Vocabulary
 

 

 
 

 
 
 
 

The Farmer

There once lived a farmer, Vincent, and his wife and ten children. They all lived together in a farmhouse in the country, and could barely make ends meet.

Early one morning, Vincent decided to go to a nearby town to do some shopping. It was a five kilometer walk. There he bought supplies for his house and farm.

Before leaving, he decided to consult a wise woman who a neighbor had recommended.
 
 
The Wise Woman

“Please help me,” Vincent pleaded to her. “I have a big family: a wife and eleven children! We live in an old house. NINE people in a few rooms!

We can’t go on living like this! Please tell me, what should I do?”

The wise woman listened to Vincent intently.

She then closed her eyes.

After what seemed like an eternity, she opened them.
 

Advice

Looking directly at Vincent, she asked, “Do you have any farm animals — well, obviously you do. How many animals do you have?”
“We have twelve animals: two cows, three pigs, four sheep, and five ducks,” answered Vincent.
“Excellent. Now go home . . . and put all your animals in your house.”
“Put ALL of our animals IN our house!?!”
“Yes. You heard me correctly. Put all of your farm animals in your house!”
 
Implementation

So Vincent returned home — and did exactly what the wise woman instructed him to do.

 
The following week, Vincent went back to the wise woman.

“Oh wise woman. Now it’s AWFUL!” he complained. “It’s terrible. Absolutely horrible. The animals eat our food. They fill all the rooms. They sleep on our beds. They make a lot of noise!”
“Okay, okay,” replied the wise woman.

She closed her eyes as before.
 
Second Advice

When she opened them, she told Vincent to go home and take all the animals out of his house.

Vincent then returned home and did as she had told him.

 
Two days later, Vincent returned to the wise woman. This time he had a big smile.

“Ahhhhh. Things are sooooooooo much better now! he said. Now we can eat. Now we can sleep. Everything is wonderful! Thank you very much for your help. You truely are very wise indeed!”
 
 

 
    
 

 
Questions
 
Dog. Vincent was a fisherman. True or false?

Cat. Was he happy, satisfied and content with his life? Why did he feel unhappy, dissatisfied and discontent?

Cow, Cattle, Bull. Did Vincent wander into some mountains one day?

Horse, Mare, Stallion. He went to a disco before returning home. Is this right or wrong?

Sheep, Lamb, Ewe, Ram. Why did Vincent visit the wise women? Did the wise woman lend him some money? She advised him to . . . . . What was his reaction to her suggestion?

Goat, Billy Goat, Nanny Goat. After returning home, what did Vincent do? Did he follow her advice?

Chicken, Rooster, Hen, Chicks. He visited the wise woman again. Is this correct or incorrect? What did he say to her? What did he tell her? What did the wise woman tell him on his second visit? She advised Vincent to . . . . .

Goose, Geese, Gander. What happened in the end?

Duck. Does this story contain a moral or lesson. Is there a moral or lesson to the story? What is the moral or lesson of the story? Don’t put animals in your house; or you should appreciate and be thankful for what you have in life?
 
 
 
Mouse, Mice. Can you think of examples of this story in real life?

Water Buffalo. I am a farmer. Yes or no? Do you know anyone who is a farmer?

Camel. Are there wise people in your community who give advice?

Llama, Alpaca, Vicuna. Do you know anyone who has a big family or lots of children?

Pig, Boar, Sow. What should Vincent do to improve his life?

Turkey. I have read, watched or heard many allegories. True or false?

Carp, Catfish. What should the average “Joe” or “Josephine” do to improve his or her lot?