READING

                                        The Boy Who Saved the Netherlands.

   Many years ago in Harlem, Holland, there lived a young boy. His name was Hans and he was eight years old. One autumn day, Hans went across the channel to visit an old blind man. He took the man some biscuits and stayed there for a while. Then,       Hans decided to return home.

    “Be careful, Hans” -  said the old man. “The water in the canal usually gets higher in autumn.” On his way home, Hans sang a song, watched the rabbits run around and picked some flowers for his mother. Suddenly, the sky got dark and heavy rain began to fall. Hans felt scared and started to run. Just then, he heard the sound of water flowing away . He looked around carefully and then noticed a very small hole in the dike.

     Hans felt frightened because he knew what could happen. The small hole could get bigger and bigger. Then the dike could burst and flood Holland. Hans knew what to do. He put his finger into the hole, so no more water cold come through it. “Please, someone help me!” Hans shouted. But there was no one to help him. After a while, he began to feel very cold and tired, but he could not leave the dike. All night long, Hans waited and waited…

     The next morning, a priest walked by and heard Hans’ cries. “I am trying to stop the water,” the boy said. “Can you help me?” the priest called some other people and they quickly mended the hole. Finally, they took Hans home. Everyone was very proud of that brave boy.

I. Write true or false:

1. Hans was eighteen years old. ______                        2. Hans lived in Paris, France. ______

3. Hans visited a young woman. ______                       4. It started raining that evening. _______

5. Hans saw a big hole in the dike._______                  6. He put his shoes in the hole in the dike. _

II. Put the events in the correct order

a ___ Hans heard the sound of the water flowing away.

b___ A priest heard Hans cries and called some people to help.

c___ The sky got dark and rain began to fall.

d_1_ Hans went to visit an old blind man.

e ___ Hans put his finger in the hole.

f___ Hans decided to return home.

g___ The people mended the hole.

h___ Hans noticed a very small hole in the dike.

III. Answer the questions.

1. Where did Hans live?                                   2. How old was Hans?

3 . Who did Hans visit?                                     4. What did the blind man tell Hans?

5. What did Hans take the blind man?             6. What did Hans hear on his way home?

IV.             Write the summary of the story in 6-10 sentences.