Lesson 8: The Selfish Giant (1)

Key words: selfish, giant, gruff, trespasser

A

Look at the picture. Answer these questions.

1. Who do you think these people are?
2. Where can they be?
3. Can you guess what they are doing?

Shima’s grandfather was telling the story of the Selfish Giant in the family gathering. Grandma refused to go to bed. She forgot her back pain.

The Selfish Giant

It was a large lovely garden with soft green grass. Here and there over the grass stood beautiful flowers. Also, there were fruit trees around the garden. One day, the Giant came back. He went to see his friend in a distant land and stayed with them for seven years. When he arrived, he saw children playing in his garden.

“What are you doing here?” cried the Giant in a very gruff voice. The children ran away.

B

Every afternoon, the children came back from school and used to go and play in the Giant’s garden.

“My own garden is my own garden,” said the Giant. “I can understand that. And I will allow nobody else to play in it.” So he built a high wall all round the garden and put up a notice:

TRESPASSERS WILL BE PUNISHED

C

Discuss in groups and answer this question: How do you know that the giant is selfish?

D

Have you ever seen any garden or park? Where is it? Describe it using the following clues:

• How big
• Trees, flowers, and fruits
• Play corner
• Any other attractions

Note:

• trespasser: a person who enters somebody’s land without their permission
• gruff: harsh; unfriendly