THE ANT AND THE GRASSHOPPER
In a field one summer's day a grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and
singing to its heart's content. A group of ants walked by, grunting as they
struggled to carry plump kernels of corn.
"Where are you going with those heavy things?" asked the grasshopper.
Without stopping, the first ant replied, "To our ant hill. This is the third
kernel I've delivered today."
"Why not come and sing with me," teased the grasshopper, "instead of
working so hard?"
"We are helping to store food for the winter," said the ant, "and think you
should do the same."
"Winter is far away and it is a glorious day to play," sang the grasshopper.
But the ants went on their way and continued their hard work.
The weather soon turned cold. All the food lying in the field was covered
with a thick white blanket of snow that even the grasshopper could not dig
through. Soon the grasshopper found itself dying of hunger.
He staggered to the ants' hill and saw them handing out corn from the stores
they had collected in the summer. He begged them for something to eat.
"What!" cried the ants in surprise, "haven't you stored anything away for the
winter? What in the world were you doing all last summer?"
"I didn't have time to store any food," complained the grasshopper; "I was so
busy playing music that before I knew it the summer was gone."
The ants shook their heads in disgust, turned their backs on the grasshopper
and went on with their work.
Comprehension Check:
1. Who are the characters in the story?
a. Ant and Grasshopper
b. Grasshopper and Winter
c. Ant and Winter
2. What was the grasshopper doing when the ants passed by?
a. sleeping
b. dancing and singing
c. singing and chirping
3. What are the ants collecting during the summer?
a. garbage
b. food
c. water
4. What did the grasshopper want the ants to do when he first met them?
a. to work harder and faster
b. to stop working and sing and dance with him
c. to play with him
5. The ants were “toiling” in the sun. What does toiling mean in the sentence?
a. walking
b. playing
c. working hard
6. Why didn’t the ants sing and dance with the grasshopper?
a. they didn’t like dancing and singing
b. they were too busy collecting food
c. they didn’t like the grasshopper
7. Why do you think the grasshopper didn’t collect any kernels of corn in summer
like the ants?
8. Was the ending of the story appropriate? Why?
9. Write a composition on hard work based on the story of “The Ant and The
Grasshopper”.
10. Present a poem based on the story “The Ant and The Grasshopper”.
THE LEGEND OF MANGO
Once upon a time, there was a girl named Dominga. She was only twelve
when her parents died in an accident. And so Dominga lived by herself in their
house. Mingga, as her friends called her, was kind and helpful.
One day, an old woman approached her. “I am not feeling well”, the old
woman said. “I need someone to help me at home”. “Don’t worry”, Minga replied.
“I will help you do the household shores”. “Thank you Mingga. You are so kind”.
To help the old woman, Mingga did the household chores until the old
woman got well. “Thank you very much, Mingga”, said Grandma Anita. “You did
not leave me when I was sick. Your heart is really pure”. Mingga assured her, “It’s
nothing, Grandma Anita. I am willing to you anytime.
One day, Mingga got sick. And her condition got worse. Eventually, Mingga
passed away. Everyone in their town mourned. “Mingga is now dead. But I believe
her kind heart will never die.” “Let us take her heart and keep it as a remembrance
of her.” They took Mingga’s heart and planted it in the garden.
After several days, a plant grew. The people took very good care of the plant
for they believed that the plant was Mingga. When the tree bore fruits, the people
decided to call the fruit, Mingga.
As time passed by, Mingga became Mangga or in English , Mango.
Comprehension Check:
1. Who is the main character in the story?
a. Mango
b. Mingga
c. Minnie
2. What happened to the parents of Mingga?
a. they were robbed
b. they won a ticket for two
c. they met an accident
3. How old was Mingga when her parents left?
a. 10
b. 12
c. 14
4. What did Mingga do when an old woman asked for her help?
a. Mingga promised to help the old woman.
b. Mingga didn’t entertain the old woman
c. Mingga scolded the old woman
5. Why did the people took Mingga’s heart?
a. because they could make a money from it
b. because they believed that her kind heart will never die
c. because they want to eat it
6. Why did Mingga died?
a. because of a car accident
b. because she drank poison
c. because of sickness
7. Why do you think Mingga wanted to help the old woman?
8. Was the ending of the story appropriate? Why?
9. Write a composition on kindness based on the story of “The Legend of Mango”.
10. Present a short role play of The Legend of Mango.
