Jataka Tales (ESL/EFL Version with Audio)
By Qiliang Feng and Ellen C. Babbitt
()
About this ebook
This is Book 3, Collection I, of the Million-Word Reading Project (MWRP) readers. It is suitable for learners with a basic vocabulary of 1,500 words.
Million-Word Reading Project (MWRP) is a reading project for ESL/EFL learners at the elementary level (with a basic vocabulary of 1,500 words). In two years, for about fifteen minutes each day, an ESL/EFL learner can read one million words, and reach the upper-intermediate level, gaining a vocabulary of about 3,500 words and a large number of expressions.
[Text Information]
Readability | 87.29
Total word count | 24319
Words beyond 1500 | 1452
Unknown word percentage (%) | 5.97
Unknown headword occurrence | 4.96
Unknown words that occur 5 times or more | 80
Unknown words that occur 2 times or more | 171
[Synopsis]
Jataka tales are stories about the previous lives of the Buddha, in both human and animal form. In these stories, the Buddha appear as a king, a god, an animal. With these stories, the Buddha taught his students about moral values and good behavior. Many of these stories, like “The Monkey and the Crocodile”, are popular with both children and adults throughout the world.
Qiliang Feng
Qiliang Feng has been a teacher of English in senior high schools since 1983. He is a keen supporter of reading in TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) and is expert at rewriting graded/simplified ESL(English as a Second Language) and EFL (English as a Foreign Language) readers. He has published several series of English reading course books and is promoting a reading project called Million-Word Reading Project (MWRP), in which ESL/EFL learners at the elementary level (with a basic vocabulary of 1,500 words) are expected to read one million words within two or three years, and reach the upper-intermediate level easily.
Read more from Qiliang Feng
World Famous Stories (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Andersen’s Fairy Tales (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Adventures of Don Quixote (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Oliver Twist (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStories of Nasreddin (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMillion-Word Reading Project Reader Guide Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHeidi (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Wonderful Wizard of Oz (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Little Prince (ESL/EFL Version) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsSelected English Jokes (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Detective Club (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Secret Garden (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Adventures of Tom Sawyer (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGrimms’ Fairy Tales (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Adventures of Pinocchio (ESL/EFL Version with Audioo) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHuckleberry Finn (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFrankenstein (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPollyanna (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Diary of a Young Girl (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Gadfly (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsRobinson Crusoe (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStories of Robin Hood (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAlice’s Adventures in Wonderland (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Thirty-Nine Steps (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Railway Children (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Bears of Blue River (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsBlack Beauty (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Little Princess (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Related to Jataka Tales (ESL/EFL Version with Audio)
Related ebooks
A Collection of Children's Stories: With a Focus on Phonics I Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsJust So Stories: Level 1 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Thirty-Nine Steps (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPollyanna (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Bears of Blue River (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Life and Adventures of Santa Claus: Level 4 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Laziest Boy in Greece: Level 6 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsCharles Dickens' Children Stories Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Black Beauty (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Dog Flanders: Level 5 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Bear Hunt (Great Stories: Intermediate): Wayzgoose Graded Readers Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsStories of Robin Hood (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsLo-Sun's Lesson: A Chinese Folktale: Level 6 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsOn the Farm: Caring Stories for Young Children Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsA Little Princess (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsMore Tales of Mystery and Imagination: Level 5 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Railway Children (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsKing Arthur and the Black Knight: Level 5 Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Problem with the Puddles Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Shakespear's Comedies: Level 5 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsAnimal Rights Poetry: 25 Inspirational Animal Poems Vol 1 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Adventures of Pinocchio (ESL/EFL Version with Audioo) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsFirst Words 100 Animals : Children's Reading & Writing Education Books Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsHuckleberry Finn (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Barber of Seville: Level 6 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsThe Trojan Horse: Level 2 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsInteresting People (Big Ideas High Beginner): Wayzgoose Graded Readers Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsPeter Pan (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratingsGrimm's Fairy Tales: Level 1 Rating: 1 out of 5 stars1/5Classic British Short Stories: Level 6 Rating: 0 out of 5 stars0 ratings
Religion & Spirituality For You
The Screwtape Letters Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Gay Girl, Good God: The Story of Who I Was, and Who God Has Always Been Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Surprised by Joy: The Shape of My Early Life Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mere Christianity Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Grief Observed Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance: An Inquiry Into Values Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Egyptian Book of the Dead: The Complete Papyrus of Ani Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Four Loves Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Course In Miracles: (Original Edition) Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Gospel of Mary Magdalene Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5The Love Dare Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Be Here Now Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Upon Waking: 60 Daily Reflections to Discover Ourselves and the God We Were Made For Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Beyond Belief: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Tao Te Ching: A New English Version Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5NRSV, Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible: Bringing to Life the Ancient World of Scripture Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5THE EMERALD TABLETS OF THOTH THE ATLANTEAN Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Abolition of Man Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Anam Cara [Twenty-fifth Anniversary Edition]: A Book of Celtic Wisdom Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Life Application Study Bible Devotional: Daily Wisdom from the Life of Jesus Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Warrior of the Light: A Manual Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The Art of Communicating Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A Calendar of Wisdom: Daily Thoughts to Nourish the Soul, Written and Se Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Weight of Glory Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Celebration of Discipline, Special Anniversary Edition Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5ketoCONTINUUM Consistently Keto For Life Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5
Reviews for Jataka Tales (ESL/EFL Version with Audio)
0 ratings0 reviews
Book preview
Jataka Tales (ESL/EFL Version with Audio) - Qiliang Feng
About This Book
This is Book 3, Collection I, of the Million-Word Reading Project (MWRP) readers. It is suitable for learners with a basic vocabulary of 1,500 words.
Million-Word Reading Project (MWRP) is a reading project for ESL/EFL learners at the elementary level (with a basic vocabulary of 1,500 words). In two years, for about fifteen minutes each day, an ESL/EFL learner can read one million words, and reach the upper-intermediate level, gaining a vocabulary of about 3,500 words and a large number of expressions.
Text Information
Readability | 87.3
Total word count | 24319
Words beyond 1500 | 1452
Unknown word percentage (%) | 5.97
Unknown headword occurrence | 4.96
Unknown words that occur 5 times or more | 80
Unknown words that occur 2 times or more | 171
Notes:
1. About readability: This is Flesch Reading Ease Readability calculated with MS WORD. The higher the score, the easier the text is to read.
Score | Level
0-29 | Very difficult
30-49 | Difficult
50-59 | Fairly difficult
60-69 | Standard
70-79 | Fairly easy
80-89 | Easy
90-100 | Very easy
2. This e-version does not give the meanings of unknown words. You can look them up with the dictionary on your e-reader. For words with different meanings and some expressions, we give their meanings at the end of the passages. We also provide some necessary background information.
3. To get the audio or video of this book, GO>>>
Synopsis
Jataka tales are stories about the previous lives of the Buddha, in both human and animal form. In these stories, the Buddha appear as a king, a god, an animal. With these stories, the Buddha taught his students about moral values and good behavior. Many of these stories, like "The Monkey and the Crocodile", are popular with both children and adults throughout the world.
1. The Monkey and the Crocodile
A Monkey lived in a great tree on a river bank.
In the river there were many Crocodiles. A Crocodile watched the Monkeys for a long time, and one day she said to her son, My son, get one of those Monkeys for me. I want the heart of a Monkey to eat.
How can I catch a Monkey?
asked the little Crocodile. I do not travel on land, and the Monkey does not go into the water.
Use your head, and you’ll find a way,
said the mother.
And the little Crocodile thought and thought.
At last he said to himself, I know what I’ll do. I’ll get that Monkey that lives in a big tree on the river bank. He wishes to go across the river to the island where the fruit is so ripe.
So the Crocodile swam to the tree where the Monkey lived. But he was a stupid Crocodile.
Oh, Monkey,
he called, come with me over to the island where the fruit is so ripe.
How can I go with you?
asked the Monkey. I do not swim.
No - but I do. I will take you over on my back,
said the Crocodile.
The Monkey was greedy, and wanted the ripe fruit, so he jumped down on the Crocodile’s back.
Off we go!
said the Crocodile.
This is a fine ride you are giving me!
said the Monkey.
Do you think so? Well, how do you like this?
asked the Crocodile, as he dived into the water.
Oh, don’t!
cried the Monkey, as he went under the water. He was afraid to let go, and he did not know what to do under the water.
When the Crocodile came up, the Monkey asked, Why did you take me under water, Crocodile?
I am going to kill you by keeping you under water,
answered the Crocodile. My mother wants Monkey-heart to eat, and I’m going to take yours to her.
I wish you had told me you wanted my heart,
said the Monkey, then I might have brought it with me.
How strange!
said the stupid Crocodile. Do you mean to say that you left your heart back there in the tree?
That is what I mean,
said the Monkey. If you want my heart, we must go back to the tree and get it. But we are so near the island where the ripe fruit is, please take me there first.
No, Monkey,
said the Crocodile. I’ll take you straight back to your tree. Never mind the ripe fruit. Get your heart and bring it to me at once. Then we’ll think of going to the island.
Very well,
said the Monkey.
But no sooner had he jumped onto the bank of the river than he ran up into the tree. From the highest branches he called down to the Crocodile in the water below:
My heart is up here! If you want it, come for it, come for it!
The Monkey soon moved away from that tree. He wanted to get away from the Crocodile, so that he might live in peace. But the Crocodile found him, far down the river, living in another tree.
In the middle of the river was an island covered with fruit-trees. Halfway between the bank of the river and the island, a large rock rose out of the water. The Monkey could jump to the rock, and then to the island. The Crocodile watched the Monkey crossing from the bank of the river to the rock, and then to the island.
He thought to himself, The Monkey will stay on the island all day, and I’ll catch him on his way home at night.
The Monkey had a fine dinner, while the Crocodile swam about, watching him all day. Toward night the Crocodile crawled out of the water and lay on the rock, perfectly still.
When it grew dark among the trees, the Monkey started for home. He ran down to the river bank, and there he stopped.
What is the matter with the rock?
the Monkey thought to himself. I never saw it so high before. The Crocodile is lying on it!
But he went to the edge of the water and called, Hello, Rock!
No answer.
Then he called again, Hello, Rock!
Three times the Monkey called, and then he said, Why is it, Friend Rock, that you do not answer me tonight?
Oh,
said the stupid Crocodile to himself, the rock answers the Monkey at night. I’ll have to answer for the rock this time.
So he answered, Yes, Monkey! What is it?
The Monkey laughed, and said, Oh, it’s you, Crocodile, is it?
Yes,
said the Crocodile. I am waiting here for you. I am going to eat you.
You have caught me in a trap this time,
said the Monkey. There is no other way for me to go home. Open your mouth wide so I can jump right into it.
The Monkey jumped.
Now the Monkey well knew that when Crocodiles open their mouths wide, they shut their eyes. While the Crocodile lay on the rock with his mouth wide open and his eyes shut, the Monkey jumped.
But not into his mouth! Oh, no! He landed on the top of the Crocodile’s head, and then jumped quickly to the bank. Up he ran into his tree.
When the Crocodile saw the trick the Monkey had played on him, he said, Monkey, you are very clever. You know no fear. I’ll let you alone after this.
"Thank you, Crocodile, but I shall be on the watch for[1] you just the same," said the Monkey.
2. How the Turtle Saved His Own Life
A king once had a lake made in the courtyard for the young princes to play in. They swam about in it, and sailed their boats on it. One day the king told them he had asked the men to put some fishes into