The Donkey's Trick - Class-V English (Lesson I) - Text, Activity and Answers

LESSON - I - The Donkey's Trick

READING - I

Once there lived a merchant in a village. He had a donkey. He earned his living by carrying loads on its back and selling them in the city market.

One day, the merchant heard that there was a lot of salt at the seashore near a village. "Ah! That's just what i need!" thought the merchant. "If I bring the salt from the seashore and sell it in the city market, I can make a lot of money."

So the merchant went to the seashore and collected a sackful of salt. He put the sack onto the back of the donkey and set off to the city market to sell it. On the way, they had to cross a narrow bridge. As they were crossing the bridge, the donkey slipped and fell into the water.

"Oh! My God!" said the merchant. He tried to make the donkey stand and pull the sack up, but it was of no use. Most of the salt was washed away in the water.

The merchant was very upset. But the donkey had a twinkle in his eyes as the load on his back became much lighter. "What a relief! I must remember and try this trick," he said to himself. The merchant's dream of selling the salt and making money failed.

ACTIVITY - 3

Say whether the statements are True or False.

1. The merchant lived in a city.

2. He had a donkey as his pet.

3. The donkey put the loads onto the back of the merchant.

4. While crossing the bridge the donkey fell into the water.

5. The donkey was very upset.

6. The donkey was cleverer than the merchant.

ACTIVITY - 4

i) Where did the merchant sell his goods ?

ii) What was the dream of the merchant ?

iii) What happened to the salt when the donkey fell into the water?

iv) Why did the donkey have a twinkle in his eyes ?

v) Choose the best possible answer: The donkey slipped because

a) it was injured on the way.

b) the bridge was narrow.

c) the merchant pushed it into the water.

vi) The merchant was upset. Here 'upset' means

i) very happy

ii) very sad

iii) very angry

READING - II

A few days later, the merchant once again went to the seashore. He put a sackful of salt onto the donkey's back and set off to the city market.

As they were crossing the bridge, the donkey remembered the trick. He purposely slipped and fell into the water. This time also most of the salt washed away. The weight on the donkey's back was very light now. He had a relaxed look.

Now the merchant became aware of the donkey's trick. He wanted to teach the donkey a lesson. Next morning, the merchant loaded the donkey with sacks of sponge and set out to the city market to sell it.

As they were crossing the bridge, the donkey tried his trick again. He purposefully slipped and fell into the water. This time, instead of having a lighter weight, his load became very heavy. The donkey stood up with much difficulty. He could hardly move.

"What do you think of the load now? This time you are not carrying salt but sponge," said the merchant. He also said, "Do not try to be too clever. You may be caught one day."

ACTIVITY - 5

Say whether the following are True or False.

a) Second time the merchant put a sackful of sugar onto the donkey's back.
b) As they were crossing the bridge the donkey remembered the trick.
c) The donkey knowingly slipped and fell into the water.
d) Third time the merchant loaded the donkey with a sack full of salt.
e) This time the weight of the sponge increased.

ACTIVITY - 6
1) Why did the merchant go to the seashore?
2) What happened to the donkey when it was crossing a narrow bridge?
3) Who wanted to teach the donkey a lesson?

ACTIVITY - 7 
Let's read between the lines.
Answer the following questions : 
1) Who is clever, the merchant or the donkey?

2) What happens if you put salt into water?

3) Fill in the blanks choosing one of the words given in the brackets.

i) Sponge water. (dissolves in /floats on)

ii) When I complete my homework, I feel ________ (worried/relaxed)

iii) My grandfather ____ a lot of profit in his business. (earned I lost)

iv) The donkey purposefully slipped and fell into the water.
Here the word 'purposefully' means, _________
a) forcefully b) knowingly c) easily