World Literature (Aesop Fables)｜世界文学（イソップ童話）
Lesson2: The Tortoise and the Ducks

PART A_1
Let’s learn vocabulary. Listen and repeat the words and the sentences with your tutor.
PART A_2
1.　nimbly /NIM-blee/
　 -in a way that is quick and exact either in movement or thoughts
　 The tailor’s fingers worked nimbly as he sewed.
2.　eager /EE-ger/
　 -keen or ardent in desire or feeling; impatiently longing
　 The children are so eager to visit their grandparents.
3.　discontent /dis-kuhn-TENT/
　 -not content; dissatisfied;
　 The contestant was full of discontent after failing to complete the task.
4.　drag /drahg/
　 -to move something by pulling it along a surface, usually the ground
　 The child dragged the pillow down to the floor.
5.　firmly /FURM-lee/
　 -securely fixed in place
　 The statue is standing firmly on the ground.
PART B_1
Let’s read the story. Please read them aloud, and I will check your pronunciation and intonation.
PART B_2
THE TORTOISE AND THE DUCKS
The Tortoise, you know, carries his house on his back. No matter how hard he tries, he cannot leave home. They say that Jupiter punished him so, because he was such a lazy stay-at-home that he would not go to Jupiter’s wedding, even when especially invited.

After many years, Tortoise began to wish he had gone to that wedding. When he saw how gaily the birds flew about and how the Hare and the Chipmunk and all the other animals ran nimbly by, always eager to see everything there was to be seen, the Tortoise felt very sad and discontented. He wanted to see the world too, and there he was with a house on his back and little short legs that could hardly drag him along.
One day he met a pair of Ducks and told them all his trouble.

“We can help you to see the world”, said the Ducks. “Take hold of this stick with your teeth and we will carry you far up in the air where you can see the whole countryside. But keep quiet or you will be sorry.”
The Tortoise was very glad indeed. He seized the stick firmly with his teeth, the two Ducks took hold of it one at each end, and away they sailed up toward the clouds.

Just then a Crow flew by. He was very much astonished at the strange sight and cried:
“This must surely be the King of Tortoises!”

“Why certainly——” began the Tortoise.

But as he opened his mouth to say these foolish words he lost his hold on the stick, and down he fell to the ground, where he was dashed to pieces on a rock.
Foolish curiosity and vanity often lead to misfortune.
PART C_1
Let’s answer comprehension questions. Please answer them based on the story.
PART C_2
1. Why did Jupiter punish the Tortoise?
2. Why did the Tortoise regret not attending the wedding?
3. What happened to the Tortoise after a crow flew by?
PART D_1
Let’s discuss the story. Please answer the questions below and express your opinions.
PART D_2
1. Do you think the Tortoise made the right decision when he flew with the ducks?
2. Which of the animals do you think should be blamed?
3. How would you describe the Tortoise?
4. The fable’s lesson is “Foolish curiosity and vanity often lead to misfortune.” Do you agree with this? Why or why not?
5. In your culture, is it considered good to be curious?
REVIEW AND FEEDBACK
Now, let us review the things that you learned in this lesson.
(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