The Plane Tree is a short fable by Aesop. Aesop was a famous writer. He wrote many short stories with important lessons. People around the world have read his stories for many years. Children and adults still enjoy them today.
This story is rewritten for A1 English learners. It uses easy words, short sentences, and simple grammar. The story is easy to read and easy to understand. It will help you learn new vocabulary, practice reading, and enjoy English. At the end of the story, you will find the Moral of the Story. It explains the important lesson in simple English.
This story was rewritten by bestchildrenstories.com for English learners. The story is in the public domain, so it is free from copyright.
The Plane Tree
By Aesop
It was a very hot day. Two friends were walking on a long road. The sun was bright, and they were tired. They wanted to rest.
It was a very hot day. Two friends were walking on a long road. The sun was bright, and they were tired. They wanted to rest.
Soon, they saw a big tree.
“Let’s sit under this tree,” said one friend.
“Yes! The shade is cool,” said the other.
The two friends sat under the tree. They smiled and rested. A cool wind moved through the leaves. They felt happy.
After a few minutes, one friend looked at the tree.
“This tree has no apples,” he said.
“It has no oranges,” said the other friend.
“It has no fruit. I think this tree is not useful.”
Then a kind voice came from the tree.
“My friends,” said the tree, “you are sitting in my cool shade now. The sun is very hot, but I am helping you. Why do you say I am not useful?”
The two friends looked at each other. They felt sorry.
“You are right,” said one friend.
“Thank you for your cool shade,” said the other.
The tree was happy.
The two friends rested a little longer. Then they stood up and continued their walk.
As they left, they smiled at the tree.
“Thank you!” they said.
The tree’s leaves moved softly in the wind.
Moral of the Story
The moral of the story is: Be thankful for the good things you have.
In the story, the Plane Tree gave the two travelers cool shade on a hot day. The tree helped them, but they did not say “thank you.” They only thought about the fruit. They forgot that the tree was already helping them.
Sometimes we do the same thing. We forget to be thankful for the good things in our lives. Clean water, fresh air, food, our family, and our friends help us every day.
Small things can be very important. A kind smile, a helping hand, or a cool tree on a hot day can make us happy.
Always remember to say “Thank you” and be grateful for the good things around you.
— THE END –
Read the original story: gutenberg.org
Vocabulary
1. Hot — having a high temperature.
Example: It was a very hot day.
2. Tired — needing rest because you have worked or walked a lot.
Example: They were tired and wanted to rest.
3. Rest — to stop working or walking for a short time.
Example: They wanted to rest.
4. Tree — a tall plant with a trunk and branches.
Example: Soon, they saw a big plane tree.
5. Shade — a cool place away from the sun.
Example: They sat in its cool shade.
6. Cool — not hot; a little cold.
Example: The tree gave them cool shade.
7. Leaves — the green parts of a tree or plant.
Example: The green leaves moved in the wind.
8. Fruit — food that grows on trees or plants.
Example: The tree had no fruit.
9. Useful — helping people or having a good purpose.
Example: I think this tree is not useful.
10. Help — to do something good for someone.
Example: I am helping you.
11. Surprised — feeling something unexpected.
Example: The two friends were surprised.
12. Sorry — feeling bad because you did something wrong.
Example: We are sorry.
13. Thank — to tell someone you are grateful.
Example: Thank you for your cool shade.
14. Happy — feeling good and pleased.
Example: The tree was happy.
15. Thankful — feeling grateful for something.
Example: Be thankful for the good things you have.
16. Friend — a person you like and enjoy being with.
Example: Our family and our friends help us every day.
17. Important — very useful or special.
Example: Small things can be very important.
18. Grateful — thankful for kindness or help.
Example: Always be grateful for the good things around you.
19. Smile — to show happiness with your face.
Example: They said with a smile.
20. Wind — moving air.
Example: The leaves moved softly in the wind.
Comprehension Questions
1. Was the day hot or cold?
2. How many friends were walking?
3. What did the two friends want to do?
4. What did they see?
5. Where did the friends sit?
6. How did the shade feel?
7. Did the tree have any fruit?
8. What did one friend say about the tree?
9. What did the friends say to the tree?
10. Did the friends say, “Thank you”?
11. What did the friends do after they rested?
12. Did the tree help the two friends?
13. What is the moral of the story?
14. What should we be thankful for?
15. Can small things be important?
Grammar Exercises
1. It _____ a very hot day.
a) is
b) was
c) are
d) be
2. Two friends _____ walking together.
a) was
b) were
c) is
d) are
3. They _____ to rest under the tree.
a) wants
b) wanted
c) want
d) wanting
4. They saw _____ big plane tree.
a) a
b) an
c) the
d) some
5. They sat _____ the tree.
a) on
b) under
c) behind
d) between
6. The tree gave them _____ shade.
a) hot
b) cool
c) cold
d) dark
7. The tree had _____ fruit.
a) many
b) much
c) no
d) every
8. One friend _____ the tree was not useful.
a) says
b) said
c) saying
d) say
9. The tree _____ to the two friends.
a) speak
b) spoke
c) speaking
d) speaks
10. The two friends _____ surprised.
a) is
b) was
c) were
d) be
11. They _____ sorry.
a) felt
b) feel
c) feeling
d) feels
12. “Thank you,” the friends _____.
a) say
b) says
c) said
d) saying
13. The tree _____ happy.
a) are
b) was
c) were
d) be
14. The friends _____ their walk.
a) continue
b) continued
c) continues
d) continuing
15. The leaves _____ softly in the wind.
a) moved
b) move
c) moves
d) moving
16. We should be _____ for the good things we have.
a) thankful
b) hungry
c) angry
d) afraid
17. Small things can be very _____.
a) difficult
b) important
c) expensive
d) dirty
18. Clean water and fresh air _____ important.
a) is
b) are
c) was
d) be
19. Always _____ “Thank you.”
a) says
b) say
c) said
d) saying
20. We should _____ the good things around us.
a) forget
b) appreciate
c) lose
d) throw away
Test Answers
1. b) was 2. b) were 3. b) wanted 4. a) a 5. b) under 6. b) cool 7. c) no 8. b) said 9. b) spoke 10. c) were 11. a) felt 12. c) said 13. b) was 14. b) continued 15. a) moved 16. a) thankful 17. b) important 18. b) are 19. b) say 20. b) appreciate
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