Bears in Folklore
Bears are common figures in various cultures' folklore and children's stories. They often symbolize strength and stubbornness, which can lead to humorous or serious situations.
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The Bear and the Bee
About this lesson
Bears are often portrayed as lovable creatures, but they can also be quite stubborn. In this story, Mr Bear's desire for honey leads him into trouble. As learners of English, understanding this tale can help you practice important vocabulary related to emotions and actions. The story illustrates how anger can lead to unexpected consequences, making it relevant for both language and personal development. As you go through this lesson, you will encounter new words and phrases that will enhance your ability to express feelings and actions in English.
What you will learn
- Identify key vocabulary related to emotions and actions.
- Understand the sequence of events in the story.
- Discuss the moral lesson of the story.
- Practice using new vocabulary in sentences.
Instructions
1. Vocabulary
Read the vocabulary list to familiarize yourself with key terms.
2. Watch
Watch the video once without worrying about filling in the gaps.
3. Fill in
Fill in the gaps while watching the video again.
4. Review
Read the full text and watch again to consolidate.
Gap Fill Exercise (Script)
Vocabulary
beehive
A structure where bees live and make honey.
“The beehive was full of honey.”
annoyed
Feeling slightly angry or irritated.
“He was annoyed by the loud noise.”
angry
Having a strong feeling of being upset or mad.
“She was angry when she lost her book.”
medicine
A substance used to treat illness or relieve pain.
“I took some medicine for my headache.”
cupboard
A piece of furniture used for storing things, often in the kitchen.
“The dishes are in the cupboard.”
forest
A large area covered with trees and plants.
“We went for a walk in the forest.”
sound
What we hear; noise.
“The sound of birds is pleasant.”
nose
The part of the face used for smelling and breathing.
“He has a cold and a stuffy nose.”
ear
The part of the body used for hearing.
“She has a piercing in her ear.”
stick
A thin piece of wood.
“He picked up a stick in the park.”
Cultural notes
Pronunciation focus
In this story, pay attention to the vowel sounds in words like 'bear' and 'care,' which can be tricky. The 'ea' in 'bear' is pronounced like /ɛə/, while the 'e' in 'beehive' is a long 'ee' sound /iː/. Additionally, the word 'angry' contains the /æŋ/ sound, which is important to practice for clarity. Linking can also be observed, especially in phrases like 'Mr Bear,' where the final 'r' of 'Mr' can blend into the 'B' of 'Bear.'
True / False Questions
1. Mr Bear finds honey in his cupboard.
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Explanation:Mr Bear looks in his cupboard but cannot find any honey.
2. The bee tells Mr Bear to go away.
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Explanation:The bee tells Mr Bear to go away because he is trying to take the honey.
3. Mr Bear gets stung on his elbow.
Show explanationHide explanation
Explanation:The bees sting Mr Bear on various parts, including his elbow.
4. Mrs. Bear is happy with Mr Bear's behavior.
Show explanationHide explanation
Explanation:Mrs. Bear is not happy; she tells him he lost his temper.
5. The moral of the story is about losing your temper.
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Explanation:The moral warns that a hot temper can lead to trouble.
Open Questions
1. What did Mr Bear do when he couldn't find honey?
Show sample answerHide sample answer
Sample Answer:Mr Bear went into the forest to find honey.
2. How did Mr Bear feel when the bee stung him?
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Sample Answer:Mr Bear felt angry and hurt when the bee stung him.
3. What lesson did Mr Bear learn at the end of the story?
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Sample Answer:Mr Bear learned that losing his temper gets him into trouble.
Key takeaways
- Mr Bear's story teaches us about the consequences of anger.
- Understanding emotions is key to effective communication.
- Be aware of your actions and their impact on others.
- New vocabulary can help express feelings more clearly.
How to study this lesson
To make the most of this lesson, start by listening to the story without looking at the text. Focus on the sounds and emotions conveyed. On your second pass, read along with the transcript, filling in the gaps as you go. Pay special attention to the new vocabulary words; try to use them in sentences of your own. Afterward, revisit the open questions and write down your answers. Shadow the audio to practice your pronunciation, especially on challenging words.
Full Transcript
Transcript adapted by ListenLoop for language learners. Read alongside the video to consolidate comprehension.
Everybody knows that bears love honey.
One day Mr Bear looks in his cupboard and he can't find any honey.
Oh no! No honey! he says.
So he goes into the forest to find some.
He sees a beehive in a tree.
He smells the honey.
Mmmmm! Honey!
He sticks his paw into the beehive and…
ZZZZZZZZZ!
A bee flies out.
Hey, bear! Go away! says the bee.
This is not your honey!
Mr Bear is annoyed.
I am bigger than you, he says.
And I am stronger than you too.
I can do what I want!
Now... buzz off!
Mr Bear sticks his paw into the beehive again and…
ZZZZZZZZZ! ZING!
OWIE!
The bee stings him right on his nose!
My nose! My nose!
Oooh... I'm so angry! growls Mr Bear.
He finds a big stick.
He tries to hit the bee.
He swings and he swings, but the bee is too fast!
Mr Bear gets angrier and angrier.
GARRRRRGHH! I WILL SQUASH YOU! COME HERE!
The bee flies back into the beehive.
AH HAH! Now you're trapped! yells Mr Bear.
He swings his stick at the beehive.
Smash! Smash! Smash!
He smashes it to pieces!
Then he hears a strange sound.
It gets louder and louder…
ZZZZ! ZZZZ! ZZZ! Zzzz! ZZZZZZZZZZ! Zzzz! ZZZZ!
Thousands of bees fly out of the smashed beehive.
They fly around Mr Bear's head…
ZZZZZZZZZ… ZING! They sting him on his ear.
ZING ZING! They sting him on his elbow.
They chase Mr Bear through the forest.
They sting him on his arms, his legs, his hands...
... and especially on his nose.
ZING! ZING! ZING!
Mr Bear runs all the way home and slams the door shut. BAM!
Then he hears a voice behind him.
It’s Mrs. Bear.
You did it again, didn’t you? she says.
You lost your temper.
Yes, he says as he cries and counts his bee stings.
Here’s the bee-sting medicine, says Mrs. Bear.
Also, we have honey in the cupboard.
It’s behind the flour.
Moral: A hot temper always gets you into trouble.
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