Reading: A Play Basic 6 English Studies Lesson Note

The Honest Woodcutter

Characters:

• KOLA: A poor but honest woodcutter
• SPIRIT: The river spirit
• NARRATOR: Tells the story

Scene: By the riverside, near a big tree

NARRATOR: Once upon a time, there lived a poor woodcutter named Kola. Every day, he would go to the forest to cut wood and sell it in the market. One morning, while cutting wood by the river, something unexpected happened.

(KOLA is cutting wood with his axe. Suddenly, the axe slips from his hands and falls into the deep river.)

KOLA: Oh no! My axe has fallen into the river! How will I cut wood now? This is my only axe, and I cannot afford to buy another one.

(KOLA sits by the river, looking very sad. Suddenly, the SPIRIT appears from the water, holding a golden axe.)

SPIRIT: Why are you crying, young man?

KOLA: My axe fell into the river, and I cannot get it back. Without my axe, I cannot work or feed my family.

SPIRIT: Is this your axe?

(The SPIRIT shows him the golden axe.)

KOLA: No, sir. My axe is made of iron, not gold. It is old and worn, but it is mine.

(The SPIRIT disappears and returns with a silver axe.)

SPIRIT: Then is this your axe?

KOLA: No, sir. That is not mine either. My axe is plain iron with a wooden handle.

(The SPIRIT disappears again and returns with an iron axe.)

SPIRIT: What about this one?

KOLA: Yes! That is exactly my axe! Thank you so much for finding it!

SPIRIT: You are an honest man, Kola. Because you told the truth, I will give you all three axes – the golden one, the silver one, and your iron axe.

KOLA: Thank you, kind spirit! I will never forget your generosity.

NARRATOR: From that day, Kola became wealthy, but he remained honest and kind. He helped other poor people in his village and lived happily ever after.

THE END

Exercise D – Play Comprehension

Answer these questions:

1. What was Kola’s job?
2. What happened to his axe?
3. How many axes did the spirit show him?
4. Why did the spirit reward Kola?
5. What lesson does this play teach us?

Exercise E – Character Analysis

Describe these characters:

1. Kola: _________________________________
2. Spirit: _________________________________

What kind of person is Kola? _________________________________