The Man Who Learned from His Cow
There is a story in Mexico about a man who learned a good lesson from his cow. This man was always anxious about his wife talking to other men. Even on his wedding day, the man was angry with his wife for dancing with another man.
At first, the wife thought her husband might change after they got married. But whenever her husband saw her talking with another man, even in a room crowded with people, he would shout at her. The wife was afraid of making her husband angry, so she tried to stay at home and not see anyone. At least then she would not cause any problems.
The man and his wife moved to another town. This town was different from the town where they got married. The man bought a house at the top of a hill where there were not many people. The town was famous for its strong buildings, and the man got a job making bricks. He saved up his money and bought a cow. The man was very excited about having his own cow.
When her husband was absent from home, the woman watched the cow. She took it to a field near the house to eat. The field was covered with thick green grass. No one owned the field. It was not divided into small sections by fences. The animals could go wherever they wanted. One day the cow met a bull, and they fell in love. The cow and the bull promised to see each other every day.
The woman was lonely when she watched the cow. Sometimes she saw a man walking on the road. The woman was anxious to talk to the man. She saw him walking past the field almost every day, so she was very familiar with him. At last, one day she stopped him to say hello. The husband came home and saw her talking to the man. He was very angry with his wife and said, "I can't trust you even for a minute! We're going to leave this town at once!"
The next day they packed their things to move. When the cow saw the woman was dressed in her moving clothes, she became very sad. The cow mooed loudly. The man told- the woman to make the cow be quiet. The cow started to moo even louder. Finally the man said, "That cow is giving me a headache. I am about to shoot it! Can't you make it be quiet?"
The woman was disappointed with the cow, "Can't you be quiet, you stupid cow? There will be other bulls in the next place." The man heard his wife, and he thought about her words, "There will be other bulls." He knew she was right. Wherever they went, there would be other men. The man turned around and took his wife and the cow home.
VOCABULARY
at first: initially; in the beginning
She was afraid of dogs at first. Now she loves them.
They didn't like cheese at first.
at last: finally; in the end
After many years of war, there was peace at last.
Robinson Crusoe was home at last.
at least: not less than
You need to stay in bed for at least three days.
Most people have been in love at least once.
at once: immediately; right away
When we heard the fire alarm, we left at once.
She went to her sick mother at once.
at the top of: at the highest part of
I saw a flag at the top of the building.
He was standing at the top of the stairs.
be about to: be almost doing; be just going to
He was about to fall asleep when the telephone rang.
Look at the dark clouds; it is about to rain.
be absent from: is missing from; be away from
Mr. Jones was absent from the meeting.
Our teacher is absent from school today because she is getting married.
be afraid of: have fear of; be fearful of
Children are afraid of the dark.
The bird was afraid of flying at first.
be angry with: be upset with; be mad at
Cain was very angry with his brother, Abel.
The police officer was angry with the drunk driver.
be anxious about: be nervous about; be worried about
The president was anxious about meeting the reporters.
Mr. Gates was anxious about the job interview.
be anxious to: want strongly; be eager to; to be keen to; would love to
The students are anxious to know the answer.
When we saw the dark clouds, we were anxious to get home.
be covered with: have a lot on the surface
My desk is covered with papers.
The ground was covered with snow.
be crowded with: have many things in one place; be full of; be packed with
The subway was crowded with people.
The shelf was crowded with books.
be different from: be not the same as; differ from
My Canadians dog is different from yours.
Canadians are different from Americans in many ways.
be disappointed with: be unhappy with
The teacher was disappointed with my low grade.
When we lost the game, the coach was disappointed with my team.
be divided into: be separated into; be split into
The essay was divided into three parts.
The money was divided into three bags.
be dressed in: have clothes on; be clothed in; wear
The prince was dressed in fine clothes.
The bride was dressed in a white gown.
be excited about: be happy about; be enthusiastic about; look forward to
The fans were excited about the game.
The children were excited about going to the zoo.
be familiar with: know well; be used to; be comfortable with
She is familiar with Russian culture.
I am not familiar with this brand of computer.
be famous for: be well known for; be noted for
Thomas Edison is famous for his inventions.
Shakespeare is famous for his plays.
PRACTICE
1. Match each word with its meaning.
( ) be about to
( ) be covered with
( ) be divided into
( ) be familiar with
( ) be famous for
a) to know something or someone well
b) to be ready to do something
c) to be well-known because of
d) to be separated into equal parts
e) to have a lot of something on top of
2. Choose the best answer.
We need a minimum of seven people to start the club.
a) a lot of
b) at once
c) at least
d) at any time
When she heard her friend was in the hospital, she left without delay.
a) at first
b) a long time ago
c) at a time
d) at once
The students were feeling worried about the big test.
a) covered with
b) anxious about
c) afraid of
d) excited about
The white spot around his eye made the puppy distinguished from the others.
a) familiar with
b) absent from
c) different from
d) crowded with
She was happy because the bus had arrived after much time had passed.
a) at least
b) all the way
c) at last
d) after all
ANSWER KEYS
1. B - E - D - A - C
2. C - D - B - C -C
VOCABULARY
at first: initially; in the beginning
She was afraid of dogs at first. Now she loves them.
They didn't like cheese at first.
at last: finally; in the end
After many years of war, there was peace at last.
Robinson Crusoe was home at last.
at least: not less than
You need to stay in bed for at least three days.
Most people have been in love at least once.
at once: immediately; right away
When we heard the fire alarm, we left at once.
She went to her sick mother at once.
at the top of: at the highest part of
I saw a flag at the top of the building.
He was standing at the top of the stairs.
be about to: be almost doing; be just going to
He was about to fall asleep when the telephone rang.
Look at the dark clouds; it is about to rain.
be absent from: is missing from; be away from
Mr. Jones was absent from the meeting.
Our teacher is absent from school today because she is getting married.
be afraid of: have fear of; be fearful of
Children are afraid of the dark.
The bird was afraid of flying at first.
be angry with: be upset with; be mad at
Cain was very angry with his brother, Abel.
The police officer was angry with the drunk driver.
be anxious about: be nervous about; be worried about
The president was anxious about meeting the reporters.
Mr. Gates was anxious about the job interview.
be anxious to: want strongly; be eager to; to be keen to; would love to
The students are anxious to know the answer.
When we saw the dark clouds, we were anxious to get home.
be covered with: have a lot on the surface
My desk is covered with papers.
The ground was covered with snow.
be crowded with: have many things in one place; be full of; be packed with
The subway was crowded with people.
The shelf was crowded with books.
be different from: be not the same as; differ from
My Canadians dog is different from yours.
Canadians are different from Americans in many ways.
be disappointed with: be unhappy with
The teacher was disappointed with my low grade.
When we lost the game, the coach was disappointed with my team.
be divided into: be separated into; be split into
The essay was divided into three parts.
The money was divided into three bags.
be dressed in: have clothes on; be clothed in; wear
The prince was dressed in fine clothes.
The bride was dressed in a white gown.
be excited about: be happy about; be enthusiastic about; look forward to
The fans were excited about the game.
The children were excited about going to the zoo.
be familiar with: know well; be used to; be comfortable with
She is familiar with Russian culture.
I am not familiar with this brand of computer.
be famous for: be well known for; be noted for
Thomas Edison is famous for his inventions.
Shakespeare is famous for his plays.
PRACTICE
1. Match each word with its meaning.
( ) be about to
( ) be covered with
( ) be divided into
( ) be familiar with
( ) be famous for
a) to know something or someone well
b) to be ready to do something
c) to be well-known because of
d) to be separated into equal parts
e) to have a lot of something on top of
2. Choose the best answer.
We need a minimum of seven people to start the club.
a) a lot of
b) at once
c) at least
d) at any time
When she heard her friend was in the hospital, she left without delay.
a) at first
b) a long time ago
c) at a time
d) at once
The students were feeling worried about the big test.
a) covered with
b) anxious about
c) afraid of
d) excited about
The white spot around his eye made the puppy distinguished from the others.
a) familiar with
b) absent from
c) different from
d) crowded with
She was happy because the bus had arrived after much time had passed.
a) at least
b) all the way
c) at last
d) after all
ANSWER KEYS
1. B - E - D - A - C
2. C - D - B - C -C
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