Selection: A-50

A-50

Grade level: 1

Word count: 883 words

Author: Misha Berman

Synopsis: Odon is large and in charge. Can the small and meek teach him a lesson?

Excerpt: Late one night, after the giant went to sleep, the parrot called a meeting. "I can't bear it anymore. We can't keep living this way!" she said. "The giant is NOT the boss of us."

"Who's going to tell him that?" buzzed the mosquito. "Not me," she added.

Question: Reread this part of the selection. What would probably happen if the creatures simply told Odon, "You are not the boss of us"?

1. He would laugh and ignore them.
2. He would say he is sorry for his bad behavior.
3. He would run out of his house.
4. He would ask them to explain what they mean.

Selection: A-25

A-25

Grade level: 1

Word count: 811 words

Author: Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm

Synopsis: A poor man and his wife ask for a little too much from a magic fish.

Excerpt: "Go home," said the fish, "for she has it already."

The man returned home. There was his wife, sitting outside a stone castle. She took him into the great hall. There were many servants moving about. She showed him the fine chairs and tables. She showed him the rich foods. He looked out the tall windows. He saw gardens filled with beautiful flowers. He saw stables filled with strong horses.

"Is this not much better than before!" she said.

"Yes," said the man. "Now you can be happy for years to come."

"We'll see about that," said the wife. "Let us sleep on it." With that, they went to bed.

Question: Read the following excerpt. What does the wife mean when she says, "We'll see about that?"

1. The wife will keep asking for more things.
2. The wife is happy with all the things she has.
3. The husband and wife will look for more magic fish.
4. The husband will move to another castle.