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Reading Comprehension - Legends

Free printable traditional legends and stories from Indigenous Peoples cultures. Read and test reading comprehension online or print and use offline. Recommended level: 3rd Grade and up

How Turtle Became King

Based on a Folktale from Africa

A long time ago, two animals wanted to be king of their village. One was Elephant, who was big, strong and fast. The other was Turtle, who was the slowest animal, but was very smart and worked very hard.

They decided to hold a race at dawn through the forest. The winner would be king.

Elephant laughed. He knew he could easily outrun Turtle. He went home very happy and went to sleep.

Turtle was worried. He told his family and friends about the race. They talked about it and Turtle came up with a plan.

That night, while Elephant was sleeping, all the turtles went to the forest and walked all the way from the start line to the finish line. Every hundred yards, one of Turtle’s friends or relatives would dig into the earth and hide under dirt and leaves. Turtle’s older brother hid himself right by the tree near the finish line.

At dawn, Elephant and Turtle arrived for the race. Elephant took off in a flash.

After a minute or two, Elephant was sure he was far ahead of Turtle. He turned around and called out, "Turtle, where are you? You must be far behind me."

"Here I am, ahead of you!" cried Turtle.

Elephant was shocked to see Turtle ahead of him. At least, he thought it was Turtle. It was really Turtle’s cousin who had been hiding there all night.

Elephant ran past Turtle’s cousin. Every so often he would call back to Turtle and be surprised to see Turtle ahead of him again and again.

Finally, when Turtle’s brother heard Elephant getting close to the finish line, Turtle’s brother popped up and crossed the finish line before Elephant.

Elephant could not tell the turtles apart. He thought the turtle at the finish line was the same one who started the race.

Even though all the animals, including Elephant, thought it was impossible for Turtle to win the race, Turtle found a way. And that’s how Turtle became king of the village.


©Courseware Solutions  Wordville.com for Fun English Language Arts Learning

From where is this folktale?
Africa
China
Philippines
Africa How did the village choose its king?
They voted.
They had a test.
They held a race.
They held a race. What makes Elephant a good king?
He eats a lot.
He is big and strong.
He has a big trunk.
He is big and strong. What makes Turtle a good king?
He is slow.
He has a big family.
He is smart and works hard.
He is smart and works hard. Elephant couldn't tell the difference between Turtle and Turtle's brother.
True
False
It doesn't say in the story.
True How did Turtle trick Elephant to win the race?
Turtles hid along the race and popped up ahead of Elephant.
Turtle's brother ran the race instead.
He changed the race route and Elephant got lost.
Turtles hid along the race and popped up ahead of Elephant. What is the main idea of this tale?
Turtles are slow.
Elephants aren't very fast or strong.
Even when it seems impossible to do something, if you are clever enough and get help from family and friends, you can succeed.
Even when it seems impossible to do something, if you are clever enough and get help from family and friends, you can succeed.


©Courseware Solutions Wordville.com for Fun English Language Arts Learning




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