Name: WEEK 10
Theme DAY 4
READ THE FOLK TALE Think about the lesson that the story teaches.
The Boulder and the King
There was once a wise king who was ready to stop being the king. So he ordered some
workers to roll a large boulder onto the road that led through town. Then the king hid nearby
and watched to see if anyone would move the huge rock from its place in the road. This
person would become king.
The first man to pass by was the city’s wealthiest person. He bitterly complained that he
was too rich to have a boulder in his way. As he walked around the boulder, he shouted, “I
must let the king know how angry I am!”
Soon the town’s smartest person came to the boulder in the road. She complained loudly
that the king should do a better job of keeping the roads clear. Then she, too, walked around
the boulder.
Finally, a farmer came along, carrying a load of vegetables. As soon as he arrived at the
boulder, he set down his vegetables and tried to move the rock. “Other people might need to
use this road,” the farmer said to himself. “If I can move it, then I should do so.”
After much hard work, the farmer finally succeeded in rolling the boulder off the road. He
then noticed a hole where the boulder had been. Inside the hole was a box. The farmer
opened the box to find the king’s crown and a note. The note read: “For your hard work and
for caring about others, you are now the king!”
SKILL PRACTICE Read each question. Fill in the bubble next to the correct answer.
1. What is one theme of the story? 3. Which statement might the farmer most
A Being rich is better than being wise. agree with?
B By taking time to help others, you may A Working hard has few rewards.
help yourself. B Complaining will get you noticed.
C Farmers often make the best leaders. C People should not concern themselves
D Being rewarded makes a job less
with things that are not their business.
meaningful. D Helping others is rewarding.
2. The wise king wanted the next king 4. What lesson did the wise king teach
to be . his subjects?
A wealthy instead of poor A More good comes from working hard
B smart instead of rich
than from complaining.
C a farmer instead of a merchant B A king is not responsible for his subjects.
D a hard worker instead of a complainer C Everyone is equally important.
D Always expect a difficult task to be
rewarding.
STRATEGY PRACTICE Describe to a partner how you visualized the king watching the farmer move
the boulder.
68 Daily Reading Comprehension • EMC 3454 • © Evan-Moor Corp.
3454.indb 68 10/19/10 8:01 AM
