Back to the story

A. How much did you understand?

In the first part of this story, an old man is preparing to die.

Answer these questions.

1. What did the old man ask his friends to bring him?
2. What did the old man put in the first box?
3. What did he put in the second box?
4. What did he put in the third box?
5. What did he write on the boxes?

In the second part of the story, the old man's sons went to see a wise man. On the way, they passed some strange things.

Answer these questions.

1. Which animal did the brothers see in a field near the river?
2. What was the animal doing?
3. Which animal did the brothers see in a valley full of green grass?
4. Which animal did the brothers see in a desert?
5. The first brother was going to have the old man's land, and be a farmer. What did he find in his box?
6. The second brother was going to buy cows and sheep and goats, and be a herdsman. What did he find in his box?
7. The third brother was going to buy and sell goods, and be a merchant. What did he find in his box?

In the third part of the story, the brothers find that their lives are not easy. 

Which brother is thinking each of these thoughts?

1. "I will ask my brother for land. Then I will build a house and live near my family."
2. "I have land, but I have no goods and no money."
3. "I need land for my cattle. I will ask my brother to give me some."
4. "I don't want wild animals on my land. I want cattle."
5. "But I have no house, and I live far away from my family."
6. "But I don't have any land. My cattle are all thin."

B. Who is speaking?

Who said these sentences?

1. "I must make my will."
2. "Let's go and visit the wise man."
3. "The horse is very thin. Why doesn't it eat the grass?"
4. "Your father was a good, clever man."
5. "If you obey his will, you will all become rich, happy men."

C. Make a play

This story can make a good play. You can act the parts of the old man, his friends, his three sons and the wise man, as well as the crocodile, the horse and the donkey. 

Check the answers