1. «The Girl and the Elephant» by A. Kuprin
Vocabulary: live – зд. живой; owner – хозяин; explain – объяснять, proudly – гордо, nod – кивать, bun – булка.
Tenses to use: Present Simple
1
A little girl (be) ill. Every day a doctor (come) to see her. Sometimes two other doctors (come) with him. They (talk) to her mother. The girl (not/understand) much, but she (know) that they (talk) about her.
Before leaving their house, one of the doctors (say) to the girl’s mother,
«Try to give your daughter what she (want).»
«Oh, doctor, she (not/want) anything!»
«Hm… Try to interest her. Your daughter’s illness (not/be) a real illness. If you can make her happy, it (be) the best medicine for her.»
When the doctors (leave), the mother (come) to the girl’s room.
«You (want) anything? Tell me, Nadya,» she (ask).
«Thank you, mother. I (not/want) anything.»
«You (want) your dolls?»
The girl (not/answer).
Her father (walk) up and down the living room and (smoke). Sometimes he (come) into Nadya’s room and (sit) on the bed for some time. Then he (get) up and (go) to the living room again.
2
One morning the little girl (be) better. She (remember) her dream and (say) to her mother,
«Mum… Can I have an… elephant?»
«Of course, my dear!»
She (run) to the living room to tell the father that Nadya (want) an elephant. The father quickly (put) on his hat and coat and (leave). Soon he (come) back with a beautiful big toy.
But the girl (not/like) it.
«This (not/be) what I (want),» she (say), «I (want) a real elephant, but this one (be) dead.»
«But Nadya, an elephant (be) too big for our house. And I (not/know) where I can find one.»
The girl (close) her eyes.
«I (be) so tired… Don’t be angry with me, father…»
Her father (run) out of the room and (put) on his hat and coat.
«Good bye,» he (say) to his wife, «I (want) to bring a live elephant to the house today.»
3
Two hours later Nadya’s father (be) in the circus. He (come) to the German owner of the animal circus.
