Lesson 2: The Truthful Dove (2)

Key words: wondering insincere speech praise host grateful

A Look at the picture and talk about it.

B Read more about the three birds and write answers to the following questions.

All this time the dove was listening to her friend's false praises. She was wondering how insincere his praises were. The dove hung her head down and was quiet. The owl got impatient. He wanted to hear more praises. He looked at the dove and asked, "Don't you have any good thing to say about me?" The bat joined the owl, "Yes, don't you have any words of praise for our kind host?" The dove was ashamed of her friend bat and kept her eyes down. The owl urged the dove, "Come on, say something!"

The dove lifted her head slowly and said, "Master owl, thank you very much for the shelter you have given me, thank you for the food you have offered me. I will remain ever grateful for this".

Questions 1 What does the word 'insincere' mean in the story? 2 Why did the dove think that the bat is insincere? 3 What made the owl impatient? 4 Why was the dove ashamed of her friend?

C True or false? If false, give the correct information. 1 The bat was very sincere when he praised the owl. 2 The owl wanted to hear more good things about himself. 3 The dove was very harsh to the owl.