Are you looking for an English short story for reading exercise? ”The Wind and the Sun” 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 wind and sun, along with reading comprehensive questions and answers. Also, learn a list of key vocabulary from this English short story.
The Gnat and the Bull 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 Gnat and the Bull.”
Beginner
Once there was a tiny gnat named Gerty who loved making friends. One day, she met a nice bull named Benny. They became friends and enjoyed each other’s company.
Some other tiny gnats were surprised that Gerty was friends with the big bull. “He’s so big!” they said. Gerty told them, “Benny is kind and friendly. Size doesn’t matter for friends.”
The other gnats decided to be friends with Benny too. They all had fun together. One day, a storm came, and Gerty and the other gnats had a hard time. But Benny, being big and strong, protected them on his back.
After the storm, the other gnats realized Gerty was right. “Benny is a good friend,” they said. From then on, the meadow was a happy place where animals of all sizes were friends, showing that real friends can be found in surprising places.
Intermediate
Once upon a time there was a tiny gnat named Gerty. Gerty loved making friends and exploring. One day, she saw a friendly bull named Benny and decided to say hello.
“Hi, Mr. Bull! I’m Gerty. Can I be your friend?” Gerty asked. Benny smiled and said, “Of course, Gerty! Let’s be friends.”
They spent days talking, sharing stories, and enjoying each other’s company. Gerty and Benny became best friends. One day, some other gnats wondered why Gerty was friends with the big bull. “He’s so much bigger than you!” they said.
Gerty explained, “Benny is kind and gentle. Size doesn’t matter when it comes to friendship.” The other gnats decided to give it a try, and they found out that Benny was a friendly bull.
One day, a storm came, and the wind blew hard. Gerty and the other gnats struggled against the strong winds. But Benny, being big and strong, protected them. They all stayed safe on Benny’s back until the storm passed.
Afterward, the other gnats realized they were wrong about Benny. “You were right, Gerty. Benny is a true friend.”
Advanced
Once upon a time, there lived a tiny gnat named Gerty. Gerty was a curious gnat who loved to explore and make new friends. One day, while buzzing around, she saw a big and powerful bull named Benny grazing peacefully in the field.
Gerty decided to strike up a conversation with Benny. “Hello there, Mr. Bull! I’m Gerty. What brings you here?” she asked, buzzing around Benny’s massive head. Benny, with a friendly grin, replied, “Well, Gerty, I’m here to enjoy the tasty grass and the warm sunshine. What about you? What brings a little gnat like you to this big meadow?”
Gerty giggled, “I love exploring! Do you mind if I hang out with you for a while?” Benny chuckled, “Not at all, Gerty! Feel free to buzz around and keep me company.”
As days passed, Gerty and Benny became the best of friends. Gerty would tell Benny stories about her adventures, and Benny would share his experiences of the meadow. They enjoyed each other’s company, and their friendship grew stronger.
One hot afternoon, a group of other gnats approached Gerty. “Why are you friends with that big, scary bull?” they asked. “He’s so much bigger than you!” Gerty smiled and said, “Benny is kind and gentle. Size doesn’t matter when it comes to friendship.”
The other gnats were skeptical but decided to give it a try. To their surprise, Benny welcomed them with open arms. The gnats soon realized that Benny was not scary. One day, a storm approached the meadow. The other gnats, being so small, struggled against the strong winds. Gerty, on the other hand, found refuge on Benny’s back.
Benny, with his strength, shielded Gerty and the other gnats from the harsh weather. The gnats, now grateful for their friendship with Benny, huddled together and weathered the storm safely. After the storm passed, the other gnats admitted, “You were right, Gerty. Benny may be big, but he’s a true friend.”
And so, in the meadow, the gnat and the bull showed everyone that friendship knows no size.
The Gnat and the Bull: Moral of the Story
The moral of the story about the gnat and the bull is: “Friends can be different sizes, but what matters most is kindness and being there for each other when times get tough.”
Vocabulary
Review the vocabulary list from the story.
- gnats: a kind of small fly.
- protected: kept safe.
- buzzing: making a low humming sound; moving around.
- massive: huge.
- struggled: had a hard time with.
The Gnat and the Bull: 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
- Who is the main character in the story?
- What is Benny’s role in the story?
- Why do some other gnats doubt Gerty’s friendship with Benny?
- How does Gerty prove that size doesn’t matter in friendship?
- What happens when a storm comes to the meadow?
Answers
- The main character in the story is a tiny gnat named Gerty.
- Benny is a big bull and becomes Gerty’s friend in the story.
- They doubt Gerty’s friendship with Benny because Benny is much bigger in size.
- Gerty proves that size doesn’t matter by showing kindness and friendship with Benny.
- Gerty and the other gnats struggle in the storm, but Benny protects them on his back.
More Short Stories
- The Bell and the Cat
- The Lion and the Mouse
- The Frog Who Desired a King
- The Fox and the Hedgehog
- The Wolf and the Crane
The Gnat and the Bull: Join the Conversation
What are your thoughts on this classic moral story about the fly and the bull? 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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