«I (be) sorry,» the father (say), «please, let one of your elephants come to my house for a short time.»
The cigar (fall) out of the man’s mouth.
«Let the elephant… I (not/understand) you…»
The father quickly (explain): his daughter (have) a strange illness. She (take) no interest in anything. Today she (ask) to see an elephant. It (be) really so impossible?»
The German (ask),
«How old your daughter (be)?»
«Six.»
«Hm… My Lisa (be) six, too. You (have) got a big house with very strong floor? My Tommy (be) very heavy.»
«Let’s go to my house and see everything,» Nadya’s father (answer).
…That night the elephant (walk) proudly in the middle of the street from the circus to Nadya’s house.
4
The little girl (wake) up very early the next day.
«The elephant (be) here?» she (ask).
«Yes,» her mother (answer).
«He (be) good?»
«Yes, very.»
The girl (have) her breakfast quickly, and they (go) to the dining room.
The elephant (be) very, very big, but Nadya (not/be) afraid. The German (come) to her and (say),
«Good morning, Miss. Don’t be afraid. Tommy (be) very good and he (like) children.»
«Hello, Tommy,» (say) the girl. The elephant (nod).
«He (understand) everything?»
«Absolutely everything, Miss. I (have) a daughter, too, and she (be) as big as you. Her name (be) Lisa. Tommy and she (be) very good friends. The best of friends.»
«Let’s have some tea, Tommy,» (say) Nadya.
«He (not/drink) tea, Miss. But he (like) sugar water and buns.»
When the elephant (eat) buns, his little eyes (become) smaller with pleasure. The girl (laugh).
When dinner time (come), the girl and the elephant (eat) together at the table. The girl (have) some soup, and Tommy (have) vegetables and salad. After dinner one of the father’s friends (come). When he (know) about the elephant, he (not/believe) it, but when he (see) Tommy, he (leave) very quickly.
Evening (come). It (be) time for the little girl to go to bed, but she (not/want) to leave the elephant. She (fall) asleep near him, and her father (take) her to her room.
The next morning the girl (wake) up and (ask) about the elephant. Her mother (say) that Tommy must be in the circus where he (work), and where Nadya can visit him when she (get) well.
Nadya (smile) and (say), «Tell Tommy that I (be) well now!»
Answer the questions:
1. What does the doctor say to Nadya’s mother?
2. What does the girl want one day? Why doesn’t she like the elephant that her father brings her?
3. Why does the father go to the circus?
