Back to the story

A. How much did you understand?

These sentences retell the story. Which ones are true, and which ones are false?

1. The baboons obeyed the chief because he was the biggest and strongest. 
2. Some of the baboons tried to fight the chief and they beat him. 
3. The chief was important because he was the only big baboon.
4. The baboons asked the chief to wear something on his head so they could recognise him.
5. The baboons gave the chief a crown to wear on his head. 
6. The baboon chief was angry with the other baboons because they didn’t bring him the best food. 
7. The baboon chief told the baboons to tie a scarf round his head. 
8. The baboons took off the scarf when the chief shouted, "Take it off!" 
9. The baboon chief fell off the rocks on to the ground far below. 
10. The other baboons jumped off the rock on top of the baboon chief. 

B. What do these words mean? 

Choose the right meaning for these words.

 1. A troop is….

1. a group of monkeys, baboons or apes who live together
2. a group of ten baboons
3. a family of baboons with one father, one mother and their children

2. A crown is…

1. a piece of coloured silk worn by a king
2. a hat made of cloth
3. a king or queen's head covering usually made of precious metal and jewels

3. A scarf is...

1. a necklace
2. a piece of cloth usually worn around the neck
3. a long, thin piece of leather

4. A tyrant is…

1. a king or chief
2. a big, old monkey or baboon
3. a cruel ruler who treats his people badly

C. What do you think?

Do strong, cruel people often become leaders?

How can weaker people stop them?

Do you think this story has a happy ending?

D. Tell the story again

Work with a friend. Tell the story to each other. Try to remember exactly what happened, and take the parts of the baboon chief and the other baboons.

Check the answers