you think it was important for Sam to escape the cave as quickly as possible?
9. What can you learn from Sam's bravery and determination in this story?
10. If you were in Sam's shoes, what would you have done differently?