Why the sea is salt

Narrative short story adalah cerita pendek dalam bentuk narrative text, Narrative short story cerita yang sangat bagus bagi teman-teman yang ingin belajar bahasa inggris tingkat pemula, narrative short story adalah salah satu jenis cerita pendek yang mudah dipahami dengan kemampuan dasar yang dimiliki pembacanya.
bagi teman-teman yang baru belajar bahasa inggris (tingkat pemula) semoga narrative short story ini bisa membantu mengembangkan kosa kata (vocabulary)nya.
tanpa panjang lebar lagi langsung saja ke Narrative short story-nya.

Why the sea is salt
(Favourite stories from Taiwan)

There were two brothers who lived in a village by the sea, the elder was called Chi Hua and the younger Chi Ming.

When their father died. Chi Hua took all the family property for himself. His brother had nothing. Chi Ming was poor and worked hard every day to collect firewood to make a living. One night, he had a dream. In this dream, an old man came to him.

“I am the god of stone,” he said. “I want to help you because you are honest and hard-working. If you will climb to the top of the mountain behind your village, you will find a stone gate there. Open the gate and go inside. There are many fairies living there. Ask them for anything you want and they will give it to you. Don’t be greedy, however. Ask for the stone grindstone which you will find there. It is a magic grindstone. Whatever you want, it will make for you.”

The next day, Chi Ming climbed the mountain. He carried a basket of food with him. When he arrived at the stone gate, he went inside. He found himself in a large cave. There were many fairies living there. However, they did not have enough food to eat. He gave them the basket of food and they were very pleased.

“You can take away all the gold and silver you can carry.” They said to him.

“Please give me instead the magic grindstone,” Chi Ming asked.

The fairies handed over the grindstone to him. Chi Ming thanked them and carried it away with him.

When he returned home. He felt hungry. He asked the grindstone for some food. In no time, a wonderful meal appeared on the table. From that day on, everything he wanted was given to him by the magic grindstone.

Not long afterwards, his elder brother, Chi Hua, heard of Chi Ming’s good fortune. While Chi Ming was sleeping he crept into the house and stole the magic grindstone.

He sailed away in a little boat with the magic grindstone.

“what shall I ask for?” he thought. “I know. Everyone need salt. I’ll ask the grindstone to give me as much salt as I want. I’ll soon become a rich man.”

He then asked the grindstone for the salt, “All right,” said the grind stone.it started grinding away and the boat soon filled with salt. There was alt everywhere. But Chi Hua was so greedy that he did not want to tell the grindstone to stop.

Finally, the boat sank under the weight of the salt and Chi Hua was drowned.

From the day on. The grindstone continued to make salt at the bottom of the sea. That is why the sea is so salty.

Source: Favourite stories from Taiwan by Leon Comber & Charles Shuttleworth

shared by www.englishstory12.blogspot.com

The boy and the pearl

The boy and the pearl

(Favourite Stories From Singapore)

One day a boy called Samir was walking by the sea when he saw a gull and a heron fighting.

“It’s mine!” cried the heron.

“Oh. No it isn’t. I saw it first,” said the gull.

english narrative story

On the rock between them. Samir saw a small oyster. Its shell was open because it had been hurt. Samir picked up a stick and waved it at the birds, but they took no notice of him. Then he picked up a small stone and threw it at the birds. This frightened them and they flew away.

english narrative story 

Samir gently picked up the oyster. “I’ll take care of you until you are well again.”

Each day after that Samir fed the oyster and cleaned its shell. Soon the oyster was well again, and Samir took it to the sea. He was about to leave the oyster in the sea when it said. “wait, Samir. I have something  for you,” the oyster opened its shell and there Samir saw a beautiful pearl. “Take this to the sultan, and it will bring you great luck.”

english narrative story 

Samir thanked the oyster and put the pearl in his pocket. After he had watched the oyster swim away, he walked to the sultan’s palace, and at the palace gate he found a tall guard.

“please, sir, would you take me to the sultan?” asked Samir politely.

“well, young man, the sultan is very busy. What do you wish to see him about?”

english narrative story 

“I have a gift for him,” said Samir. The guard then took Samir to large room where the sultan sat on a golden throne.

english narrative story 

The sultan leaned forward when he saw the boy. “Come nearer, boy,” he said “Now what is it that you wanted to give me?”

english narrative story 

“this, Sir,” Samir holding out the pearl.

The Sultan looked at the pearl. It was the finest pearl he had ever seen. “Call the court jeweler, he said. “I want him to see this pearl.”

english narrative story 

The court jeweler came and looked at the pearl. He held it to the light; he weighed it in his hand. Finally he said, “It’s a beautiful pearl. Your Majesty. A beautiful pearl, and a very valuable one.”

english narrative story 

The Sultan turned to Samir. “Where did you get this fine pearl?” he asked.

Samir told sultan the story of the birds and the oyster. When he had finished, the sultan said. “You’ve been a kind boy, and I’ll give you a fine reward. By the way, do you have any family?”

english narrative story 

“No sir,” said Samir. “They died some time ago,”

 “Well then,” said the sultan. “would you like to live here at the palace?”

Samir’s eye lit up. “Sir, I should like very much,” he said.

“Very well. Then,” said the sultan. “go with the guard and he will show you a room.”

Samir bowed to the sultan before leaving the room, and thanked him for his kindness. Silently, he thanked the oyster for bringing him such good luck.

english narrative story 

The years went by, and Samir grew into tall and handsome young man. He married a princess of sultan’s court and lived a long happy life.

Posted by www.englishstory12.blogspot.com

Source: Favourite stories  from Singapore by Irene-Anne Monteiro and Jenny Watson

How thunder and lightning began

How thunder and lightning began

(Favourite stories from Cambodia)

Narrative Folktale

Long ago, there was a spirit called Mekhala. She learnt many magic trick from a powerful magician who lived all alone. He also taught another spirit. His name was Ramasaur. Both the spirits were clever and worked hard to learn everything from the magician. He loved them both very much. When he had taught them everything, he decided to find out who was cleverer --- Mekhala or Ramasaur.

Narrative Folktale 

“You know the water that collects on the leaves and grass in the  early morning,” said the magician. “We call this dew. If you can bring me a glass full of dew, I’ll changed it into a magical jewel. This jewel will give you everything you wish for.”

Narrative Folktale 

Ramasaur went off to shake the dew from the grass  and leaves into his glass. After working hard for several mornings, he had almost no dew at all.

Narrative Folktale 

But Mekhala thought of a better way to collect the dew, she found a piece of soft wood. She used it to soak up the dew from the leaves and grass. Then she squeezed the wood into her glass. In a short time it was full. This is how she won.

Narrative Folktale 

She brought back the glass full of dew to the magician. He whispered some words that changed the water into a magic stone.

Narrative Folktale 

“This is a powerful store,” he said. “If you want anything, just lift the magic stone above your head. Shake it for a moment and all your wishes will come true. Also, with this stone, you can go everywhere you like. You can fly through the sky or hide inside a worm.”

Narrative Folktale 

Mekhala took the stone. She shook it above her head and flew off at once into the sky.

Several days later, Ramasaur had, at last, filled his glass with dew. He brought it to the magician. “My child, you’re too late!’ he said, “I’ve given the stone to Mekhala. I’m sorry. I can only say the magic words once. Now they have no power.”

Narrative Folktale 

When Ramasaur heard this he was angry. Then he started crying.

The magician was sorry for Ramasaur, “Don’t be so sad, my child,” he said “I’ll give you an axe. Use it to back the stone

Narrative Folktale 

You see, Mekhala likes to fly through the sky and bathe in the rain. So, when it rains you can throw your axe at her. She’ll drop the stones. But if she lifts stone above her head, you must close your eyes before you throw the axe.”

Narrative Folktale 

As soon as Ramasaur had the axe, he flew off to find Mekhala. But each time he came near her, she knew what he wanted. So she lifted the magic stone above her head. And she flew away, higher and higher, into the sky.

Narrative Folktale 

Each time she lifted uo the stone, Ramasaur shut his eyes and threw his axe as hard as he could. “Crash! Crash! Crash!” but it always missed Mekhala and the magic stone.

People say lightning is Mekhala’s magic stone shining above her head. And thunder is the noise of Ramasaur’s axe falling through the sky.

Retyped by www.englishstory12.blogspot.com

Source: Favourite stories from Cambodia  by David Chandler

The phoenix’s egg

The phoenix’s egg

(Favourite stories from Taiwan)

Long ago, a man and his wife lived in the town of Huan-Lien. They had a large house and much land but they were unhappy because they had no children.

One day, the woman had a dream. In the dream, a fairy said to her, “As you are a very kind and good couple, I shall give you children. When you wake up, you will find four peaches. Look after them very carefully. You will then have children.

The woman told her husband about the dream the next morning. They looked around the house and found four peaches on their kitchen table. They wrapped them carefully in cloth and placed them in a box. A week later, they heard the sound of babies crying. They looked inside the box and found four beautiful boys there.

“What shall we call them?” the couple asked each other. That night, the woman dreamt again. And the same fairy said to her, “You will call your children Big Head, Hard Head, Long Feet and Cold Head.” So the children were given these names and they grew up healthy and strong. .

One day, the lady became ill. She told her sons that only medicine made from a phoenix’s egg could cure her. There was only phoenix’s egg in the entire country and that was kept in the king’s palace.

Big Head did not waste any time. He stole  the phoenix’s egg from the palace. His mother was cured immediately. The king , however, was very angry. He ordered his men to find the thief. Soon afterwards, Big head was arrested. The king ordered that he should be executed, but his head was so big that it was impossible to cut it off.

His brother, Hard Head, was then arrested. But his head was so hard that it was impossible to cut it off.

After that, Long Feet was arrested. The king ordered that he should be drowned. However, it was impossible to do so as he just walked on the water with his long feet.

“Seize the four brother,” cried the officer in charge of the king’s men. “and boil him alive.”

It was now the turn of Cold Head. He was throw into a pot of boiling water, but he did not fell the heat. He jump out of the pot and walked away.

When the king saw that it was useless to try and kill such children, he decided to let them go.

All for brothers lived happily ever after.

 

The old man and the hare

The old man and the hare

(Favourite stories from japan)

Narrative Folklore

Once there lived an old woodcutter who went every day to the forest to cut trees. One day, after he had cut a lot of wood, he felt hungry. “Oh, I’m tired and hungry,” he said as he sat down on a tree stump and opened his lunch box.

Narrative Folklore

 As he was taking his first bite, he saw a hare sitting on the grass in front of him. The hare just sat and stared at him. “Oh, do you also want something to eat?” asked the old man. He threw the bread which he held in his hand to the hare.

Narrative Folklore

At once, the hare rolled the bread into a hole and quickly jumped after it. After a while the old man heard a lovely voice singing in the hole, “A piece of bread, kororin, suttonton.”

Narrative Folklore

When the song ended. The woodcutter threw another piece of bread into the hole. Then he heard the singing again. He liked it do much that he threw more bread into the hole until all of his lunch had gone.

Narrative Folklore

The next day, when the old man unpacked his lunch box, he wondered what would happen when he threw some bread into the hole. Again he heard the same song. He was so pleased that he kept throwing small pieces of food into the hole until his lunch was all gone.

Narrative Folklore

On the third day he thought, “I wonder what will happen today?” he threw a piece of his lunch into the hole and he heard the same song. He went on throwing small pieces of food into the hole until nothing was left. All he had was empty box so he threw that in too.

Narrative Folklore

“A box, kororon, suttonton.” Sang the voice from the hole. The old man was now so curious that he went to the hole and peeped into it. But he slipped and fell into the hole! This time the voice sang. “Old man, kororin, suttonton.”

Narrative Folklore

The woodcutter opened his eyes and looked around him. He was in a large hall. There were a lot of hares standing around a mortar making rice cakes. As they worked they all sang.

Narrative Folklore

When they saw the old  man. They stopped and stood in front of him. The biggest hare came out to greet him.

Narrative Folklore

“Grandfather, we thank you for the many delicious pieces of bread which you have given us. Today we are making rice cakes for New Year. Please stay and keep us company.”

Narrative Folklore

“A piece of bread, kororn, Suttonton!” they all sang and went on making the rice cakes.

Then they gave the old man a large plateful of rice cakes to eat. They also gave him a bag filled with-delicious cakes to take home.

Narrative Folklore

This is a very old tale. But when you walk in a forest at New Year, you may see such holes. Inside, the hares are making rice cakes and you may hear the sound of “kororin. Suttonton”.

So keep your eyes and ears open.

Retyped by www.englishstory12.blogspot.com

Source: Favourite stories from Japan  by Lise Pordes

The old man who could move mountain

Bagi teman-teman pengunjung yang mencari Contoh of narrative text, mungkin Example of narrative text berikut berguna bagi teman-teman. cerita ini kami ambil dari buku Favourite stories from Chinese yang ditulis oleh Leon Comber. 
Contoh Narrative Teks

Besar harapan kami cerita Example of narrative text berikut berguna bagi teman-teman pengunjung blog kami.
Example of narrative text

Example of narrative text - The old man who could move mountain

(Favourite stories from Chinese)
Contoh Narrative Teks

Many years ago there was an old man who lived with his family at the foot of a high mountain. He was called “Mr. Stupid”. Every time he wanted to go to town he had to climb over the mountain. One day, he said to his wife and sons, “Let us move the mountain. it is in our way.”
Contoh Narrative Teks

 “How can you do that?” his wife asked. “you are an old man and you are no longer strong with the rocks and earth?”
Contoh Narrative Teks

“I may be old.” Replied Mr. stupid, “but my heart is young. We can throw the rocks and earth into the sea.”
Contoh Narrative Teks

 He told his sons to start work. They brought their sons and even his neighbours and friends came to help him. They carried the rocks and earth away in baskets to the sea.
Contoh Narrative Teks

 At this time, there was a scholar living in the capital who was called “Mr. Clever”. When he heard what Mr. Stupid was doing, he went to see him. “You are a fool!” he cried. “How can you move a mountain? Besides, you are old. How can you hope to finish the work before you die?”
Contoh Narrative Teks

 “Once my mind is made up, nothing can stop me,” Mr. Stupid answered. “If I die, my sons will carry on the work. When they die, their sons will carry on the work. Why should I worry about not being able to finish it?”
Contoh Narrative Teks

Mr. Clever did not know what to say and he left in a bad temper.

After many years of hard work, Mr. stupid and his family moved the mountain and leveled the ground.

Contoh Narrative Teks

The magic pear tree

Kumpulan Narrative text Folklore

Narrative text story - The magic pear tree

(Favourite stories from Taiwan)

Kumpulan Narrative text Folklore

Long ago, there was a farmer in Taiwan who was very greedy. One day, he took some pears to the market for sale. An old monk came up to his cart and asked for one of the pears.
Kumpulan Narrative text Folklore

“Why should I give one to you?” asked the farmer. “You are a lazy good-for-nothing.”

“you have hundreds of pears.” Answered the monk. “You will not be able to sell all of them. I ask for only one. Why are you so angry?”
Kumpulan Narrative text Folklore

Everyone said that the farmer should give the monk one of the smaller pears. But he still refused.

Finally, a merchant who was there bought a pear and gave it to  the monk.
Kumpulan Narrative text Folklore

“Thank you, sir,” said the monk. “I am a holy man. I must not be selfish. I invite everyone to eat pears with me.”
Kumpulan Narrative text Folklore

Someone asked him. “How can you do that? You have only one pear.”

“Wait until I have finished eating this pear,” said the monk. “I shall then plant one of the seeds and it will quickly grow into a pear tree.”
Kumpulan Narrative text Folklore

The monk then dug a hole a few inches deep and planted a pear seed in it. The asked someone to bring some water with which to water the seed. Within a very short time, the seed grow into a tree. There were branches and leaves on it, and many large sweet-smelling pears.
Kumpulan Narrative text Folklore

The monk climbed up the tree. He threw down pear after pear to the people waiting below. When all pears were finished, the monk climbed down to the ground. He took his axe and cut down the tree. “Crash, crash, crash!” it fell to the ground.
Kumpulan Narrative text Folklore

The monk picked up the tree and carried it away him. The farmer was furious but there was nothing he could do. He turned  round to look at his cart. All his pears had disappeared! Also the axle of his cart had gone! Then he realized what had happened. The clever monk had used the axle as the trunk of the pear tree. All the pears which the monk had given away had been taken from his cart.
Kumpulan Narrative text Folklore

He rushed after the monk, but the monk wars nowhere to be seen. However, he found the freshly-cut axle of his cart lying on the ground outside the city gate.
Kumpulan Narrative text Folklore

Everyone laughed at him. “It is your own fault for being so greedy,” they said

Kumpulan Narrative text Folklore

Narrative story - Tseng Chen and his mother

Narrative story - Tseng Chen and his mother

A long, long time ago, a young man named Tseng Chen went to work in the State of Fel.

He did not know there was another man with the same name living there. This other man was wanted by the police for killing someone.

Not long after Tseng Chen left home, a man came to see his mother. “Your son has killed someone. The police are looking for him,” he said.

“I do not believe it,” she replied quietly.

About a month later, another man came to see her. He told her the same thing. Tseng Chen’s mother took no notice of him.

A few weeks later, yet a third man came to see her.

“I have just come from Fei,” he said. “Your son is in serious trouble. He has killed a man.”

Tseng Chen’s mother then became very worried. She quickly packed some clothes, and left the next morning for Fei to look for her son.

But her son was really a good man who had done nothing wrong. When she met him, she quickly understood what she had heard about him was wrong.

“Oh!” she cried. “if I can believe such bad thing about my son, how much easier it will be for ordinary people to believe bad thing about others. I must be very careful not to believe everything I hear in future.”

The dragon who liked to sunbathe

The dragon who liked to sunbathe

(Favourite stories from Singapore)

Once there was a lonely old dragon that lived in a cave beneath a river. He liked to live under the sun, and because he looked fierce, villagers were afraid of them.

youthink.com

Actually, the old dragon was not fierce at all. He had lost his horns and had only one large yellow tooth left. Sometimes he would look at himself in the water and say. “I am still quiet handsome.” But mostly he lay in the sun and thought about the old days.

One day a fine young dragon stopped to talk “Hello, uncle,” he said.

“I’m not your uncle,” said the old dragon. “Go away and leave me alone.”

The young dragon laughed and flew away. When the old dragon tried to fly, but his wings were stiff, so he just lay in the sun, wishing he were young again. 

Just then, he heard someone shouting “help me, somebody please help me.”

Looking up, the dragon saw a young girl had fallen into the river. He jumped into the water and quickly pulled her to shore.

“What were you doing in the river? He asked.

“My washing floated . and I try to catch it.”

The dragon smiled. “And aren’t you afraid to me?”

“My grandfather says you’ve never eaten anyone.”

“That’s true, but how do you know I won’t eat you?”

“You save my life,” said the girl smiling. And I must try to repay you. What food do you like best?”

The dragon told the girl that he liked to eat swallows, but that he was too old to fly up to catch them. The girl said that she would bring him some. The next day she brought the old dragon some fine fat swallows, and after that she came to visit him often.

Now, the young men of the village saw the girl with visit the dragon. “She likes that old dragon more than she likes us,” they said. Soon they thought of a plan to frighten the dragon.

One day, as he  was sleeping in the sun, the young men tied ropes and nets around the old dragon’s body. When the dragon woke up, he saw what had happened. he pulled at the ropes and the nets. As he moved, he tore many trees out of their roots and  threw rock high into the air. He made such a noise that the villagers were very frightened. The young girl ran to her grandfather.

“Grandfather,” she said, “What is that noise?”

“The young men tied up the dragon,” he replied

“But he wouldn’t hurt anyone. I must go and help him.” Said the girl. She ran to the river side, but it was too late. The tired old dragon had died, and his body slowly sank into the muddy water.

Posted by www.englishstory12.blogspot.com

Source: Favourite stories  from Singapore by Irene-Anne Monteiro and Jenny Watson

Cerita pendek Bahasa Inggris - An honest man’s gold story

Cerita pendek Bahasa Inggris - An honest man’s gold story

(Favourite stories from Taiwan)

Two brothers lived with their mother in the town of Wan Kung. Their father had died a long time ago. The elder brother was very lazy. His name was Ah Chin. The younger brother’s name was Ah Lan. He was very hard-working and good to his mother. Ah Chin married a girl called Sui Geok. But his wife was as lazy as he was and their marriage was not a success. Ah Lan married a nice hard-working girl and they were very happy together.
Cerita pendek Bahasa Inggris

Cerita pendek bahasa inggris

One day, the two brothers’ mother became seriously ill. She sent for her sons. “Although Ah Lan is my younger son” she said. “I’m leaving all my money to him.” Ah Chin was not very pleased to hear this. However, after his mother’s death, he took all the money from Ah Lan.
Cerita pendek Bahasa Inggris

One day, when Ah Lan was on his way to work in a nearby forest, he saw three ugly men. He was afraid and climbed a tree and hid. The three men stopped in front of a large rock. One of them said, “Ai, ai, ai,” and the door opened in the rock. Ah Lan was surprised to see them place some gold inside. When they had gone, he climbed down from the tree and stood in front of the rock.
Cerita pendek Bahasa Inggris

“Ai, ai, ai,” he said and the door opened. He went inside and saw a lot of gold. The following words were written on the wall, “Any honest man many take this gold”. He took some of the gold and returned home.
Cerita pendek Bahasa Inggris

When Ah Chin heard what had happened, he went to the rock. He called ou “Ai, ai, ai,” just as his brother had told him. The door in the rock opened. He went in. he had never seen so much gold in all his life. It shone with a beautiful yellow colour. “Wonderful!” he cried. “I’ll take it all away with me.” The gold was very heavy. As he was trying to lift it, the door in the rock closed behind him.
Cerita pendek Bahasa Inggris

Several days passed. Ah Lan went to look for his brother. He found him dead  in the cave. All the gold had gone, this was Ah Chin’s punishment for being so greedy.
Cerita pendek Bahasa Inggris

Not long afterwards, Ah Chin’s wife came to stay with Ah Lan and his wife. She was treated very well. Then she stole some food and took it away to eat it under a tree. Suddenly, the tree was struck by lightning. It fell on top of her and killed her. This was her punishment for being dishonest.
Cerita pendek Bahasa Inggris

Afterwards, when Ah Lan found her, the tree had turned into gold. He became a rich man. This was his reward for being hard-working and honest.

Source: Favourite stories from Taiwan by Leon Comber & Charles Shuttleworth

shared by www.englishstory12.blogspot.com

Kancil and the giant Story

Narrative Text Fable - Kancil and the giant Story

(Favourite stories from Indonesia)

One beautiful morning Kancil decided to fish in a certain river. On the way he met his friend, Swine, who stopped him for a chat. When Swine heard that Kancil wanted to go fishing, he asked whether he could join him, Kancil did not object, as Swine promised to help him with the work. The two of them went on together and soon they met Tiger and Elephant. When they heard that Kancil and Swine were going to the river, they decide to go along, too. And so the four animals went together to the river to fish.
Narrative Text Fable - Kancil and the giant Story

Kancil and the giant story

When they arrived at the river bank, Kancil immediately began to give orders left and right. Elephant had to dam the river with stones and tree trunks. Tiger and Swine had to throw away the river water while Kancil himself set out to catch the fish left on the dry river bed. There were, however, few fish, so they decided to go further down the river to try their lick again. Kancil ordered Swine to stay behind with their catch. He himself went with Tiger and Elephant further downstream where the tree of them began their work all over again.
Narrative Text Fable - Kancil and the giant Story

Meanwhile, a giant came to the place where Swine sat. As soon as he saw the glittering fish, he grabbed them greedily and stuffied them what into his mouth. It was useless for Swine to protect and the giant did not even listen to him. Swine ran toward his friends and told them had happened. Of course, the three others were bot very pleased.

Narrative Text Fable - Kancil and the giant StoryThe second time, too, they did not catch enough fish. did not even listen to him. Ordered Tiger to stay behind with their second catch, while he, Swine and Elephant went further away to dam the river at another place. As soon as the three of them were out of sight, the hungry giant came from behind the bushes and ate up all the fish. Tiger snarled angrily, but he did not dare to fight the giant.

Narrative Text Fable - Kancil and the giant StoryWhen the other animals came back with their catch they found a very ashamed Tiger without a single fish. Kancil scolded him until he became red in the face. Now it was Elephant’s turn to play guard.

“You are so big. Friend Elephant. Certainly, we can trust you to defend our fish,” said Kancil.

For the third time the giant came to eat the fish. When Elephant saw how big he was, he became afraid and let the giant steal their fish. Kancil and the others came back, they found the basket empty again. Kancil was very angry with his three friends. He shouted, “What’s the use of having such big and strong bodies, if you can’t even chase away one single giant. This time I will stay here myself. Do you think I am too small to do this job? Go away , the three of you, and catch as a many fish as you can. When you come back, you will find that robber lying here in front of me, bound and helpless.”

  Narrative Text Fable - Kancil and the giant Story
After Swine, Tiger and Elephant had gone away, Kancil plucked a big bunch of reeds from the river side. He tied these reeds around his body. Then lying down under the nearest tree, he bound the reed ends to the roots of the tree. He was very busy tying himself when the giant came. Kancil pretended not to see him and went on with his work. The giant became curious and instead of grabbing the fish he stopped to look sown at Kancil and asked what he was doing.

“Well. Well. Don’t you know what is going happen today?” asked Kancil in a surprised tone.

“What is going to happen today?” asked the giant curiously.

“I thought everybody knew about it,” answered Kancil. “You must have been asleep when Nabi Sulaiman came into the forest to warn all the animals about the big flood. The big flood will carry everybody away to the see, unless he takes precaution to be safe.”

“Oh, I have not heard about this flood,” answered the giant, who believe every word Kancil said, “Tell me, what do you do to avoid being carried away?”

“Don’t you see what I am doing” said Kancil. “I bind myself to these roots, so that the water will not drag me away
Narrative Text Fable - Kancil and the giant Story

“That’s a very good idea,” said the stupid giant. “Won’t you help me a little?”

“Why not? I am always ready to help somebody in need,” answered Kancil. “But these reeds are not strong enough to hold your heavy body. Why don’t you go into the forest and collect a big bunch of thick rattan? I shall wait for you here. But hurry, we don’t have much time as the flood will come soon after noon.”

Narrative Text Fable - Kancil and the giant Story

The stupid giant, afraid of losing his life, ran into the woods and soon came back with a big load of rattan. Kancil told him to bind his own legs tightly together with the rattan, then sit with his back  against a big tree so that Kancil could help him tie his body against the tree trunk. The giant did everything Kancil said. Soon he was sitting boud and helpless against the tree. To be  completely safe, Kancil wound several more pieces of rattan round him so that the giant could hardly move.

Narrative Text Fable - Kancil and the giant Story
Then the clever little animal called out to his friends who were still busy catching fish some distance away. Swine, Tiger and Elephant did not have much trouble killing their enemy.

Of course, Kancil did not tell them that he had tricked the giant, and the other three animals thought that he had fought with him. They all admired his enormous strength. They gave Kancil the biggest share of the fish, and after having finished their meal each of them went his own way.

A fish on dry land

Text Narrative Story - a fish on dry land
(Favourite stories from Chinese)

Chuang Tzu’s family was very poor. One day, he went to see a rich man to borrow some rice from him. The rich man said, “All right, I will lend you some rice. But please wait until my brother pays me back some money which he owes me. I shall then be able to give you three hundred pieces of silver as well.”

Chuang Tzu kept quiet for a long time. He then said to the rich man, “I want to tell you a story. As I was returning home yesterday, I saw a fish lying by the roadside, “Help! Help!” it called out. “I cannot breathe, please put me back to the sea.”

“I am now on my way to visit a relative living near the Western sea,” I replied. “I shall send you some water from there.”

“That will be too late,” the fish replied. “Unless you put me back in the water straight away, I shall die.”

“this, sir,” said Chuang Tzu to the rich man, “reminds me of your answer. If you want to help, you should do so now. Otherwise it will be too late.”

The rich man lent him some rice without saying any more.

Source: Favourite stories from Chinese by Leon Comber

shared by www.englishstory12.blogspot.com

The cunning tiger

folklore - The cunning tiger
(Favourite stories from Taiwan)

An old lady lived at the edge of the jungle near Lan Po in southern Taiwan. Her two daughter lived with her. Their names were Ah Yu and Ah fung.

One day the old lady had to go on journey. Before she left, she said to her daughter, “If anyone knocks on the door at night, do not open it.”

Late that night, someone knocked on their front door, “Who is it?” Ah Yu , the elder daughter called out.

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“It’s your auntie. I’ve come to stay with you while your mother is away.”

Ah Fung opened the door. There was an old lady standing outside. The two sisters invited her in.

“Don’t be afraid,” the old lady said. “I have come to look after you while your mother is away. I am very tired and I would like to sleep here.”

Ah Fung asked her to sleep with her in her room.

In the middle of the night, Ah Yu heard the sound of someone eating in her sister’s room. “Yum. Yum! Oh, that was very tasty!”

“Sister, sister!” she called out. “What are you doing?”

“It’s all right,” the old lady said. “We’re eating some food. Go back to sleep.”

But Ah Yu went outside and looked through the window into her sister’s room. She saw the old lady eating her sister. She ran away as fast as she could and climbed a tall tree.

The next morning, the old lady came out of the house to look for her. She saw Ah Yu sitting on top of the tree.

“Come down,” she called out, “Or I’ll come and get you,”

“Please wait!” Ah Yu answered. “I’ve caught a bird and I want to eat it. Can you please bring me a pot of boiling oil so that I can cook the bird and eat it? Then I will come down.”

The old lady brought a pot of boiling oil. She tied it to a rope which Ah Yu dropped from the top of the tree. Ah Yu soon purled it up.

“I have a surprised for you.” She said, “Please close your eyes and open your mouth.” The old lady did as she was told.

Ah Yu then poured the boiling oil into the old lady’s mouth. In a second, she changed into a tiger, and ran off.

Ah Yu had been too clever for her. But Ah Yu never disobey her mother gain after that.

Source: Favourite stories from Taiwan by Leon Comber & Charles Shuttleworth

shared by www.englishstory12.blogspot.com

a folk story from South Africa - The lost message

THE LOST MESSAGE

(a folk story from South Africa)

The ant has had from time immemorial many enemies, and because he is small and destructive, there have been a great many slaughters among them. Not only were most of the birds their enemies, but Anteater lived almost wholly from them, and Centipede beset them every time and at all places when he had the chance.

So now there were a few among them who thought it would be well to hold

council together and see if they could not come to some arrangement

whereby they could retreat to some place of safety when attacked by robber

birds and animals.

But at the gathering their opinions were most discordant, and they could

come to no decision.

There was Red-ant, Rice-ant, Black-ant, Wagtail-ant, Gray-ant, Shining-

ant, and many other varieties. The discussion was a true babel of diversity,

which continued for a long time and came to nothing.

A part desired that they should all go into a small hole in the ground, and

live there; another part wanted to have a large and strong dwelling built on

the ground, where nobody could enter but an ant; still another wanted to

dwell in trees, so as to get rid of Anteater, forgetting entirely that there they

would be the prey of birds; another part seemed inclined to have wings and

fly.

And, as has already been said, this deliberation amounted to nothing, and

each party resolved to go to work in its own way, and on its own

responsibility.

Greater unity than that which existed in each separate faction could be seen

nowhere in the world; each had his appointed task, each did his work

regularly and well. And all worked together in the same way. From amon

them they chose a king-that is to say some of the groups did-and they

divided the labour so that all went as smoothly as it possibly could.

But each group did it in its own way, and not one of them thought of

protecting themselves against the onslaught of birds or Anteater.

The Red-ants built their house on the ground and lived under it, but

Anteater levelled to the ground in a minute what had cost them many days

of precious labour. The Rice-ants lived under the ground, and with them it

went no better. For whenever they came out, Anteater visited them and

took them out sack and pack. The Wagtail-ants fled to the trees, but there

on many occasions sat Centipede waiting for them, or the birds gobbled

them up. The Gray-ants had intended to save themselves from

extermination by taking to flight, but this also availed them nothing,

because the Lizard, the Hunting-spider, and the birds went a great deal

faster than they.

When the Insect-king heard that they could come to no agreement he sent

them the secret of unity, and the message of Work-together. But

unfortunately he chose for his messenger the Beetle, and he has never yet

arrived at the Ants, so that they are still to-day the embodiment of discord

and consequently the prey of enemies.

Source: South African Folk Tales,