📘 Description
Characters:
🌳 The Forest Trees – A group of proud trees, each with strong trunks and leafy branches. They include an oak, a pine, and a willow, each with different personalities—strong, sharp, and soft-hearted.
🪓 The Axe – A sharp, shiny tool with a wooden handle and a steel blade. It has no life of its own, but becomes dangerous in the hands of humans.
👨🌾 The Woodcutter – A man with rough hands and determined eyes. He speaks little, but swings his axe with great strength and purpose.
📖 Script
Narrator:
In a deep, peaceful forest, tall trees swayed with pride. They offered shade, shelter, and stood together as a united group.
One day, a man entered the forest, holding an axe—without a handle.
👨🌾 Woodcutter: “Dear trees, may I have just one branch to make a handle? With that, I can work and feed my family.”
🌳 Oak Tree: “It’s just one small branch. What harm could it do?”
Narrator:
Moved by sympathy, the trees agreed. The man selected a strong, straight branch and shaped it into a sturdy handle. With his axe now complete, he began chopping.
THWACK! THWACK!
🌲 Pine Tree: “Wait! What is he doing?!”
Narrator:
Tree after tree fell as the man swung the axe. The forest echoed with the sound of falling trunks.
🌿 Willow Tree: “We gave him the power to destroy us!”
Narrator:
But it was too late. The trees realized their kindness had been used against them.
Narrator:
From then on, the forest whispered a warning: never give your enemy the means to harm you.
📚 Vocabulary
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Handle – the part of a tool held in the hand
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Swayed – moved gently back and forth
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Sturdy – strong and durable
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Chopping – cutting with repeated blows
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Whispered – spoke softly or in a low voice
💬 Useful Expressions
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“What harm could it do?” – A phrase used to justify a small favor that may have consequences.
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“We gave him the power to destroy us!” – Realizing a mistake that led to one’s own harm.
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“Never give your enemy the means to harm you.” – Be cautious about trusting those who might turn against you.
❓ Comprehension Questions
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What did the woodcutter ask from the trees?
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Why did the trees agree to help him?
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What did the woodcutter do after making the axe handle?
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How did the trees feel after they saw what was happening?
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What lesson does the story teach?