Telling tales: The Tale of Gluskap and the Baby

Gluskap the warrior was very pleased with himself because he had fought and won so many battles. He boasted to a woman: 'Nobody can beat me!'

'Really?' said the woman. 'I know someone who can beat you. His name is Wasis.' Gluskap had never heard of Wasis. He inmediately wanted to meet him and fight him. So he was taken to the woman's village. The woman pointed to a baby who was sitting and sucking a piece of sugar on the floor of a teepee.

'There,' she said. 'That is Wasis. He is little, but he is very strong.' Gluskap laughed and went up to the baby. 'I am Gluskap. Fight me!' he shouted. Little Wasis looked at him for a moment, then he opened his mouth. 'Waaah! Waaah!' he screamed. Gluskap had never heard such a terrible noise. He danced a war dance and sang some war songs. Wasis screamed louder. 'Waaah! Waaah! Waaah!' Gluskap covered his ears and ran out of the teepee. After he had run a few miles, he stopped and listened. The baby was still screaming. Gluskap the fearless was terrified. He ran on and was never seen again in the woman's village.

Level: Intermediate

Book: New Headway (the NEW edition)

Year: 2003

Telling tales: The Farmer and his Sons

There was once an old, dying farmer. Before he died he wanted to teach his three sons how to be good farmers. So he called them to him and said, 'My boys, before I die I want you to know that there is a great treasure buried in the vineyard. Promise me that you will look for it when I am dead.'

The sons promised and they began looking for the treasure. They worked very hard in the hot sun. In their minds they pictured boxes of gold coins, diamond necklaces and other such things. But they found not a single penny. They were very upset. But then the grapes started to appear on the vines and their grapes were the biggest and best in the neighbourhood, and they sold them for a lot of money.

Now they understood and they lived happily and wealthily ever after.

The moral of this story is: 'Hard work brings...'

Level: Intermediate

Book: New Headway (English Course)

Year: 1996

Telling tales: The Bald Knight

Once upon a time, a long time ago, there was a knight who, as he grew older, lost all his hair. He became as bald as an egg. He didn't want anyone to see his bald head, so he bought a beautiful, black, curly wig.

One day some lords and ladies from the castle invited him to go hunting with them, so of course he put on his beautiful wig. 'How handsome I look!' he though to himself. Then he set off happily for the forest.

However, a terrible thing happened. His wig caught on a branch and fell off in full view of everyone. How they all laughed at him! At first the poor knight felt very foolish but then he saw the funny side of the situation, and he started laughing, too.

The knight never wore his wig again.

The moral of this story is: 'When people laugh at us, it is best to...'

Level: Intermediate

Book: New Headway (English Course)

Year: 1996