World Literature (Aesop Fables)｜世界文学（イソップ童話）Lesson52: The Peacock

PART A_1

Let’s learn vocabulary. Listen and repeat the words and the sentences with your tutor.

PART A_2

1.　distinguish	/dih-STING-gwish/
	-to notice or understand the difference between two things, or to make one person or thing seem different from another
	It is difficult to distinguish identical twins.
2.　strut	/struht /
	-to walk in a proud way trying to look important
	The contestants strut their way out of the stage, trying to get the attention of the judges.
3.　pheasant	/FEZ-uhnt/
	-a large bird with a rounded body and long tail, that spends a lot of time on the ground and is often shot for sport and food, or the meat of this bird
	We were amazed by the beautiful pheasants around the field.
4.　oppressed	/uh-PREST/
	-governed in an unfair and cruel way and prevented from having opportunities and freedom
	The oppressed held a rally to fight for their freedom.
5.　encumbered	/en-KUHM-berd/
	-prevented from making quick progress by having to carry heavy objects or deal with important duties and responsibilities
	Mary was encumbered by her husband’s critical health condition.

PART B_1

Let’s read the story. Please read them aloud, and I will check your pronunciation and intonation.

PART B_2

The Peacock

The Peacock, they say, did not at first have the beautiful feathers in which he now takes so much pride. These, Juno, whose favorite he was, granted to him one day when he begged her for a train of feathers to distinguish him from the other birds. Then, decked in his finery, gleaming with emerald, gold, purple, and azure, he strutted proudly among the birds. All regarded him with envy. Even the most beautiful pheasant could see that his beauty was surpassed.

Presently the Peacock saw an Eagle soaring high up in the blue sky and felt a desire to fly, as he had been accustomed to do. Lifting his wings, he tried to rise from the ground. But the weight of his magnificent train held him down. Instead of flying up to greet the first rays of the morning sun or to bathe in the rosy light among the floating clouds at sunset, he would have to walk the ground more encumbered and oppressed than any common barnyard fowl.

Do not sacrifice your freedom for the sake of pomp and show.

PART C_1

Let’s answer comprehension questions. Please answer them based on the story.

PART C_2

1.	How were the Peacock’s feathers described in the fable?
2.	How did the other birds feel about the Peacock’s new feathers?
3.	What happened when the Peacock saw the Eagle?

PART D_1

Let’s discuss the story. Please answer the questions below and express your opinions.

PART D_2

1.	How do you think the Peacock feels after losing his freedom?
2.	What is the significance of freedom?
3.	In your opinion, what are the factors that affect a person’s freedom?
4.	How do you practice your freedom?
5.	Which one would you choose between beautiful feathers and the ability to fly? Please explain your answer.

REVIEW AND FEEDBACK

Now, let us review the things that you learned in this lesson.

ではこのレッスンで学んだことを振り返りましょう。

(Please give a short feedback on how your student did on your class.)

	Grammar 文法	Pronunciation 発音	Vocabulary 単語	Comprehension 理解
GOOD	文法の誤りはほとんどなく、完全な文章で話すことができる	ほとんどの単語をはっきりと正しく発音することができる	習った表現を適切に使うことができる	文章を理解し、質問に正しく答えることができる
FAIR	文法の誤りはあるが、完全な文章で話すことができる	発音の練習が必要な言葉がいくつかある	たまにミスはあるが、習った表現を適切に使うことができる	文章を完全に理解するのは難しく、質問に正しく答えられないときもある
POOR	文章で話すのは難しく、単語だけで話すことができる	発音の練習が必要である	習った単語と表現を少しだけ使うことができる	文章を理解するのは難しく、質問に答えるのは難しい

TUTOR FEEDBACK

GRAMMAR
Good:	Was able to speak in complete sentences with minimal grammatical errors.
Fair:	Was able to speak in complete sentences with evident grammatical errors.
Poor:	Was able to speak using words only.
PRONUNCIATION
Good:	Was able to pronounce most of the words clearly and correctly.
Fair:	Mispronounced a few words.
Poor:	Mispronounced most of the words.
VOCABULARY
Good:	Used appropriate expressions learned in class.
Fair:	Used appropriate expressions learned in class and made a few errors in word choice.
Poor:	Used only a few words and expressions.
COMPREHENSION
Good:	Was able to understand the passages and answer the questions correctly.
Fair:	Had a little difficulty in understanding passages and answering questions.
Poor:	Had a hard time understanding passages and answering questions.

Parts of this lesson material are based on:
An eBook from The Project Gutenberg.
This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org