Page 113 - Grasp English B2 (Workbook)

11 Beloved Ones

Writing

A. Discuss with a partner.
1. Have you ever heard of Aesop’s fables?
2. Are there any famous storytellers in your culture?

B. What do you think these sayings from Aesop mean?
Discuss with a partner. Then read the story below.

The Peacock and Juno

Once upon a time there was a proud peacock,
with beautiful feathers of blue and green. When
he passed by, the other animals marvelled as
the sun reflected off his majestic feathers. The
peacock knew he was a magnificent creature
and walked with his head held high around the
land.

One day, whilst on his daily walk, he heard a
glorious sound coming from the tree above
him. He looked up to see a small nightingale,
singing a song. Thinking himself the best bird
in all the land, the peacock began to sing,
believing he could equal the incredible song
of the nightingale.

The other animals in the park covered their
ears and ran away. Disappointed, the peacock
went to visit the Roman goddess, Juno. He
begged her to give him a voice as sweet as the
nightingale’s. But Juno refused. C. Many short stories follow a specific pattern.
Identify the different parts of the story in B.
“You are a creature of incredible beauty,”
she told the peacock. “The nightingale has a a. Situation – gives information about the
singular voice, just as the eagle has no rival in characters and sets the scene for the story.
strength. Each of you is unique in a way like no b. Problem – explains the event of the story.
other.” c. Response – gives details of how the characters
deal with the problem.
Though the peacock wished to be the best in d. Ending – concludes the story.
everything, he understood Juno’s wisdom and
returned to the park with his tail feathers shining D. Plan and write your own short story (160–190
brilliantly in the sunshine.
words) using the four elements from exercise C.

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