people biographies · Ages 6-8

Jane Goodall Waited Until the Chimpanzees Came Close

Jane Goodall learned about chimpanzees by watching patiently, and showed the world that animals have feelings, tools, and families.

The whole story

1. At sunrise, Jane Goodall crouched beside a forest path. She held her notebook very still. Somewhere nearby, chimpanzees were waking up.

2. The chimpanzees stayed far away. Jane did not chase them. She sat beneath a tree and waited.

3. One day, a curious chimpanzee peeked through the ferns. Jane kept her hands in her lap. The chimpanzee took one tiny step closer.

4. Jane saw something surprising. The chimpanzee bent a blade of grass and pushed it into a termite mound. Then it pulled the grass out and tasted the termites.

5. Jane wrote down every detail. She watched chimpanzees groom one another, share food, and comfort their young. Their days were full of feeling.

6. She discovered that chimpanzees used tools. They also had close families, strong friendships, and memories of their own.

7. Jane sent her careful notes to other scientists. At first, some people were surprised. They had not expected animals to use tools or care so deeply.

8. Jane kept watching. Because she waited, the chimpanzees came close enough to show her who they were.

9. Jane Goodall learned about chimpanzees by watching patiently. She showed the world that animals have feelings, tools, and families.

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