Page 22 - English Class 03

“Now, I’m going to eat you,” said the leopard.

The monkey was very frightened. He was thinking how to save himself. Then,

he got an idea. “Sir,” he said to the leopard, “I’m all muddy, as you see. Why
don’t you wash me first and cook me before you eat me? You’ll find me much

more tasty then.”

The leopard looked at the monkey, all covered with mud. Oh, how dirty he

looked! “Very well,” he said to the monkey, “Come with me.”

So, the leopard took the monkey to a stream and gave him a good bath. He

then put the monkey on a stone to dry. Next, he began to dig a pit in the ground
to make a fire to cook the monkey.

While the leopard was busy, the monkey whispered to a tall bamboo growing

nearby, “Bamboo, bamboo, please bend down and save me.” The bamboo never

heard him but the leopard did. “What’s that you said?” he asked.

“Oh, nothing,” replied the monkey, “I only said I’m dry on this side, so why

don’t you turn me over.” “Very well,” said the leopard, “But don’t you try any of

your tricks with me!”

A er some me, the monkey again whispered, “Bamboo, bamboo, please bend

down and save me.” Once again, the bamboo did not hear but the leopard did.

“What’s that you said?” asked the leopard.

“Nothing,” replied the monkey, “All I said was that the pit is now big enough.

So, why don’t you collect some firewood to cook me?”

The leopard started to collect dry s cks to make a fire. When the monkey saw
that the leopard was busy, he again whispered to the bamboo, “Bamboo,

bamboo, please bend down and save me.” This me the bamboo heard him and

bent down. The monkey gave a big leap, caught the bamboo and climbed up. He
was now safe.

whispered : murmured Have you played any trick with your friends?

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