Back to the exercises Back to the story

A. How much did you understand?

Part One

1. A poor man and his wife were very happy.
2. Their rich neighbour fell in love with the woman and wanted to marry her.
3. "If your husband loved you, he would buy wonderful clothes for you,” he said.
4. The woman said to her husband, “If you love me, buy me a new dress.”
5. The husband needed a new plough but he bought a new dress for his wife. 

Part Two

1. "Divorce your husband and marry me and I will give you gold jewellery," the neighbour said to the woman. 
2. The woman asked her husband to buy jewellery for her.
3. Her husband asked his brother to lend him some money. 
4. He bought a necklace and some rings and gave them to his wife.
5. Every day, the poor man worked in his brother’s field to pay his debt.

Part Three 

1. “If your husband loves you, he can make miracles for you,” said the rich man. 
2. When the woman said to her husband, "If a man loves a woman, he will make miracles for her," he became very worried.
3. He began to pray to God for help. 
4. A wizard gave the poor man two sticks.
5. “If  you touch a person with the first stick, he will become a donkey," said the wizard.

Part Four 

1. The poor man's wife was ashamed because she had listened to the rich neighbour. 
2. She touched him with the magic stick. He changed into a donkey. 
3. After many years, the poor man was sorry for the donkey.
4. He touched the donkey with a stick, and a tired, old man stood there. 
5. "Go home," the poor man said. "Don't look at other men's wives again."

B. What were they feeling?

1. Before the rich neighbour came, the poor man and his wife were very happy.
2. When the poor man said to his wife, "You don't need new clothes," she was angry.
3. When the poor man came home from the fields, he was tired and hungry.
4. When the woman asked for jewellery, the poor man was worried.
5. When the woman's husband said to her, "You know my enemy," she was ashamed.
6. When the donkey changed back into a man, he was very tired.