Сanada and Australia in Focus
Сanada and Australia in Focus
Сanada and Australia
in
Focus
Навчальний
посібник
із
країнознавства
Навчальний
посібник „Сanada and Australia in Focus” вміщує короткі відомості про Канаду
й Австралію, міфи й легенди цих країн із прозорою фабулою, різноманітні за
змістом, дібрані з урахуванням сфери інтересів і потреб учнів основної школи.
Запропоновані тексти ілюструють особливості суспільного життя Канади й
Австралії: соціальної, історичної, релігійної та культурної сфер. У навчальному
посібнику пропонується список лексичних одиниць, глосарій та словник. До
кожного з автентичних текстів додаються різноманітні вправи і завдання, що
дозволяють зацікавити учнів / студентів, забезпечити їхню комунікативну
активність, здійснювати контроль рівня сформованості їхніх іншомовних комунікативних
навичок і вмінь, надати учням / студентам можливість самостійно себе оцінити,
порівняти власні навчальні досягнення.
Посібник може
бути корисним для учнів загальноосвітніх навчальних закладів, студентів
педагогічних факультетів університетів, вчителів і викладачів, а також для усіх
тих, хто вивчає англійську мову самостійно.
Canadian and Australian Myths and Legends
The Monkey
and the Crocodile
Key words and expressions:
to yell
to slap
to come up
with a plan
to be greedy
to be sad and miserable
Make up
sentences with new words
Pre-reading task
1. How do you think? Is it possible for monkey and
crocodile to be good friends?
2. Divide into two groups. Make up a list of
advantages and disadvantages to be a monkey and a crocodile. Share your ideas.
Reading
A long time
ago a monkey lived in a great fig tree on the riverbank. Life was good for him. He grew big
and strong eating the tree's fruit. A lot of crocodiles lived in the river and one of them
watched the monkey for a long time as he ate and slept in the tree.
“That monkey's
heart must taste so sweet from all the fruit he eats” the crocodile thought to
herself. “I want to eat it”.
She turned to
her husband and said “See the big monkey up there in that tree. Bring me his heart,
I want to eat it”.
Her husband
looked up at the monkey in the tree and then looked at his wife.
“But the
monkey lives high in the tree and I’m here in the river. How can I catch him?”
“I don’t care
how you do it, just bring me his heart” yelled his wife, slapping the water
angrily with her tail.
Her husband
knew there was no way of talking her out of something, once she had made up her
mind. She wouldn’t talk to him again until he brought her the monkey’s heart.
“Ok, Ok, calm
down, I’ll think of something, dearest” he said.
The crocodile
thought and thought and finally came up with a plan.
“I know what
I’ll do” he said to himself. “I'll trick the monkey into riding on my back”.
The crocodile
swam closer to the tree.
“Hello Mr
Monkey. How are you today?” he called out, smiling and trying to sound
friendly. He wasn’t too bright. When he smiled he showed all his big teeth.
“I'm fine,
thank you” said the monkey, trying not to look scared as he stared down from
the tree at the open mouth with all those big sharp teeth.
“Mr Monkey,
why do you only eat the fruit from that fig tree when there are so many juicy
mangoes on trees on the island in the middle of the river?” asked the
crocodile.
“Because I
can’t get across the river, the water is too deep” answered the monkey.
“No problem,
you can ride on my back and I'll take you over there” said the crocodile.
The monkey
didn’t trust the crocodile completely, but he was greedy and he wanted to taste
all those juicy mangoes on the island. So he jumped down onto the crocodile’s
back.
“Hold on tight
and off we go” said the crocodile.
The crocodile
had only swum a little way when he dived under the water.
“Why did you
do that?” said the monkey, spluttering and spitting out water. “I could have
drowned”.
“You are going
to drown” said the crocodile. “I'm going to hold you under the water and kill
you. My wife wants me to bring her your heart so she can eat it.”
“Ah, you
should have told me before we left” said the monkey. “I didn’t bring my heart
with me. I don’t keep it inside me all the time because it could get knocked to
pieces from all that jumping around in the tree” he said. "Take me over to the island and
after I've eaten some mangoes, we'll go back to my tree and I'll get my heart
for you” said the monkey.
“No way,
monkey” said the crocodile. "We’re going back for your heart first and
then we’ll see about the mangoes.”
“Fair enough,
you’re the boss” said the monkey.
When they got
back to the tree the monkey jumped off the crocodile’s back and ran up high
into the tree.
The monkey
yelled down at the crocodile “You dumb crocodile, who ever heard of anyone
keeping their heart up a tree. You may be bigger than me and have lots of sharp
teeth but you're not smarter than me. My heart is inside me, come up here and
get it if you can”.
The crocodile
realised he'd been tricked. He was sad and miserable. “This is not good. How am I ever
going to explain this to my wife?” the crocodile thought to himself. “She so
wanted to taste that monkey’s heart”. A tear fell down his cheek as he swam back to his wife.
Comprehension check
Put
the following events (A-F) in the right order. Number them (1-6).
a. The crocodile thought and
thought and finally came up with a plan.
b. The crocodile realised
he'd been tricked.
c. A long time ago a monkey
lived in a great fig tree on the riverbank.
d. When they got back to the
tree the monkey jumped off the crocodile’s back and ran up high into the tree.
e. The monkey didn’t trust
the crocodile completely, but he was greedy and he wanted to taste all those
juicy mangoes on the island.
f. Her husband looked up at
the monkey in the tree and then looked at his wife.
WRITIHG
Write an
article of about 100-120 words to a school newspaper. Express your point of
view on the legend.
The River
Snake
Key words and expressions:
distant
to stand in
doubt
years passed away
an oath
brother-in-law
Make up
sentences with new words
Pre-reading task
1. Work in
small groups. Make a list of words and word combinations which can characterize
a snake. Compare your list with other groups.
Reading
Once upon a
time a certain woman had been on a visit to a distant village. As she was going
home she reached the bank of a flooded river. She tried to wade across but soon
found that the water was too deep and the current too strong. She looked about
but could see no signs of a boat or any means of crossing. It began to grow
dark, and the woman was in great distress at the thought that she would not be
able to reach her home. While she thus stood in doubt, suddenly out of the river came a great
snake and said to her, "Woman, what will you give me if I ferry you across
the river?" She
answered, "Snake, I have nothing to give you."
The snake
said, "I cannot take you across the river unless you promise to give me
something." Now
the woman at the time was pregnant and not knowing what else to do, she
promised that when her child was born, if it were a daughter she would marry
her to the river snake, and if it were a son that, when the boy grew up he
should become the name friend of the snake. The woman swore to do this with an
oath, and the snake took her on his back and bore her safely across the flooded
stream. The woman safely reached
her home, and in a little time a daughter was born to her.
Years passed
away, and the woman forgot all about the snake and her oath. One day she went
to the river to fetch water, and the snake came out of the stream and said to
her, "Woman, where is the wife whom you promised to me?" The woman then remembered her oath,
and going back to her house she returned to the river with her daughter. When
the girl came to the bank of the river, the snake seized her and drew her
underneath the water, and her mother saw her no more.
The girl lived
with the snake at the bottom of the river, and in the course of years bore him
four snake sons. Afterwards
the girl remembered her home, and one day she went to visit her mother. Her
brothers when they came home were astonished to see her and said, "Sister,
we thought that you were drowned in the river." She answered, "No, I was not
drowned, but I am married and have children." The brothers said, "Where is
this brother-in-law of ours?" Their sister said, "Go to the river and call him." So they went to the river and called,
and the snake came up out of the water and went to their house with them. Then
they welcomed the snake and gave him great quantities of rice beer to drink.
After drinking this the snake became sleepy and went to sleep. Then the
brothers who did not like a snake brother-in-law took their axes and cut off
the head of the snake while he slept, and afterwards their sister lived in
their house.
Comprehension check
Read the
statements (1-8) that follow the text and decide if they are TRUE or FALSE
according to what the text says. Mark your answers (x) in the table after the
statements. An example has already been given for you.
Statements
|
TRUE
|
FALSE
|
Once upon a time a certain man had
been on a visit to a distant village.
|
|
x
|
The woman promised that when her
child was born, if it were a daughter she would become a sister to the river
snake.
|
|
|
The woman was in great distress at
the thought that she would not be able to reach her home.
|
|
|
One day the women went to the river
to swim, and the snake came out of the stream.
|
|
|
Years passed away, and the woman
forgot all about the snake and her oath.
|
|
|
The woman safely reached her home,
and in a little time a daughter and a son were born to her.
|
|
|
The girl lived with the snake near
the river.
|
|
|
The brothers welcomed the snake and
gave him great quantities of wine to drink.
|
|
|
WRITIHG
Write what
happened after the following:
a. It began to grow dark, and
the woman was in great distress at the thought that she would not be able to
reach her home.
b. Years passed away, and the
woman forgot all about the snake and her oath.
c. The girl lived with the snake at the
bottom of the river, and in the course of years bore him four snake sons.
Coyote and
the Rock
Key words and expressions:
a blanket
to rumble
to stretch out
to squash
to howl
a witch
Make up
sentences with new words
Pre-reading task
1. Tell what
do you know about coyotes. Where do they live? How do they look like?
2. What are
the differences between coyotes and wolves?
Reading
One
sunny day Coyote and Fox were out walking up a hill together. They were warm
and decided to stop for a rest. Coyote pointed to a large smooth rock in front
of them and said, "that's a good
looking rock. Let's rest there." He spread his blanket over the rock and
they lay down. When they were ready to move on again, Coyote decided he was
tired of carrying his blanket. It was too heavy on this fine day.
He
spoke to the rock. "Thank you for letting us rest on you Rock. I'm leaving
my blanket as a present, to protect you from the rain and the snow".
Coyote
and Fox set off down the hill on the other side. They hadn't gone far when the
Sun hid behind the clouds and large drops of rain fell.
Coyote
said "Fox, go and get my blanket back from Rock. We need it now". Fox
went back to Rock and asked for the blanket. "No!" said Rock in his
deep voice. "This was a present and I need it to protect me from the
rain".
Coyote
was angry when Fox told him what Rock had said. He ran back up the hill.
"Rock,
you are ungrateful and selfish. All these years you've been lying here with
nothing to protect you - a few more drops of rain won't harm you. I am cold and
getting wet and I need this blanket." And he snatched it back. Coyote and
Fox sat under the blanket, keeping warm and dry. Rock was cold and wet. When
the rain stopped, Sun peeked out from behind the clouds to see if anyone had
missed him. Then the ground began to rumble and a crashing sound came from over
the top of the hill.
"Fox,
go and see what is making the ground rumble" said Coyote.
Fox
rushed up to the top of the hill, then ran back down screaming "Coyote!
Quick run! Run! Rock is coming to take back the blanket".
Fox
leapt into a nearby Badger hole. But it was to small and the tip of his tail
stuck out. Rock rolled over the hole and squashed the furry tip, turning it
white. Even today Fox's tail still has a white tip. Coyote ran as fast as he
could, his tail stretched out behind him. Reaching the river, he swam to the
other side. "I'm safe now" he said. "Rock can't swim. He'll sink
to the bottom if he follows me".
Rock
rolled into the river and started swimming. Coyote's jaw dropped open in
surprise. He scrambled up the bank and ran off again, heading for the forest.
"These
big trees will protect me" he panted.
Rock
smashed and crashed his way through the forest, knocking down trees in his
path.
"Go
away Coyote, before Rock kills us all," shouted the trees.
Coyote
ran from the forest, down onto the prairie where he saw two bears.
"Help
me! Help me!" he howled. "Rock is chasing me."
"We
will stop him" growled the Bears.
The
first Bear put out one paw to stop Rock, and his paw was broken.
"Yeeoow!"
he cried in pain.
The
second Bear put out both paws but Rock rolled right over him, squashing him as
thin as a pancake. Coyote ran on until he saw some Buffalo grazing.
"Help
me!" he howled. "Rock is chasing me".
The
Buffalo lowered their horns and charged at Rock. Rock cracked their heads and
kept rolling.
"Oooh!
My head hurts" moaned one of the Buffalo. Coyote ran on until he saw two
old women talking outside their lodge. They were holding stone hatchets.
"Help
me!" he howled. "Rock is chasing me".
He
ran up and hid behind the women and when Rock reached them they hit him with
their hatchets, shattering Rock into thousands of tiny pieces. Coyote fell on
the ground, exhausted. The two women started whispering, but he could hear what
they said.
"Coyote
is so plump and juicy, he will go well in our cooking pot".
Frightened,
Coyote realised they were witches. He had to do something fast or they would
eat him for dinner that night! Thinking that he was too tired to run again, the
witches went inside their lodge to get their cooking pot.
Coyote
noticed their water jugs outside the door. He jumped up, emptied the water out,
then lay down again. When the witches came out again he said "I need a
drink of water after all that running".
The
witches pointed to the jugs.
"There's
plenty there Coyote. Help yourself".
He
turned one of the jugs upside down.
"They're
empty. I'll go down to the river and fill them for you".
The
witches believed him. When he was out of sight, Coyote laughed, dropped the
jugs and ran away as fast as he could. When the witches realised they had been
tricked, they became angry and blamed each other. They shouted louder and
louder and finally hit each other on the head with their stone hatchets. They
dropped down dead and that was the end of the witches.
Comprehension check
Some words are
missing from the text. Choose the most appropriate answer from the box for each
gap (1-6) in the text. Do not change the words. There is one word which you do
not need to use.
large, on, out, heavy, rock, warm
|
One sunny day
Coyote and Fox were _____ walking up a hill together. They were ______ and
decided to stop for a rest. Coyote pointed to a _____ smooth rock in front of
them and said, "that's a good
looking rock. Let's rest there." He spread his blanket over the _____ and
they lay down. When they were ready to move ______ again, Coyote decided he was
tired of carrying his blanket. It was too ______ on this fine day.
WRITIHG
Into the box
below write the words and word combinations which can characterize a rock and a
coyote.
Coyote
Brings Fire
Key words and expressions:
to guard
to share
a fire being
a cunning
smile
slyly
Make up
sentences with new words
Pre-reading task
What legends
about fire and Fire Beings do you know? Relate them to your classmates.
Reading
Long
ago, the Fire Beings were the only people who had fire. They guarded it closely
and wouldn't share it with other tribes or animals. This didn't matter so much
in spring and summer, but in winter many young children and old people died
from the icy cold. Just before the next winter, some of the animals called a
meeting.
"We
can't let our children and grandparents die from the cold this year," said
Squirrel.
"We
have to get fire from the Fire Beings to keep warm."
"How
can we do that?" asked Chipmunk. "The Fire Beings won't share it with
us".
"Let's
ask Coyote for help" said Frog. "He's crafty and cunning, and he'll
know how to get fire".
Coyote
listened and thought about the problem. Then he smiled a cunning smile.
"There
is a way to get fire from the selfish Fire Beings" he said.
"How?
How can we do that?" asked Chipmunk
"We'll
take it!" answered Coyote slyly. "I have a plan. Follow me!"
Coyote
lead the animals to the Fire Beings' camp on top of the mountain. The others
hid in the bushes while Coyote walked into the camp.
"Who's
there?" screeched one of the Beings. "Someone's trying to steal our
fire".
"It's
all right," hissed another. "It's only an old moth eaten
coyote".
"Huummph!
Moth eaten indeed," thought Coyote, but he didn't say anything.
He
lay down by the fire and pretended to go to sleep, keeping one eye half open.
Three Fire Beings sat nearby. One was huge and ugly - with a small bald head
and big rolls of fat around his stomach. Snot dripped in long slimy strands
from his nose. The other two were old hags, with eyes like red stones and
clawed hands like a vulture.
After
a few minutes, a banging noise started in the bushes. It was Coyote's friends.
"What's
that horrible noise?" cried the fat ugly Fire Being. "Who's
there?"
The
three of them went to investigate. Seeing his chance, Coyote snatched up a
glowing piece of fire and ran off down the mountain as fast as he could.
Realising they had been tricked, the two hags screamed and chased after him.
The big fat bald Fire Being just stood there, with more snot dripping from his
nose. The hags were old, but they could run like the wind. They nearly caught
Coyote. One of them stretched out her claws and touched the tip of his tail.
The heat turned the hairs white. Coyote threw the fire into the air towards
Squirrel. She caught it in her tail and scampered off over stumps and boulders.
The fire scorched her so badly, that her tail curled up over her back. She was
almost caught, until Chipmunk bounded up beside her.
"Me!
Me! Throw it to me!"
Catching
the fire, Chipmunk turned to run. One of the hags clawed her back leaving three
stripes down it. Chipmunk threw the fire to Frog, but one of the Beings grabbed
his tail.
"Let
me go!" yelled Frog.
He
squirmed and struggled so much that his eyeballs bulged and he thought his
heart would burst. With one last mighty leap he tore himself free, leaving his
beautiful long tail behind, still wriggling in the hag's claw. Frog threw the
fire to Wood and Wood swallowed it. The Fire Beings hit Wood and kicked him and
cut him with their knives, but still Wood didn't spit out the fire. At last the
hags gave up and went home, mumbling to themselves: "Oh dear, I think I
broke a nail". "Never mind. We'll have frog's tail soup
tonight." "Mmm! That sounds nice".
Coyote
called all the animals together to teach them how to get the fire from Wood.
"Fire
is a gift for everyone. If you rub two dry sticks of Wood together very fast
Wood will get itchy and give you some fire. From now on you will be warm in
winter".
"I
told you Coyote was cunning" said Frog.
"Yes,
but I wonder what frog's tail soup tastes like?" asked Squirrel.
And
that is why today, Coyote's tail has a white tip, squirrel's tail curls around
over her back, chipmunk's coat has white stripes and frog has no tail. But
everyone is warm in winter.
Comprehension check
Some words are
missing from the text. Choose the most appropriate answer from the box for each
gap (1-8) in the text. Do not change the words. There is one word which you do
not need to use.
Chipmunk, fat, tricked, Squirrel,
investigate, old, Coyote, claws
|
The
three of them went to ________. Seeing his chance, Coyote snatched up a glowing
piece of fire and ran off down the mountain as fast as he could. Realising they
had been _______, the two hags screamed and chased after him. The big ______
bald Fire Being just stood there, with more snot dripping from his nose. The hags
were ______, but they could run like the wind. They nearly caught ________. One
of them stretched out her ______ and touched the tip of his tail. The heat
turned the hairs white. Coyote threw the fire into the air towards ________.
She caught it in her tail and scampered off over stumps and boulders. The fire
scorched her so badly, that her tail curled up over her back. She was almost
caught, until _____ bounded up beside her.
WRITIHG
Work in pairs.
Compose 10 questions on the text and ask your partner.
Why Bat Has
no Friends
Key words and expressions:
a claw
a beak
vigorously
to hold a
council
to nod in
agreement
Make up
sentences with new words
Pre-reading task
How do you
think? What shall we do to have a lot of friends? Do you have friends? How to
be a good friend? Share your ideas.
Reading
Many
years ago there was a great war between the birds and the animals. No-one knows
why. It just happened. The creatures with wings flew to the battle site and
made their camp. Those who had legs, walked there. Bat joined the birds.
"Hey,
I've got wings. So I must be a bird. And there are more of us, so we should
win!" The first battle was long and hard, but gradually slashing claws and
tearing teeth began to win over beaks and wings. Bat could see that the birds
were losing so he hid behind a bush. When the battle was over the animals
walked back towards their camp.
"Man,
did we kick those birds' butts or what?" said Buffalo, spitting out a few
feathers.
"Yeah!
We kicked their butts" cried Bat in his high pitched voice.
The
animals stopped. "What are you doing with us?" shouted Beaver,
slapping the ground hard with his big, flat tail. "You've got wings.
You're with the other side."
"Yeah,
that's right" growled Bear. "And I'm going to eat you!"
"Guys!
Guys! Get Real!" said Bat, pointing into his mouth. "When have you
ever seen a bird with teeth? Of course I'm one of you!"
"I
suppose so," grumbled Bear.
The
next day there was to be another battle and Bat walked to the site with the
animals.
"Let's
rip their beaks off!" he yelled.
This
time the birds flew as an army with the sun behind them, its bright light
blinding the animals. Tearing talons and flapping wings tore into furry bodies.
The birds were winning. Again Bat hid behind a bush. When it was all over and
the birds started to fly back to their camp, Bat silently joined them.
"That
was a good victory today", said Eagle.
"Yeah!
We kicked their butts" shouted Bat.
"Hold
on" said Crow. "You were with the other side."
"Guys!
Guys! Get Real" said Bat. "When have you ever seen an animal with
wings like mine? Of course I'm one of you." He flapped his wings
vigorously.
"I
suppose so", said Eagle.
And
that's how it was in each battle. When Bat saw that the side he was on was
going to lose, he pretended he was on the other side. Eventually the birds and
animals got tired of fighting each other. They all came together while their
Chiefs held a council of truce to decide how things would be settled. It was
very difficult for Bat to pretend that he belonged to both sides. The Chiefs
knew what he had done.
"Friends
should always help each other and not pretend to be one thing when they are
another" they said. "Bat has wings, but he is not a bird. He has
teeth, but he is not an animal. From now on, Bat will only fly at night when
other birds are asleep and the animals are hunting."
All
the creatures nodded in agreement.
"You
will always be alone, Bat. You will never have a friend among the creatures
that fly or from those that walk!"
And
that's why Bat always flies at night and doesn't have any friends.
Comprehension check
1.
Give an outline of the legend.
2.
Retell the legend as if you were a bat.
WRITIHG
Write what
happened after the following:
1.
The next day there was to be another battle ... .
2.
They all came together while their Chiefs held a council of truce ... .
3.
From now on, Bat will only fly at night ... .
Spider,
Hare and the Moon
Key words and expressions:
to be afraid
a moonbeam
a sunbeam
gloomily
a web
Make up
sentences with new words
Pre-reading task
How
do you think? What is the meaning of this sentence? «Spider is still carefully carrying
Moon's message and spinning the web in the corner of our rooms - but how many
of us listen?». Try to explain.
Reading
Moon
was sad. She had spent many years looking at the people on Earth and she saw
that they were afraid. They were afraid of dying. To make them feel better she
decided to call on her friend Spider to take a message to them.
"Spider",
She said, "The people of Earth are afraid of dying and that makes me very
sad. Please tell them that they will all die sooner or later but it is nothing
to be scared of."
So
Spider slowly made his way back to Earth, carefully picking his way down on
moonbeams and sunbeams. On his way he met Hare.
"Where
are you going Spider?", said Hare.
"I
am going to give the people of Earth a message from Moon.", he said.
"Oh,
you'll be far too long. Tell me the message and I'll take it there for
you", replied Hare.
"OK!
Moon wants the people of Earth to know that they will all die......",
Spider started.
"Right!
Tell the people of Earth that they will all die", said Hare. And with
that, Hare disappeared off to Earth.
Spider
gloomily made his way back to Moon and told Her what had happened. Moon was
very cross with Hare and when he came back to tell them that he had given them
the message, she hit him on the nose! And that is why to this day, the Hare has
a split lip.
"You
had better take the message yourself", said Moon to Spider.
And
to this day, Spider is still carefully carrying Moon's message and spinning the
web in the corner of our rooms - but how many of us listen?
Comprehension check
1. Put the
following events (A-D) in the right order/ Number them (1-4).
A.
"Where
are you going Spider?", said Hare.
B. Moon was sad.
C.
And with
that, Hare disappeared off to Earth.
D. She said, "The people
of Earth are afraid of dying and that makes me very sad.
WRITIHG
Think a little
and write your attitude to this myth.
The Crow and Its Ugly Fledglings
Key words and expressions:
a fledgling
a gift
one by one
a brood
Make up
sentences with new words
Pre-reading task
How
do you think what does it mean?
«Just so are all mothers.
No other child is so beautiful in their eyes as their own».
Reading
Of
all the birds the crow is considered the ugliest, especially its young
fledglings. The legend tells that sometime after God had created all the living
beings, he called everyone to see them and their offspring. He wanted to see
how the young birds and animals looked, and then to give them suitable gifts,
and food for their little ones.
They
came one by one, and God looked at them, patted some and stroked others, and
was very pleased with every one of them, for each one had something of beauty
in it. And so he blessed them and gave them food by which to live. The last to
come was the crow, bringing her little brood with her, very proud of them.
When
God cast his eyes upon the young crows, he spat in astonishment, and said,
"Surely these are not my creatures. I could not have made such ugly
things. Every one of my creatures has such beautiful young ones that they are a
pleasure to look at, but yours are so ugly that it makes one sick to look at
them. Where did you get this one?"
"Where
should I get them from?" replied the crow. "It is my very own young
child," she added with pride.
"You
had better go back and bring me another one. This is much too ugly. I cannot
look at it."
Annoyed
at the words of God, the crow went away and flew all over the earth to search
for another young one that would be more beautiful than the one she had brought
to God. But no other young bird appeared so beautiful in her eyes as her own.
So she returned back to God and said, "I have been all over the world, and
I have searched high and low, but young birds more beautiful and more dainty
than mine I have not been able to find."
Then
God smilingly replied, "Quite right. Just so are all mothers. No other
child is so beautiful in their eyes as their own."
Then
he blessed the little crows and sent them away into the world with his gifts.
Comprehension check AND WRITIHG
Making
a spider. Find out as many words as you can to describe a crow and make the
spider bigger.
Why Is there Enmity Between the Crow and the Hawk?
Key words and expressions:
to rear
a nest
to beg
woe
Make up
sentences with new words
Pre-reading task
Find out the
differences between two words FRIENDSHIP and FELLOWSHIP. Try to explain them.
Reading
The
crow was in very great distress, for however she tried and whatever she did,
she could not rear a family. No sooner were the young hatched, than the hawk
would come and pick them up. In vain did she try to hide her nest in the
hollows of a tree or in the thickets of a bush. As sure as death would the hawk
find them and eat them.
Not
knowing what to do, she bethought herself and said, "How would it do if I try
and get the hawk to be godmother? For then, being a near relation, she is sure
to spare my little ones."
Said
and done. She went out of her place to search for the hawk, and finding her,
she said, "Good morning, sister."
"Good
morning," replied the hawk.
"How
pleased I should feel," said the crow, "if you would become godmother
to my children."
"With
pleasure," replied the hawk. "Why not?" And so they made up a
covenant of friendship and of good fellowship between them.
Before
leaving the hawk, the crow said to her, "Now, sister, I have one request
to make."
"Granted,"
replied the hawk. "What is it?"
"I
only beg of you to spare my children. Do not eat them when you have found
them."
"All
right," replied the hawk. "I shall certainly not touch them. But tell
me how they look, so that in case I meet them, I may spare them."
"Oh,"
replied the crow, "mine are the most beautiful creatures in the world.
They are more lovely than any other bird can boast of."
"Very
well. Rest assured. Go in peace." And they parted.
The
crow, being quite satisfied with the hawk's promise, began flying about the
next day trying to find something with which to feed her children. The hawk the
next morning went about her own business and tried to find some nice little
young ones to eat. Flying about, she saw the young ones of the thrush, the
blackbird, and of other beautiful birds, and she said to herself, "Surely
these are the children of the crow. Look how lovely and beautiful they are. I
am not going to touch them."
She
went all day without finding any little birds but these. And she said to
herself, "I must keep my word to my sister. I am not going to touch
them." And she went to bed hungry. The next day the same thing happened,
and still the hawk kept her word and would not touch them.
On
the third day she was so hungry that she could scarcely see out of her eyes.
Roaming about, the hawk suddenly lighted upon the nest of the crow. Seeing the
little, miserable, ugly things in the nest, the hawk at first would not touch
them, although she never dreamt that these ugly things were the children of the
crow, so much praised by her for their beauty, and thought they must belong to
some hideous bird. But what is one to do when one is hungry? One eats what one
gets, and not finding anything better, she sat down and gobbled them up one by
one, and then flew away.
Not
long after the hawk had left, the crow came in, feeling sure this time to find
her little ones unhurt. But how great was her dismay when she found the nest
empty! First she thought the little birds had tried their wings and were flying
about in the neighbourhood, and she went in search of them. Not finding them,
she began to be a little more anxious, and hunting a little more closely, found
on the ground near some rushes some tufts of feathers with little bones and
blood. She knew at once that the hawk had again been there, feeding on her
children.
Full
of wrath and fury, she went to find the hawk. Meeting her, she said, "A
nice sister and godmother you are! After you had promised most faithfully not
to touch my children, no sooner had I turned my back on them, then you come
again and eat them."
"I
do not understand what you are saying," replied the hawk. "It is your
own fault. You told me your children were the most beautiful in the world, and
those which I have eaten were monsters of hideousness. If I had not felt the
pinch of hunger so strong, I would not have touched them, not for anything,
such ugly things they were! They nearly made me sick."
"Is
that the way you keep your promise?" replied the angry crow. "After
having eaten them, you even have the impudence to tell lies and insult me. Off
with you! And woe betide you if I ever catch you, I will teach you to behave
properly."
From
that day on, the hawk, if it gets near the crows, attacks them. And from that
day on there is implacable hatred between the crows and the hawks.
Comprehension check
Work in pairs.
Retell the legend as if you were the crow and your partner as a hawk.
WRITIHG
Put 10
different questions on the text.
The Coffee Mill which Grinds Salt
Key words and expressions:
to be about to
die
to grind a
wish
Make up
sentences with new words
Pre-reading task
How do you
think? Why does the water in seas and in oceans have a salt taste? Try to
explain.
Reading
There was once
a little boy by the name of Dan. As his parents died while he was very young,
his grandmother took care of him and taught him reading and writing, and to be
a good boy.
When
she became very old, and thought she was about to die, she called the little
boy to her and said, "I am old, Dan, and may not live long. You were
always a good boy, and therefore you shall have my only treasure, a coffee mill
which I have always kept at the bottom of my old chest. This coffee mill will
grind all that you wish. If you say to it, 'Grind a house, little mill,' it
will work away, and there the house will stand. When you say, 'Stop, little
mill,' it will cease to grind."
Dan
thanked his grandmother kindly, and when she died, and he was alone in the
world, he opened the chest, took the coffee mill, and went out into the world.
When
he had walked a long distance, and needed something to eat, he placed the mill
on the grass and said, "Grind some bread and butter, little mill."
Very soon Dan had all that he needed, and then he bid the mill to stop.
The
next day he came to a large seaport, and when he saw the many vessels, he
thought it would be pleasant to see more of the great world. He therefore
boarded one of the ships and offered his service to the sailors. As it just
happened that the captain needed a boy of Dan's age, he told him to stay.
As
soon as the ship was out of port, the sailors commenced abusing Dan. He bore
the harsh treatment as well as he could, and when he had nothing to eat the
mill ground all that he wished. The bad men wondered how he could always be
contented, although they gave him but little to eat. One day one of them peeped
through a hole in the cabin door and discovered how the coffee mill served him.
Now
the sailors offered a large sum of money to Dan if he would sell his treasure.
He refused, however, saying that it was all that his good old grandmother had
left him. So one day these wicked men threw Dan overboard and seized the mill.
As they were in need of some salt, they bid it grind for them. The mill
immediately began its work, and soon they had enough. Now they asked it to
stop, but as the one who had peeped through the hole into the boy's cabin had
not learned the exact command, the mill refused to obey, and before long the ship
was filled with salt.
The
men grew desperate, but none of them was able to find a way out of the
difficulty. So at length the ship sank down with the mill, the salt, and all
the wicked men. The men were drowned, but the mill is yet standing at the
bottom of the sea, grinding away, and for this reason the water in the ocean
has and always will have a salt taste.
Comprehension check
Read the
statements (1-5) that follow the text and decide if they are TRUE or FALSE
according to what the text says. Mark your answers (x) in the table after the
statements.
Statements
|
TRUE
|
FALSE
|
There was once a little boy by the
name of Dan.
|
|
|
Dan’s grandfather took care of him and
taught him reading and writing, and to be a good boy.
|
|
|
He opened the chest, took the coffee
mill, and went out into the world.
|
|
|
One day the captain
through a hole in the cabin door and discovered how the coffee mill served
him.
|
|
|
The mill is yet standing
at the bottom of the sea, grinding away, and for this reason the water in the
ocean has and always will have a salt taste.
|
|
|
WRITIHG
Write an
article of about 80-100 words to express your point of view on the legend.
Why Sea Water Is Salty
Key words and expressions:
to limp
misfortune
fare well
a comrade
Make up
sentences with new words
Pre-reading task
What do you
think are the best and the worst things to have a magic mill which can grind
all you ever wish?
Reading
Once upon a
time there was a dear, brave boy who had nothing on earth but a blind
grandmother and a clear conscience. After finishing school he became a ship's
boy and was about to begin his first journey. He saw that all his new comrades
were gambling with good money, but he had nothing, not even a penny. This
saddened him, and he complained to his grandmother. She thought for a while,
then limped into her room and returned with a small mill, which she gave to the
boy, saying, "If you say to the mill, 'Mill, mill, grind for me; grind
this or that for me at once!' then it will grind for you whatever you want. And
when you say, 'Mill, mill, stand still, for I want nothing more!' then it will
stop grinding. But say nothing about this, or it will bring you
misfortune!"
The
boy thanked her, said farewell, and boarded his ship. When his comrades again
began to gamble with their money, he took his mill into a dark corner and said,
"Mill, mill, grind for me; grind golden ducats for me at once!" and
the mill ground out ducats of pure gold that fell ringing into his leather cap.
When
the cap was full he said, "Mill, mill, stand still, for I want nothing
more!" and it stopped grinding. He was now the richest of all his comrades.
The
ship's captain was very miserly, and whenever there was not enough to eat, the
boy had only to say, "Mill, mill, grind for me; grind fresh bread for me
at once!" and it would grind away until he said the other words. The mill
ground out anything for him that he wanted.
His
comrades often asked him how he got these good things, but he said only that he
was not at liberty to tell them. However, they continued to press him, until at
last he told them the whole story.
It
was not long before the evil ship's captain got wind of this, and he
immediately hatched a plot. One evening he called the boy into his cabin and
said, "Fetch your mill and grind out some fresh chickens for me!"
The
boy went and brought back a basket full of fresh chickens, but the godless man
was not satisfied. He beat the poor boy until he brought the mill to him and
told him what he had to say to make it grind. However, the boy did not tell him
how to make it stop, and the captain did not think to ask him about this.
Afterward
when the boy was standing alone on deck, the captain went to him and pushed him
into the sea, not thinking at all about how much care and concern his father
and mother had given for him, nor how his blind grandmother was hoping for his
return. He pushed him into the sea, then said that he accidentally had fallen
overboard, thinking that this was the end of the story.
Then
he went into his cabin and said to the mill, "Mill, mill, grind for me;
grind salt for me at once!" and the mill ground out grains of pure white
salt.
When
the bowl was full the ship's captain said, "That is enough!" but the
mill continued to grind forth. Whatever the captain said or did, the mill
ground away until the entire cabin was full. He took hold of the mill to throw
it overboard, but received such a blow that he fell to the floor as though
stunned. The mill continued to grind forth until the entire ship was full and
was beginning to sink.
Finally
the ship's captain grabbed his sword and chopped the mill into tiny pieces; but
behold, every little piece became a little mill, and all the mills ground out
grains of pure white salt.
It
was soon over for the ship. It sank with man and mouse and all the mills. These
are still grinding out grains of pure white salt at the bottom of the sea. And
even if you were to shout out the correct command, they are so deep that they
would not hear it. And that is why seawater is so salty.
Comprehension check
1.
Give an outline of the legend.
2.
Describe the boy. How does he look
like? Is he greedy? Is he brave?
WRITIHG
Write who said
the following
1. "If
you say to the mill, 'Mill, mill, grind for me; grind this or that for me at
once!' then it will grind for you whatever you want. (_______).
2. "Mill,
mill, grind for me; grind golden ducats for me at once!" (_______).
3. "Mill,
mill, grind for me; grind fresh bread for me at once!" (_______).
4. "Fetch
your mill and grind out some fresh chickens for me!" (_______).
5. "That
is enough!" (_______).
The Girl and the Snake
Key words and expressions:
a herd
to get lost
handsome
Make up
sentences with new words
Pre-reading task
Find out the
words to describe your feeling if you ever met a huge snake. What would you do?
Reading
Once
upon a time there was a girl who was supposed to go into the woods and bring
home the cattle, but she could not find the herd. She got lost and came to a
large mountain with gates and doors. She went inside. A table was standing
there, set with all kinds of things to eat. There was also a bed there, and a
large snake was lying on it. It said to the girl, "Have a seat, if you
want to. Come and lie down in this bed, if you want to! But if you don't want
to, it's all right!"
The
girl did not do any of this.
Finally
the snake said, "People are coming now who want to dance with you, but
don't go with them."
Soon
afterward people did come, and they wanted to dance with the girl, but she
would have nothing to do with them. Then they began to eat and drink. The girl
left the mountain and went home again.
The
next day she went into the woods again to look for her herd, but she could not
find what she was looking for. Instead, she got lost again and came to the same
mountain. She went inside again and found everything the same as the first
time: a set table and the bed with the snake. It said to her, as the time
before, "Have a seat, if you want to! Eat, if you want to! Come and lie
down in this bed, if you want to! But if you don't want to, it's all right. Now
a lot more people are coming who want to dance with you, but do not go with
them."
The
snake had barely finished talking when a lot more people came, and they began
to dance and to eat and drink. The girl had nothing to do with them, but
instead left the mountain and went home.
On
the third day she went into the woods again, and the same thing happened to her
as on the previous days. The snake invited her to eat and drink, which she did
with a good appetite. After that the snake asked her to lie down next to it,
and the girl did that as well.
Then
the snake said, "Hold me in your arm!" She did it. "Kiss
me!" said the snake. "If you are afraid, just put your apron between
us!"
The
girl did it, and in that instant the snake turned into a handsome young man. In
reality he was a prince who had been bewitched into this form through magic,
but the girl's courage had saved him. Of course, the two of them went away, and
since then they have never been heard from again.
Comprehension check
Complete the
sentences
Once upon a
time there was... .
There was also
a bed there, and a large ... .
Finally the
snake said, "People are coming now who want to dance with you... .
The snake had
barely finished talking when a lot more people came ... .
The girl did
it, and in that instant the snake turned into... .
WRITIHG
Make up a plan
of the legend covering its main events.
Old Sultan
Key words and expressions:
to be no
longer of any use
to fill pity
to be of good
cheer
a scoundrel
Make up
sentences with new words
Pre-reading task
Discuss. What
do you know about dogs and wolves?
Reading
A
farmer had a faithful dog named Sultan, who had grown old and lost all his
teeth, and could no longer hold onto anything. One day the farmer was standing
with his wife before the house door, and said, "Tomorrow I intend to shoot
Old Sultan. He is no longer of any use."
His
wife, who felt pity for the faithful animal, answered, "He has served us
so long, and been so faithful, that we might well give him his keep."
"What?"
said the man. "You are not very bright. He doesn't have a tooth left in
his mouth, and no thief is afraid of him. He can go now. If he has served us,
he has eaten well for it."
The
poor dog, who was lying stretched out in the sun not far off, heard everything,
and was sorry that tomorrow was to be his last day. He had a good friend, the
wolf, and he crept out in the evening into the forest to him, and complained of
the fate that awaited him.
"Listen,
kinsman," said the wolf, "be of good cheer. I will help you out of
your trouble. I have thought of something. Tomorrow, early in the morning, your
master is going with his wife to make hay, and they will take their little
child with them, for no one will be left behind in the house. While they are at
work they lay the child behind the hedge in the shade. You lie down there too,
just as if you wanted to guard it. Then I will come out of the woods, and carry
off the child. You must run swiftly after me, as if you would take it away from
me. I will let it fall, and you will take it back to its parents, who will
think that you have rescued it, and will be far too grateful to do you any
harm. On the contrary, you will be treated royally, and they will never let you
want for anything again."
This
idea pleased the dog, and it was carried out just as planned. The father
screamed when he saw the wolf running across the field with his child, but when
Old Sultan brought it back, he was full of joy, and stroked him and said,
"Not a hair of yours shall be hurt. You shall eat free bread as long as
you live."
And
to his wife he said, "Go home at once and make Old Sultan some bread soup
that he will not have to bite. And bring the pillow from my bed. I will give it
to him to lie on. From then on Old Sultan was as well off as he could possibly
wish.
Soon
afterwards the wolf visited him, and was pleased that everything had succeeded
so well. "But, kinsman," he said, "you will just close one eye
if, when I have a chance, I carry off one of your master's fat sheep."
"Don't
count on that," answered the dog. "I will remain true to my master. I
cannot agree to that."
The
wolf thought that this was not spoken in earnest, and he crept up in the night
to take away the sheep. But the farmer, to whom the faithful Sultan had told
the wolf's plan, was waiting for him and combed his hair cruelly with a flail.
The wolf had to flee, but he cried out to the dog, "Just wait, you
scoundrel. You'll regret this."
The
next morning the wolf sent the boar to challenge the dog to come out into the
forest and settle the affair. Old Sultan could find no one to be his second but
a cat with only three legs, and as they went out together the poor cat limped
along, stretching its tail upward with pain.
The
wolf and his friend were already at the appointed place, but when they saw
their enemy coming, they thought that he was bringing a saber with him, for
they mistook the cat's outstretched tail for one. And when the poor animal
hopped on three legs, they thought that each time it was picking up a stone to
throw at them. Then they took fright. The wild boar crept into the underbrush
and the wolf jumped up a tree.
As
the dog and the cat approached, they wondered why no one was to be seen. The
wild boar, however, had not been able to hide himself completely in the leaves.
His ears were still sticking out. While the cat was looking cautiously about,
the boar wiggled his ears, and the cat, who thought it was a mouse, jumped on
it and bit down hard. The boar jumped up screaming loudly, "The guilty one
is up in the tree."
The
dog and cat looked up and saw the wolf, who was ashamed for having shown such
fear, and who then made peace with the dog.
Comprehension check
Say which of
the characters of the story you like the best. Why?
WRITIHG
Making
a spider. Find out as many words as you can to describe Old Sultan and make the
spider bigger.
A Bird Legend
Key words and expressions:
a pet
a totem
a calamity
Make up
sentences with new words
Pre-reading task
What do you
know about totems? Can they protect us from a calamity. Do you have a totem or
something like that?
Reading
The
aborigines sometimes kept birds and animals as pets, but in all instances that
may be enquired into it is found that the pet by some mischance or peculiar
trait or impulse strayed into a camp and stayed there. However, this had
nothing to do with the belief in an "affinity." Nor yet the belief in
and recognition of a "totem." That possibly originated in a knowledge
of evolution-in the settled idea that during the ages everything has changed in
form and no outstanding fact of Nature escaped being considered the beginning
or the dwelling-place of an ancestor or an originator.
But
something of a parody of this fundamental belief is the acceptance of an
affinity in the shape of a bird or an animal that knows of its being related to
a human and who acts as a protector of those of whom it is a family part. In
this way the last full-blooded woman of the Cammaray people believed in the
snake. She says that the black snake always indicates to her whether or not an
undertaking of hers is to be successful, when a calamity is about to happen or
has just happened in her immediate family, when she is personally threatened
with great loss and whether or not the time be propitious for the doing of any
important thing.
She
tells many weird tales of warnings shown to her by her affinity. The lyre-bird,
she tells, was the affinity of a man of her people away back in the time before
history, and he had one as a pet. He was very proud of the fact that his bird
mimicked so marvelously, and he arranged a competition. People who belonged to
such birds as parrots, black cockatoos, wattle birds those with a clear,
distinctive call-assembled, and they listened to the lyre-bird not only
imitating, but excelling each in its own song.
One
bird was not claimed by anybody, and it sat disconsolately on a limb,
apparently taking no notice of the proceedings; and then, just before dark, it
made its effort.
The
lyre-bird, nothing loth, imitated it perfectly. But the other bird was not
finished. In another key it performed again, and still in another, until the
lyre-bird was bewildered. It failed to follow; therefore we may now hear the
great bird mimic as we stand, say, at Echo Point in the Blue Mountains, or
under the hills of the Snowy or the Cann, going through all its repertoire,
imitating not only every other bird, but every sound it has ever heard. But
when it comes to the laugh of one it fails. The bird it cannot properly mock is
the kookaburra. The lyre-bird man of the story was discredited, and therefore
in later years such men were never of much account in the eyes of their
compatriots, while those of the kookaburra, though it is recognized as an
affinity of a much later date, are always people of great importance.
And
by some strange coincidence we have taken the kookaburra to our hearts, and we
picture him much more as the bird-representative of Australia than the emu
which figures as such officially.
Comprehension check
1.
Try to
retell the legend in five simple sentences.
2.
Give
better title for the legend.
WRITIHG
Compose ten different
questions on the legend.
Why
the Turtle has no Tail
Key words and expressions:
to squeeze
a sorcerer
an axe
Make up
sentences with new words
Pre-reading task
Say what you
know about tortoises. Do they have tails? Find out the difference between two
words TORTOISE and TURTLE.
Reading
The
Australian aborigines believed that the Milky Way was a "pukkan" or
track, along which many spirits of departed blacks traveled to heaven, and that
the dark place that we call Magellan's Cloud was a hole or split that occurred
when the universe was frightfully shaken by some mighty upheaval which gave us
many of the wonders of Nature, including the brilliant waratah, gorgeous caves
such as Jenolan and others less magnificent, burnt patches of rock, and so on.
Legends
also make mention of a hidden river, over which certain spirits have to travel
to a Promised Land. This river flowed at the edge of a mighty forest, and
beyond a fearful range of huge jagged mountains, at the nearer foot of which
lay an extensive marshy lake, in the centre of which was an enchanted island.
The natives of the South-East of Australia were very clear about the picture
just described. They said that not only had some people spoken to returned men
who had waded through the lake and been on the island and climbed the mountain
and nearly reached the river, but they had also had amongst them at one time
and another living men who had seen these fairy places and always knew that a
continuous stream of spirits passed that way to the Unseen River.
Two
giant trees grew on the bank, and a tortoise lay athwart it. Up to the time of
this happening all tortoises and turtles had long tails. This tortoise reached
from the bank just opposite the big trees, to the other.
On
the journey many spirits were supposed to be in some way tempted to do evil,
and succumbed to the temptation; therefore there were some fallings by the way.
Some were kept floundering about in the lake itself, and these congregated on
the island until they had expiated their sins, when they were allowed to go on.
Others failed when climbing the mountain, and there on some barren peak they
had to wait, while others remained faithful until reaching the lower level, and
then were within sight of the river. But there was a test for them. They had to
squeeze between the trunks of the giant trees, and then the bridge they reached
was the tortoise.
Then
came a time when many people quite good enough to get into heaven failed to
reach the opposite bank of the river. It was known that they had got between
the trees, and then all trace of them was lost; but one day a man arrived
amongst the people who had been remade, and he told them his experiences.
He
said that he had died and reached the tortoise on the unseen river. He stepped
upon it, and was half way along it when it gave a sly jerk, and he fell off its
tail into the river. He was borne along very swiftly, for it is a fast flowing
stream, and suddenly he was swept underground. For a long time he was carried
through deep subterranean passages, and at last he came out into sunlight. He
found himself still in a river, and now it flowed between high banks, and
playing in it were blacks that he knew. Some were just swimming, some were
fishing, some were hiding in the rushes awaiting ducks. They did not know of
his presence, though some seemed to hear him, for they suddenly became afraid
and rushed off to their camp. At last he was swept into the sea, and a great
wave washed him ashore. As soon as he touched land he found that he was
changing. It took a long time, but at last he became a man again, and when he
looked at his chest and felt his back he was aware of the scars that he 'had
borne in his other existence.
Then
a sorcerer came forward and proclaimed that he would undertake to go to the
river and secure the passage of it for all time. He selected some other brave
people, and by the aid of his sorcery he set out on the way of the spirits. He
soon reached the forest, but found it full of the "little men of the
bush." They barred the way of the party. Try as they would, no passage
through the ranks of the "little men" could be made. So then they
turned and followed the flow of the river, and that way no opposition was
offered.
They
came to a tree even higher than those at the crossing-place, and up that the
great sorcerer climbed. From the top of it he could see the spirits stepping on
to tail of the tortoise and some being shaken off. Many of these were taken by
the claws of the hind feet of the beast and afterwards eaten. Others were
carried down stream. The shadow of the tree was impenetrable to the
"little men," and a bright star shed a beam to the tortoise.
The
sorcerer saw that he must die before he could pass the little men and he and
his party returned home. He sharpened again his axe. He put a sharpened bone in
the fire, and scraped some of the burnt part off into his food. Then he died,
and as a good spirit, he reached the giant trees, and there were no
"little men" to stop him. But in their place was a great snake that
reared its head and prepared to strike.
With
a blow of his axe he severed the head from the body, and picking it up he
squeezed between the trees and stepped on to the tail of the tortoise. When he
was about half way over, just as he had seen it do to others, and just as the returned
man had told it did to him, it gave a great shake. But he was wary, and with
another great blow of his axe he cut the tail off. Quickly rushing to the other
bank he turned and swung the axe at the head of the tortoise and that was
severed too. Of this, though, he repented, and as the head swung down the
stream he put the head of the snake in its place. Then the beast rolled over
and sank out of sight.
And
so now all tortoises and turtles have a snake's head and are tailless.
And
if the last woman of the Illawarra Group, who is still living, is asked about
it, and if all the points of the story are examined, it will be found that
there is as much truth as fiction in it.
Those
who ask, however, must have the right sympathy or they will hear nothing.
Comprehension check
1.
Discuss
the main idea of the legend.
2.
Is it
true or fiction?
3.
Choose
the better title for the legend.
WRITIHG
Make up a plan
of the legend covering its main events.
How the Stars
Were Made
Key words and expressions:
a weird land
to and fro
an octopus
mangrove
swamp
Make up
sentences with new words
Pre-reading task
Do you know
how the stars were made? Try to imagine. Share your ideas.
Reading
Rolla-Mano
was the old man of the sea. The blue ocean, with all its wonderful treasures of
glistening pearls, white foam and pink coral, belonged to him. In the depths of
the sea, he ruled a kingdom of shadows and strange forms, to which the light of
the sun descended in green and grey beams. The forests of this weird land were
many trees of brown sea-kelp, whose long arms waved slowly to and fro with the
ebb and flow of the water. Here and there were patches of sea grass, fine and
soft as a snow maiden's hair. In the shadow of the trees lurked a thousand
terrors of the deep. In a dark rocky cave, a giant octopus spread its long,
writhing tentacles in search of its prey, and gazed the while through the water
with large lusterless eyes. In and out of the kelp a grey shark swam swiftly
and without apparent motion, while bright-colored fish darted out of the path
of danger. Across the rippled sand a great crab ambled awkwardly to its hiding
place behind a white-fluted clam shell. And over all waved the long, brown arms
of the sea kelp forest. Such was the kingdom of Rolla-Mano, the old man of the
sea.
One
day Rolla-Mano went to fish in a lonely mangrove swamp close to the sea shore.
He caught many fish, and cooked them at a fire. While eating his meal he
noticed two women approach him. Their beautiful bodies were as lithe and
graceful as the wattle tree, and in their eyes was the soft light of the dusk.
When they spoke, their voices were as sweet and low as the sighing of the night
breeze through the reeds in the river. Rolla-Mano determined to capture them.
With this intention he hid in the branches of the mangrove tree, and, when the
women were close to him he threw his net over them. One, however, escaped by
diving into the water. He was so enraged at her escape that he jumped in after
her with a burning fire stick in his hand. As soon as the fire stick touched
the water, the sparks hissed and scattered to the sky, where they remain as
golden stars to this day.
Rolla-Mano
did not capture the woman who dived into the dark waters of the swamp. After a
fruitless search he returned to the shore and took the other woman to live with
him for ever in the sky. She is the evening star. From her resting place, she
gazes through the mists of eternity at the restless sea-the dark, mysterious
kingdom of Rolla-Mano. On a clear summer night, when the sky is studded with
golden stars, you will remember that they are the sparks from the fire stick of
Rolla-Mano, and the beautiful evening star is the woman he captured in the
trees of the mangrove swamp.
Comprehension check
Try to retell
the legend in ten simple sentences.
WRITIHG
Write out all
the adjectives in the text and try to memorize them.
The Sneaky
Hoop Snakes
Key words and expressions:
push bike
a hoop
a cyclist
Make up
sentences with new words
Reading
An Australian
snake that you don't read much about in the encyclopedias. This snake has not
been seen in a number of years but the myth goes something like this. In the
early nineteen hundreds, children would wag school and ride around all day on
their push bikes. (not much has changed since) The resourceful parents in an
effort to get the children home before dark made up the story of the Hoop
Snake. The Hoop Snake, it was told, would lie on the sides of the dirt roads
waiting for the sounds of the children on their push bikes. Just as the
unexpecting cyclist would pass, the snake would then coil up biting its own
tail to make the shape of a hoop, it would then roll down the road trying to
catch the cyclist. If it caught its prey it would proceed to bite heavily into
the heals of its victim and no child wanted this to happen. As an result the
legend of the Hoop Snake was born.
Comprehension check
1.
Retell
the myth in detail.
2.
Why
parents do not let their children ride push bikes after dark? What about your
parents?
WRITIHG
Write an
outline of the myth.
The Hungry
Bush-man.
Key words and expressions:
bush-man
juicy grass
Make up
sentences with new words
Pre-reading task
Work in small
groups. Make a list of words and word combinations which can characterize a bush-man
who lives in Australian Bush. Compare your list with other groups.
Reading
There is a sad
story that sets the scene in the Australian Bush. In early days bush-men, more
commonly know as swagman, went around from property to property looking for
work. These bush-man would take any sort of work that was avaliable. The wool
industry was booming, sheep were plentiful and shearers were needed everywhere.
This particular bushy had finished his days shearing but as his employer wasn't
paying wages until the wool had been sent to the markets, they would sometimes
have to wait weeks for their pay. After a hard days work the bushman would find
a big shady tree preferably near a water hole to unroll their swag and set up
camp for the night. As night was falling the bush-man saw an ideal opportunity
walking not more than thirty feet away. Grazing on some juicy grass, between
some trees, just up a bit from the camp site was this plump sheep. Knowing full
well that if he was able to catch this sheep his meals would be taken care of
for a least the next week. The chase was on.! After he caught it he packed it
neatly into his tucker bag and proceeded to put the billy on for his cuppa
before bed. Unfortunately, he was blissfully unaware that the owner of the
property where he was camping was watching his every move. The owner of the
land would not tolerate a swaggy on his land, let alone one that was stealing
from him and quickly informed the authorities. The billy was just about boiled
when three burly police officers on horse back rode into his camp site. Knowing
full well what he had done, the police officers asked, "Just what have you
got in your tucker bag?. You'd better come a waltzing down to the police
station with me".
As to why the
swaggy did what he did next is a mystery but that swaggy ran and jumped
straight into the water hole never to be seen again saying "You'll never
catch me alive".
To this day
his ghost maybe heard as you pass by that water hole.
Comprehension check
Put the
following events (A-D) in the right order/ Number them (1-4).
A. Knowing
full well that if he was able to catch this sheep his meals would be taken care
of for a least the next week. (№____).
B. These bush-man
would take any sort of work that was avaliable. (№____).
C. To this day
his ghost maybe heard as you pass by that water hole. (№____).
D. After a
hard days work the bush-man would find a big shady tree preferably near a water
hole to unroll their swag and set up camp for the night. (№____).
WRITIHG
Compose ten
different questions on the myth.
The Boogie
Man
Key words and expressions:
encounter
creature
Make up
sentences with new words
Reading
This myth is
told on any given night in Australia, "The boogie man maybe
watching". Our family had a house in my hometown Toowoomba, that was
raised about three foot off the ground. My strict instructions were never to go
under the house, for that was where the boogie man lived. This was a rule that
I could live with as it was never really enticing to venture under there
anyway. The boogie man as it turns out is more resourceful than I first
imagined. Not only is he hiding under houses but as it turns out he is under
your bed, in the cupboards, hiding around corners, even if you don't do your
homework he appears. I specifically remember one time as I was going to the
toilet (we had an outside toilet), I would run down the back stairs into the
toilet and lock the door. The journey back however was my first encounter with
the boogie man. Our back stairs were not covered and you could see under the
house through them. It was that night that I swore that I saw him. Dark hideous
black creature with bright shinny yellow eyes. I screamed with fright and my
parents came running but the creature was gone. Talking to my friends I soon
realized that he didn't just live only at my house, he had been sighted all
over Toowoomba. Not being one to install fright, I kept this story to myself
for all these years, but I keep telling my children how lucky we are to have an
inside toilet.
Comprehension check
Complete the
sentences.
1.
This myth is told on any given night... .
2.
Our family had a house in my hometown Toowoomba... .
3.
This was a rule that I could... .
4.
I specifically remember one time... .
5.
The journey back however was my first... .
6.
Dark hideous black ___________ with bright shinny yellow eyes.
WRITIHG
Write out all the
verbs from the text and define their forms.
The
Mysterious Drop Bears
Key words and expressions:
a fish trap
a mate
to whimper
Make up
sentences with new words
Reading
A legend is
told of two Australian bush-men on their annual cattle muster. On this
particular night, after setting up camp, one of the bush-men went down to the
river to check the fish traps, while the other stayed by the camp fire
strumming a tune on his faithful old guitar. Just as he ended his first tune a
terrifying scream rang out. Leaving the safety of the camp fire he ran down
through the bush to the river to see his mate lying on the ground shaking, with
claw marks all over him. After stopping the bleeding and calming his mate down,
the horrible truth was revealed.
"It was a
drop bear" his mate said, in a voice more like a whimper,» I just reached
for the first fish trap and all of a sudden, out of that overhanging branch
pounced a drop bear." "I fought as hard as I could but it was just
too strong and far too fast."
"Did you
get a glimpse of it?", the first bushy said.
"A bit of
a one, It looked a lot like a koala, but much much meaner."
Leaving all
their camping gear behind, they speedily trekked out of the bush, back to
civilization to tell their story to the local authorities. Their story was duly
noted and recorded, but to this day no one has ever caught a drop bear, but be
assured they exist, so be very careful when walking alone in the Australian
bush.
Comprehension check
1.
Retell
the legend in detail.
2.
Explaine
why one should be very careful when walking alone in the Australian bush.
WRITIHG
Write an
outline of the legend.
The Bloody
Knife
Key words and expressions:
ferocity
to slip
Make up
sentences with new words
Reading
Many and many
a year ago, two warriors from rival villages got into a terrible argument.
Harsh words were exchanged, and then knives were pulled. The warriors battled
back and forth on the banks of a small creek. They fought with the ferocity of
grizzlies, tearing at each other with their knives, ripping at each others
clothes and hair.
Suddenly, one
of the warriors slipped on the muddy bank and fell into the waters of the
creek. His bloody knife slipped from his hand and sank down and down to the
bottom, landing upon a rock just beyond his reach. The warrior strained his
pain-wracked body towards the knife as his blood filled the waters of the
creek, but it was just beyond his fingertips. He thrashed and clawed towards
his knife, desperate to reach it before his rival killed him, but no matter how
he stretched, it always slipped out of reach.
On the bank
above, the victorious warrior saw his rival sink into the blood-stained waters
and lay still, the knife just a hair-breadth beyond his fingertips. He did not
rise again. The fallen man's people found him a few hours later and tenderly
rescued his body from the rippling waters of the creek. But when they tried to
retrieve his bloody knife from the rock beneath him, it always slipped beyond
their reach, though the creek was not deep.
Many and many
a year has passed since that bloody day by the creek, and still the
blood-stained knife lies beneath the rippling waters of the creek. Whenever
anyone tries to reach it, the knife slips out of reach. It is like trying to
touch something on the bottom of the sea, although the creek itself is not
deep. Even the rushing waters of the spring season do not move the mysterious
knife or wash away the blood staining its blade. For this reason, the creek is
called Wokun - meaning "knife" and the white men call it "Bloody
Creek".
Comprehension check
1.
What do you think about the legend?
Could it to be true?
2.
Try to find another title to the
myth.
3.
Retell the text.
WRITIHG
Write an
outline of the legend.
Why
the Crow Is Black
Key words and expressions:
noonday
to wade
to spare
Make up
sentences with new words
Pre-reading task
What do you
know about crows and hawks? Who is the best hunter? Why is the crow black?
Reading
One
day, a crow and a hawk hunted together in the bush. After traveling together
for some time, they decided to hunt in opposite directions, and, at the close
of the day, to share whatever game they had caught. The crow traveled against
the sun, and at noonday arrived at a broad lagoon which was the haunt of the
wild ducks. The crow hid in the tall green reeds fringing the lagoon, and
prepared to trap the ducks. First, he got some white clay, and, having softened
it with water, placed two pieces in his nostrils. He then took a long piece of
hollow reed through which he could breathe under water, and finally tied a net
bag around his waist in which to place the ducks.
On
the still surface of the lagoon, the tall gum trees were reflected like a
miniature forest. The ducks, with their bronze plumage glistening in the sun,
were swimming among the clumps of reeds, and only paused to dive for a tasty
morsel hidden deep in the water weeds. The crow placed the reed in his mouth,
and, without making any sound, waded into the water. He quickly submerged
himself, and the only indication of his presence in the lagoon, was a piece of
dry reed which projected above the surface of the water, and through which the
crow was breathing. When he reached the centre of the water hole he remained
perfectly still. He did not have to wait long for the ducks to swim above his
head. Then, without making any sound or movement, he seized one by the leg,
quickly pulled it beneath the water, killed it, and placed it in the net bag.
By doing this, he did not frighten the other ducks, and, in a short time he had
trapped a number of them. He then left the lagoon and continued on his way
until he came to a river.
The
crow was so pleased with his success at the waterhole, that he determined to
spear some fish before he returned to his camp. He left the bag of ducks on the
bank of the river, and, taking his fish spear, he waded into the river until
the water reached his waist. Then he stood very still, with the spear poised
for throwing. A short distance from the spot where he was standing, a slight
ripple disturbed the calm surface of the water. With the keen eye of the
hunter, he saw the presence of fish, and, with a swift movement of his arm, he
hurled the spear, and his unerring aim was rewarded with a big fish. The water
was soon agitated by many fish, and the crow took advantage of this to spear
many more. With this heavy load of game, he turned his face towards home.
The
hawk was very unfortunate in his hunting. He stalked a kangaroo many miles, and
then lost sight of it in the thickly wooded hills. He then decided to try the
river for some fish, but the crow had made the water muddy and frightened the
fish, so again he was unsuccessful. At last the hawk decided to return to his
gunyah with the hope that the crow would secure some food, which they had
previously agreed to share. When the hawk arrived, he found that the crow had
been there before him and had prepared and eaten his evening meal. He at once
noticed that the crow had failed to leave a share for him. This annoyed the
hawk, so he approached the crow and said: "I see you have had a good hunt
today. I walked many miles but could not catch even a lizard. I am tired and
would be glad to have my share of food, as we agreed this morning."
"You are too lazy," the crow replied. "You must have slept in
the sun instead of hunting for food. Anyhow, I've eaten mine and cannot give
you any." This made the hawk very angry, and he attacked the crow. For a
long time they struggled around the dying embers of the camp fire, until the
hawk seized the crow and rolled him in the black ashes. When the crow recovered
from the fight, he found that he could not wash the ashes off, and, since that
time, crows have always been black. The crow was also punished for hiding the
food which he could not eat by being condemned to live on putrid flesh.
Comprehension check
Say which of
the characters of the story you like best. Why?
WRITIHG
Into the box
below write the words and word combinations which can characterize a crow and a
hawk.
How
the Kangaroo Got a Long Tail and the Wombat a Flat Forehead
Key words and expressions:
ash
surely
to refuse
to chill
Make up
sentences with new words
Pre-reading task
You have
already seen a photo of a wombat and a kangaroo at the beginning of this book.
How do you think if a wombat and a kangaroo could be good friends?
Reading
Many
years ago, Mirram the kangaroo and Warreen the wombat were both men. They were
very friendly, and hunted and lived together in the same camping-ground.
Warreen had a very comfortable gunyah made of bark and soft leaves, but Mirram
who was a careless fellow-did not trouble to build a home. He was content to
sleep in the open, by the side of a big fire, with the blue sky for a cover,
and the green grass for a couch. This open air life was very nice in fine
weather, when the stars twinkled in the sky like golden fire-flies, but it was
extremely uncomfortable in the rainy season.
One
night a great storm arose. The wind howled eerily, and rocked the tall trees to
and fro as though they were shaken by the strong arms of an invisible giant.
The rain fell in torrents, and darkness covered the light of the stars. The
rain quickly quenched the glowing embers of Mirram's fire, and he was left to
the mercy of the storm. After shivering in the cold for some time, he decided
to seek the hospitality of Warreen. "Surely my friend would not refuse me
shelter on such a night as this," he thought. "I will ask him."
Feeling
very cold and miserable, he crept to the opening of Warreen's tent, and seeing
there was sufficient space for both of them to sleep comfortably, he woke him
and said: "The storm has killed my fire. I am very wet, and the cold wind
has chilled me to the bone. May I sleep in the corner of your tent?"
Warreen blinked his eyes sleepily and answered in a gruff voice: "No. I
want to place my head in that corner. There isn't any room." With this
rude remark he moved into the corner, but, as he could not occupy the whole
space of the tent, another corner became vacant. Mirram went away and sat by
the wet ashes of his fire, and his thoughts were as miserable as the weather. The
fury of the storm increased and looking on his friend, he decided to approach
Warreen again. He entered the shelter, and, touching Warreen gently on the
shoulder, said: “The wind is very cold, and as biting as the teeth of the wild
dog. The rain is falling heavily and will not cease. I should be grateful if
you would allow me to sleep in that corner. I will not disturb you.” Warreen
raised his head, listened to the moaning of the storm outside, and then
replied: “I will not have you here; there isn’t any room. Go outside and do not
keep waking me.” “But,” replied Mirram, “there is room in that corner. Surely
you wouldn’t drive me out into the storm to die!”
Thereupon,
Warreen moved one leg into the corner and again a space became vacant. Seeing
he could no longer hoodwink Mirram and hide from him his selfish intentions, he
grew very angry and yelled: “Get out! Get out! I won’t have you in my tent. I
don’t care where you die.” This harsh treatment exasperated Mirram and he left
the tent in a terrible rage. Outside the tent, he groped around in the dark
until he found a large flat stone. Then he crept silently to the gunyah. By the
sound of heavy breathing he knew Warreen was asleep. Moving very silently, he
entered the tent, and, raising the stone high in his arms, dashed it on the
head of the sleeper. The terrible blow did not kill Warreen but flattened his
forehead. When he had recovered from his pained surprise, he heard the mocking
voice of Mirram saying: “That is your reward for treating a friend so cruelly.
You and your children and their children’s children will wander through the
land with flat foreheads that men may know them for your selfishness.” As
Warreen was no match for his opponent, he did not answer, but nursed his sore
head and some very bad thoughts.
From
that moment, he was always planning revenge for his injury. Some time later,
Warreen was hunting in the forest, and, through the shadow of the trees, he saw
Mirram a short distance ahead. He crept noiselessly towards him, and, when
Mirram was looking for the marks of a possum on the bark of a tree, he threw a
spear at him with all his strength. The spear struck Mirram at the bottom of
the back, and so deeply did it enter that he could not pull it out. While he
was struggling with the spear, Warreen walked up to him, and, in a bantering
voice, said: “Aha! My turn has come at last. I have waited long to repay you.
You will always carry the spear in your back and wander without a home while
you live. Your children will carry the spear and be homeless for ever. By these
tokens, men will always remember your attempt to kill me while I slept.”
From
that time the kangaroo has had a long tail, which makes a low, thudding sound
as he wanders homeless through the bush, and the wombat still has a very flat
forehead as an everlasting sign of selfishness.
Comprehension check
1.
Retell
the legend as if you were a kangaroo.
2.
Say
which of the characters of the story (a wombat or a kangaroo) you like the best.
Why?
WRITIHG
Compose ten
questions on the legend and ask them your classmates.
The Fire on
the Hill
Key words and expressions:
to climb
a servant
a judge
Make up
sentences with new words
Pre-reading task
How do you
think? What does «mother’s love» mean?
Reading
Long, long ago
there was a lake of cold water in Australia. At night many animals came there
to drink. But people never came to the lake at night: the wild animals might
kill and eat them.
Now, a rich
man who had a beautiful daughter, once said: "The young man, who will go
to the lake in the evening and stay in the cold water till morning will have my
daughter for his wife".
One poor young
man loved the rich man's daughter very much, and she loved him. He said to his
mother, "I shall try to stay at night in the lake and then marry the dear
girl".
"No,
no", the mother said, "you are my only son. The water in the lake is
very cold, and the animals will eat you. Don't go there!"
She cried and
cried, but her son said, "Mother, don't cry, I must try. I love her so
much!"
So the young
man went to the girl's father. He told him that he wanted to go to the lake and
stay in the cold water all night. The rich man sent his servants to a place
from which they could watch the young man.
When night
came, the young man went to the lake. His mother followed him, but he didn't
see her. There was a hill forty paces from the place where the young man
entered the water. The woman climbed up the hill and made up a fire there. The
wild animals saw the fire and were afraid to go near that place.
The young man
saw the fire too. He understood that his mother was there. He thought of his
mother's love and it was easier for him to stay all night in the very cold
water.
Morning came.
The young man went to the rich man's house. The rich man saw him and said,
"My servants say that there was a fire on the hill forty paces from the
lake. It warmed you, and that is why you could stay all night in the water. So
you can't marry my daughter. Good-bye". The young man was very angry. He went
to the judge.
"Well",
the judge said, "this is a very simple case".
The next
morning the young man with his mother and the rich man with his servants came
before the judge. There were many people there who wanted to hear the case.
The judge
asked for a pot of cold water. Then he walked forty paces from the pot and made
a fire. "Now", he said, "we shall wait a little until the water
is warm". The people cried, "But the fire is so far away, it can't
warm the water in the pot".
The judge
said, "And how could that young man warm himself at a fire forty paces
away?" So the case was over, and the young man married the rich man's
daughter. They lived happily for many years.
Comprehension check
Retell the
legend as if you were a poor young man.
WRITIHG
Compose ten
questions on the legend and ask them your classmates.
A Careless
Tongue
Key words and expressions:
impossible
to make up a
story
to go from
mouth to mouth
Make up
sentences with new words
Pre-reading task
Try to explain
the expression «It's not difficult to throw around small stones but it's
impossible to find them all».
Reading
There was a
young woman who liked to tell stories about her neighbors. Some stories were
good, some stories were funny and the young woman told them to make people
laugh. As always happens in such cases, the people who heard the stories, told
them to their friends trying to make them funnier and funnier. As a result many
good people suffered because of those stories.
An old man of
the village where the young woman lived knew about it. He wanted to make her
stop telling stories about her neighbors. He did not know how to do it, but
then he thought of a good plan.
"Daughter,"
he said when he met her one day. "I want to ask you to do one thing for
me. I have here a bag of small stones. On your way home throw them as far as
you can in all sides. When you do it, come back and tell me."
The young
woman was surprised to hear it. But it was easy and she agreed to do what the
old man asked.
When the young
woman came back, the old man said: "Daughter, I want to ask you to do one
more thing for me. Go along the same road and pick up all the stones that you
have thrown away."
"But,
father, it is impossible!" said the young woman. "I can find some of
the stones and bring them back to you, but I cannot find all of them."
"That's
true," said the old man. "Those stones are like the stories that you
tell about your neighbors. It's not difficult to throw around small stones but
it's impossible to find them all. It's easy to make up stories about your neighbors,
but it's impossible to call them back, because they go from mouth to mouth and
become worse and worse. Remember this! First think, then speak! Remember this
always!"
The young
woman remembered it all her life.
Comprehension check
Put the
following events (A-F) in the right order. Number them (1-6).
A."Daughter,"
he said when he met her one day. "I want to ask you to do one thing for
me.
B. "But,
father, it is impossible!" said the young woman.
C. An old man
of the village where the young woman lived knew about it.
D.
"That's true," said the old man.
E. But it was
easy and she agreed to do what the old man asked.
F. As a result
many good people suffered because of those stories.
WRITIHG
Write an
article of about 30-50 words to express your point of view on the legend.
The Sacred
Python
Key words and expressions:
a slave-trader
to give a
terrible scream
an arrow
Make up
sentences with new words
Pre-reading task
Tell what do
you know about pythons. Where do they live? How do they look like?
Reading
Many years ago
a group of men went out hunting. They walked in the forest all day long. In the
evening they were far from home.
"We will
have to sleep in the forest tonight", said their leader. "Quickly
look for a good place to sleep".
The hunters
had to be careful. In those days there were many slave-traders all about the
country, and they might attack the hunters at any moment.
Late in the
evening they found a good place to sleep. After supper the hunters lay down on
the ground and were soon all asleep.
When the weary
men were asleep, a group of slave-traders surrounded them. They were to attack
the sleeping men.
Suddenly
something big and heavy fell from one of the trees on one of the young hunters.
The hunter woke up, looked down at his body and gave a terrible scream: a huge
python was lying on him! He jumped to his feet, but his comrades were already
awake. In a moment they were ready to fight.
The slave-traders
fired their guns. But the hunters hid behind the trees. The fight continued for
a long time. When the hunters had no more arrows they fought with stones and
even sticks.
The
slave-traders could do nothing against the hunters. Some of the attackers were
killed. The others had to run away.
After the
fight was over the hunters came together round their leader. The leader looked
at the young man and said: "What made you wake up?"
"It was a
python", the boy said. "It fell on me from the tree".
"It was a
sign specially for us", the leader said.» You can see that the python is
now our friend. From this day on no man, woman or child in our clan will ever
kill or eat a python".
To this day
the people who live in those places remember the words of that man. If you go
to their houses in the rainy season, you will find pythons there. In the
daytime they sleep in holes under the houses, but at night they crawl about the
rooms.
The people
never harm the pythons and the pythons never harm the people.
Comprehension check
Some words are
missing from the text. Choose the most appropriate answer from the box for each
gap (1-6) in the text. Do not change the words. There is one word which you do
not need to use.
hunters, python, kill, child,
leader, attackers
|
The
slave-traders could do nothing against the hunters. Some of the ____________
were killed. The others had to run away.
After the
fight was over the _________ came together round their leader. The leader
looked at the young man and said: "What made you wake up?"
"It was a
_________", the boy said. "It fell on me from the tree".
"It was a
sign specially for us", the ___________ said.» You can see that the python
is now our friend. From this day on no man, woman or _________ in our clan will
ever ___________ or eat a python".
WRITIHG
Work in pairs.
Compose ten questions on the legend and ask them your partner.
The Lion
and the Goat
Key words and expressions:
a she-goat
a cave
boldly
Make up
sentences with new words
Pre-reading task
Try to explain
the expression «to be brave».
Reading
Once upon a
time there was an old she-goat. One day, when it was getting dark, she was
returning home with many other goats. As she was old and weak, she got tired
and was left behind. It became quite dark, and as she couldn't find her way
back, she decided to enter a cave that she saw near by. What was her surprise
when she went in and found a lion sitting there! She was terribly frightened
and stood still for a moment, then she thought of what she could do.
"If I try
to run", she thought, "the lion will soon catch me, but if I pretend
not to be afraid of him I may manage to save my life". She walked boldly
up to the lion as if she were not afraid of him at all. The lion looked at her,
looked and looked, not knowing what to think of this boldness on the part of
the goat. He knew the goats had never dared to come near him. At last he
thought she could not be a goat but must be some other strange animal which he
had not seen before.
"Who are
you, old one?" he asked her.
"I am the
queen of the goats," she replied. "I came to eat up a hundred tigers,
twenty five elephants and ten lions. I have already eaten the hundred tigers
and twenty five elephants and now I am looking for the ten lions."
The lion was
very much surprised to hear this, and believing the goat had really come to eat
him up, he went out of the cave saying that he was going to wash his face at
the river.
Comprehension check
1.
Try to
retell the legend in five simple sentences.
2.
Give
better title for the legend.
WRITIHG
Into the box
below write the words and word combinations which can characterize a goat and a
lion.
Why Cats
Wash Themselves After Eating
Key words and expressions:
to jump aside
Make up
sentences with new words
Pre-reading task
How do you
think? Why do cats wash themselves after eating?
Reading
One day a bird
flew into a farmer's yard. There was always something to eat for him there. He
jumped around in the dust from one place to another picking up this and that
from the ground and singing a loud song. The old bird, Tim by name, had a very
good appetite and always ate a lot.
Old Tim was so
busy that he did not look up or around and did not see a large black cat
watching him from behind the farmer's house.
"How
hungry I am!" thought the cat. "But soon I am going to have wonderful
breakfast."
Soon old Tim
finished his breakfast and was going to clean his leathers when the cat jumped
at him and the bird was between the cat's teeth.
"What a
fine breakfast I am going to have!" said the cat.
"Oh, no,
Mr. Cat, you can't!" cried out Old Tim. "You are certainly not going
to eat me up, are you?"
"But I
am!" answered the cat. "Do you think I am going to look at you or to
listen to your silly songs?" And the cat sat down ready to begin his
breakfast.
"Oh, no,
Mr. Cat, you can't do that."
"But why
not? Don't get it into your head that I am going to let you fly away! Oh, no,
you are wrong here," answered the cat.
"But have
you already washed yourself?"
"No, I
haven't. But what does it matter?" said the cat.
"Oh, Mr.
Cat! What did your parents teach you? How can you have your breakfast without
washing yourself first?" answered the bird.
"Do you
think I can't? I don't see it your way."
"Of
course, you can't!" repeated Old Tim. "Ask anybody and they are going
to tell you that I am right. People never eat without washing themselves
first," said the poor bird.
"Hm,
well, I think you are right," said the angry cat. "All right, I am
going to wash myself first and only after that have my breakfast."
And with those
words the cat began to wash himself. The cat was so busy cleaning his coat that
he did not see how Old Tim jumped aside and flew away.
When the cat
finished his washing and wanted to begin his breakfast there was no Tim there – he was high in a tree singing his
song. Old Tim knew how to fool cats!
The cat was
very angry with Tim and with himself.
"Well,
let people do as they like but I'm never going to wash myself before
eating!" he said.
So from that
day on all cats wash themselves only after and not before eating.
Comprehension check
1.
Retell
the legend as if you were a cat.
2.
Give
an outline of the legend.
WRITIHG
Make up a plan
of the legend covering its main events.
How Animals
Learned to Do Something
Key words and expressions:
man's early
history
to be lazy
angrily
Make up
sentences with new words
Pre-reading task
Do you have a pet? Try to describe it.
Reading
Many years
ago, in the man's early history, when people and animals were great friends, a
man called all the animals together. He got on a large stone for all the
animals to see him and began to speak:
"My dear
friends! Listen to me!" the man went on to say. "I am angry with you.
You are very lazy, you do not do anything. You have learned nothing. You can't
go on like this, it's time for you to learn to do something. In a month's time
I want you to come here and show me what you have learned. I am sure you can
learn a lot of things if you want to."
With these
words the man got off the stone and said good-bye to the animals. The animals
said good-bye to the man and to each other and left.
The animals
thought and thought, they thought from early morning till late at night. In the
end they thought of something and each animal began to learn to do something.
The horse began to learn to run quickly and carry loads. The dog learned to
bark, it wanted to help the man to watch his animals. The cow began to give
milk. The cock learned to sing early in the morning and thus wake up the man.
The cock's wife, the hen, began to lay eggs. The bee learned to make honey.
Many birds
learned to sing beautiful songs, they had their singing lessons every day.
A month passed
and the man again called all the animals together. "Well", he said,
"I think you have learned to do something. It's time for you to show me
what you have learned."
And the horse
ran quickly, the cow gave milk, the hen laid eggs, the bees began to make
honey, the cock sang and then the birds began to sing beautiful songs.
The man was
very pleased with them all. To have milk, eggs and honey every day! It was
wonderful.
"And what
about you?" the man said to the fish. The fish stood behind the other
animals and didn't do anything.
"What's
the matter with you? Haven't you learned anything?" The fish only opened
and shut its mouth – it
didn't know what to say.
"So you
haven't learned to do anything and you cannot say a word," said the man
angrily. "Very well, then you must always be like that and I don't want to
see you again."
And from that
day on the fish has not said a word and has lived in l he water where nobody
can see her.
Comprehension check
Complete the
table. What can these animals do?
a horse
|
a cow
|
a dog
|
a cock
|
a hen
|
|
|
|
|
|
WRITIHG
Compose ten
questions on the legend and ask them your classmates.
The Parrot
Key words and expressions:
no doubt about
it
wise
to be rich
Make up
sentences with new words
Pre-reading task
How do you
think? What is the way to become rich?
Reading
A man who had
a fine green parrot at home taught the bird to say, "No doubt about
it".
One day the
man buried some money in different places in the village. Next morning he went
through the village with his bird. He sang, "My parrot is wise. He will
show me where to dig for money..."
Whenever he
came to any of the places which he knew very well because he always marked them
secretly, he said, "Oh, wise parrot, if I dig here, shall I find any
gold?"
The parrot
answered, "No doubt about it."
Each time the
man found some money in the places where he stopped with his bird, and each
time he showed the money to the people who stood around.
One young man
thought, "If I can get the parrot, I shall soon be rich."
So he said to
the owner of the parrot," For how much will you sell your parrot?"
"For one
thousand pieces of gold."
"But this
is a great deal of money!" cried the young man.
"But my
parrot is worth it!" answered the owner of the parrot.
The answer
pleased the young man so much that he paid the one thousand pieces of gold and
walked off with the parrot.
He took the
parrot out to look for money at once. Many times he asked him, "If I dig
here, shall I find some gold?"
Every time the
parrot answered, "No doubt about it".
But though the
young man dug and dug, he did not find any gold.
At last he
understood the trick of the owner of the parrot and said to himself: "How
foolish I was! How could I believe such a thing?"
He turned to
the bird and said: "Oh, wise bird, I think I was foolish if I could give a
thousand pieces of gold for you."
The parrot
answered, "No doubt about it".
The parrot
looked so funny as he said this that the young man laughed and laughed.
"Well", he said at last, "you told the truth this time. After
this I shall work. That is the only way to become a rich man."
"No doubt
about it," agreed the parrot, and for the second time he told the truth.
Comprehension check
Give an
outline of the legend.
WRITIHG
Write what
happened after the following:
1. One day the
man buried some money in different places in the village.
2. Whenever he
came to any of the places which he knew very well because he always marked them
secretly, he said, "Oh, wise parrot, if I dig here, shall I find any
gold?"
3. At last he
understood the trick of the owner of the parrot and said to himself:
4. The parrot
looked so funny as he said this that the young man laughed and laughed.
"Well", he said at last, "you told the truth this time.
The
Fly Who Wanted to Have a Tail
Key words and expressions:
to hurry out
to make a nest
Make up
sentences with new words
Reading
One
day the Fly looked at the animals and birds round her and saw that they all had
tails.
“It’s
a good thing to have a tail,” thought the Fly. “What’s a pity I have not a
tail! But I am going to have one. Yes, I shall have a tail!”
And
she at once flew to the Man. “Please, Man, give me a tail,” she said to the Man.»
All animals and birds have tails, only I haven t, I also want to be beautiful!”
“The
trouble with you Fly, is that you are a fool. They all have tails because their
tails help them to live. Look!” The Man pointed to the Monkey hanging by its
tail from the tree. “You see, for him a tail is like one more hand. As for you,
I don’t think you must have a tail”.
The
Fly got very angry with the Man. “I want you to give me a beautiful
tail,” she said angrily.
“You
strange little thing,” laughed the Man. “All right, if you see in animal with a
tail only to make it beautiful, you will have a tail.
“Well,
“said the Fly, “I shall fly to animals and birds and ask them to give me a tail. But remember your
words that if I see someone with I tail that doesn’t help him and only makes him
beautiful, you will give me his tail!”
“All
right, “said the Man and laughed again. The Fly was happy. “ I am sure some
animal or bird will give me its tail,” she thought and hurried out of the room.
She
flew out of the window right to the river. There she saw I fish.
“Give
me your beautiful tail, will you?” she said to the Fish. I am sure you have it
only to be beautiful.”
“You
are a fool to say that. I can t give you my tail, it helps me to swim,”
answered the Fish and swam away.
Then
the Fly flew to the woods. She saw a bird sitting high in a tree. “Will you
give me your tail, please?” said the Fly to the bird. “It doesn’t help you, it
only makes you beautiful “.
“Oh,
no, you are wrong. How do you think I can fly and make a nest for myself or get
something to eat for my children without my tail?”
“But
you have your beak,” answered the Fly.
“Yes,
that is so, but I must have my tail, too. I cannot work without it.” The bird
saluted the Fly with its beak and began to work with it sitting on its tail.
“You watch me,” the bird said, “This is the way I work”.
The
Fly watched the bird for a minute and saw that it was right. She flew away and
soon met the Fox. The Fox had a beautiful red-brown tail. It looked wonderful.
“Well, I am sure the fox will give me her tail,” thought the Fly.
“Give
me your tail, will you?” the Fly began her old song again.
“How
can you talk like that?! If I give you my tail I can die!”
“But
why?” asked the Fly.
“When
the men and dogs come to the woods I must run away. I brush the ground with my
long tail. And the dogs do not know where I have gone. So you see how much my
tail helps me.”
The
Fly said good-bye to the Fox and flew away. She flew home straight to the Man.
When
the Man saw the Fly he asked her, “Where have you been all this time? Has
anyone given you a tail? Report to me.”
“Well,
no one wants to give me a tail. They say they must have a tail because they
cannot swim, run or work without it,” answered the Fly.
“You
see!” said the Man. “I knew it! I knew it all along. Next time think before you
ask me something.”
“But
I want a tail, too! Give me a tail, Man. Will you?” repeated the Fly.
“Haven’t
the animals and birds taught you a good lesson?” asked the Man. But the Fly didn’t
t listen” to him. She flew and flew around him, sat on his nose, lips and
cheeks, and repeated angrily, “Give me a tail, Man!”
“Well,”
said the Man. “Go to the Cow, you have not been to the Cow, have you?”
The
Fly at once flew out of the window and hurried to the Cow. She sat on the Cow’s
back and wanted to ask her the questions about the tail.
But
“Swish-sh” went the Cow’s long tail and that was the end of the Fly who wanted
to have a tail so much.
Comprehension check
1.
Discuss
the main idea of the legend.
2.
Is it
true or fiction?
3.
Choose
the better title for the legend.
WRITIHG
Make up a plan
of the legend covering its main events.
Glossary
The Snowy
River is a major river in south-eastern Australia. It originates on the
slopes of Mount
Kosciuszko, Australia's highest mainland peak, draining the eastern
slopes of the Snowy
Mountains in New
South Wales, before flowing through the Snowy River National Park in Victoria and emptying into Bass Strait. Up until
the mid–20th century, the river was notable for its high volume of fresh water,
wide reach and large rapids.While the river's course and surroundings have
remained almost entirely unchanged, the majority of it being protected by the Snowy River National Park, its flow was drastically reduced in
the mid–20th century, to less than 1%, after the construction of various dams
and reservoirs at its headwaters in New South Wales, as part of the Snowy Mountains Scheme. From 2002 to 2008 the flow was
increased from 1% to 4%, however targets of 15% by 2009 and 21% by 2012 are
unlikely to be met.
The Blue
Mountains is a mountainous region in New South Wales, Australia. It borders on Sydney's metropolitan area, its
foothills starting approximately 50 kilometres west of the state capital. The area begins on the west
side of the Nepean
River and extends westward as far as Coxs River. Consisting
mainly of a sandstone plateau,
the area is dissected by gorges
up to 760 metres deep. The highest point of the range is 1,190 metres above sea level. A large
part of the Blue Mountains is incorporated into the Greater Blue Mountains Area World
Heritage Site, consisting of seven national park areas and a
conservation reserve. The Blue Mountains area includes the local government
areas of the City of Blue Mountains, the City
of Hawkesbury, the City of Lithgow and Oberon.
Totemism,
totem is a religious belief that is frequently
associated with shamanistic
religions.
The totem is usually an animal or other natural figure that spiritually
represents a group of related people such as a clan. Totemism was a key element
of study in the development of 19th and early 20th century theories of
religion, especially for thinkers such as Émile Durkheim,
who concentrated their study on primitive societies (which was an acceptable
description at the time). Drawing on the identification of social group with
spiritual totem in Australian aboriginal tribes, Durkheim theorized that all
human religious expression was intrinsically founded in the relationship to a
group.
The Milky
Way, or simply the Galaxy, is the galaxy
in which the Solar
System is located. It is a barred spiral galaxy that is part of the Local Group of
galaxies. It is one of billions of galaxies in the observable
universe. Its name is a translation of the Latin Via Lactea, in turn translated from the Greek Γαλαξίας (Galaxias), referring to
the pale band of light formed by stars in the galactic plane as seen from Earth
(see etymology of galaxy).
Some sources hold that, strictly speaking, the term Milky Way should refer
exclusively to the band of light that the galaxy forms in the night sky, while the
galaxy should receive the full name Milky Way Galaxy, or alternatively the
Galaxy. However, it is unclear how widespread this convention is, and the term
Milky Way is routinely used in either context.
Wombats are
Australian marsupials; they are short-legged,
muscular quadrupeds,
approximately 1 metre in length with a very short tail. They are found in forested, mountainous,
and heathland areas of
south-eastern Australia and Tasmania.
The name wombat comes from the Eora
Aboriginal community who were the original inhabitants of the Sydney area.
The grizzly
bear (Ursus arctos horribilis), also known as the silvertip bear, is a subspecies of brown bear (Ursus
arctos) that generally lives in the uplands of western North America. This subspecies is
thought to descend from Ussuri
brown bears which crossed to Alaska from Eastern Russia 100,000
years ago, though they did not move south until 13,000 years ago. Grizzlies are
normally solitary
active animals, but in coastal areas the grizzly congregates alongside streams,
lakes, rivers, and ponds during the salmon spawn. Every
other year, females (sows) produce one to four young (commonly two) which are
small and weigh only about 500 grams (one pound). A sow is protective of her
offspring and will attack if she thinks she or her cubs are threatened.
Illawarra
is a region in the Australian
state of New
South Wales. It is a coastal region situated immediately south of Sydney and north of the Shoalhaven region,
encompassing the cities of Wollongong
and Shellharbour and the municipality of Kiama. The central region contains Lake Illawarra.
Australian
bush is a term used for rural, undeveloped land or country areas in certain
countries.
In Australia the term has an iconic status in Australian life. In reference to
the landscape, bush describes a wooded area, intermediate between a shrubland and a forest, generally of dry and
nitrogen-poor soil, mostly grassless,
thin to thick woody shrubs and bushes, under a sparse canapy of eucalypts.
A swagman
(also called tussocker) is an old Australian
term describing an underclass of transient temporary workers, who travelled by
foot from farm to farm carrying the traditional swag (waterproof
bedroll). Also characteristic of swagman attire was a hat strung with corks
to ward off flies. Particularly during the Depression of the 1890s and the Great Depression of
the 1930s, unemployed men travelled the rural areas of Australia on foot, their
few meagre possessions rolled up and carried in their swag. Typically, they
would seek work in farms and towns they travelled through, and in many cases
the farmers, if no permanent work was available, would provide food and shelter
in return for some menial task. Another form of the swagman was the "pack
horse bagman" who rode a horse and led one or two pack horses in his
travels, typically in the Northern
Territory. The pack horse bagman called in at stations where he would work shoeing horses, mustering,
repairing bores etc.
The hoop
snake is a legendary creature of the United States and Australia. The hoop snake is
referred to in the Pecos
Bill stories; although it is his description of hoop snakes that
most people are most familiar with, stories of the creature predate those
fictional tales considerably. Several sightings of the hoop snake have been
alleged along the Minnesota-Wisconsin border in
the St.
Croix River valley and in Wake County in North Carolina.
According to folklore, the
distinguishing feature of a hoop snake is that it can grasp its tail in its
jaws and roll after its prey like a wheel, thus looking somewhat like the ouroboros of Greek mythology, or Tsuchinoko (a
legendary fat snake that can roll like a wheel) in Japan. In one version of the
myth, the snake straightens out at the last second, skewering its victim with
its venomous tail. The only escape is to hide behind a tree, which receives the
deadly blow instead and promptly dies from the poison.
Mangroves
are trees and shrubs that grow in saline coastal habitats in the tropics and
subtropics – mainly between latitudes 25° N and 25° S. The saline conditions
tolerated by various species range from brackish water, through pure seawater
(30 to 40 ppt), to water of over twice the salinity of ocean seawater, where
the salt becomes concentrated by evaporation (up to 90 ppt).
Mangroves
form a characteristic saline woodland or shrubland habitat, called mangrove swamp,
mangrove forest, mangrove or mangal. Mangals are found in depositional coastal
environments where fine sediments (often with high organic content) collect in
areas protected from high energy wave action. They occur both in estuaries and
along open coastlines. Mangroves dominate three quarters of tropical
coastlines.
Dictionary
accidentally- adv випадково, несподівано.
affinity- n спорідненість, схожість,
привабливість.
ancestor- n предок, прародитель.
annoy - 1. n прикрість, досада; 2. v надокучати, набридати, сердити.
annual - 1. n однолітник; 2. adj щорічний, річний.
anxious- adj стурбований, стривожений.
apron - 1. n фартух, лоток, жолоб.
arrow - n стріла.
ash - n ясен, попіл, зола.
astonishment- n здивування, подив.
awkwardly- adv незграбно, неладно.
axe - n сокира, меч.
be pregnant- v бути вагітною.
beak - n дзьоб.
beg - v просити, благати.
bewilder- v бентежити, дивувати.
blind- adj сліпий.
boar- n кабан.
boldly - adv сміливо, зухвало, стрімко.
brood - n рід, покоління, виводок.
brother-in-law
- n зять.
calamity - n лихо, горе.
cautiously- adv обережно.
cave - n печера.
chase- n погоня, переслідування.
chill - 1. n холод; 2. adj холодний; 3. v охолоджувати.
chipmunk- n бурундук.
claw - n кіготь, пазур.
climb - v дертися, видератися.
comrade - n товариш.
contrary- 1. n зворотне, протилежне; 2. adj зворотний;
3. v заперечувати.
covenant- 1. n угода; 2. v укладати угоду.
creature- n створіння.
current- 1. n течія, потік; 2. adj сучасний.
cyclist - n велосипедист.
disconsolately- adv невтішно, похмуро.
distant - adj віддалений, далекий.
distress- 1. n горе; 2. v завдавати горя.
dumb- 1. adj німий; 2. v примушувати замовкнути.
eerily- adv моторошно.
empty- adj пустий.
encounter - 1. n зустріч, сутичка, змагання; 2. v мати сутичку.
ferocity - n жорстокість, лють.
ferry- n пором.
fetch- n хитрощі, зусилля.
fig tree - n фігове дерево.
fingertip- n кінчик пальця.
flap- 1. n борт; 2. v коливати, махати.
fledgling - n оперене пташеня.
flood- 1. n повінь, приплив, потік; 2. v заливати.
gift - n подарунок.
glimpse - 1. n мерехтіння, блимання; 2. v мелькнути, промайнути.
gloomily - adv похмуро, понуро.
gobble- 1. n бурмотіння; 2. v бурчати, пожирати.
grind- 1. n розмелювання; 2. v молоти, товкти.
growl- 1. n гарчання, бурчання; 2. v гарчати, бурчати.
gruff - adj непривітний, похмурий.
guard - 1. n охоронець, варта; 2. v охороняти.
gunyah- n туземна хатина.
handsome - adj симпатичний (про чоловіків).
harsh- adj грубий, жорстокий.
hedge- 1. n огорожа, живопліт; 2. v обгороджувати.
herd - n стадо, череда, гурт.
hole- 1. n діра, отвір; 2. v робити отвір.
hoodwink- v обдурювати.
hoop - n обруч.
howl - 1. n виття; 2. v вити.
huge- adj величезний.
impossible - adj неможливий, неймовірний.
impudence- n безсоромність.
intend - v мати намір, збиратися.
jerk- 1. n різкий рух; 2. v смикати, штовхати.
judge - n суддя.
limp - 1. n кульгавість; 2. v кульгати.
lithe- adj гнучкий, зговірливий.
mangrove - n мангрове дерево.
mate - n товариш, напарник.
mercy- n милосердя, жалість.
miserable- adj нещасний.
misfortune - n біда, нещастя.
moonbeam - n місячний промінь.
nest - n гніздо.
noonday - n опівдень.
nostril- n ніздря
oath - n клятва, присяга.
octopus - n восьминіг.
offspring- n паросток.
originator- n автор, винахідник.
pancake- n млинець.
peep- 1. n швидкий погляд; 2. v підглядати.
pet - n домашня тварина.
plumage- n оперення.
pretend- v прикидатися.
proclaim- v оголошувати, проголошувати.
putrid- adj гнилий, трухлий.
rear - 1. n тил; 2. adj задній; 3. v підводити, піднімати.
refuse - v відмовляти, заперечувати.
reply- 1. n перегравання; 2. v грати повторно.
resourceful - adj винахідливий.
rival- 1. n суперник; 2. adj конкуруючий.
rumble - 1. n грюкання; 2. v грюкати.
saber- n шабля.
scorch- 1. n опік; 2. v обпалювати.
scoundrel - 1. n негідник; 2. adj підлий.
selfish- adj егоїстичний.
servant- n слуга.
shade- n тінь.
share - 1. n частина; 2. v ділити.
she-goat - n коза.
slimy- adj мулистий, липкий.
slip - 1. n ковзання; 2. v ковзати.
slyly - adv хитро.
smilingly- adv усміхнено.
smooth- 1. n згладжування; 2. adj гладенький; 3. v згладжувати.
snatch- 1. n хватка; 2. v хапати.
spare - 1. n запас; 2. adj запасний; 3. v берегти.
squash - 1. n гарбуз; 2. v роздавлювати.
squeeze - 1. n стискування; 2. v здавлювати.
stomach- n шлунок.
stream- n річка, струмок.
subterranean- 1. n підземелля; 2. adj підземний.
sunbeam - n сонячний промінь.
surely - adv звичайно, безперечно.
swamp - 1. n болото; 2. v заливати, тонути.
swiftly- adv швидко.
sympathy- n симпатія, прихильність.
talon- n кіготь, пазур.
tear- 1. n розлив; 2. v рвати, розривати.
tenderly- adv ніжно, ласкаво.
thereupon- adv слідом за цим (тим).
tip- n верхівка, кінчик.
totem - n тотем.
tribe- n плем’я.
tune- n мотив, мелодія.
unerring- adj правильний, безпомилковий.
ungrateful- adj невдячний.
unroll- v розгортати.
upheaval- n зрушення, переворот.
vigorously - adv сильно, рішуче.
vulture- n яструб.
wade- n перехід у брід, брід.
web - n павутина.
whimper - 1. n виття; 2. v нити, завивати.
wise- 1. n спосіб; 2. adj мудрий.
witch - n відьма.
woe - n горе, лихо, нещастя.
yell - 1. n пронизливий крик; 2. v кричати.
Literature
1.
Мелетинский Е.М.
Повествовательный фольклор австралийцев / Мифы и сказки Австралии / Собр. К. Лангло-Паркер. М., 1965.
2.
Харитонов
І.К., Потапенко С.І. 101 Fairy-Tales and Stories: Тексти для шкіл, ліцеїв та
підготовчих курсів. – Тернопіль: Навчальна книга – Богдан, 2007. – 192 с.
3.
American
folklore: an encyclopedia/edited by Jan Harold Brunvand. p. cm. – (Garland
reference library of the humanities; vol. 1551).
4.
Australian
Legendary Tales (Bodley Head Source Books of Fairy Tales & Folklore), 1978.
5.
Cyrus
MacMillan Canadian Fairy Tales, 1922.
6.
Dandes
A. The Morphology of North American Indian Folktales № 195. Helsinki, 1964.
7.
E. Bow
Native American Indian Myths. The Mythology of the Peoples of North America,
2001.
8.
Edward
Winslow Gifford, Miwok Myths, 1917.
9.
Frank
Russell, Myths of the Jicarilla Apaches, 1898.
10.
Henry
Lawson Australian Yarns - Bush Stories, 1986.
11.
Katharine
Berry Judson, Myths and Legends of California and the Old Southwest, 1912.
12.
Kervern,
Bethany The Princess of the Golden Bees, 2008.
13.
Marie
L. McLaughlin, Myths and Legends of the Sioux, 1913.
14.
McLaughlin,
Marie L Myths and Legends of the Sioux, 2001.
15.
Myths
and Legends of California and the Old Southwest, by Katharine Berry Judson,
1912.
16.
Myths
of the Cherokee, James Mooney, 1900.
17.
Roheim
G. Myth and Folk-Tale / American Imago. 1941.
18.
Stannеr W.Е.H. On Aboriginal Religion. Sidney, 1966.
19.
Thompson
S. Myth and Folk-Tale / Journal of American Folklore, 1955.
20.
Zitkala
Sa, Old Indian Legends, 1901.
21.
#"#">#"#">#"#">#"#">#"#">#"#">#"#">http://www.dmoz.org/Society/Folklore/Literature/