This book is dedicated to my friends and
family who have supported me and helped
me through everything I have tried to do.

Lucas Pfeiffer

Gobi the water droplet lived with his family in a
cloud. Every day Gobi went to the cloud next door to play with his friend Aguat. One day the cloud Gobi lived in started to rain above the Colorado River.

Aguat’s cloud rained, too!

“Hooray!” Gobi called out to his friend.
“This is a lot of fun!”

“This is scary!”
Aguat cried as they fell toward the river.
Plop!
Gobi and Aguat fell into the Colorado River.

“This is so exciting!” Gobi shrieked.

“Yes it is,” Aguat agreed.
“I’ve always wanted to float down a river!
Do you think we will be used by people?”

“Oh yes,” Gobi replied.
“I hope our families get to live together in a
fish bowl in California!”

Gobi was so excited because he knew the Colorado River
was where people in California got their water.
The two friends continued to float down the river.
Before Gobi and Aguat knew it they were in a water tank.

Suddenly Gobi was sucked down a tube. He was in a vase with
flowers. But where was Aguat? Gobi looked around but
he didn’t see his friend. Where could he be? Gobi saw a
fish bowl right next to the vase.

Could Aguat be there?

Gobi hopped over to the fish bowl, but Aguat
wasn’t there. The only thing he saw was a small fish.

“Hello,” the fish said.

“Hi, what’s your name?” Gobi asked.

“Bubbles is my name,” the fish said.
“Did I hear you say that you are looking
for your friend?”

“Yes,” replied Gobi.

“Do you know where he might be?”

The fish looked scared and said, “He might have been wasted
by the Water Waster!

He is an evil kid who wastes water and uses too much water on
his grass. If only he used less water and got California Friendly
plants then he could save more than 50% of his water!”

Gobi looked out the window and saw the Water Waster.

He was drowning his grass because he was using so much water!
Gobi saw Aguat fall out of his hose.

Oh no! His best friend was being wasted!
Gobi leaped out of the window to help Aguat.
Could he make it?
Yes! He made it!

He was about to save Aguat when the Water Waster saw him
and yelled,

“What Are You Doing?!”

Gobi was very scared but he explained to the boy,
“I’m saving my friend because you are wasting
him and other droplets on your grass!”

The Water Waster started to look sad.
“I was just trying to help my grass grow,” he said.

“But you are drowning your grass and wasting
water like Aguat and me,” Gobi cried.

The Water Waster started to cry. He was very sad.
“I am sorry,” he wailed, “I was just trying to help my
grass. I did not mean to waste so much water.”

“It’s okay,” Gobi said. “You didn’t mean to waste water. Will you promise to never, ever, ever do it again?”

“Okay, said the Water Waster. “I promise!”

From then on Gobi, Aguat, and their families
lived in the fish bowl with Bubbles, and they
all lived happily ever after.

Acknowledgements

Eastern Municipal Water District wishes to thank the following
students, teachers, graphic designer, and advisory committee for their
collaboration and contributions in the development of this book.

Working from a vision set by the Eastern Municipal Water District
Education team, the advisory committee formed a partnership to
bring this vision to fruition.

AUTHOR
Lucas Pfeiffer

ILLUSTRATOR
Kayleigh Frederick

MENTOR ADVISORS
Dannette Craft and Judy Stickel
Margarita Middle School Teachers
TEMECULA VALLEY UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Malea Ortloff
Education Specialist
EASTERN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT

Charlotte Golden
Principal Water Education Specialist
THE METROPOLITAN WATER DISTRICT OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA

Meggan Reed
Public Information Officer
RANCHO CALIFORNIA WATER DISTRICT

Teresa Barnett
First Grade Teacher at San Jacinto Elementary School
SAN JACINTO UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT

Ailene Earl
Education Assistant
EASTERN MUNICIPAL WATER DISTRICT

BOOK DESIGN
Lisa Sarkees
SUDIO L

Copyright pending. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may
be reproduced or quoted in whole or in part by mimeograph or any
other printed or electronic means, or stored in a retrieval system, or
transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical,
photocopying, recording, or otherwise, or for presentation on radio,
television, videotape or film without written permission from Eastern
Municipal Water District.

This book is intended for educational, artistic, and water conservation
purposes. Permission is never granted for commercial purposes.

Hi, my name is Lucas Pfeiffer

I’m a 6th grade student at Margarita Middle School. I live with
my sister, mom, and dad. My favorite thing to do is to play
hockey with my dad. I have always loved to write stories.
Writing is a creative way to express myself.

Hi! I’m Kayleigh Frederick

I’m a 6th grader at Margarita Middle School and the Illustrator of
Gobi’s Adventure. I have an awesome family of six. In my spare
time, I sit in my room and draw “made-up” characters. I enjoy
drawing portraits of my best friend and my dog. My hobbies are
soccer, singing, acting, drawing, and hanging out with my friends.
I love drawing! Thank you!

Dannette Craft and Judy Stickel are both 6th grade language arts teachers
at Margarita Middle School in the Temecula Valley Unified School District. Mrs. Stickel
has been teaching since 1986 and has a Master’s Degree in Educational Administration.
Ms. Craft has been teaching for 16 years and has a Master’s Degree in Educational Technology.

Both teachers have worked closely together to improve students’ reading and writing skills
through a variety of activities. All students are encouraged to explore different writing
opportunities such as Reflections and other writing competitions throughout the area.