welcome to the delightful world of reading

Approved by Government of Nepal, Ministry of Education, Curriculum Development Centre, Sanothimi, Bhaktapur

Young Learners'

5Welcome to the delightful

world of reading

A Multi-genre reading course in EnglishDELIGHTSDELIGHTS

Preface

Young Learners’ Delights is a revised multi-genre reading series of English literature for students of grade one to eight. The series includes poetry, comics, short stories, essays, fairy tales, legends, folk tales, myths, biographies, extracts from classics, letters and speech—a careful selection from the world of authentic children’s literature, including translations from Nepali literature. Each selection has been made with care, and has been abridged or simplified to suit the appropriate language level of our students.

This revised series is a rich treasure trove of literature which aims at stimulating the child’s imagination and emotions, enhancing English language proficiency through the development of communication skills, revising grammar, improving pronunciation and spelling at the earlier books, introducing literary terms at the later books, testing factual comprehension, enriching vocabulary, developing creativity, critical thinking and analytical skills.

The texts have been grouped according to genres for the child’s convenience. The main focus of this unique series is to inculcate in our students the habit of reading extensively, enjoying literature and becoming a lifelong reader. A wide range of exercises, the introduction, biographical notes in the later books, the new attractive cover and layout with lively illustrations enhance the appeal of the book.

It is sincerely hoped that this revised edition of the series will cater to the needs of both teachers and students in the years to come. Many thanks to Kantipur Education Development Council (KEDC) and those who have assisted me in producing the book in this present shape. Any constructive feedback and suggestions for the improvement of the book will be gratefully acknowledged.

Amar Bahadur Sherma

POETRY

1. In the Farm 2

2. Jyamire, My Village 7

3. Make me an instrument of your peace 11

4. Homework, I Love You 15

5. My Dear Motherland 20

6. Ding dong! Ding dong! 24

7. Remembering Saraswati 28

8. My Doggy Ate My Essay 32

9. The Letter 36

10. A True Friend 40

FABLES AND FOLKTALES

11. How the Animals Kept the Lions Away 47

12. The Hunter and the Tiger 53

13. Justice in the Jungle 58

14. Desire 64

15. The Straw, The Coal and The Bean 70

FAIRY TALES

16. Princess Rose and the Golden Bird 76

17. The Lion, the Hyena, and the Rabbit 83

18. SNOW BLACK 90

ContentsSHORT STORIES

19. The Royal Barber 99

20. The New Assistant 105

21. The Little Match Girl 112

22. The Soldier (Sipahi) 117

MYSTERY23. Mystery of the Broken Pie 126

MYTHS AND LEGENDS24. Why Snakes are Wor-

shipped 136

25. Humpty Dumpty and the Fall of Colchester 141

NON-FICTION

26. A Letter to Roald Dahl 148

BIOGRAPHY

27. The Unstoppable Player 154

28. Nepal’s Mamu 159

HISTORY

29. History of English in Nepal 166

PLAY

30. A Dog’s Life 172

31. Matilda 181

COMICS

32. Sentence (Fragments-I Your Vs You’re-II) 194

Young Learners' Delights Book 5 1

POETRY

Poems are usually written in short lines, using words that rhyme. They are like songs and can be about anything. Someone who writes poems is called a poet.

While reading a poem, you should know the following elements of poetry that are included in this book.

1Young Learners' Delights Book- 5

Persona: A persona is a speaker in a poem who directly speaks to the reader. S/he may not be the poet. S/he is just like a narrator in any story.

Stanza: A stanza is a group of lines of a poem like a paragraph. There can be two, three, four or any number of lines. For example, in ‘In the Farm’, there are four lines in each stanza.

Rhyme: In some poems, the last two words may have similar sounds. That makes the poem sound musical. For example, in ‘In the Farm’, the poet uses ‘moo’ and ‘too’ / ‘bleat’ and ‘meat’ in the first

Onomatopoeia: Onomatopoeia is the use of word which have sounds that suggest someone or something. For example, in ‘In the Farm’, ‘moo’ suggests animals like horses, cows, etc.

2 Young Learners' Delights Book 5

1. In the Farm2. Jyamire, My Village3. Make me an instrument of your peace4. Homework, I Love You 5. My Dear Motherland 6. Ding dong! Ding dong!7. Remembering Saraswati8. My Doggy Ate My Essay9. The Letter 10. A True Friend


1. In the Farm

fish-hook: a sharp metal tool to trap fish

brook: a small river

cow dung: animal waste

Horses, donkeys, and cows moo.I wish I were with them too. Those sheep, goats and calves bleat,

But people raise them for their meat.

This poem shows that there are different types of domestic animals in the farm. They make different types of sounds. The poet wishes to be among these animals and enjoy himself. Now read the poem and list out the animals he finds there and why they are being raised.

Amar Bahadur Sherma

These pigs go ‘oink’, ‘oink’ and ducklings go ‘quack’, ‘quack’. Most of the buffaloes and oxen are ‘black, black’. There are some fish that swim and bite a fish-hookWere brought from nowhere but a brook.

Cocks crow all day long.Crops grow with this cow dung.All these animals you can seeWhen you go to the farm with me.


ASSIGNMENTS

A. Answer the following:

1. Name any three animals that moo.2. Name any three animals that bleat. 3. What were brought from a brook?4. What is cow dung used for?5. How many stanzas are there in the poem?

B. Write a rhyming word of the following:

1. too ___________________2. brook ___________________3. cow dung ___________________4. quack ___________________5. me ___________________

C. Enact now.

Make one of the students dress like a farmer and stand with an agricultural tool like spade, sickle, etc. And, a group of students will pretend to be a team of visitors from a school. They will ask the farmer a few questions like: What do you raise? What do you grow? What is the use of cow dung? What do your cattle eat most?

D. Reference to context.

Read these lines from the poem, then answer the following questions. I wish I were with them too. Those sheep, goats and calves bleat,

a. Which poem are these lines from?b. Who does ‘I’ refer to in the poem?


c. Who does ‘them’ refer to?d. Pick the word that is an example of onomatopoeia. e. Name the poet of this poem.

E. Match the following animals with the sounds they make.

cows

sheep

pigs

ducklings

cocks

A B

crow

quack

moo

bleat

oink

F. Have you seen these animals before? Write their names below the pictures.

1. _________________

2. _________________

3. ________________


G. Underline prepositions in the following:

1. I wish I were with them too. 2. But people raise them for their meat. 3. Most of the buffaloes and oxen are ‘black, black’. 4. Crops grow with this cow dung.

H. Write the word for the following definitions: Words Definitions

a young cow; a young animal of certain speciesanimal waste, especially when used as manurean area of land for growing crops and keeping animalsto breed farm animals; to grow cropsa small stream

I. Discuss and write.

1. Why do farmers raise animals in the farm? Is it easy to be a farmer? Why or Why not?

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

___________________________________________________

2. What THREE things do you like most about the farm in the poem? Write down.

1. _________________________________________________________

2. _________________________________________________________

3. _________________________________________________________


2. Jyamire, My Village

folks: common people learned: knowledgeable barn: a place where grains are kept void: without anythingpersists: continues to exist

In this poem, a boy who is called ‘gore’ shares his heart-touching story. Everyone goes to school for their bright future but ‘gore’ doesn’t. Where does he go?

Translation of a Nepali folksong

Jyamire is my village, and I am the son of Jamuni,Folks here call me ‘kale’, but I’m not. I’m ‘gore’. School it is, that everyone goes,

For learned they have become; Except, still in the barn I’m, my lips are void of smile.Why, oh why this pain in my heart persists?Words are cheap, people talk big, and Jyamire this is.


ASSIGNMENTS

A. Answer the following.

1. Who is the persona of the poem? 2. Which question do most of the people ask him?

“Why aren’t you in school?” does everyone question.For answers are but devoid. Neither pen nor a paper in my hands,This nobody just understands.

My little school, this barn it is,where letters are made of dung,Difficult it is to read and write,let alone to comprehend.

My village is Jyamire, and I am the son of Jamuni.

comprehend: to understand


3. The persona of the poem says ‘this pain in my heart persists’. What is his pain?

4. What are letters made of in the persona’s school?5. Who is the persona’s mom?

B. Explain the following sentences in your own words.

1. My lips are void of smile. 2. Words are cheap and people talk big.3. Letters are made of dung.4. This barn is my little school.

C. Find the antonyms of the following words from the poem above.

1. town 2. expensive 3. small 4. reply 5. easy 6. full

D. Write whether the following statements are true or false.

1. Jyamire is a city.2. The persona is the son of Jamun.3. The persona does not go to school.4. The persona’s school is his own barn.5. The persona is from Jyamire.

E. ACTIVITY

The teacher should get his or her students to write a few sentences about the village they have visited.

F. Reference to context.

My little school, this barn it is,where letters are made of dung, 1. Who does ‘My’ refer to?


2. What is ‘this barn’ compared to?3. What are letters made of?4. Is the speaker a student? How can you say so? 5. Pick out the preposition from the lines.

G. Think out of the box.

Why do you think ‘gore’ does not go to school? Is he happy working in his barn? How can you say so?

H. Discuss and write.

Why is it important to go to school to get education?

I. Find the word from the poem for the following meanings.

1. A small town in the countryside ___________________2. A place where someone goes to learn ___________________3. A person who has a lot of knowledge ___________________4. An important organ of the body ___________________


3. Make me an instrument of your peace

pardon: excuse; forgive despair: hopelessness

This poem is a prayer. This poem asks for the responsibility of planting seeds of what is most needed in the world—love, pardon, faith, hope, light and joy. It encourages us to replace the forces of negativity with the spirit of goodwill.

Make me an instrument of your peace.Where there is hatred let me sow love,Where there is injury let me sow pardon,

Where there is doubt, faith,Where there is despair, hope,Where there is darkness, light,And where there is sadness, joy.

Kent Nerburn


consoled: comforted frail: very weak eternal: never ending

ASSIGNMENTS

A. Answer the following questions.

1. How can one become the instrument of peace according to the poem?

2. What does he mean by ‘make me an instrument of peace?’3. Who is the poet referring to as the ‘Divine Master’? 4. What message is this poem trying to convey to its readers? 5. Give at least THREE forces of negativity mentioned in the

poem.

B. Make sensible sentences using the following words.

1. console: ______________________________________________2. seek: _________________________________________________

O Divine Master,Grant that I may not seek so much to be consoledAs to console,To be understood as to understand,To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,It is in forgiving that we are forgiven,And it is in dying for the frail that we are born to eternal life.


C. Study the following situations carefully and write the following forces of goodwill in the right box.

pardon love peace faith hope joy light

Situations Forces of goodwillRadha and Sunita haven’t talked to each other for two years due to some misunderstanding. Dinesh is frustrated with his life. He believes that he is not going to make progress in his life.Two countries have started a meaningless war in the name of power. Padam is extremely upset. Harka’s lives with his step-mother. So, he is scared of her.

D. The following words are misspelt. Correct them.

1. enstrument __________________________ 2. injuri __________________________3. hetred __________________________4. consoul __________________________5. recive __________________________6. etarnal __________________________

E. Reference to context.

Make me an instrument of your peace.Where there is hatred let me sow love,Where there is injury let me sow pardon,1. Who does ‘me’ refer to in the lines?2. What does ‘where’ refer to in the lines?


3. Pick out the opposites of ‘love’ and ‘injury’. 4. Which word is repeated the maximum time in the lines? 5. Pick out the preposition from the lines.

F. Find the synonyms of the following words from the poem.

1. disgust _______________________2. suspicion _______________________3. optimism _______________________4. blackness _______________________5. happiness _______________________

G. Discuss and write.

Why is peace and harmony important for human beings to live in a society?

H. Think creatively.

If you were to shorten the title of the poem or if you were to write a two-word title, what would be your title of this poem?


4. Homework, I Love You

cramming: studying a lot just before an exam boggle: to confuse

In the poem, the speaker is a student who expresses his or her feeling towards homework. The speaker gives very convincing and satisfying reasons why homework is important and how homework has impacted him or her.

Homework, I love you. I think that you’re great.It’s wonderful fun when you keep me up late.I think you’re the best when I’m totally stressed,

preparing and cramming all night for a test.

Homework, I love you. What more can I say?I love to do hundreds of problems each day.You boggle my mind and you make me go blind,but still I’m overjoyed that you were assigned.

Kenn Nisbitt [Adapted]


ASSIGNMENTS


1. Does the persona love doing homework? How can you say so? 2. Why does the persona get stressed? 3. How does homework make the persona go blind? 4. What does the persona wish more? 5. What does the persona not want to complain about?

B. From the poem, write a rhyming word of the following:

1. bet ____________

Homework, I love you. I tell you, it’s true.There’s nothing more fun or exciting to do.You’re never a chore, for it’s you I adore.I wish that our teacher would hand you out more.

Homework, I love you. You thrill me inside.I’m filled with emotions. I’m fit to be tied.

I cannot complain when you frazzle my brain. Of course, that’s because I’m completely insane.

chore: a boring job frazzle: to stress


2. vest ____________

3. hay ____________

4. remind ____________

5. plane ____________

C. Enact now.

Make one of the students play the role of Homework and make the other play the role of Student. Student will express his or her feelings towards Homework. Feelings could be both positive and negative. Some examples can be as follows: Homework, I love you because you keep me working all the time. Homework, I hate you because you don’t give us a free time for playing.


Read these lines from the poem, then answer the following questions.

Homework, I love you. I tell you, it’s true.

There’s nothing more fun or exciting to do.

You’re never a chore, for it’s you I adore.

a. Which poem are these lines from?

b. Who does ‘I’ refer to in the poem?

c. Who does ‘you’ refer to?

d. Pick a pair of rhyming words from the stanza.

d. Pick the synonym of the word ‘love’ from the stanza.

e. There are two adjectives in the stanza. What are they?

E. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words from the poem.

1. Homework is the best for the speaker when he or she is ………


2. The speaker would love to do …………………………… problems each day.

3. For the speaker nothing is more ………………… and …………. than homework.

4. Homework is never a …………………… for the speaker.

5. The speaker is filled with ………………………………….

F. Underline the action verbs in the following:

1. Homework, I love you. It’s true.

2. There is nothing more fun or exciting to do.

3. You are never a chore because I adore you.

4. Our teacher would hand you out more.

5. You thrill me inside.

G. Do creative work!

Compose a poem of your own on the topic of ‘Homework, You are My Friend.’ Then, get your poem checked by your teacher, and share it with the class.

H. Write the word for the following definitions:

Words Definitions

make someone feel excited and happy

feelings

given a particular responsibility

worried and not able to relax

seriously mentally ill


I. Discuss and write.

1. Write down at least FIVE reasons why the poet loves doing homework.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2. Think of at least THREE disadvantages of homework. Write down. 1. ______________________________________________________2. ______________________________________________________3. ______________________________________________________


5. My Dear Motherland

crest: top; summit quest:seek; search for something

In the poem, the speaker glorifies his country of birth by talking about different, unique features such as temples, land, peaks, culture, unity in diversity, etc.

My dear motherlandFamous for temple land!We have upland

Famous for snow land.

We have Mt. EverestFamous for its crestIt is that crestThat makes us quest.

We are warm peopleFamous for warm-land We are peace-loving peopleFamous for peaceful land!

We live in the land of varietiesBut we do have similaritiesWe are famous for our unityAnd we have hearts full of purity.

Niranjan Bajracharya


ASSIGNMENTS


1. What is the upland famous for? 2. What makes the poet and his country fellows quest? 3. What type of people are the poet and his country fellows? 4. What is Mt. Everest famous for?5. The poet lives in the land of varieties. Is there any violence or

war due to varieties? Why?

B. Make new sentences, using the following words from the poem:

crest: __________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

quest: _________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

varieties: ______________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

purity: ________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________

C. Underline the nouns in the following sentences.

1. We have upland famous for temple. 2. We are peace-loving people. 3. We are in the land of varieties. 4. We are famous for unity. 5. We have hearts full of purity.


D. Find at least FIVE adjectives to describe Nepal in the word-search grid.

N T S I H S M I DT B L P O E O K EP E A C E F U L VO A N H E D N N EO U D I S U T O LR T L N T Q A W OP I O S T T I E PV F C I N C N R IS U K V J G O M NS L E R K H U O GQ W D T L P S P V

E. The letters in the following words are jumbled. When these letters are organised, they are the adjectives from the poem. What are these adjectives?

1. P___________________L2. W__________________M3. P___________________G4. F___________________S5. D __________________R

F. Reference to context.

Read he following lines from the poem, then answer the following questions.

We have Mt. Everest Famous for its crest It is that crest That makes us quest.

FLUPECEA MWARPEEAC-ILOVGNSFAOUM READ


1. How many lines does the stanza consist of? 2. Why does the poet not use ‘I’ instead of ‘we’?3. Which line proves that the persona is a Nepali? 4. Who does ‘we’ refer to? 5. Name the poem and the poet of the poem.


Citizens of a country take pride in different things found in their country. As a Nepalese citizen, write down any FIVE things that you find in your country and you are proud of. For example, the birthplace of Lord Gautam Buddha.

H. A citizen can do several things to make their country famous. List out any THREE things a citizen can do to glorify his or her country.

1. ______________________________________________________2. ______________________________________________________3. ______________________________________________________

I. Draw a picture of your country, and label Mt. Everest.


6. Ding dong! Ding dong!

tis: it is kitty: a cat speckled: having small spots

In this poem, the persona gives some information about a bird, a mouse and a cat. The persona does this through a song. The title of the poem itself suggests that the poem is more like a song rather than just a poem.

Eliza Lee Fallen

Ding dong! ding dong!I'll sing you a song.‘Tis about a little mouse.He looked very cunningAs I saw him runningAbout my father's house.

Ding dong! ding dong!I'll sing you a song.‘Tis about my little kitty.She's speckled all over,And I know you'll love her,For she is very pretty.

I’ll sing you a song.Tis about a little bird.He sat on a tree,

And he sang to me,And I never said a word.


ASSIGNMENTS


1. What does the speaker sing about? 2. Where did the little bird sit? 3. Who was cunning in the speaker’s opinion? 4. Who is speckled? 5. Why does the speaker believe that her little cat will be loved

by us?


1. free ___________________2. wrong ___________________3. house ___________________4. witty ___________________5. grow ___________________6. winning ___________________

C. Activity.

Students will talk, sing a song or recite a short poem about anyone or anything they like. They will do this in turn. They can begin as: This is …… I would like to sing a song, talk or recite a poem about……… She /he / it was………….


Read these lines from the poem, then answer the following questions. Ding dong! ding dong!I'll sing you a song.


‘Tis about a little mouse.He looked very cunningAs I saw him runningAbout my father's house.a. Which poem are these lines from?b. Who does ‘I’ refer to in the poem? c. Who does ‘he’ refer to?d. Which poetic element does the poet use here? e. How many lines does this stanza consist of? f. There are two adjectives that describe the mouse in the stanza.

What are they? g. Name the poet of the poem.

E. Underline the pronouns in the following: Some sentences may have two pronouns.

1. I will sing you a song.2. He sat on a tree.3. He looked very cunning. 4. She is speckled all over. 5. I saw him running.

F. Discuss and write.

1. People are fond of keeping birds or animals as their pets for many reasons like security, hobby, social status, etc. Which do you want to keep as your pet: an animal or a bird? Give reasons.

_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

G. Find the antonyms of the words given in the table from the poem.

Words Antonyms

always

walking

hate

ugly

stood

H. Compose a poem about your pet and get your poem checked by your teacher first. Then, share it with your class.


7. Remembering Saraswati

lute: a musical instrument crystal: a piece of transparent rock used as an ornament

In the poem, the speaker tries to create a picture of Saraswati, a Hindu goddess of knowledge, in readers’ mind by giving a beautiful description. The speaker admits that he cannot forget her in his life. The speaker gives information about what Saraswati plays, wears, keeps, rides and where she sits.

Lekhnath PaudyalTranslated by Michael James Hutt

She plays the lute of the tender soul,Plucking thousands of sweet soundsWith the gentle nails of the mind,

As she sits upon the heart’s opened lotus:May I never forget, for the whole of my life,The goddess Saraswati.

She wears a crystal necklaceOf clear and lovely shapes,It refines the practical arts of this world,And my heart ever fills with her waves of light:May I never forget, through the whole of my life,The goddess Saraswati.

She keeps the great book of remembrance,Recording all things seen, heard, and felt,All are entered in their fullness,


And nothing is omitted:May I never forget, through the whole of my life,The goddess Saraswati.

She rides the quick and magical swan which dives and plays in our hearts' deep lake,And she brings to life the world's games and their glory:May I never forget, through the whole of my life,The goddess Saraswati.

"When you come to comprehendThe world-pervading sweetnessOf this my art of living,Your fear and ignorance must surely end."With this she gestures reassurance:May I never forget, through the whole of my life,The goddess Saraswati.

omitted: left; ignoredswan: a bird used as a vehicle by goddess Saraswaticomprehend: understand; realise reassurance: encouragement

ASSIGNMENTS


1. Which musical instrument does Saraswati play? 2. Where does Saraswati sit?


3. What does Saraswati wear? 4. What does Saraswati keep? 5. What does Saraswati ride?

B. Activity.

Students should be divided into five groups. Group A should be assigned a task of writing down any FIVE musical instruments, Group B any FIVE aquatic flowers, Group C any FIVE precious stones, Group D any FIVE holy books and Group E any FIVE aquatic animals or birds.

C. Reference to context.


She keeps the great book of remembrance,Recording all things seen, heard, and felt,All are entered in their fullness,And nothing is omitted:

a. Who does ‘she’ refer to in the lines above?b. What does the great book contain? c. Which word in the lines suggests that Saraswati is the symbol

of knowledge?d. What does ‘All’ refer to? e. Pick out the synonym of the word ‘left.’ f. Name the poet of the poem. g. Find the words from the lines that rhyme with: i. dealt: __________ ii. share: ____________


D. Identify and underline the words as per the direction given in the brackets.

1. She plays the lute of the tender soul. [adjective]2. It refines the practical arts of the world. [pronoun]3. She keeps the great book of remembrance. [abstract noun]4. She rides the quick and magical swan. [action verb]5. May I never forget the goddess Saraswati. [proper noun]

E. Find the words from the poem for the given meanings in the table.

Words Meanings strong and good human feelinga piece of jewellery that you wear around your neckimproves an idea or system by making small changesfrom the start to the end of something praising or respecting someone for achieving something


A. Do you worship and respect the goddess Saraswati? If yes, when and why? If no, why?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

B. Which sentence does the poet repeat in each stanza? Why does the poet do so?


8. My Doggy Ate My Essay

closet: a large cupboard

In this poem, the speaker tells us how his dog cleaned his room in an amazing way. His room looked entirely different. He didn’t interfere with his dog’s work.

Darren Sardelli

My doggy ate my essay.He picked up all my mail.He cleaned my dirty closet

and dusted with his tail. He straightened out my postersand swept my wooden floor.My parents almost faintedwhen he fixed my bedroom door. I did not try to stop him.He made my windows shine.My room looked like a palace,and my bedroom smelled like pine.


He fluffed up every pillow.He folded all my clothes.He even cleaned my fish tankwith a toothbrush and a hose. I thought it was amazingto see him use a broom.I’m glad he ate my essayon “How to Clean My Room.”

fluffed up: made something biggerhose: a long pipe of rubber

ASSIGNMENTS


1. What did the speaker’s dog eat?2. Why did the speaker’s parents nearly faint? 3. What does the poet compare his room to? 4. What did the dog use to clean the speaker’s fish tank? 5. What was the title of the essay?


1. zoom ___________________2. jail ___________________3. dine ___________________4. gym ___________________5. rank ___________________6. zoom ___________________


C. Activity.

Students should be divided into five groups. The teacher should write five questions in flash cards and the flash cards must be flipped. Each leader from the five groups will pick a card in turn. The questions to be written are: 1. What do you call the person who delivers mail? 2. What is the most important use of a poster? 3. What are most pieces of furniture made of? 4. Who do we call to clean and paint the windows? 5. Where do we go to get our clothes stitched?



I did not try to stop him.He made my windows shine.My room looked like a palace,and my bedroom smelled like pine.

a. Which poem are these lines from?b. Who does ‘he’ refer to here? c. The persona makes two comparisons here. What are they? d. Which word in the stanza suggests comparisons? e. Why do you think the persona didn’t try to interfere with his

doggy? g. Name the poet of the poem.

E. Edit the following sentences, changing the form of the crossed out verbs.

1. My doggy eated my essay.2. He cleant my dirty clothes.3. My parents almost faint.4. I did not tried to stop him.


5. My room lookened like a palace.6. He felded all my clothes.

F. Find the words from the poem for the definitions given in the table below.

Words Meaningsa brush with a long handle used for cleaning a soft object which you rest your head on in beda large house where royal families liveletters or parcels that are brought by post suddenly became unconscious for a short time


A. Dogs are not just animals. They play an important role in our life. In developed countries, dogs are treated with love and care because they are faithful and honest friends of old citizens and children. Apart from these, what other roles do dogs play?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

H. Write a paragraph in not less than 100 words on the topic ‘Dogs as Good Friends’.


9. The Letter

anxious: worried and nervous

Mothers are God’s representatives who are sent on earth as God cannot be with every child at the same time. Read this lovely poem which tells how a little girl managed to write a letter to her mother.

Margaret G Rhodes

I’m writing a letter To send by the post; It is to the person

I care for the most.

I write the date clearlyAnd put the address,And begin, “Dearest Mummy,”[Did anyone guess?]

My pen travels slowlyAll down the long sheet,Because I’m so anxiousTo keep it all neat.


ASSIGNMENTS


1. What is the persona doing in the poem?2. Who is the persona writing the letter to? 3. Why does the persona’s pen travel very slowly? 4. Why does the persona carefully blot her pen? 5. After the persona puts the stamp on the envelope, where does

she run?


1. fright ___________________2. feet ___________________

blot: to dry wet marks

I carefully blot itTo dry up the ink—Such nice blotting-paper,The colour is pink!

I turn the page overAnd goes my pen,Till lastly, come kisses,There’s just room for ten!The envelope is ready,I put the stamp on,And run to the post box,And now it has gone!


3. conscious ___________________4. think ___________________5. hisses ___________________6. fox ___________________

C. Activity.

Each student has to think of a person, animal, game, thing, etc. and express their love for them and give at least a reason. For example, “I love football because it is popular around the world”, “I love burger because it has vegetables”, “I love kittens because they look sweet”, etc.


Read these lines from the poem, then answer the following questions. I write the date clearlyAnd put the address,And begin, “Dearest Mummy,”[Did anyone guess?]a. Which poem are these lines from?b. Who does ‘I’ refer to here? c. Who is to receive the letter? d. What are the two components of a letter mentioned here?e. We usually begin ‘Dear ……….. while writing a letter.’ But,

why does the persona begin ‘Dearest Mummy……’? f. Name the poet of the poem.

E. Complete the following sentences with an appropriate word from the poem.

1. The poet is writing a letter to her ................................................2. Before starting the letter, she writes the ............................... and

the..................................


3. She is anxious to .............................................................................4. She is using ....................................................................... coloured

blotting paper. 5. Before closing, she .............................................................. the

letter ..........................times.6. Once the envelope is ready, she puts ............................................

F. Write a letter to your mother on Mother’s Day to express your love for her.

Shree Himalaya Secondary SchoolDamak-2, Jhapa

25 April 2019

Dearest MummyHappy Mother’s Day!

I am writing this letter to express my true love to the most caring, loving and special person in the world, my mother.

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Yours affectionately___________________


10. A True Friend

In this poem, the speaker tries to define a true friend. She further strengthens a saying ‘A friend in need is a friend indeed.’ She wants to prove that true friendship is possible only if two friends are true. It is a two-way, mutual understanding. Moreover, true friends are possible only in a win-win situation.

Jecika Simkhada

I need to know if you are my true friend,Will you be my side until the end? Can I tell you my top secrets deep?

And those in your heart you will keep.


Thanks for being there for me,In good times and bad times,I will be by your side,Even if the world glides.

I will give you joy and many smiles,Can we share that even across many miles?If you can accept me as I do,Then I will know that you are a friend who is true.

ASSIGNMENTS


1. Who is the composer of this poem?2. How many stanzas are there in the poem? 3. What will a true friend do until the end of life? 4. What will a true friend keep in their hearts? 5. What does the speaker want to share across miles with her

true friend?


1. blue ___________________

2. files ___________________

3. sheep ___________________

4. rhymes ___________________

5. wide ___________________

6. send ___________________


C. Activity.

Title of the activity is ‘A True Friend Hunt’. The class should be divided exactly into two groups. Each member of Group A will write three qualities that a true friend should have. Likewise, each member of Group B will write three qualities they have. After this, Group A students and Group B students should interact with one another to find the partner who has similar qualities or requirements. The pair or group that report to the teacher first shall be declared ‘True Friends’ or ‘Winners’.



I need to know if you are my true friend,

Will you be my side until the end?

Can I tell you my secrets deep?

And those in your heart you will keep.

a. Which poem are these lines from?

b. Who does ‘I’ refer to here?

c. Who does ‘you’ refer to here?

d. According to the persona, what two things should be done honestly to be a true friend?

e. Does the persona tend to trust anyone easily as a true friend? Why or why not?

f. Name the poet of the poem.


POTTUERMNYAOGOD

DBA

E. When you arrange the following jumbled words, they are FIVE adjectives the poet has used in her poem. What are they?

1. ……………………………………2. ……………………………………3. …………………………………….4. ……………………………………5. ……………………………………


Are true friends and best friends same? Are they different? Do you have any best friend? What THREE things make him or her your best friend?

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_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________


G. Write a long paragraph about your best/true friend and share with class. Your answer should not be less than 100 words. You can include the following points.

• physical appearance like height, shape of eyes, body structure, etc.

• what she or he likes to wear, eat, do, watch, etc. • what qualities of her or him have motivated you a lot • a hand drawn picture of her or him

_______________________________________________________________

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Fables and folktales are short stories that often teach us a moral lesson. They are not real. In these stories, animals or things can speak, talk, think, walk, etc. like human beings.

While reading a fable or folktale, you should know the following elements of fables and folktales that are included in this book.


Characters are people, birds, animals or things that can be good or bad. Some characters change themselves by the end of the story, but some remain same throughout the story. In ‘How the Animals Kept the Lions Away’, rooster, donkey, ram and dog are characters.

Setting is a place where action takes place like a cave, home, jungle, palace, river, etc. Setting also includes time, atmosphere and weather. In ‘How the Animals Kept the Lions Away’, a lonely oasis is the setting.

Conflict [problem] happens when characters are against each other. Conflict makes the story exciting. The story does not end until the problem is solved. In ‘How the Animals Kept the Lions Away’, the lions want to take the lives of rooster, donkey, ram and dog, but they don’t want to surrender themselves to the lions.

Resolution is the ending of the story. It is the final part of the story. Some stories have happy endings, but some stories don’t. Some stories end with suspense. In ‘How the Animals Kept the Lions Away’, the characters succeed in driving the second lion away and live peacefully.

Fables and Folktales


11. How the Animals Kept the

Lions Away

12. The Hunter and the Tiger

13. Justice in the Jungle

14. Desire

15. The Straw, The Coal and

The Bean


Once when a tribe of Bedouins moved their camp to a new site, they left behind them a lame rooster, broken-backed donkey, sick ram, and dog suffering from mange. The animals promised

and determined to live together like brothers. They wandered until they came to a lonely oasis where they decided to settle.

One day when the rooster was flying onto the top of a tree, he noticed something important: the opening to a grain storage full of barley. The food was wholesome, and he began to visit the place daily. Soon his feathers became glossy as polished silk, and his comb began to glow like the fire inside a ruby. The donkey, observing the improvements, asked his friend, “How is it that your cap has grown so bright?” The rooster pretended to be surprised and tried to change the subject. But the donkey continued to annoy the rooster until at last he said, “Very well, I shall show you the reason why my cap has grown so bright, but it must remain a secret between us.” The donkey promised to be discreet and the rooster led him to the grain store.

11. How the Animals Kept the Lions Away

mange: a skin disease of animals oasis: a wet place in the desert

This is an Algerian folk tale. Algeria is a country in North Africa. Most of Algeria’s land is covered by the Sahara Desert. The animals in this folk tale include a rooster, a donkey, a ram, and a dog that all live in the desert. All of them aren’t physically fit. How do you predict the animals in this story will solve the problem of keeping the lions away?

Inea Bushnaq

Characters: Rooster Donkey Ram DogSetting: A lonely oasis


At the sight of the barley, the donkey threw himself into the grain and fed until he could eat no more. Being full, he danced back to the others and said, “I feel like singing due to excitement. With your permission I shall bray awhile!” The animals objected. “What if a lion should hear you?” they asked. “He will surely come and devour us all!” But despite his friends’ objection, the donkey could not contain his high spirits. He ran off and began to bray long and noisily.

Now, the lion did hear the sound and came rushing across the wilderness on his silent feet until he was within one spring of the donkey. “Sir,” he said. “I see that my fate has been written, but I beg you to do me the favour not to take my life without my friends. It would be more honourable, considering that the animals of this oasis have promised to live together and die together. The lion approved of this request and allowed the donkey to guide him to his friends.

bray: neigh; crydevour: eat greedily


When the other animals saw the donkey leading a lion toward them, they put their heads together and said, “How can we defend ourselves against a lion!” And they made their plans. When the lion came near they all said with one voice, “Greetings and welcome, uncle lion!” Then the ram butted him in his side and knocked the breath out of his lungs, the rooster flew up and pecked at his eyes, and the dog buried his teeth in the lion’s throat. The lion took his last breath, of course. The animals kept his skin and dried it in the sun.

After that, the four friends were able to live in peace for some time. However, soon the donkey was announcing, “I sense that I must bray again!” “Be still, O unlucky animal!” said the others. But the donkey could not suppress his feelings, and his unmelodious call rang repeatedly in the air.

A second lion trying to rob that desert was attracted to the braying. With water running in his mouth, he hurried to the oasis. Again the donkey invited the lion to take the lives of all the animals of the oasis together, and the lion gladly obeyed. This time too, the rooster, the ram, and the donkey put their heads together when they saw the lion approaching and made a plan.

But they said to the visitor, “Welcome, may you be a thousand times welcome!” Then the rooster hinted to the ram, “Our guest should be made comfortable and have a carpet to sit on!” The ram ran into their house and brought out the dried lion skin. “Be ashamed, O ram!” chided the rooster when he saw him. “Our guest is of a noble tribe.

butted: hit with the head chided: scolded; told off


bidding: saying

Do you want to disgrace us by offering him that old, damaged mat?” Humbly the ram carried the lion skin back into the house and brought it out a second time. This time the dog expressed impatience. “Surely we have a softer carpet than that, O ram! Besides, this one is quite faded.” Obediently the ram took the lion skin inside and returned with it a third time.

Now, the donkey chimed in, “For one of such reputation as the lion, nothing but the finest can serve the occasion! Choose more carefully from among our store!” The ram withdrew into the house, but the lion did not stay further. He jumped to his feet and without bidding his hosts a formal farewell, ran away as fast as he was able.

Although the donkey continued to bray from time to time, no lion was seen near the animals’ oasis again.

ASSIGNMENTS


1. How many characters are there in the story? 2. While flying onto the top of the tree, what did the rooster

notice suddenly? 3. The donkey brought the lion to their oasis and put his friends

in danger. Why do you think the donkey did so? 4. Compare the two solutions the animals had for keeping the

lions away and your own prediction. Which one did you think was the best solution and why?

5. When the second lion came to the animals, what did they say to the lion?


B. Read the tale again and complete the table below.

Characters Problems Quality Role in the folk taleRooster

Donkey He is frank. Also, he is outspoken. He says everything openly.

Ram

Dog It is suffering from mange.


Read this line from the tale, then answer the following questions. “Our guest is of a noble tribe. Do you want to disgrace us by offering him that old, damaged mat?”a. Who said these words and to whom? b. Who does ‘our’ refer to here? c. Who does ‘our guest’ refer to here? d. What was the mat made of? e. What plan is actually being executed now? f. Find the synonym of the word ‘humiliate’. g. Pick out any three adjectives from the line.


D. Identify and underline adverbs in the following sentences. Some sentences may have more than one adverb.

1. Obediently the ram took the lion skin inside and returned with it a third time.

2. The food was wholesome, and he began to visit the place daily.3. He ran off and began to bray long and noisily.4. His unmelodious call rang repeatedly in the air.5. Choose more carefully from among our store!

E. Characterisation

Write a character sketch of one of the four characters. You can also hand-draw a picture of your character and colour it.


‘Intelligence is better than power’. Who are powerful? Who are intelligent in the story? How does the story prove this statement?

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

G. The following sentences are grammatically incorrect. Identify mistakes and correct them.

1. The rooster pretended to be surprise and tried to change the subject.

2. But the donkey could not suppressed his feelings.3. This time the dog express impatience.4. But the lion did not stayed further.


One day a man was out hunting birds in the forest when he came upon a tiger. The tiger was about to pounce upon him, but the man proposed that they should not hurt each other but become

friends. The tiger liked the idea and said: "All right, but you must take the life of my enemy, the porcupine."

"Agreed," said the man, "Where is it?"

"It lives in a hole," said the tiger, "I'll show you where it is."

The tiger led the man to the porcupine's hole. He waited until the porcupine came out. Then, the hunter shot it dead with his gun. But the tiger didn't want anyone to know that a man had helped it in getting rid of its enemy. So, it said to the hunter, "Please don't tell anybody that it was you who took the life of the porcupine."

"That is fine with me," said the hunter. And he took the porcupine home and his wife cooked it for supper.

12. The Hunter and the Tiger

In this story, a tiger spares the life of a hunter on condition that the hunter doesn’t let anyone know that he has taken the life of the tiger’s enemy, the porcupine. But, one day, the tiger itself hears the story of the porcupine’s death. What is the tiger going to do now? Read the story.

Characters: A Hunter His wife A tiger Two neighboursSetting: Forest

[Nepali Folktale]


The next morning the hunter's wife went to fetch water. As she walked, she picked her teeth with a splinter of bamboo. At the spring, she met two of her neighbours and they asked her what she had eaten.

"Oh, my husband brought home a porcupine," she said.

So, the woman talked about the porcupine until everyone in the village knew about it. Before long the tiger itself heard the story. When the hunter went to the forest again, the tiger was waiting, Being furious, the tiger wanted to harm the man for spreading the news of the porcupine's death.

"But I have said nothing," protested the hunter.

"I don't care whether you did or not, but you are going to pay for it,' thundered the tiger.

The man was now really frightened, and the tiger saw him tremble.

splinter: a sharp piece of bamboo furious: very angry; aggressive


"Why do you tremble?" asked the tiger.

"I am afraid. The porcupine I ate the other day is trying to come out of my body”, said the hunter.

"What?" said the tiger, "But wait..."

"But it is coming," said the hunter.

In a moment the tiger was gone.

ASSIGNMENTS


1. How did the hunter happen to meet the tiger? 2. Whose enemy was the porcupine? 3. Where did the hunter’s wife meet her two neighbours? 4. Why was the tiger so furious? 5. How did the hunter save his life from the furious tiger?


Characters Role in the folk tale

The hunter

The hunter’s wife

The tiger

Two neighbours Since the two neighbours ask the hunter’s wife what she has eaten. In answer to their question, she reveals the fact that her husband hunted the porcupine.



Read this line from the tale, then answer the following questions.

"I am afraid. The porcupine I ate the other day is trying to come out of my body.”

a. Who said these words and to whom?

b. Which porcupine are they talking about?

c. Why is the speaker saying this?

d. Does the porcupine that is in the hunter’s stomach come out of his body?

e. What happens after this?

f. Find the synonym of the word ‘horrified’.

D. Punctuate the following sentences. You can insert [, /. / “ “ or capitalisation].

1. Agreed," said the man, "Where is it"

2. "It lives in a hole" said the tiger, "I'll show you where it is.

3. Being furious the tiger wanted to harm the man for spreading the news of the porcupine's death.

4. When the hunter went to the forest again it was waiting

5. "Why do you tremble" asked the tiger

E. Characterisation

Write a character sketch of the tiger or the hunter. You can also hand-draw a picture of your character and colour it.


The stories ‘How the Animals Kept the Lions Away’ and ‘The Hunter and the Tiger’ show that intelligence is better than power.


Coincidentally, in these two stories, powerful animals are fooled. Which one of these stories did you like more? Why?

G. Write ‘T’ for true and ‘F’ for false statements based on the tale.

1. The hunter met the tiger when he was sleeping under a big tree.

2. The hunter’s idea was liked by the tiger.3. The hunter didn’t find the place where the porcupine was

living. 4. The hunter’s wife told the neighbours about the porcupine’s

death.


There was a wild sow in the jungles of Tripura. She lived happily with her children. One day, while she was searching for food for her children in the jungle, she noticed a weeping tiger cub near a

bush. She thought that the tigress might have been killed by the hunters. The mother pig took pity on the cub and decided to take the cub with her and rear him up.

The mother pig began to look after the cub along with her children as best as possible. Thus the tiger cub became a member of the pig family. He and the piglets used to play together. The days passed on.

One day, the mother pig died. By then, the cub was a full-grown tiger and the piglets were fat pigs. By nature, a deep desire for eating flesh gradually developed into the tiger. He was tempted to take the life of his own friends, pigs. Direct attack could earn a bad name, as they had grown up together. Therefore, he devised a plan.

13. Justice in the Jungle

In this story, a tiger cub is brought up among other piglets due to kind-hearted mother pig. The tiger cub develops into a fully-grown tiger. In return, it seeks an opportunity to take the life of a pig just on the basis of his dream. They take the matter to the king’s court. Which of them is going to win the case?

Characters: Sow Monkey King (lion)Her piglets Hen Tiger cub BatSetting: Jungle

[Indian Folktale]

sow: a female pig


One day, he said to one of the pigs, “Brother, last night I had a dream. In my dream, I saw that I was chasing you to take your life. It is a sin to dishonour a dream. Therefore, I have decided to take your life. I am ready to fulfil your last desire.”

clutches: control or hold sin: an immoral act

The pig tried his best to convince the tiger. But the tiger was not convinced. By then, the pig realised that it would be too difficult to escape from the clutches of the tiger. At last, the pig said, “If you take my life, other pigs will defame you. I think, it would be better if three animals accept your argument before you take my life.”

The tiger agreed to the proposal.

Both of them first went to a monkey. The monkey supported the proposal. Then, both of them met a hen which also supported the tiger.

At last, they appeared before a bat. After hearing the claim of the tiger, he immediately realised the intention of the tiger.


However, he disclosed nothing and only said, “It is a very complicated matter. I advise you to go to the king for proper judgement.” He also informed them that he would appear in the king’s court at the time of the hearing of the case.

Both the tiger and the pig appeared before the king in his court and narrated the whole episode. The pig also informed the king that a witness would appear very soon. The king asked them to wait for a while and took up other royal business.

When the king was free, the bat prayed to the king and narrated the case. “In my dream, I saw that I was marrying the princess.” He prayed to the king to fulfil his dream by arranging his marriage to the princess.

complicated: difficult to deal with episode: incident

The king said, “It is not proper to put forward a proposal on the basis of a dream. A dream is a dream and has no connection with reality.”

The bat seized the opportunity and asked, “If that is true, then how can the tiger demand to take the life of the pig just on the basis of his dream?”


ASSIGNMENTS


1. Who brought up the tiger cub in the jungle? 2. Why did the fully-grown tiger devise the plan? 3. One of the pigs made a proposal to save his life from the tiger.

What was the proposal? 4. Who advised the tiger and the pig to go to the king to solve

their complicated case? 5. What order did the king give both of them?



The mother pig

The tiger

The bat

The king The king is a secondary character who stands for justice. He listens carefully to the bat’s arguments. And, he solves the problem wisely. He orders both the tiger and the pig to live separately in the jungle not only due to their personal differences but natural instinct.

The king accepted the bat’s arguments and rejected the proposal of the tiger. He also ordered the tiger and the pig to live separately in the jungle.



Read this line from the tale, then answer the following questions. “In my dream, I saw that I was marrying the princess.”a. Who said these words and to whom? b. Who does ‘I’ refer to in the line? c. Why is the speaker saying this? d. Did the speaker’s dream come true? e. What happens after this? f. Find the antonym of the word ‘divorcing’. g. Pick the conjunction from the line.

D. Discuss and write.

When someone helps us, we’re grateful to them. However, in the story ‘Justice in the Jungle’, the tiger wants to take the life of one pig whose mother loved him and brought him up. Was it justifiable? Why? If you were the tiger, what would you do?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

E. Characterisation

Among the seven characters in the story, which one really impressed you and why?


F. Complete the following puzzle, using the following clues.

4. 5.

3. a 6.

1. e o

2. n

Down: 3. I could not c.................................. my customer into buying a

new product. 4. Our English language teacher n............................................. a

story yesterday. 5. Loss and profit are part of b.............................................. 6. The p.................................... for a new stadium has been rejected.

Across:1. Ram had no i............................................... of going abroad for

higher studies. 2. There is just one p..................................... in my pigsty.


Gonu was a woodcutter in a village called Pharping not so far away from Kathmandu. He made his living by selling firewood in the city. One day Gopu, the merchant, came to Gonu’s village

from the city to observe and experience a village life. He walked around the village, asking villagers about their lives. In the evening, he started on his way back to the city. He was very tired from his trip and did not want to walk. He soon came across Gonu, who was going to the city on his buffalo cart to be on time for the morning market. Gopu asked Gonu if he could hitch a ride with him on the cart. Gonu agreed and when they reached the city, Gopu helped Gonu sell the firewood. Two became friends.

One Purnima, Gonu had come to the city to sell firewood as usual. It so happened that every Purnima, the king of the land would have his chefs prepare eighty four delicacies and he would eat them out of utensils of gold in full view of his subjects. Gonu wanted to see this spectacle and

14. Desire

One day Gonu, a poor woodcutter, develops a strong desire of eating a royal meal even if they are leftovers. In reply, Gopu tells him that even to think such a thing is a sin. Does Gonu later satisfy his desire?

Characters: Gonu Gopu KingSetting: Pharping and the King’s palace

merchant: a business person hitch: to get a free ride Purnima: the night when the moon is full delicacies: special foods

Ajit Baral


Gopu looked at his friend, aghast. He told Gonu that even to think such a thing was a sin. If the palace got so much as a sign of such a silly idea, the two could lose their heads. But Gonu insisted, begged and persuaded Gopu till he finally said, “All right, Gonu, I have a friend in the palace kitchen. Perhaps I could make a request to him to give you a taste of some food from the royal plates before they throw the food away.”

subjects: citizens spectacle: exhibition aghast: shocked; upset

stayed back with Gopu to watch. That night, a large crowd had gathered in the palace ground.The attendants had set up a large dining table. The moon was shining brightly and the gold utensils glowed dully. Presently, the king came out and ate his dinner while his subjects looked on, their mouths watering. While returning to the palace, Gonu said to Gopu, ‘My friend, that was quite a spectacle. I cannot stop thinking about it. I also wish to eat all those delicacies the king was eating.’


When Gopu proposed this subject with his friend in the kitchen, he looked at the two as though they had gone mad. He initially refused outright, but when they continued pleading with him, he decided to let Gonu have a taste, provided the king knew of the plan. Gonu had no option but to agree. Gopu’s friend also made them agree that if the king became angry, the entire blame would have to be shouldered by the two.

The three went into the royal presence. The king heard Gonu out as he tremblingly made his request. Surprising, the king did not get angry. He made a proposal: if Gonu worked in the king’s fields for three years, he could have the entire eighty four dishes on Purnima at the end of the three years.

Gonu worked in the fields with a will and the king’s fields produced more than ever before. The king was impressed by Gonu’s single-minded devotion, but didn’t say anything. After the end of three years,


on Purnima, the attendants set up the table and dishes. Then, Gonu sat down to eat. The crowd started to whisper. When Gonu was about to eat, he saw a yogi looking hungrily at him. He invited the yogi to the table and shared his meal with him. On seeing this, the king was so happy. After the meal, the king proudly announced to everyone that Gonu was to be his new prime minister.

ASSIGNMENTS

A. Answer the following questions.

1. How was Gopu making his living? 2. How did Gopu and Gonu start their friendship? 3. What was the spectacle in the palace? 4. What was considered to be a sin according to Gopu? 5. Why was the king happy with Gonu?

B. Rearrange the following sentences of the story in sequential order.

a. Gonu worked in the king’s fields for three years.b. Gopu came to Gonu’s village from the city to experience a

village life. c. Gonu is a woodcutter and made his living selling firewood in

the city.d. Gonu invited the yogi to the table and shared his meal.e. The day arrived when Gonu would eat the king’s feast.

C. Fill in the blanks with appropriate words.

1. Pharping is not very ___________________ from Kathmandu. 2. Gonu stayed back with Gopu to watch this _______________.


3. On seeing the king eat his dinner, his subjects’ mouths started ___________________.

4. With a ____________, Gonu worked in the king’s fields. 5. According to the king’s announcement, Gonu was to be his

new _________________.

D. Explain the following phrases in your own words like the one done for you.

Phrases Meanings

1. to make a living to earn money to buy things one needs in life

2. to hitch a ride

3. to lose the head

4. to have a single minded devotion

5. to shoulder the blame

E. Reference to context.

He invited the yogi to the table and shared his meal with him. 1. Who invited the yogi?2. Who does ‘him’ refer to in the line?3. Why did the speaker invite and share his meal with ‘him’?4. Did this act of kindness have a positive impact on his life? If

yes or no, how? 5. Pick out the conjunction from the line.


Who are strangers? Is it a good idea to help strangers? What might be the possible dangers of helping strangers?


G. The following text is grammatically incorrect. Identify mistakes and correct them.

When Gopu proposed these subject with his friend in the kitchen, he looked at the two as though they had gone made. he initially refused outright, but when they continued pleading with him, He decided to let Gonu have a taste, provided the king knew of the plan. Gonu had no option but to agreed. Gopu’s friend also made them agreed that if the king became angry, the entire blame would have to be shouldered by the twos.

H. Make sensible sentences using the following words from the story above.

1. merchant

2. cart

3. persuade

4. whisper


In a village lived a poor old woman who had gathered together a dish of beans and wanted to cook them. So, she made a fire on her hearth, and she lighted it with a handful of strands of straw to make it burn

quicker. When she was pouring the beans into the pan, one accidentally dropped and lay on the ground beside a straw. And soon afterwards a burning coal from the fire leapt down to the two strands of straw. Then the straw began and said, “Dear friends, where do you come from?” The coal replied, “I fortunately sprang out of the fire. If I had not escaped by main force, my death would have been certain.” The bean said, “I too have escaped with a whole skin. If the old woman had got me into the pan, I should have been made into soup without any mercy, like my friends.”

15. The Straw, The Coal and The Bean

In this story, a coal, two strands of straw and a bean escape death and become friends. They plan to go to a foreign land to live peacefully. They start their journey, but they arrive at a brook without a bridge where misfortune befalls them. What is the misfortune? What actually happens to them?

Characters: The coalThe strands of straw The bean The tailorSetting: A kitchen in a poor old woman’s hut

hearth: fireplace mercy: kindness


“The old woman has destroyed all my members in fire and smoke; she seized sixty of them at once, and took their lives. I luckily slipped through her fingers.”

“But what are we to do now?” asked the coal.

The bean answered, “I think that as we have so fortunately escaped death, we should keep together like good friends and lest a new misfortune should befall us here, we should go away together to a foreign country.”

The proposal pleased the two others, and they set out on their way in company. Soon, they came to a little brook. And as there was no bridge or foot-plank, they did not know how they were to get over it. The straw had a good idea and said, “I will lay myself straight across, and then you can walk over on me like on a bridge.”

The straw therefore stretched itself from one bank to the other, and the coal, who was of an impulsive nature, tripped quite boldly on to the


newly-built bridge. But when she had reached the middle, and heard the water rushing beneath her. Seeing it, she grew nervous and afraid. Then, she stood still and had no courage to go further. The straw, however, began to burn, broke into two pieces and fell into the stream. The coal slipped after her, hissed when she got into the water, and breathed her last. The bean, who had carefully stayed behind on the shore, could not but laugh at the event. She was unable to stop, and laughed so heartily that she burst. It would have been all over with her if, by good fortune, a tailor who was traveling in search of work had not sat down to rest by the brook. As he had a compassionate heart he pulled out his needle and thread, and sewed her together. The bean thanked him most greatfully, but as the tailor used black thread, all beans since then have a black seam.

ASSIGNMENTS


1. Why did the woman light the fire with two strands of straw? 2. If the bean hadn’t escaped the hot pan, what would have

happened? 3. How many beans did the woman seize at once and poured

into the hot pan? 4. What was the bean’s proposal? 5. Why do all beans have a black seam?

B. Reference to context.

Read this line from the tale, then answer the following questions. “I will lay myself straight across, and then you can walk over on me like on a bridge.”

brook: a small rivercompassionate: sympathetic


burning coal

straw

bean

brook

needle

pan

Things

grey

green

white

red

blue

black

Colours

a. Who said these words and to whom? b. Which word suggests comparison? c. Why is the speaker saying this? d. Was this mission successful? Why or why not? e. What happens after this?

C. What colours are the following things in general? Match A and B.


Like the tailor in the story, there are some people who readily help others at the time of emergency and crisis. They are sympathetic. But some people are just bystanders. They observe an incident. Are you helpful? How have you helped other people?

E. Characterisation

Among the four characters in the story, which one really impressed you and why?


F. Correct these statements to make them true on the basis of the tale.

1. A burning bean jumped down to the two strands of straw.2. The coal escaped by main force.3. The coal’s friends were made into soup.4. The bean’s proposal disappointed the two others.5. The doctor had sewed the bean.

G. Look at the pictures. What are they? Write their names on the lines given below.


A fairy tale is a story full of wonder, magic and fun. It is about mythical beings like fairies, witches, etc. Most of the fairy tales are written for children. There is always a problem between the

good and the bad. In the end, the good wins over the bad and has a happy ending.


FAIRY TALES

16. Princess Rose and the Golden Bird

17. The Lion, the Hyena and the Rabbit

18. Snow Black


Many, many years ago, in a kingdom lived a beautiful princess. She had long red hair and loved roses so much that everyone called her Princess Rose.

Every evening after dusk, Princess Rose went out on the balcony and clapped her hands. A golden bird came flying out of nowhere and alighted on her shoulder. Instantly, the princess’s hair began to shine. When the bird started to sing an enchanting tune, Princess Rose joined it in a song, and everyone in the kingdom fell asleep and had sweet dreams till the break of dawn.

Thus, several years went by.

Every evening Princess Rose, along with the little golden bird, sang a loving lullaby so that all people fell asleep and had sweet dreams till the break of dawn.

16. Princess Rose and the Golden Bird

In this fairy tale, Princess Rose with red hair sings a lullaby every evening so that all people have sweet dreams till the break of dawn. But, one day, a wicked witch curses her. As a result, her hair turns black and people have nightmares till the break of dawn. What will the princess do to break the curse of the witch?

Characters: Princess Rose The golden bird The wicked witch The prince The KingsSetting: A kingdom

[Fairy Tale]

dusk: time after sunset alighted: climbed down lullaby: a soothing song


On the following day, the saddened princess asked the bird, “Golden bird, how can I make my people’s dreams sweet again till the break of dawn?”

“Black hair in rose water,” the bird chirped in reply.

dim: make less bright tar: a thick black substance

Until one day something terrible happened. A wicked witch learnt about Princess Rose and decided to curse her.

“Abracadabra, Sim-Sala-Bim. May Rose’s colour dim!” the witch said, and Princess Rose’s hair instantly turned as black as tar.

That evening, too, Princess Rose went out on her balcony and clapped her hands. But when the golden bird appeared, her hair glowed black instead of shining red. The bird sang its enchanting melody, and Princess Rose sang her lullaby. Everyone in the kingdom fell asleep, but that night they only had bad dreams and nightmares.


The princess wondered at this advice but followed it, nevertheless. She filled up a basin with water and sprinkled rose petals on its surface. Then, she dipped her hair into the rose water, and it instantly turned red again.

That evening, when the bird perched on her shoulder, the radiant glow of her hair lit up the night sky once more. The princess sang her lullaby, and everyone in the kingdom fell asleep and had sweet dreams till the break of dawn.

The wicked witch was so angry that her curse had been broken that she decided to cast it again.

“Abracadabra, Sim-Sala-Bim. May Rose’s colour dim!” And the princess’s hair turned as black as tar again. Only this time the witch also picked up all of the rose blooms in the entire kingdom.

Once again, the saddened princess asked the bird for his advice. The bird gave her the same advice and flew away. This time there were no roses in the kingdom.

The princess didn’t know what to do. So great was her anguish that her eyes filled with tears, one of them falling to the ground below. At that very moment, a young and handsome prince, who had stopped under the balcony of the princess, took out a little box and a single red hair from within it.

He bent down and placed the hair atop the princess’s tear. And then, a miracle happened. Suddenly, the red hair turned into a red rose. The prince picked the rose and took it up to the princess.

Upon seeing the rose, she immediately brushed off her tears and plucked its petals to add to the water in the basin. Then, she dipped in her hair, and the curse was broken.

radiant: very bright anguish: grief; pain


astonishment: surprise; amazement captive: prisoner

Everyone gasped in astonishment, and the King asked the prince,

“Young man, where did you find that red hair?”

“When the princess and I were both children, I picked a single strand of hair from her head as a sign of my loyalty to her. And she did the same to me, pulling out a strand of my own hair.”

“It’s true, father,” the princess confirmed and took out a little box. She opened it to reveal a single hair from the prince’s head inside.

Everyone was delighted with this news. The prince and Princess Rose got married on that very same day. As per the king’s order, the wicked witch was taken captive in one room of the palace.

Eventually, rose blooms sprang up in every garden in the kingdom once again. And, as usual, each evening Princess Rose sang her loving lullaby so that all people fell asleep and had sweet dreams till the break of dawn


C. Characterisation.

Write the character sketch of one of the characters in the story. You can also hand-draw a picture of any character and colour it.


Read this line from the tale, then answer the following questions. “Young man, where did you find that red hair?”a. Who said these words? b. Who does ‘Young man’ refer to? c. Why is the speaker saying this? d. Who did that red hair belong to?

1. Everyone called her Princess Rose.2. The princess sang her lullaby.3. Her hair glowed black instead of red.4. Her eyes filled with tears.5. The wicked witch was so angry.

ASSIGNMENTS


1. Why was the princess called Princess Rose? 2. Who cursed the princess? 3. When the princess’s hair turned black and she sang a lullaby,

what type of dream did the people have at night? 4. When the prince put a red hair atop the princess’s tear, what

miracle happened? 5. What punishment did the wicked witch get?

B. Explain the following sentences.


e. How did the young man help Princess Rose with the help of ‘that red hair’?

f. Pick out the pronoun from the line.

E. Discuss and write.

In the fairy tale, the wicked witch is jealous of the princess. As a result, she curses the princess and her red hair turns black. Talk to the seat partner and list as many reasons as you can why the witch has done so. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

F. Match the following words with its meanings.

delighted

dawn

enchanting

Kingdom

strand

saddened

Words

empire

very happy

a thin piece of hair, thread

early morning

upset

very attractive

Meanings


G. Write ‘T’ for true and ‘F’ for false statements.

a. The princess was a little ugly. b. The princess got married to the king. c. The wicked witch tried three times to curse the princess. d. The bird refused to give the princess any advice. e. The wicked witch was punished at the end for her evils.

H. The crossed out words in the following sentences are misspelt. Correct them

1. Upon seeing the rose, she immediately brashed off her tears.2. She plucked its petals to add to the water in the besin. 3. Then, she dipped in her hair, and the carse was broken.4. Eventually, rose blooms sprang up in every gardan in the

kingdom once again. 5. And, as usual, each evening Princess Rose sang her loving

lullabi.

I. Do you love reading fairy tales? Give four reasons.

1. _____________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________________

5. _____________________________________________________


Once upon a time the lion, the hyena, and the rabbit, made up their minds to go in for a little farming. So they went into the country, made a garden, planted all kinds of seeds, and then

came home and rested quite a while.

Then, when the time came when their crops should be about ripe and ready for harvesting, they began to say to each other, “Let’s go over to the farm, and see how our crops are coming along.”

So one early morning, they started, and, as the garden was a long way off, the rabbit made this proposition: “While we are going to the garden, let’s not stop on the road. And if anyone does, he will be punished.”

His friends, not being as cunning as he, and knowing they could out-walk him, readily consented to this arrangement.

17. The Lion, the Hyena, and the Rabbit

In this tale, a lion, a hyena and a rabbit are friends. One day they make a plan to go to their garden. But once they start to walk, nobody is supposed to stop until they reach the farm. The hyena stops once, and the rabbit and the lion tie him to a big tree. Likewise, the rabbit stops three times in total, yet the lion cannot tie him to a big tree. To find out the reason, read the story.

Characters: The Lion The Hyena The Rabbit Setting: A country

[African Fairy Tale]

proposition: proposal consented: agreed


Well, off they went, but they had not gone very far when the rabbit stopped.

“Hullo!” said the hyena. The rabbit has stopped. He must be punished.”

“That’s the bargain,” agreed the lion.

“Well,” said the rabbit, “I happened to be thinking.”

“What about?” cried his partners, with great curiosity.

He said in a philosophical manner. “I am thinking about those two stones, one big and one little; the little one does not go up, nor does the big one go down.”

The lion and the hyena, having stopped to look at the stones, could only say, “Why is this singular?” And they all resumed their journey, the rabbit being by this time well rested.

philosophical: deep-thinking resumed: continued


When they had gone some distance the rabbit stopped again.

“Aha!” said the lion; “The rabbit has stopped again. Now he must be punished.”“I rather think so,” said the lion.“Well,” said the rabbit, “I was thinking again.”

Their curiosity once more aroused, his comrades begged him to tell them his think.

“Why,” said he, “I was thinking, when people like us put on new coats, where do the old ones go to?”

Both the lion and the hyena, having stopped a moment to consider the matter, exclaimed together, “Well, I wonder!” and the three went on, the rabbit having again had a good rest.

After a little while the hyena, thinking it about time to show off a little of his philosophy, suddenly stopped.

“Here,” growled the lion, “this won’t do; I guess we’ll have to tie you to big tree, the hyena.”

“Oh, no,” said the hyena; “I’m thinking.”

“What are you thinking about?” they inquired.

“I’m thinking about nothing at all,” he said, imagining himself very smart and witty.

“Ah, pshaw! We won’t be fooled that way,” the rabbit cried.

So, he and the lion tied the hyena to a big tree.

think: consideration witty: smart; clever


When they had punished the hyena, the lion and the rabbit proceeded on their way, and presently came to a place where there was a cave, and here the rabbit stopped.

“H’m!” exclaimed the lion; “I’m not in the mood to tie you to a big tree, but I guess I’ll have to find room for you, little rabbit.”

“Oh, I believe not,” the rabbit; “I’m thinking again.”

“Well,” said the lion, “what is it this time?”

The rabbit said: “I’m thinking about that cave. In olden times our ancestors used to go in here, and go out there, and I think I’ll try and follow in their footsteps.”

So, he went in at one end and out at the other end several times.

Then he said to the lion, “Let’s see you try to do that;” and the lion went into the cave, but he stuck fast, and could neither go forward nor back out.


In a moment the rabbit was on the lion’s back, and began hitting him.

After a little time the lion cried, “Oh, brother, be impartial; come and hit some of the front part of me.”

But the rabbit replied, “Indeed, I can’t come around in front; I’m ashamed to look you in the face.”

So, having tired of hitting the lion and making him unconscious, he tied the lion to a big tree and went to become the owner of the farm and its crops.

ASSIGNMENTS


1. What did the lion, the hyena and the rabbit do together in a village?

2. Who suggested the proposition just ahead of their departure to the garden?

3. What punishment was given to the hyena when he stopped before reaching the garden?

4. Who stopped second before reaching the garden? 5. How did the rabbit fool the lion and save his life?

B. Reference to context.

Read this line from the tale, then answer the following questions. “Indeed, I can’t come around in front; I’m ashamed to look you in the face.”a. Who said these words and to whom? b. What had happened before this statement was made?

impartial: fair


c. Why is the speaker saying this? d. Which one of the speaker’s traits does this line bring out: dull,

talented, helpful and cunning?e. Find the synonym of ‘humiliated’.f. Pick out the two adverbs from the line.

C. Put the following statements in order.

D. Characterisation.

Which one of the three animals do you think is the cleverest one? How? Give a convincing reason.

E. Discuss and write.

In the fairy tale, the rabbit escapes punishment from the mighty lion regardless of being smaller and weaker than him. How does the rabbit trap the lion and becomes the sole owner of the farm and its crops at last?

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1. The three animals decided to go into a country and start farming.

2. The rabbit stopped to walk. 3. The lion was unconscious. 4. The lion was not in the mood to tie the rabbit to a big tree. 5. The three animals set out for their garden.


F. Find words from the text that are opposite in meaning to the underlined words.

1. I don’t want to eat this raw mango now. 2. Hardworking employees will be well rewarded. 3. My new friend lives near. 4. It’s a tiny fish to take home. 5. The bus moved very slowly.

G. Write ‘T’ for true and ‘F’ for false statements.

a. The hyena fooled the lion and the rabbit. b. The hyena, the rabbit and the lion were friends.c. The hyena made a proposition before they set out for the

garden. d. The rabbit was punished by the lion. e. The rabbit became the sole owner of the farm and its crops.

H. Make sensible sentences, using the following words.

1. impartial: _____________________________________________2. ashamed: _____________________________________________3. unconscious: __________________________________________4. ancestors: _____________________________________________5. footsteps: _____________________________________________


Once upon a time, there lived a young girl named Snow Black. Snow Black lived in a small house in Naomi with her mother and her sister named Sophie. One day, Snow woke up to a large,

banging noise coming from under her bed. Snow decided to look under her bed and see what was under there. Under her bed was her sister Sophie, playing with Barbies.

"Yuck," Snow said.

"Morning," Sophie said. "Mum has made pancakes for breakfast."

Snow got out of bed and went into the kitchen. Snow could smell the beautiful-smelling fragrance of the pancakes with rich, syrup poured all over the top.

18. SNOW BLACK

In this fairy tale, a young girl named Snow Black makes a wish to go to a magical land with fairies and queens. One day, she is taken to a magical land by a young fairy and kept in a cell. She spends three long years in the cell. Fortunately, one day, she runs away from the cell. How does she escape the cell?

Characters: Snow Black Sophie [Snow’s sister] Snow’s mother Fairies Fairy Queen GuardsSetting: Naomi and the willow tree

Excerpt by Chelsea Heagney

fragrance: pleasant smell syrup: suit liquid made from sugar and water


"Good morning sweetheart! There are pancakes on the bench. They should still be warm," said Snow's mother. Snow sat down at the table and munched into the pancakes like a lion that hadn't eaten for a month. After she was finished, she went to her room and found Sophie playing with Snow's favourite teddy that she had had since she was a baby. Snow started going off at Sophie telling her to give it back and that she should play with her own toys. Sophie said no, so Snow went and told her mother, but her mother just told her to go outside and cool off for a while.

munched: ate something steadily

Snow Black went outside and sat on the swing. She wished that someone would just take her away to a magical land with fairies and queens.


Suddenly the willow tree in the backyard started talking about some fairies and then big, blue eyes were staring right at Snow. Snow was so scared that she jumped and fell off the swing.

"Snow Black! You have made a wish for someone to take you away to a magical land with fairies and queens. So I am here to make your wish come true," said a kind, young fairy.

"Aaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhh!"

"Please don't scream, child. I'm here to make your wish come true. Come over here," said the fairy.

The fairy shrunk Snow Black down until she was at least about 2 cm tall. The fairy grabbed onto Snow's hand and took her inside the willow tree.

"Come, meet the Fairy Queen. She loves visitors but if she likes you, you might be able to stay forever."

Moments later, Snow Black was face to face with the Queen.

shrunk: made smaller or shorter


"Your majesty, I have brought you that little girl that you could hear crying in the backyard," said the nice fairy.

"Excellent, now you can go and let me have a look at this young girl."

"Yes, your majesty."

"Now, what is your name and how old are you?"

"My name is Snow Black and I am 13 years old. Why have you called me here?"

"That's not important! The important thing is that now you are here in my palace you can't destroy me. I will destroy YOU! You see this mirror? It is a magic mirror, and it tells me what will happen in the future. The mirror told me that you will try to take over my Kingdom but now that you're here, you can't. Guards! Take Snow Black to the cell and never let her out! EVER!"

Three long years passed, and Snow Black spent her days and nights, sitting in her cell.

Suddenly, one day, the guard outside her cell, collapsed to the floor. This was Snow's chance. She got up and reached for the keys in the guard's deep pockets.

She grabbed them and unlocked her cell and sneaked out.

When she was free, she ran out of the castle and set out to find a horse that she could use. She found one and as soon as she got on it, the guards saw her and chased her. But, they could not catch Snow Black, so they went to the Queen and told her what had happened.

"NOOOOO!" yelled the Queen. "I have just received information that her heart is valuable. GO AND FIND HER!".......

majesty: addressing a queen sneaked out: went secretly


ASSIGNMENTS


1. With whom did Snow Black live in Naomi? 2. What was Snow’s wish? 3. Where did the fairy take Snow Black? 4. How short was Snow Black made before she was taken? 5. What did the Fairy Queen tell Snow about the mirror?



Snow Black Snow Black is the main character (protagonist) in the fairy tale. She is a brave girl. She plays an important and lead role. The entire story revolves around her wish to go to a magical land with fairies and queens.

Snow’s mother

Fairy Queen

Fairies



Read this line from the tale, then answer the following questions.

"Please don't scream, child. I'm here to make your wish come true. Come over here."a. Who said these words? b. Why is the speaker saying this? c. Who was the child? d. What was the child’s wish? e. What happens after this? f. Find the synonym of the word ‘yelp’. g. Pick the pronoun from the line.


In this fairy tale, Snow Black, a thirteen-year-old girl, succeeds in running away from the cell of fairies. What have you learnt from this brave act of the girl? If you were Snow Black, what would you do to get out of the cell?

E. Characterisation

Among the four characters in the tale, which one really impressed you and why?

F. Write who said the following and to whom.

1. "Now, what is your name and how old are you?"2. "Please don't scream, child. I'm here to make your wish come

true. Come over here."3. "Mum has made pancakes for breakfast."4. "Your majesty, I have brought you that little girl that you could

hear crying in the backyard."


5. "I have just received information that her heart is valuable.”

• Sophie• The Queen• The fairy• The nice fairy• Snow Black

G. Complete the following puzzle, using the following clues.

3. 4.5.

1. 6.

Down: 3. The roof c........................................... under the weight of snow. 4. The workforce has s……………………..from 14000 to 5000 in

the past ten years. 5. Whose hand is inside your p……………………………..? 6. Please drink cough s…………………… if you want to feel

better soon. Across:

1. Toss your p……………………………. quickly, or it will be tasteless.

5. My uncle p………………………..the MBBS entrance test.


A short story is a short fictional narrative text. A short story has a single plot and a few characters. Edgar Allan Poe defined a short story as the one that can be read at one sitting of half an hour to

two hours. Some of the essential elements of a short story are as follows:


Characters are a person, animal or thing that plays part in a story. In general, there are major and minor characters. In ‘The Royal Barber’, the king, the barber and the Chief Minister are characters.

A plot is systematic order of incidents in a story: having a beginning, a middle and an end.

Conflict is a situation where two characters don’t agree with each other. In ‘The Royal Barber’, the royal barber and the Chief Minister are against each other.

Titles can be the name of the major characters or a particular incident. The titles should reflect the subject of the story. In ‘The Royal Barber’, the title is after the name of a profession.

Themes are a central or controlling idea. The themes may be the author’s thoughts about a topic or view of human nature. In ‘The Royal Barber’, the theme is: the one who digs a pit falls into it.

Settings are the time, place, weather and social conditions within which an incident takes place. In ‘The Royal Barber’, the setting is the king’s palace.

Short Stories


19. The Royal Barber

20. The New Assistant

21. The Soldier (Sipahi)

22. The Little Match Girl

welcome to the delightful world of reading

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