Name:
Work with a friend. One person
must read the first paragraph,
while the other person listens.
Exchange roles for the second
paragraph. Answer the questions
that follow.
None of the animals liked Baboon
because he was always trying to
trick them in one way or another.
The baboon hadn’t yet tricked the
tortoise and he was eager to do this. He waited for Tortoise to slowly walk up the
path looking tired and hungry.
“Ah Tortoise, you look exhausted. Please come and
have supper with me. If you say yes, I’ll go
ahead and get it ready.”
“Oh thank you,” said the tortoise.
After a very long walk he arrived at Baboon’s
house and smelled delicious smells. His
mouth watered. Baboon told him to climb
to the top of the tree where the food was
waiting to be eaten. Of course Tortoise
couldn’t do that so he turned around and plodded off with an empty, growling
stomach while Baboon roared with laughter.
The following week Tortoise invited Baboon to dinner. Baboon was surprised but he
readily agreed. Baboon set off at dinner time and came across a delicious aroma. On
the other side of a burnt field he saw Tortoise cooking. He rushed over the burnt grass.
Tortoise asked him to go and wash his hands as they were black from the burnt field.
This kept happening until Tortoise said, “Oh dear I have finished eating all the stew.”
Baboon realised he had been tricked and ran home, furious. Tortoise smiled.
1. Discuss the issues related to this story.
2. What are the main ideas in this story?
3. What can you learn from this story?
4. Act out the story with your friend and add what you think happened next.
Present your role play to the class.
© e-classroom 2015 www.e-classroom.co.za
GRADE 5
Grade 5 Term 1: English, Home Language; Listening and Speaking, Listens to a story
The unkind baboon and the clever tortoise
GRADE 5
1. Discuss the issues related to this story.
An issue is an important topic or problem for debate or discussion. This text can
raise some interesting perspectives to discuss such as:
•Those who are arrogant and rude are disliked by others. (None of the animals
liked Baboon because he was always trying to trick them in one way or
another.)
•How should we react to people who are unkind to us? ( Tortoise turned
around and plodded off with an empty, growling stomach.)
•Should we teach people who are unkind to us a lesson? (Baboon realised he
had been tricked).
2. What are the main ideas in this story?
main idea is important information that tells more about the overall idea of a
A
paragraph or section of a text.
Baboon was a trickster.
Baboon was unpopular with the other animals.
Tortoise was clever and thought of a plan.
Tortoise invited Baboon to dinner.
Tortoise tricked Baboon
Baboon was angry.
3. What can you learn from this story?
These answers depend on the learners’ opinions.
If you are nasty to others they won’t like you.
Don’t be mean to others.
Don’t react aggressively.
Think of a clever way to teach the offending person a lesson.
4. Act out the story with your friend and add what you think happened next.
Present your role play to the class.
This is the learners’ own choice.
© e-classroom 2015 www.e-classroom.co.za
Grade 5 Term 1: English, Home Language; Listening and Speaking, Listens to a story
Answer sheet