As a group of frogs were travelling through the woods, two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs crowded around the pit and saw how deep it was, they told the two frogs they would never be able to get out, and that there was no hope left for them.
However, the two frogs decided to ignore what the others were saying and they proceeded to try and jump out of the pit. Despite their efforts, the group of frogs at the top of the pit kept saying that they should just give up.
Eventually, one of the frogs let the helpless cries of others influence him. He gave up, and fell to his death.
The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die.
He jumped even harder and finally made it out of the pit.
When he got out, the other frogs asked with surprise, “Did you not hear us?”
The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.
Moral of the story: People’s words can have a big effect on others’ lives. Think before you speak.
(A) Discussion: Talk about frogs / amphibians, their habitat and their impact on the ecosystem.
(B) Vocabulary:
Proceed – (verb) – begin a course of action
Despite – (preposition) – without being affected by; in spite of
Eventually – (adverb) – in the end
Encourage –(verb) – give someone support or hope
Entire – (adjective) – whole
(C) Grammar:
Please match the opposites:
- _______ big a) quiet
- _______ cold b) cheap
- _______ loud c) little
- _______ full d) long
- _______ easy e) messy
- _______ expensive f) difficult
- _______ short g) hot
- _______ neat h) light
- _______ heavy i) empty
- _______ polite j) rude
Audio courtesy Tara Kriplani: