Exercise 1: Vocabulary
1. Enchanting (adjective):
Definition: Delightfully charming, captivating, or magical.
Example: The forest had an enchanting atmosphere, with its shimmering streams and glowing fireflies.
2. Delicate (adjective):
Definition: Fragile, dainty, or easily damaged due to being small or lightweight.
Example: Thumbelina had a delicate appearance, with her tiny size and graceful features.
3. Resilience (noun):
Definition: The ability to withstand and recover from difficulties, challenges, or adversity.
Example: Despite facing many hardships, Thumbelina’s resilience helped her overcome each obstacle on her journey.
4. Indomitable (adjective):
Definition: Impossible to subdue, defeat, or conquer.
Example: Thumbelina’s indomitable spirit and determination allowed her to face even the most daunting challenges.
5. Perilous (adjective):
Definition: Full of danger, risk, or potential harm.
Example: The journey through the dark forest was perilous, with wild animals and treacherous terrain.
6. Purity (noun):
Definition: The state of being pure, untainted, or free from contamination.
Example: Thumbelina’s purity of heart attracted the love and admiration of those she encountered on her journey.
7. Captivate (verb):
Definition: To attract and hold the attention or interest of someone by being charming, fascinating, or beautiful.
Example: Thumbelina’s kindness and grace captivated the woodland creatures she met.
8. Adversity (noun):
Definition: Difficulties, challenges, or unfavorable circumstances that one may face.
Example: Thumbelina’s journey was filled with adversity, but she never lost hope.
9. Unwanted (adjective):
Definition: Not desired or not wanted by someone.
Example: Thumbelina was faced with an unwanted marriage proposal from the ill-tempered toad.
10. Appreciate (verb):
Definition: To recognize the value, importance, or beauty of something or someone.
Example: Thumbelina learned to appreciate the wonders of nature during her adventures.
Exercise 2: Story
In a small and enchanting world, there lived an elderly woman who longed for a child. One day, while tending to her garden, she discovered a magical seed. Filled with hope and wonder, she planted the seed and watched as a delicate flower blossomed. To her astonishment, nestled within the petals was a tiny, graceful girl no bigger than her thumb. The woman named her Thumbelina.
Thumbelina’s heart was as kind as her stature was small. She delighted in exploring the wonders of nature and befriending creatures both big and small. One day, as Thumbelina sat by a stream, a tiny fish emerged from the water. They became instant friends and shared stories of their respective worlds.
But Thumbelina’s world was about to expand even further. On a sunny day, as Thumbelina rested under a flower petal, a large and handsome swallow flew by. The swallow was captivated by Thumbelina’s beauty and kind spirit. Impressed by her bravery and gentle heart, he carried her away on his back to a land far beyond her wildest dreams.
In this new land, Thumbelina encountered a group of friendly woodland creatures. She danced and sang with them, experiencing joy like never before. However, her happiness was soon tested when an ill-tempered toad declared his desire to marry Thumbelina against her will.
Determined to escape this unwanted union, Thumbelina embarked on a perilous journey. With the help of her loyal swallow friend, she traveled across forests, rivers, and fields in search of a place where she could be free. Along the way, she faced numerous challenges, including treacherous weather and dangerous predators. But Thumbelina’s resilience and indomitable spirit carried her through.
Finally, Thumbelina arrived at a beautiful garden where she discovered a flower fairy prince. The prince was captivated by Thumbelina’s beauty and purity of heart. They instantly fell in love and decided to marry, creating a world filled with love, magic, and happiness.
The tale of Thumbelina reminds us that true beauty lies within one’s heart and that kindness and courage can overcome any obstacle. It teaches us to appreciate the wonders of nature, value friendship, and believe in the power of love.
And so, Thumbelina, the tiny girl who emerged from a flower, found her place in a world of love and enchantment, forever inspiring us to embrace our uniqueness and follow the path of our hearts.
Exercise 3: Questions
1. Who is Thumbelina, and how did she come into existence?
2. What qualities define Thumbelina’s character, and how do these qualities help her on her journey?
3. What role does the swallow play in Thumbelina’s journey, and how does their friendship impact the story?
4. Why does Thumbelina embark on a perilous journey, and what challenges does she face along the way?
5. What important lessons or themes does the story of Thumbelina convey?
Exercise 4: Discussion
- Who are the main characters?
- What is the moral of the story?
- Do you have a similar story in your culture? How is it the same? How is it different?
- What did you like or dislike about the story?
