At a glance
- 1Beginningwho, where, when
- 2Problemsomething goes wrong
- 3Climaxthe most exciting moment
- 4Endinghow the problem is solved
- 5Title and moralwhat we learn
Story language
- StartOnce upon a time, Long ago, One day
- Move onthen, after that, suddenly, meanwhile
- Endat last, finally, in the end, from that day on
A model story
Once upon a time, a poor woodcutter lived near a forest. One day he was cutting wood beside a river.
Suddenly, his axe slipped from his hands and fell into the deep water.
He sat down and began to cry, because the axe was all he had.
Just then, a water fairy came out of the river and asked him why he was crying.
She dived into the water and came back with a golden axe. "Is this yours?" she asked.
"No, it is not mine," said the woodcutter. Then she brought a silver axe, but he said no again.
At last she brought his old iron axe, and he cried happily, "Yes, that is mine!"
The fairy was so pleased with his honesty that she gave him all three axes.
Moral: Honesty is the best policy.
Tips
- Keep the given beginning. Do not change the names or the place.
- Use the past simple for the main events and the past continuous for the background: He was cutting wood when the axe fell.
- Add a little direct speech: it makes the story alive.
Practice
Answer the questions. Get 7 out of 10 to finish this lesson.