A Farmer and His Donkey
A farmer was going to the market with his son to sell his donkey. He was very anxious to keep the creature in good condition. He wished to get a good amount from the buyers. So he loaded the animals into a cart and drew it along the road. Some passersby noticed this.
They shouted in loud voices so that the farmer could hear, “See, what a funny sight, instead of riding the donkey, he is giving it a ride. Have you ever seen anything like this?” The farmer paused for a while and thought. He then took the donkey out of the cart and clambered on its back. His son was walking behind him. One the way he heard some women talking, “Look at the strong man. He is riding the donkey and his poor son is made to walk.” The farmer halted for a second time.
This time he made his son get on the donkey, while he tugged along on food. “Oh! What a shame?” said some passersby. “The son rides the donkey while the poor old man has to walk.” Then he decided that both of them should ride on the donkey’s back. A few minutes later came across some young man. One of them told the farmer, “Shame on you! Have pity on the poor creature. He is tired of carrying such a heavy load.”
At this time the farmer lost his patience. He shouted, “I am not going to listen to anyone anymore. I will do according to my will.”
Saying this he went on his way towards the market.
Answer these questions based on the text above.
1. With whom did the farmer go?
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2. Where would they go? What for?
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3. Why did the farmer load the donkey into a cart?
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4. Why did the farmer take the donkey out of the cart?
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5. What does the sentences “Oh! What a shame!” (paragraph 3) mean?
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6. What did the farmer do with his donkey in the end?
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7. “They shouted in loud voices so that the farmer could ….” (paragraph 2)
What does the word “they” refer to?
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8. “Shame on you! Have pity on the poor creature. He is tired of carrying such a heavy load.” (paragraph 3) The word “He” in the sentence above refers to ….
