The Bull and the Donkey

The Bull and the Donkey

Unit 2 Lesson 5

The art of Arabic literature

•  What popular stories do you know? Did your parents tell you any stories when you were younger? Can you remember any?

• Do you think stories are important? Why/Why not? How has the art of storytelling changed over time?

Reading

• What do you know about 1001 Arabian Knights? Do you know any of the stories?

complain

 To express dissatisfaction or annoyance about something.

Lots of people have complained about the noise.

Whip

• to hit a person or animal with a whip:

• I don't like the way the drivers whip their horses.

wonder

• to ask yourself questions or express a wish to know about something:

• He's starting to wonder whether he did the right thing in accepting this job

Read Part 1 of The Bull and the Donkey then close your books and summarise the story with your partner.

Once upon a time there was a merchant who lived on a farm with family and many animals. This merchant had a wonderful gift – he had the power to understand the speech of all kinds of animals and birds. However, he could not tell anyone what he heard the  animals say or he would die immediately.One evening as he was watching his children play, he heard his bull speaking.‘’Donkey, why are you treated better than me and have servants sweeping your stall?’’The merchant was very interested and continued to listen. The bull complained that he had to work too hard, was whipped and had to carry heavy loads. The donkey laughed and advised the bull not to be so willing to work. ‘’They will soon get the message and leave you alone,’’ he said.The next day the merchant’s servant came running into the office. He informed the merchant that the bull was refusing to move and wondered what they should do. Of course, the merchant knew what was wrong and decided the donkey should be taught a lesson. He told his steward to let the bull rest and make the donkey do the work.

Open Ended

Write a short paragraph to complete the story of The Bull and the Donkey.