Are you looking for an English short story for reading exercise? ”The Clever Woodcutter” is a great story with an amazing moral message about the strength of unity. We have three versions of the story for different levels of English readers: Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. Use the appropriate level for you or your students.
In this article, we also provide the moral of the story of the clever woodcutter, along with reading comprehensive questions and answers. Also, learn a list of key vocabulary from this English short story.
The Clever Woodcutter Story
If you know your English reading level, jump to the appropriate one. If not, start with the beginner level and see if you’d be able to challenge yourself to read the intermediate or advanced version of “The Clever Woodcutter.”
Beginner
There was a woodcutter named Jack. One winter day, Jack found a special tree. The tree said, “If you spare me, I’ll give you three wishes.”
Jack agreed. His first wish was for a cozy cottage, which appeared instantly. For his second wish, he asked for a pouch that never ran out of gold coins. Now, Jack had endless gold.
His last wish was for the health and happiness of his village. The tree granted it, and the village became happy and thriving.
People heard about Jack’s smart choices. They came to him for advice, and Jack became known as the wisest woodcutter. Jack showed that making choices that help others brings joy to everyone.
Intermediate
Once upon a time in a village surrounded by trees, there lived a woodcutter named Jack. Jack was hardworking and honest. One winter day, he discovered a special tree in the forest. The magical tree spoke to Jack, saying, “If you spare my life, I will grant you three wishes.” Jack agreed and made clever choices.
For his first wish, Jack asked for a cozy cottage. Instantly, a cute cottage appeared. For his second wish, he wanted a pouch that never ran out of gold coins. Now, Jack had endless gold.
For his last wish, Jack thought of his village. He asked for the health and happiness of everyone. The tree granted his wish, and the village thrived.
News of Jack’s clever decisions spread. People came from other villages seeking his advice. Jack became known as the wisest woodcutter, showing that making choices that help others brings happiness to everyone.
Advanced
In a small village nestled between hills and forests, there lived a woodcutter named Jack. Jack was known throughout the village for his hard work and honesty. One day, he faced a dilemma that would test his cleverness.
One winter morning, as Jack entered the forest to gather firewood, he noticed a large tree. Its branches were covered with thick snow, and Jack marveled at it. He decided to chop it down for firewood, but as he swung his axe, something unexpected happened.
The tree, being magical, spoke to Jack. “Dear woodcutter, I am the oldest tree in this forest. Spare me, and I will grant you three wishes.” Jack, surprised and intrigued, agreed to spare the tree’s life. The wise woodcutter thought carefully about his wishes. Instead of asking for wealth or grandeur, Jack chose wisely.
For his first wish, Jack asked for a small, cozy cottage. In an instant, a charming cottage appeared on the edge of the forest. Jack was delighted.
For his second wish, Jack asked for a pouch that would never run out of gold coins. The magical pouch appeared, and every time he reached inside, it was filled with gold. Jack was content but still had one wish left.
For his final wish, Jack thought of the well-being of his village. He asked for the health and prosperity of his fellow villagers. The ancient tree granted his wish, and from that day forward, the village flourished.
Word of Jack’s cleverness and kindness spread far and wide. People from neighboring villages came to seek his advice, and Jack became known as the wisest woodcutter in the land.
The moral of the story is that true wisdom lies in making choices that benefit not only oneself but also the community. Jack’s clever decisions brought prosperity to his village, showing that kindness and selflessness are the keys to a fulfilling life.
The Clever Woodcutter: Moral of the Story
The moral of the story about the clever woodcutter is that making choices that help others brings happiness to everyone.
Vocabulary
Learn the words that appear from the woodcutter story to build your vocabulary.
- woodcutter: a person who cuts wood.
- spare: save; not use.
- thriving: doing well.
- clever: smart.
- nestled: partially hidden.
- dilemma: a problem.
The Clever Woodcutter: Reading Comprehension
Reading comprehension activities assess and ensure that the reader has understood the story. These questions test the basic understanding and thinking skills such as analysis and interpretation. If you are an English teacher, use these reading comprehension questions to evaluate your student’s ability to extract meaning, make connections, and apply the information they’ve acquired.
Comprehension Questions
- What made Jack a wise woodcutter?
- What did Jack find in the forest one winter day?
- What did the magical tree offer Jack in exchange for sparing its life?
- What were Jack’s three wishes?
- How did Jack’s choices affect the village?
Answers
- Jack was considered wise because he made clever choices that not only benefited himself but also brought happiness to his village.
- Jack found a special, magical tree in the forest.
- The magical tree offered Jack three wishes in exchange for sparing its life.
- Jack’s first wish was for a cozy cottage, the second wish was for a pouch that never ran out of gold coins, and the third wish was for the health and happiness of his village.
- Jack’s choices brought prosperity and happiness to the village. The health and well-being of the villagers improved, and the village thrived.
More Moral Stories
- The Wind and the Sun
- The Crow and the Pitcher
- The Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs
- The Ant and the Grasshopper
- The Frog and the Ox
- A Bundle of Sticks
The Clever Woodcutter: Join the Conversation
What are your thoughts on this classic moral story about the clever woodcutter? Do you agree with the moral of the story? Let us know in the comments. We’d love to hear from you.
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