Many years ago an elephant and a monkey had a quarrel. The elephant was proud because he was strong.
“Look how big and strong I am,” he said. “I can pull a tree down. Can you?”
Now the monkey was proud because he was so quick.
“Look how quickly I can run and climb,” he said. “Can you climb a tree?”
At last they decided to go and speak to the Old Bird.
“We cannot agree,” they told the Bird, “tell us what you think about it. Which is better – to be strong or to be quick?”
The Old Bird said to them: “Do as I tell you and then I’ll learn which is better. Do you see that great tree across the river? Go and get the fruit from it and bring it to me.”
So they went to the river, but the monkey was afraid of the water.
“Get on my back,” said the elephant proudly. “I will carry you. I am big and strong and I am not afraid to swim across the river.”
There on the bank stood the tree. It was so high that the fruit was above them. The elephant tried to pull the tree down, but it was too strong.
“Wait a minute,” said the monkey proudly. “I can climb.”
He ran quickly up the tree and threw the fruit to the, ground. The elephant put it in his great mouth. Then they crossed the river again and gave the fruit to the Old Bird.
“Now,” they said, “which is better — to be strong or to be quick?”
“Can anybody tell which is better?” asked the Old Bird. The elephant could not get the fruit alone. The monkey could not get the fruit alone. But you could get it together. One of you crossed the river, the other climbed up the tree.”
Say if the sentences are true or false (+/–).
Many years ago an elephant and a monkey had a quarrel.+
The elephant was angry.-
The monkey was quick+
They could run and swim.-
They decided to speak to the Old Bird.+
The Old Bird promised to help them.-
Choose the correct answer.
What did an elephant and a monkey have many years ago?
a) a wardrobe; b) a quarrel+; c) a squirrel; d) a friendship
Why was the elephant proud?
a) he was strong+; b) he wasn’t strong; c) he was big; d) he was clever
Was the monkey proud too? Why?
a) he was strict; b) he was quiet+; c) he was merry; d) he was quick
What did they decide to do?
a) to speak to the Old Bird+; b) to ask some questions their friends; c) to go to the river; d) to speak to the Old Bear
What did they ask the Old Bird?
a) to be strong or to be big; b) to be quick or to be clever; c) to be strong or to be quick+; d) to be quick and to be quick
What did the Old Bird ask them to do?
a) to bring him a tree; b) to bring him some fruit+; c) to get some flowers; d) to bring him some apples
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