Page 57 - English Expedition Class 4

For a long time, nothing happened. Then, slowly, the gourd began to change.
It sprouted a head, then arms, then legs. At last, it was not a gourd at all. It was Kitete!
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Shindo learnt her lesson. Thereafter she was very careful about what she called her
children. They gave her comfort and happiness, all the rest of her days.

A Tanzanian folk tale retold by Aaron Shepard

Aaron Shepard (born 1950) is the award-winning author of children’s
books like The Legend of Lightning Larry, The Sea King’s Daughter
and The Baker’s Dozen. He is known for retelling folk tales and other
traditional literature from around the world.

Comprehension

A. Write whether the following statements are true (T) or false (F). Correct the
false statements.

1. Shindo lived with her family.

2. The Great Mountain Spirit heard Shindo’s prayers.

3. The Great Mountain Spirit was a messenger from the noble chieftain.

4. Shindo laid the gourds on the courtyard to dry.
5. The calabashes sprouted hands and legs and ran away.

6. Kitete was hard-working.

B. Read the given sentences and answer the following ques ons.

1. ‘My work is too hard. Please send me help!’
a. Who is the speaker?

b. To whom is the speaker asking for help?

c. How were the speaker’s prayers answered?

2. ‘Who were those children in your yard today?’

a. Who asked this question and to whom?

12 thereafter: from then on
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