The Boy Playingin the River

1.How do you respond when

people come to you for help?

2. When do you usually need the most help?

3. Share with us the last time you helped another person.

One time a young boy was playing in a river. The boy was learning to swim, and was having lots of fun. In fact, he was having so much fun that he didn’t see that the water was getting deeper and deeper. Instead, he kept playing until the water was so deep that he began to drown.

Luckily, a man walked by the riverbank at that moment. The boy called out to him for help.

“Please, sir, can you help me? I can’tswim very well, and I think I might drown!”

The man came to the river bank, but instead of helping him, the man stood unconcerned and scolded the boy for being irresponsible.

“Well, what did you think would happen if you couldn’t swim and you went into the deep water? You shouldn’t be there at all! And where is your mother? Or your father? This is not a safe place for you!”

The boy, who was still drowning, quickly interrupted the man.

“Sir, please help me now and scold me later. Otherwise I will die!”

Iamdrowning!

Finally, the man pulled the boy out of the water and saved him. He took the boy back home, scolding him all the way.

Moral: In a crisis, you should giveassistance, not advice.

1. instead [ ] adv.

replacement to sb/sth

He is too busy, let me go instead.

2. deep [ ] adj.

Long way into or below the

surface of something

The snow is three feet deep.

3. drown [ ] vi.

To die in water (or other liquid) because one is unable to breathe

She fell overboard and drowned.

4. luckily [ ] adv.

Being fortunate

Luckily, no one was hurt.

5. unconcerned [ ] adj.

Not worried

He is unconcerned about

his project.

6. scold [ ] vt.

To express anger, criticism, etc. especially to a child

She is always scolding her children.

7. Irresponsible [ ] adj.

Not showing a proper sense of responsibility

Many people have an irresponsible attitude towards marriage.

8. interrupt [ ] vt.

To stop somebody from speaking; break the continuous movement of something temporarily

Sorry for interrupting you. Please continue with your story.

9. crisis [ ] n.

A time of great difficulty or danger

The patient has overcome the crisis.

10. assistance [ ] n.

Help

Please call if you need assistance.

1. Counsel without help is useless.

2. Hindsight is always 20/20.

3. Catch not at the shadow and lose the substance.

4. Prosperity makes friends,

adversity tries them.

5. Actions speak louder than words.

6. Easier said than done.

1. __ The boy was good

at swimming.

2. __ The man was trying hard to help the boy from drowning.

3. __ The boy was very careful.

4. __ The story happened by a bank.

5. __ The story teaches the

importance of being able to swim well.

1. What is the best proverb to describe the story?

2. What did you learn from the story?

3. What suggestions would you give to the boy?

4. What is a better way for the man to express himself?

5. Have you experienced a situation similar to the boy’s?