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 could 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.

1. Hans lived in Harlem, the France.

2. Hans was a boy of eight years old

3. Hans visited an old woman

4. It started raining that evening

6. He put his bag in the hole in the dike

7. Match the statement with person. 

He called other people and they mended the hole

8. Match the statement with person

He asked the boy to be careful

9. Match the statement with person

He was frightened because of heavy rain

10. Match the statement with person

He tried to stop water

11. Match the statement with person

He could not leave the dike

12. Match the statement with person

He walked by and heard Hans’ cries

13. Finish the sentences

Hans decided to return_______

14. Finish the sentences

The water in the canal usually gets higher in_______

15. Finish the sentences

Then the dike could burst and flood _______

16. Finsh the sentences

The sky got dark and heavy rain began to____

16. Finish the sentences

Hans picked some flowers for his ______

18. Finish the sentences

Hans went across the channel to visit an old ______