English For Today chapter 18: Caring for Others

Caring for Others

1.1 Listen and read the dialogue between Abid and Neelima.

Figure

Description: Abid, wearing glasses and a blue shirt, rests his chin on his hand in thought. Neelima, in a green and pink dress with a long braid, looks toward him. A thought bubble above Abid shows two people in a rural setting with a small house and trees.

Abid : Hey Neelima, Good afternoon. How're you?

Neelima : Good afternoon. I'm fine. How're you?

Abid : I'm feeling sad. Today morning, I saw some people in need. They're living on the streets. Can't we help them?

Neelima : I've also noticed there are people in need around us. They've shortage of food and clothes.

Abid : We should do something for them. Neelima, what can we do?

Neelima : We can start by collecting clothes and food for them.

Abid : That's a good idea. We can also ask our friends and relatives to help them.

Neelima : Good plan! We can also make posters to encourage others.

Abid : Once we collect everything, we can give these things to them. These things can make their life easier.

Neelima : Yes, we can also talk to them and make them feel that we care for them.We have to be kind to the people in need.

Printed page 83

Abid : I like that idea. We can make a difference by doing it.

Neelima : You are right. Together, we can bring some joy to their lives and make them happier. Let's work together.

1.2 Rearrange the words and make appropriate sentences. One is done for you.

a) Should for something we do them.

We should do something for them.

b) Poor saw I people some.

______________________________________________________________.

c) To we lives bring can joy bring their.

______________________________________________________________.

d) Difference a can kindness make.

______________________________________________________________.

e) Can do what we?

______________________________________________________________.

Printed page 84

1.3 Write the answers to the following questions.

a) Why is Abid feeling sad?

..........................................................................................

..........................................................................................

..........................................................................................

b) How can we help the people in need?

..........................................................................................

..........................................................................................

..........................................................................................

c) How do you show kindness to the people in need?

..........................................................................................

..........................................................................................

..........................................................................................

Printed page 85

Kindness Shines

2.1 Read the story.

Once upon a time, there was a little girl. She lived with her mother in a little house in the woods. They were always happy. One day, the mother grew very ill. "I must drink clean and cold water," the mother cried. She was very weak and thirsty. It was a dark night and there was no one near to

ask for water. So, the little girl took her a glass and a jar. Then, she went to a spring to bring water for her sick mother. She ran a long way through the woods. So, she became very tired. She filled her jar at the spring and started coming back home.

Printed page 86

It was not easy to carry a jar full of water. Moreover, there were stones on the way. So, she was having problems walking in the dark night.

All of a sudden, she felt a warm touch on her hand and she stopped. It was a dog. It was dying of thirst. It was following her for water.

The girl looked at her jar. There was a little water in it. She gave water to the thirsty dog to drink. The dog became happy. At that time, she saw a wonderful thing. The jar was changed to a silver jar with more water in it than before.

The little girl began to walk again. She was walking very fast because her mother was waiting for the water. Suddenly, she met an old woman. The old woman looked at the little girl with smile. She was begging for cold water.

Printed page 87

The girl's mother once told her to be kind to the helpless people. So, she gave water to the old woman. When the old woman started to drink water, the jar was turned into a gold jar with sparkling water.

The road was very long. The little girl hurried on. She was tired and she became very weak. She needed water, but she did not drink. She had already given the water to the thirsty dog and the old woman. Her mother would need the rest of the water. She walked fast again.

After a few minutes, the girl reached home and gave the water to her mother. Her mother drank water and quenched her thirst.

Then, the girl saw the greatest wonder in her life. The gold jar was turned into a diamond jar full of shining gems.

Printed page 88

It shines every night. It reminds the little children how a little girl showed kindness to help others.

2.2 Read the story again. Match the words with their meanings. One is done for you.

Printed page 89

2.3 Write the answers of the following questions.

a) Why did the little girl go to the spring?

..........................................................................................

..........................................................................................

..........................................................................................

b) What challenges did she face on her?

..........................................................................................

..........................................................................................

..........................................................................................

c) Who did the little girl help first?

..........................................................................................

..........................................................................................

..........................................................................................

d) What happened to the jar after she helped the dog and the old woman?

..........................................................................................

..........................................................................................

..........................................................................................

Printed page 90

e) How did the jar look like at the end of the story?

..........................................................................................

..........................................................................................

..........................................................................................

3.1 Language Focus: Past Continous Tense

Look at the following sentences used in the text.

• She was walking very fast.
• The old woman was begging for cold water.

The sentences talk about past activities. These are past continuous statements. We use the past continuous to talk about actions happening at a specific time in the past.

The structure of Past Continuous Tense:

Printed page 91