Liam has a dog named Ernest. He is a very good dog.
Ernest rarely barks. He never bites. He’s very wellbehaved, except that he loves chewing Liam’s 
shoes. 
Every day after school, Liam takes Ernest for a walk. 
“Time for a walk, Ernest,” 
Liam calls. Ernest wags his 
tail and runs over to Liam. 
Liam clips Ernest’s leash to 
his collar. 
Liam and Ernest live in an apartment building. Ernest 
does not like to ride in the elevator. Every day, Liam 
tries to get Ernest to go into the elevator. And every 
day, Ernest refuses to go inside.
apartment elevator salami
behaved favorite fear
Ernest whines, cries and pulls on the 
leash. He’s too scared to 
ride the elevator. 
Most of the time, Liam and Ernest 
take the stairs. Not today! Today, Liam 
decides to help Ernest conquer his fear.
First, Liam tries to lure Ernest into the 
elevator with his favorite dog toy. He 
takes Ernest’s stuffed monkey out of his 
doggie bed and puts it on the elevator floor. 
“Come on, Ernest!” he exclaims, holding the elevator 
door open. “Come get your toy.”
Ernest looks at the stuffed monkey. He looks at the 
elevator. Then he lies down and makes a soft whining 
noise. He won’t get in the elevator. 
Liam has another idea. He finds some salami in the 
fridge and puts it on the floor of the elevator. 
“Come get the salami, Ernest,” he says. 
Ernest looks at the salami. He looks at the elevator. 
He inches a little bit forward, then stops. Ernest still 
won’t get in the elevator.
Liam is about to give up. Will nothing help Ernest 
overcome his fear? 
Then, Liam has another idea. He takes off one of his 
shoes and tosses it inside the elevator.
“Ernest, go get the shoe!” Before Liam can even 
finish his sentence, Ernest jumps inside the elevator. 
He starts chewing on Liam’s shoe.
They get to the bottom floor. “You are so brave, 
Ernest,” Liam says. Ernest won’t let go of the shoe, 
but Liam doesn’t mind. He takes Ernest for a walk in 
one shoe and one sock.

Is "
Ernest’s favorite thing to 
chew is salami." True?