BENNY’S BARROW

Benny was very proud of his wheel barrow. It was very old and the paint was peeling. But Benny
found it useful. He had seen it lying in the shed and asked his father to let him have it. Benny love
gardening. He had small garden behind his house. In it he grew lots of pretty flowers. “It’s lucky thing this
barrow,” he said. “I can use it to carry soil from Mr. White’s house.”

The soil around Benny’s house wasn’t very good. Mr. White’s house, down the road, had better soil
around it. So Benny often took some earth from there. Mr. White also likes gardening, and Benny enjoyed
talking with him. But he didn’t like it when Mr. White’s son teased him.

“Here comes Benny with his dirty, old barrow,” Billy would say. He only teased Benny with his
father wasn’t around. So Mr. White did not know about it. Other boys also teased Benny about his barrow.
Some of them even said it was girlish to push around. “I wish I could show them how useful a wheelbarrow
is,” Benny thought.

One day he had his chance. He was on his way to Mr. White’s house. Half way there he met Sarah
running down the road. Sarah was Mr. White’s youngest daughter. She liked Benny and often helped him
with his gardening. “Sarah you’re running too fast!” Benny called out to her. She was indeed. Suddenly she
tripped over a stone and fell down. Benny put his down barrow and ran to her. “Sarah! Have you hurt
yourself?” “My knees hurt, Benny,” Sarah sobbed. “I didn’t see that stone. I was trying to get my ball.”

“It’s all right, Sarah,” said Benny, “I’ll get the ball for you.” Then he looked at Sarah’s knees.
“They’re quite badly cut,” he said. “We must wash and bandage them at once. Can you walk?” Sarah tried
to, but her knees hurt too much. Then Benny had an idea. He pushed his wheelbarrow over to Sarah and
told her to get in. As fast as he could, Benny pushed Sarah to her house. She wasn’t very heavy, and they
got there in a few minutes. Mr. White saw them and ran out. “My goodness, Sarah! What happened?” he
asked. Billy and his friends also came out when they heard the noise. Benny told them what happened,
while Sarah’s mother washed her daughter’s knees. Mr. White was very grateful to Benny. “it was lucky
you come along with your Barrow when Sarah fell,” he said. Billy and his friends thought so too. And they
never teased Benny about his barrow again.

Answer the question!

1. What was Benny proud of?

2. What did he grow in his garden?
3. What did he use the wheelbarrow for?
4. Why did he often take some earth from around Mr. White house?
5. Why didn’t Mr. White know that Billy teased him?
6. Who did Benny meet on his way to Mr. White’s house?
7. Who was Sarah?
8. What happened to her as she was running down the road?
9. What was she trying to do?
10. Why couldn’t Sarah walk?
11. How Benny take her home?
12. Who washed Sarah knees?
13. Why Billy and his friends tease Benny about his barrow again?
 JOAN AND THE CAPTAIN
Joan skipped along the beach to Uncle Andrew’s house. It was a lovely cottage on a hill. Uncle
Andrew was an old sea captain who could tell wonderful stories of the sea. Joan was always happy to visit
him. Joan walked fast along the beach. A strong breeze was blowing and she felt cold. Soon she was seated
at his feet and listening to his exciting tales.

He told her one story after another till suddenly a clock chimed loudly. Uncle Andrew got up saying,
“It’s late and you should be getting home. I’ll tell you more stories another time.”

He buttoned her coat up for her and led door. “Be sure to flash your torch when you get home so
I’ll know you’re safe,” he said. Joan gave him a good-night hug and went down the beach. She walked even
faster than before. The wind was strong and cold and blew her skirt around her legs.

Suddenly a wave rolled right up to her feet. Joan saw that the waves were beating further and
further up the beach. She was getting wet, so she walked on the rocks at the back of the beach. Joan
shivered as she made her way over the rocks. Suddenly she slipped and her foot slid down between two
rocks.

Joan pulled hard but her foot remained where it was. “I’m trapped here.” The sea will rise and
drown me. And there’s no use shouting,” she thought hopelessly.

The beach was empty except for the crashing waves and howling wind. No would hear her. Then
she had an idea. “If wave my torch instead of flashing it, Uncle Andrew will know that something is wrong.
Maybe he will come and look for me.”

There was nothing to do but try. She waved and waved till her arms ached. Then, just as the sea
crept over her ankle, she heard a voice. “Joanie! Joanie! Where are you?” it was Uncle Andrew! “Here,
Uncle Andrew. Over here.”

A torchlight flashed into her eyes and Uncle Andrew stood beside her. He loosened the rocks and
tugged her foot free. The he carried her home. Joan’s mother put her to bed and she fell asleep at once.
She was so tired. After all she had had quite adventure, hadn’t she?

Answering the question!

1. Where was Uncle Andrew’s house?

2. What was Uncle Andrew?
3. Why was Joan always happy to visit him?
4. What made her feel cold as she walked?
5. How would she let Uncle Andrew know she had reached home safely?
6. Why did Joan walk on the rocks?
7. What happened suddenly?
8. What did Joan try to do?
9. Why was it useless for her to shout?
10. What did she decide to do then?
11. What did she hear as the sea crept over her uncle?
12. Who put Joan to the bed?