3 - Reading Comprehension Theme

File Name: Document1
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3 Theme 1 The Boasting Traveler
DIRECTIONS: SAW . Use separate paper if needed.
Title: The Boasting Traveler from Aesops Fables

PLOT
1.) _______________________________________________________________________________

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2.) _____________________________________________________________________

3.) _______________________________________________________________________________
Main Idea:
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Name:
Period
Date
__/ POINTS
GOAL
Lexile: 760L
Common Core:SL.3.2

Theme:
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Aesops Fables
The Boasting Traveler

A MAN who had traveled in foreign lands boasted very much, on returning to his own country, of the many
wonderful and heroic feats he had performed in the different places he had visited. Among other things, he said
that when he was at Rhodes he had leaped to such a distance that no man of his day could leap anywhere near him
as to that, there were in Rhodes many persons who saw him do it and whom he could call as witnesses. One of the
bystanders interrupted him, saying: Now, my good man, if this be all true there is no need of witnesses. Suppose
this to be Rhodes, and leap for us.

]

3 Theme 1 The Boasting Traveler [ANSWER KEY]

Plot:
1.) First, a traveler returns to his hometown and boasts of his
adventures.
2.) Then, the traveler says that he is the best jumper in the world.
3.) Finally, one person in the crowd challenges him to show everyone
how long he can jump.
Main Idea:
A crowd grows tired of hearing a traveler boast of his ability to jump long distances.
Theme:
Actions count more than words.

]

3 Theme 2 The Travelers and the Gold Coins (Purse)

Title: The Travelers and the Gold Coins from Aesops Fables

Plot:
Main Idea:
Name:
Period
Date
__/ POINTS
GOAL
Lexile: 760L
Common Core:SL.3.2

Theme:

Aesops Fables
The Travelers & the Gold Coins (Purse)
Two men were traveling in company along the road when one of them picked up a well-filled purse. "How
lucky I am!" he said. "I have found a purse. Judging by its weight it must be full of gold." "Do not say 'I have
found a purse,'" said his companion. "Say rather 'we have found a purse' and 'how luckywe are.' Travelers ought
to share alike the fortunes or misfortunes of the road." "No, no," replied the other angrily. "I found it andI am
going to keep it." Just then they heard a shout of "Stop, thief!" and looking around, saw a mob of people armed
with clubs coming down the road. The man who had found the purse fell into a panic. "We are lost if they find
the purse on us," he cried. "No, no," replied the other, "You would not say 'we' before, so now stick to your 'I'.
Say 'I am lost.'"

3 Theme 2 The Travelers and the Gold Coins [ANSWER KEY]

Title: The Travelers and the Gold Coins from Aesops Fables

]
Plot:
1.) First, one of two companions finds a sack of gold coins.
2.) Then, he refuses to share with his friends.
3.) Next, a mob of angry people accuse him of being a thief.
4.) Finally, the companion refuses to help him because he did not want
to share the gold.
Main Idea:
A man does not want to share his gold and his friend chooses not to help protect him from
an angry mob.
Theme:
If you dont share your good luck, dont expect to share your bad.

3 Theme 3 The Fox and the Crow
Title: The Fox and the Crow from Aesops Fables

Plot:
Main Idea:
Name:
Period
Date
__/ POINTS
GOAL
Lexile: 760L
Common Core:SL.3.2

Theme:


Aesops Fables
The Fox & the Crow

A CROW having stolen a bit of meat, perched in a tree and held it in her beak. A Fox, seeing this, longed to
possess the meat himself, and by a wily stratagem succeeded. "How handsome is the Crow," he exclaimed, in
the beauty of her shape and in the fairness of her complexion! Oh, if her voice were only equal to her beauty,
she would deservedly be considered the Queen of Birds!" This he said deceitfully; but the Crow, anxious to
refute the reflection cast upon her voice, set up a loud caw and dropped the flesh. The Fox quickly picked it up,
and thus addressed the Crow: "My good Crow, your voice is right enough, but your wit is wanting."

]

3 Reading Comprehension Theme 4 A Tricky Monkey
Kojo the monkey lived in the rain forest. There were lots of monkeys in Kojos part of the forest. Kojo
had many brothers and sisters. That was good, because Kojo had many monkeys to play with. But Kojo liked to
get attention, too. That was hard to do with so many monkeys around.
One day Kojo decided to play a trick on the other monkeys. Leopard! Kojo cried. A leopard is coming!
The monkeys scrambled. They
climbed up to the highest tree branches. They shook with fear. Leopards like to eat monkeys.
Kojo laughed. Ha! Just kidding, he said. Kojos Aunt Ama scolded him. Nobody likes a liar, Kojo.
Kojo felt bad for a little while. But he soon got bored. A few days later, he did it again.
Leopard! Kojo cried. A leopard is coming! The monkeys scrambled again. Kojo laughed. Ha! Just
kidding again, he said. Aunt Ama shook her head. Be careful, Kojo. Nobody will believe anything you say if
you keep this up. The monkeys were all pretty upset with Kojo. They ignored him. Kojo sat in a tree branch,
bored and lonely.
Then he saw a shadow on the ground below. A hungry-looking leopard padded across the rain forest
floor. Leopard! A leopard is coming for real this time! Kojo yelled. None of the monkeys paid any attention.
The leopard was headed right for them. Kojo knew what he had to do.
Here, leopard! Over here! he yelled. The leopard chased Kojo. Kojo climbed up to the highest
branches. The other monkeys now saw the leopard and they climbed into the trees, too. The leopard could not
climb as high as the monkeys. She gave up and walked away.
Kojo was relieved. The other monkeys were glad that Kojo had tried to save them. They forgave him for lying
and played with him again. And Kojo became someone they could trust.

1) The theme of this passage is
a. trust.
b. lying.
c. fear.
d. danger.

2) Which of the following statements supports
the theme?
a. Kojo got bored.
b. Kojo got in trouble.
c. A leopard came near the monkeys.
d. Kojo saved the monkeys.

3) What is the main problem in this passage?
a. The monkeys got mad at Kojo.
b. Kojo lost the monkeys' trust.
c. Leopards eat monkeys.
d. Kojo tricked the leopard.

4) This passage teaches the reader
a. to stay away from leopards.
b. to not listen to liars.
c. that trust is important.
d. that scaring others is a problem.

5) How would you describe Kojo? _____________

_____________________________________
Name:
Period
Date
Lexile: 330L
Common Core:SL.3.2
__/ POINTS
GOAL
Lexile: 760L
Common Core:SL.3.2

__/ POINTS
GOAL
Lexile: 760L
Common Core:SL.3.2

__/ 5 POINTS
GOAL 4 (80%)
Lexile: 330L
Common Core:SL.3.2


3 Reading Comprehension Theme 5 All in a Week
On Monday I rode a rocket ship away to outer space.
On Tuesday I ran my heart out in a mile-long foot race.
On Wednesday I taught a purple baby dragon how to fly.
On Thursday I flew in a big balloon across the sunny sky.
On Friday I swam the ocean blue atop a friendly whale.
On Saturday I climbed a mountain up a rocky trail.
How did I go on a great adventure every day?
EasyI just read a book, and words took me away!

1) This passage is a poem. We know this
because
a. the author mentions something for
everyday of the week.
b. it is about reading.
c. it is imaginative.
d. it has rhythm and rhyme.

2) The theme of this passage is
a. reading is exhausting.
b. reading is adventurous.
c. reading is difficult.
d. reading is relaxing.

3) Which of the following sentences supports
the theme of the poem?
a. Reading lets you experience many
things.
b. You can travel to a new place
everyday.
c. Once you start reading a book, you
are forced to travel.
d. You will be tired after you read a
book.

4) This poem is written in the
a. first person.
b. second person.
c. third person.
d. none of the above.

5) What could someone learn from this poem?
Explain.

_________________________________________

__________________________________________
Name:
Period
Date
Lexile: 330L
Common Core:SL.3.2
__/ POINTS
GOAL
Lexile: 760L
Common Core:SL.3.2

__/ POINTS
GOAL
Lexile: 760L
Common Core:SL.3.2

__/ 5 POINTS
GOAL 4 (80%)
Lexile: 700L
Common Core:SL.3.2


3 Reading Comprehension Theme 5 All in a Week [ANSWER KEY]
. This passage is a poem. We know this because
d. it has rhythm and rhyme.

2. The theme of this passage is
b. reading is adventurous.

_Th_ 3. Which of the following sentences supports the theme of the poem?
a. Reading lets you experience many things.

PoV 4. This poem is written in the
a. first person.

_Th _ 5. What could someone learn from this poem? Explain.
Answers will vary. This poem teaches the reader to look at reading as a hobby that is fun and
exciting.


3 Reading Comprehension Theme 4 A Tricky Monkey[ANSWER KEY]
A Tricky Monkey Answer Sheet

1. The theme of this passage is
a. trust.

2. Which of the following statements supports the theme?
d. Kojo saved the monkeys.

3. What is the main problem in this passage?
b. Kojo lost the monkeys' trust.

4. This passage teaches the reader
c. that trust is important.

5. How would you describe Kojo?
. Kojo gets bored easily. He doesn't think ahead about lying to the other monkeys. When the
leopard came, Kojo thought quickly to save the other monkeys.

Lexile: 330L
Common Core:SL.3.2
__/ POINTS
GOAL
Lexile: 760L
Common Core:SL.3.2

__/ POINTS
GOAL
Lexile: 760L
Common Core:SL.3.2


3 Reading Comprehension Theme 6 Knocked Down
Christopher held the heavy bowling ball in his right hand. He stared down the long, waxed lane in front of him.
He closed his eyes and imagined throwing a strike, the pins tumbling down with a loud crash. He opened his
eyes, took a deep breath, took three steps, and then sent the ball rolling. A thundering sound erupted as the ball
collided with the pins, knocking them all down.
Yes! Christopher cried, running back to his seat.
Nice, his friend Patrick said. Youre still like fifty points behind me, though. Christopher leaned back in
his seat. He was feeling pretty good. Then he heard a
voice behind him.
Hey, Chris. A terrible feeling overcame Christopher. He looked behind him to see Sam. He and Sam had been
friends since kindergarten, but Christopher had been avoiding him lately. Kids like Patrick didnt think Sam was
cool.
I thought you said you were too busy to go bowling today, Sam said.
Christopher shrugged. I changed my mind.
Whatever, Sam said, with a hurt look on his face. Then he walked away.
Patrick finished his turn and nodded to Christopher.
Whats that geek Sam doing here? he asked.
I dont know, Christopher answered.

Name:
Period
Date
Lexile: 330L
Common Core:SL.3.2
__/ POINTS
GOAL
Lexile: 760L
Common Core:SL.3.2

__/ POINTS
GOAL
Lexile: 760L
Common Core:SL.3.2

Lexile: 500L
Common Core:SL.3.2


3 Reading Comprehension Theme 6 Knocked Down Questions

1) The theme of this story is
a. sportsmanship.
b. friendship.
c. winning.
d. losers.

2) Which of the following does not necessarily support the theme?
a. A terrible feeling came over Christopher.
b. Sam had a hurt look on his face.
c. Patrick asked why Sam was there.
d. Christopher knocked all the pins down.

3) From the story, you can assume that Christopher is
a. disloyal.
b. proud.
c. smart.
d. honest.

4) This passage takes place
a. at Christopher's house.
b. at Patrick's house.
c. at Sam's house.

5) What lesson do you think the author may try to teach in this passage? ___________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Name:
Period
Date
Lexile: 330L
Common Core:SL.3.2
__/ POINTS
GOAL
Lexile: 760L
Common Core:SL.3.2

__/ POINTS
GOAL
Lexile: 760L
Common Core:SL.3.2

__/ 5 POINTS
GOAL 4 (80%)
Lexile: 500L
Common Core:SL.3.2


3 Reading Comprehension Theme 6 Knocked Down Questions [ANSWER KEY]
1. The theme of this story is
b. friendship.

2. The following does not necessarily support the theme:
d. Christopher knocked all the pins down.

C 3. From the story, you can assume that Christopher is
a. disloyal.

S_ 4. This passage takes place

Th 5. What lesson do you think the author may try to teach in this passage?
Answers will vary but may include the importance of being loyal to

your friends and standing up for what you believe is right.

Name:
Period
Date
Lexile: 330L
Common Core:SL.3.2
__/ POINTS
GOAL
Lexile: 760L
Common Core:SL.3.2

__/ POINTS
GOAL
Lexile: 760L
Common Core:SL.3.2

__/ 5 POINTS
GOAL 4 (80%)
Lexile: 500L
Common Core:SL.3.2


3 Reading Comprehension Theme 7 Theme Passages
Katie Clean invited Messy Missy to her house to work on their biology project, but Katie Clean had no idea
what a visit from Messy Missy entailed. First of all, it was raining and Messy Missy neither bothered to take her
boots off nor thoroughly wiped them on the doormat. Then Messy Missy ate a bag of hot chips on Katie Cleans
white bedspread without asking, and Messy Missy is a sloppy eater, so hot chip powder got all over the
bedspread. Katie Clean tried to be polite and ignore Messy Missys sloppy behavior, but then Messy Missy
threw her chip wrapper on the floor. Offended, Katie Clean pretended that she was sick and asked Messy Missy
to leave. The next day Katie Clean asked the teacher if she could work by herself. After explaining her situation,
the teacher allowed Katie to work alone. Messy Missy would have finished the assignment by herself, but she
spilled grape soda all over her assignment.
What is the theme of the story?___________________________________________________________
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What happens in the story that leads you to believe this? ______________________________________
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Money Mark was born rich. He never had to work a day in his life and he got everything handed to him on a
silver platter. When he was six, Money Mark wanted to go to a basketball game. His father paid the starting five
of the Bulls and Celtics to play a private game of Nerf-ball in Money Marks bedroom. When Money Mark
turned thirteen, he wanted to start a band. His father hired the Rolling Stones to play with him every Saturday at
the familys private concert hall, though his family was never there. By the time he was twenty-one, Money
Mark was bored with life. He was surrounded by a bunch of possessions that he didnt appreciate and Money
Mark could find nothing new or exciting in his life. Despite his vast wealth, Money Mark never found
happiness. Penny Petal was born poor. Her family hardly had anything to eat, but they loved each other. Penny
Petal appreciated every thing she got. When she was six, her father walked her around the United Center before
the Bulls played the Celtics. She was excited by the crazy fans and feeling in the air. She looked forward to the
day that she could see a real game. When she was thirteen, she learned to play the buckets. She was an
extremely talented musician, a natural percussionist, and everyone on the block loved the rhythms that poured
from her palms. By the time she was twenty-one, Penny was a successful businesswoman. Now she had
everything that she had ever dreamed of and she truly loved to share her wealth and happiness with her family
who supported her through all of the hard times.
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____________________________________________________________________________________
Name:
Period
Date
Lexile: 330L
Common Core:SL.3.2
__/ POINTS
GOAL
Lexile: 760L
Common Core:SL.3.2

__/ POINTS
GOAL
Lexile: 760L
Common Core:SL.3.2

__/ 5 POINTS
GOAL 4 (80%)
Lexile: 500L
Common Core:SL.3.2


Tammy and Sammy were both students in Mr. Mortons reading class. Mr. Morton wasnt too strict about
deadlines, and Sammy took advantage of that. He did all of his homework in his other classes but never
bothered
to complete Mr. Mortons reading assignments, figuring that he could complete them later. Tammy, on the other
hand, completed each assignment Mr. Morton assigned the night that he assigned it. She had to stay up a little
later, but she didnt want to get a penalty for turning in her reading work late. Tammy knew reading was a core
subject and that she had to keep C average for the entire year or she would have to go to summer school.
When
the end of the quarter came, Tammy and Sammy had both planned on going to the Enchanted Castle amusement
park, but Mr. Morton called Sammys mother, and she grounded Sammy until he turned in all of his work. That
weekend was horrible for Sammy. He stayed up until 2:00 AM each night and still couldnt complete all of the
assignments. The whole while, Tammy had a great time eating pizza at Enchanted Castle, watching movies late
at night, and enjoying her weekend free of stress and pressure. At the end of the quarter, Sammy was lucky to
squeak by with a C minus in reading while Tammy earned an A. Sammy still hasnt learned his lesson and
probably wont complete this activity either.


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4. Mr. Pig and Mr. Dog were hanging out at the food court of the animal shopping mall. Mr. Pig was eating a
huge feast of pizza and drinking a large jug of fruit punch and Mr. Dog was watching him eat. Hey, Mr. Pig. If
you give me a slice of your pizza, Ill let you have the next bone I find. Mr. Pig declined, even though it hurt
his

stomach to eat the last three slices of pizza. Im sorry, Mr. Dog, Mr. Pig said, but I paid for this pizza and
its
all mine. Mr. Dog sighed and waited for Mr. Pig to finish, and then they left the animal mall together. On the
way out, a hunter spotted them and gave chase. Mr. Pig normally could have escaped the hunter but since he
was
weighed down by such a large meal, Mr. Pig collapsed and the hunter killed him. Mr. Dog easily escaped. Later
that night while returning to the scene, Mr. Dog caught the scent of something delicious and began digging
around a trash can. He found a large ham bone with lots of meat and marrow still stuck to the bone. Mr. Dog
happily ate.


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5. In his sophomore year of high school, Michael Jordan tried out for the varsity basketball team at Laney High
School in Wilmington, North Carolina. But at five feet and eleven inches tall, the coach believed that Jordan
was
too short to play at that level, so Jordan was cut from the team. Jordan didnt let this obstacle defeat him. In fact,
it pushed him to work even harder. He trained vigorously and grew another four inches the following summer.
When he finally made the varsity squad, Jordan averaged 25 points a game and went on to become one of the
greatest basketball players in history.



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3 Reading Comprehension Theme 8 Aesops Fables
DIRECTIONS: Determine the moral or theme of these fables and explain your interpretations.

1. The Ant and the Grasshopper VIDEO URL
In a field one summer's day a Grasshopper was hopping about, chirping and singing to its heart's
content. An Ant passed by, bearing along with great toil an ear of corn he was taking to the nest. "Why not
come and chat with me," said the Grasshopper, "instead of toiling and moiling in that way?" "I am helping to
lay up food for the winter," said the Ant, "and recommend you to do the same." "Why bother about winter?"
said the Grasshopper; we have got plenty of food at present." But the Ant went on its way and continued its
toil. When the winter came the Grasshopper had no food and found itself dying of hunger, while it saw the ants
distributing every day corn and grain from the stores they had collected in the summer. Then the Grasshopper
knew.
What did the Grasshopper learn? _________________________________________________________
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Explain how your answer relates to the story: _______________________________________________
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2. The Monkey and the Cookies
A monkey put his hand into a jar of cookies. He grasped as many as he could possibly hold, but when
he tried to pull out his hand, he was prevented from doing so by the neck of the cookie jar. Unwilling to lose
the cookies, and yet unable to withdraw his hand, he burst into tears and bitterly lamented his disappointment.
What is the moral of the story?___________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________

Name:
Period
Date
Lexile: 330L
Common Core:SL.3.2
__/ POINTS
GOAL
Lexile: 760L
Common Core:SL.3.2

__/ POINTS
GOAL
Lexile: 760L
Common Core:SL.3.2


3. The Bundle of Sticks
An old monkey on the point of death summoned his sons around him to give them some parting advice.
He ordered them to bring in a bundle of sticks, and said to his eldest son: "Break it." The son strained and
strained, but with all his efforts was unable to break the sticks. The other sons also tried, but none of them was
successful. "Untie the bundle," said the father, "and each of you take a stick." When they had done so, he
called out to them: "Now, break," and each stick was easily broken. "You see my meaning," said their father.
What was the fathers meaning? _________________________________________________________
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4. The Dogs and the Hides
Some dogs famished with hunger saw a number of cowhides steeping in a river. Not being able to reach
them, they agreed to drink up the river, but it happened that they burst themselves with drinking long before
they reached the hides.
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5. The Monkey and the Snake
One winter a Monkey found a Snake stiff and frozen with cold. He had compassion on it, and taking it
up, placed it in his bosom. The Snake was quickly revived by the warmth, and resuming its natural instincts, bit
the monkey, inflicting on him a mortal wound.
What is the moral of the story? __________________________________________________________
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6. The Fir-Tree and the Bramble
A FIR-TREE said boastingly to the Bramble, "You are useful for nothing at all; while I am everywhere
used for roofs and houses." The Bramble answered: 'You poor creatures, if you would only call to mind the
axes and saws which are about to hew you down, you would have reason to wish that you had grown up a
Bramble, not a Fir-Tree."
What lesson does the Bramble teach the Fir-Tree? ___________________________________________
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7. The Flies and the Honey-Pot
A number of flies were attracted to a jar of honey which had been overturned in a housekeeper's room,
and placing their feet in it, ate greedily. Their feet, however, became so smeared with the honey that they could
not use their wings, nor release themselves, and were suffocated.
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8. The Fox and the Cat
A Fox was boasting to a Cat of its clever devices for escaping its enemies. "I have a whole bag of
tricks," he said, "which contains a hundred ways of escaping my enemies." "I have only one," said the Cat; "but
I can generally manage with that." Just at that moment they heard the cry of a pack of hounds coming towards
them, and the Cat immediately scampered up a tree and hid herself in the boughs. "This is my plan," said the
Cat. "What are you going to do?" The Fox thought first of one way, then of another, and while he was debating
the hounds came nearer and nearer, and at last the Fox in his confusion was caught up by the hounds and soon
killed by the huntsmen.
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9. The Fox and the Crow
A Crow, having stolen a bit of meat, perched in a tree and held it in her beak. A Fox, seeing this, longed
to possess the meat himself, and by a wily stratagem succeeded. "How handsome is the Crow," he exclaimed,
in the beauty of her shape and in the fairness of her complexion! Oh, if her voice were only equal to her beauty,
she would deservedly be considered the Queen of Birds!" This he said deceitfully; but the Crow, anxious to
refute the reflection cast upon her voice, set up a loud caw and dropped the flesh. The Fox quickly picked it up,
and thus addressed the Crow: "My good Crow, your voice is right enough, but your wit is wanting."
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____________________________________________________________________________________
10. The Goose with the Golden Eggs
One day a monkey went to the nest of his Goose and found there an egg all yellow and glittering. When he took
it up it was as heavy as lead and he was going to throw it away, because he thought a trick had been played
upon him. But, on second thought, he took it home and soon found to his delight that it was an egg of pure
gold. Every morning the same thing occurred, and he soon became rich by selling his eggs. As he grew rich he
grew greedy; and thinking to get at once all the gold the Goose could give, he killed it and opened it only to find
nothing.
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11. The Fox and the Crane
At one time the Fox and the Stork were on visiting terms and seemed very good friends. So the Fox
invited the Stork to dinner, and for a joke put nothing before her but some soup in a very shallow dish. This the
Fox could easily lap up, but the Stork could only wet the end of her long bill in it, and left the meal as hungry as
when she began. "I am sorry," said the Fox, "the soup is not to your liking." The Crane, in his turn, asked the
Fox to dine at his home the next night. When they were seated at table all that was for their dinner was
contained in a very long-necked jar with a narrow mouth, in which the Fox could not insert his snout, so all he
could manage to do was to lick the outside of the jar.
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12. The Fox Who Had Lost His Tail
A Fox caught in a trap escaped, but in so doing lost his tail. Thereafter, feeling his life a burden from the shame
and ridicule to which he was exposed, he schemed to convince all the other Foxes that being tailless was much
more attractive, thus making up for his own deprivation. He assembled a good many Foxes and publicly
advised them to cut off their tails, saying that they would not only look much better without them, but that they
would get rid of the weight of the brush, which was a very great inconvenience. One of them interrupting him
said, "If you had not yourself lost your tail, my friend, you would not give us such advice."
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13. The Hares and the Frogs
The Hares were so persecuted by the other beasts that they did not know where to go. As soon as they
saw a single animal approach them, off they used to run. One day they saw a troop of wild Horses stampeding
about, and in quite a panic all the Hares scuttled off to a nearby lake, determined to drown themselves rather
than live in such a continual state of fear. But just as they got near the bank of the lake, a troop of Frogs,
frightened in their turn by the approach of the Hares scuttled off, and jumped into the water. "Truly," said one
of the Hares, "things are not so bad as they seem.
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14. The Crow and the Pitcher
A CROW perishing with thirst saw a pitcher, and hoping to findwater, flew to it with delight. When he
reached it, he discovered to his grief that it contained so little water that he could not possibly get at it. He tried
everything he could think of to reach the water, but all his efforts were in vain. At last he collected as many
stones as he could carry and dropped them one by one with his beak into the pitcher, until he brought the water
within his reach and thus saved his life.
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15. The Hare With Many Friends
A Hare was very popular with the other beasts who all claimed to be her friends. But one day she heard the
hounds approaching and hoped to escape them by the aid of her many Friends. So, she went to the horse, and
asked him to carry her away from the hounds on his back. But he declined, stating that he had important work
to do for his master. He felt sure, he said, that all her other friends would come to her assistance. She then
applied to the bull, and hoped that he would repel the hounds with his horns. The bull replied: I am very sorry,
but I have an appointment with a lady; but I feel sure that our friend the goat will do what you want. The goat,
however, feared that his back might do her some harm if he took her upon it. The ram, he felt sure, was the
proper friend to apply to. So she went to the ram and told him the case. The ram replied: Another time, my
dear friend. I do not like to interfere on the present occasion, as hounds have been known to eat sheep as well
as hares. The Hare then applied, as a last hope, to the calf, who regretted that he was unable to help her, as he
did not like to take the responsibility upon himself, as so many older persons than himself had declined the task.
By this time the hounds had caught the Hare, and tore him to shreds.
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16. The Mule in the Lions Skin
An Mule once found a Lions skin which the hunters had left out in the sun to dry. He put it on and went
towards his native village. All fled at his approach, both men and animals, and he was a proud Mule that day.
In his delight he lifted up his voice and brayed, but then every one knew him, and his owner came up and gave
him a sound cudgelling for the fright he had caused. And shortly afterwards a Fox came up to him and said:
Ah, I knew you by your voice.
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17. The Fox and the Goat
A FOX one day fell into a deep well and could find no means of escape. A Goat, overcome with thirst, came to
the same well, and seeing the Fox, inquired if the water was good. Concealing his sad plight under a merry
guise, the Fox indulged in a lavish praise of the water, saying it was excellent beyond measure, and encouraging
him to descend. The Goat, mindful only of his thirst, thoughtlessly jumped down, but just as he drank, the Fox
informed him of the difficulty they were both in and suggested a scheme for their common escape. If, said
he, you will place your forefeet upon the wall and bend your head, I will run up your back and escape, and will
help you out afterwards. The Goat readily assented and the Fox leaped upon his back. Steadying himself with
the Goats horns, he safely reached the mouth of the well and made off as fast as he could. When the Goat
upbraided him for breaking his promise, he turned around and cried out, You foolish old fellow! If you had as
many brains in your head as you have hairs in your beard, you would never have gone down before you had
inspected the way up, nor have exposed yourself to dangers from which you had no means of escape.

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18. The Oxen and the Axle-Trees
A HEAVY WAGON was being dragged along a country lane by a team of Oxen. The Axle-trees groaned and
creaked terribly; whereupon the Oxen, turning round, thus addressed the wheels: Hullo there! why do you
make so much noise? We bear all the labor, and we, not you, ought to cry out.
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3 Reading Comprehension Theme 8 Aesops Fables [ANSWER KEY]

3 - Reading Comprehension Theme

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