English Learning

  THE MARATHON OF HOPE Terry Fox was born in 1958 in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. When he was ten years old the family moved to Port Coquitlam, British Columbia. There, Terry grew up with his brothers, Fred and Darrell and his sister, Judith. They were a close, loving family. Terry thought of himself as an average guy. Yes, he was average in every way but one. Terry loved a challenge. Once he started something, he simply would not give up until he had seen it through.   Terry set himself many challenges as he was growing up. Basketball was one of them. Terry was small for his age, but he was determined to make it to the school team. One day Terry and his friend, Doug Alward, were having a chat after school. Terry suddenly jumped up. ‘Come on, Doug,’ he said. ‘Enough of this sitting around. Let’s go practice some basketball shots before dinner.’ ‘By the way,’ Doug asked as they played, ‘What did the coach say when you went for the tryouts today?’ ‘Ah, nothing much,...

THE TROJAN HORSE According to a legend of Greece, Helen was the most beautiful woman that ever lived. She was the daughter of the Greek God Zeus born to a woman called Leda. It is said that in Greece there was no prince or ruler who did not want to marry her. She finally chose to marry Menelaus, King of Sparta. However, one day Paris, a prince from the far away city of Troy, came to visit the King and when he saw Helen he fell in love with her. Paris carried Helen away with him to Troy and Menelaus distracted with grief, begged the warriors of Greece to join him in trying to get her back. His brother Agamemnon, King of the splendid city of Mycenae joined him along with many others such as Achilles, the mightiest fighter of all, the bold Diomedes, the strong but slow witted Ajax and the clever Ulysses who was always ready with cunning plots when force of arms failed. There was the old experienced warrior Nester, too, who was looked upon for his experience and advice. The Greeks se...

THE GAMBLING MATCH The old blind King Dhritarashtra was excited and impatient about the coming gambling match between his son Duryodhana and the Pandavas. He proudly looked around at the hall he had specially prepared for this purpose. It was packed with rulers from the neighbouring countries and several other distinguished guests. In the centre of the hall sat Duryodhana, his uncle Sakuni and their supporters. Facing them were Yudhistira backed by his brothers. The royal seats were occupied by Dhritarashtra, Sanjaya, Vidura, Karna,the wise old Bhishma and the hundred brothers of Duryodhana. As the game was about to begin, Yudhistira said, ‘Please play a fair game and do not try to win by unfair means.’ Sakuni replied, ‘There can be no such thing as cheating in a game. Winning a game is always a matter of skill.’ ‘I agree,’ said Yudhistira, ‘then let’s begin.’ ‘But,’ said Sakuni, ‘If you have any doubts, let us not play. We are ready to withdraw.’ Yudhistira replied, ’Having accepted t...

THE HAPPY PRINCE High above the city, on a tall column, stood the statue of the Happy Prince. He was covered all over with thin layers of fine gold. His eyes were two brilliant sapphires, and a large red ruby glowed on the hilt of his sword. The statue was very much admired by all the townspeople. One night a little Swallow flew over the city. His friends had gone away to Egypt several weeks before but he stayed behind because of his love for a beautiful reed. He had met her early in the spring, and had been attracted by her lovely slender form. ‘Shall I love you?’ asked the Swallow in his direct way. The reed said nothing but made him a low and graceful bow. The Swallow flew round and round her, dipping the tips of his wings into the silver rippling water. His courtship lasted all summer and he refused to listen to the taunts of the other swallows. In the autumn they all flew away and left him with his lady-love. When he was alone with her he began to find her less exciting for she ne...

  SERYOZHA'S HOMEWORK Seryozha at his table sat. "I'll do my homework," thought the lad. He had to show the hills and lakes Upon the map without mistakes. But then an electrician knocked And entered, and some time they talked Of things like fuses, which cause fire When we replace them with a wire. The electrician found out then  How folks should jump from sinking boats, And that Seryozha's age was ten. And airplanes occupied his thoughts. But in due cause the light went on The meter worked, the man had gone. Seryozha at his table sat. "I'll do my homework," thought the lad. He had to show the hills and lakes  Upon the map without mistakes. Out of the window, though, he peered: The rain had stopped, the sky had cleared. The yard was dry, so out-of-doors Young football-players came in force. Seryozha pushed his books aside. "Those lakes can wait!" Seryozha cried. They let Seryozha keep the goal; Till four he caught and kicked the ball. Again ...

Childhood Memories of Losar New clothes under pillows Are fresh of smell  And sharp of crease. The morning lies veiled  In the mysteries of purple light. How long this twitching and turning continue Till from teasing sleep I come walking To virginal lights of the Losar morning- To reminiscent hustle and bustle-  To sweet fragrance of burnt juniper Mother offers rice cakes to gods Father blesses with crisp rupee notes Men, women, children drink chang. Bend a little on the knees Spin on your heels and toes  A - tishoo! a - tishoo!  We all have fun. - Guru T. Ladhaki  For Solved Exercises of this poem, click on the link below:  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJTgYmbQGweWg7n1IMh3PCA/join

THE LITTLE FORKTAIL Enicurus scouleri Vigors Enicurus scouleri Vigors, 1832, Proc. Zool. Soc. London: 174 Himalayas. LOCAL NAME: Oong sumbrek-pho (Lepcha) SIZE: Sparrow FIELD CHARACTERS: A stub tailed miniature of the Spotted Forktail. Above, forehead and forecrown white; rest of head, neck and back black. Wings black, spotted with white at shoulder, and with a broad triangular white bar. Rump and upper tail-coverts white, the former with a broad black band across it. Below, throat and upper breast black; rest of under parts white. Tail short, slightly forked, of the same black-and-white pattern as in female Plumbeous Redstart. Sexes alike.   STATUS AND HABITAT: Fairly common with a wide overall altitudinal range, between c.1000 and 10,000ft. (Singtam, Martam,Dikchu, Singhik, Toong, Chungthang, Lachen, Lachung). Affects rocky, torrential mountain streams, and nullahs with cascades and waterfalls. DISTRIBUTION OUTSIDE SIKKIM: SE. Turkestan and Altai Mountains; throughout the Himalay...

ANDROCLES AND THE LION  Long ago there lived a Roman slave named Androcles. Androcles had worked all his life for his master, with never a kind word to cheer him. But Androcles dreamed of the day he would be free and one day his chance came.  He and four other men were working in a field, watched by their master, who sat with his whip, cracking it from time to time because he enjoyed seeing the slaves jump with fear. It was a hot day, and the master had eaten a good meal. Insects buzzed in the grass, and the master’s eyelids drooped . . . . . . . opened . . . . . . . . . . drooped again . . . . . . . . . . . and finally closed. Soon he lay snoring there in the shade. Androcles dropped his hoe. He stared at the sleeping master, then at the forest at the end of the field. He moved quietly over to the other men and whispered, ‘He is sleeping. We could easily escape.’ The others were horrified. ‘You know we can’t get away, Androcles,’ cried one. ‘Runaway slaves are always ca...