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.

a crow	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.

A	B	C	D	E	F
					1

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.

a goat	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.