Practical Princess Princess Miliena was as lovely as the moon shining upon a lake. She was as graceful as a cat. And she was also very practical, always ready to take actions instead of dreaming. When she was born, three fairies came to her cradle to give her gifts as it was usual in that country. The first fairy gave her beauty. The second one gave her grace. But the third one, who was a wise old creature, said, "I' II give her common sense". "I don't think much of that gift", said King Ludwig. "What is good in common sense for a princess? All she needs is charm". But when Miliena was eighteen years old, something happened that made king change his mind. A dragon moved into the neighbourhood. He settled in a dark cave on the top of mountain, and the first thing he did was to send a message to the king. "I must have a princess to eat up", the message said, "or I shall breathe out my fire and destroy the kingdom". Sadly, Kind Ludwig called together his councilors, chosen to give advices, and read them the message. "Perhaps", said the Prime Minister, "we had better send for a knight to kill the dragon. That is what is generally done in these cases". "I am afraid we haven't time", answered the king. The dragon has only given us time until tomorrow morning. There is no use in it. We shall have to send him the princess". Princess Miliena had come to the meeting because, as she said, she liked to mind her own business, and this was certainly her business. "That may be so", said her father, "but if we don't send you along, he'll destroy the kingdom". "Right!" said Miliena. "I see I'll have to deal with this myself". She left the room in which the council sat. She got the largest brightest one of her state dresses, filled it with straw, and into the center of the bundle she packed about a hundred pounds of gunpowder. She got two strong young men to carry it up the mountain for her. She stood in front of the dragon's cave and called: "Come out! Here's the princess!" The dragon appeared looking out of the darkness with inSeeing the bright dress covered with gold and silver embroidery, and hearing Miliena's voice, he opened his mouth widely. At once, at Miliena 's signal, the two young men threw the dress right down the dragon's throat. Miliena threw herself flat on the ground, and the two young men ran. There was a great explosion inside the dragon. Miliena got up, dusting herself off. "Dragons", she said "are not very bright".
She left the two young men sweeping up the pieces, and she went to the castle to have her geography lesson, for as you know, she was very practical!
Reading 10 th form
Variant 1
I. Point out if the statement is true (T) or false (F).
1. Miliena was very beautiful.
2. The dragon came to their country because he heard about Miliena's beauty.
3. The Dragon wanted to eat up a princess.
4. The king wasn't glad with the third fairy's gift.
5. The dragon settled under a big mountain.
6. The dragon promised to burn the kingdom down.
II. Put into the sentences some missing words.
1. Princess Miliena was as as a cat.
2. A dragon moved into the .
3. The dragon has only given us until tomorrow morning.
4. I see I'll have with this myself.
5. She got two strong young men to carry it up the for her.
6. The two young men threw the dress right down the dragon's .
III. Answer the questions on the text:
1 What had happened when Miliena was a baby?
2. What do the following words mean: "She was very practical"?
3. What had happened when Miliena was 18?
4. What was in the message?
5. Why did the king gather his councilors?
6. Why did Miliena come to the meeting?
IV. Write a short composition answering the question:
“What shall you do if you were a dragon in these case?”
2. We may come back to the city tomorrow or the day after.
3. Can I call you when you get back from London?
4. Do not forget to take an umbrella. Perhaps the day will be rain.
5. You can call me anytime.
6. You may be right and I am wrong.
7. You might then help her
8. Can I ask him about it? - Do not. He might be offended.
9. It may be that they are waiting for us downstairs.
10. What are your plans for the summer? - I could go for a vacation to Spain, there is always the wonderful beaches and good weather.
11. He can leave him things here.
12.She may be ill.
13. Can I read this telegram? - No you can not.
14. Perhaps now she writes a letter to his mother.
15. Maybe it's rude, but I tell him that he was no longer coming.
16. No reply. It may be, he has not yet returned to work.
17. You can take any of these books.18. "Can I have another piece of sugar?" - Tom asked.19. Let's wait a bit. He may still come.20. I'm afraid we may be too late.21. You can navigate to the station Mary.22. Can I stay with you? - You are welcome.23. It can enter.24. Perhaps they are looking for in our institute.
25. This article is so long. Can I help you translate it?26. You can use my dictionary.27. You can think whatever you want.28. Call Nick. He may have already seen this film. Ask whether to watch it.29. Can I go with Tom to the rink? - No, you have a fever.30. I might, I shall come to you tomorrow.31. Doctor, can I swim in the sea?32. Can I take a look at your books? - Of course.33. It may be, she does not know anything about it.
34. You can see me on Saturday.
35.You may be find him in the reading room.
36. You can get there by bus.37. Can I ask myself about this incident?38. You can not find her at home.39. You could wash his hands before dinner.40. Perhaps the mother will allow me to go to the movies.41. Maybe it will snow in the evening.
42. Perhaps the father will find your story interesting, but I do not.43. Maybe it will rain, but can not.44. Maybe they have at home. Call them.45. He may have left you a note, and maybe he still calls.46. He can not find the ticket. Maybe he lost them.47. Perhaps, once he was a good singer.48. Mom, can I eat ice cream? - No you can not. You can get sick again.49. He may have returned from England yesterday.50. You could tell me about his arrival. I would have met you.
I prefer to watch youth programmes such as "While Everybody's at Home" on Sunday and "The Morning Star". In addition I like to see interesting films. They might be feature, adventure, scientific, horror, cartoon and other films. I enjoy seeing Walt Disney's cartoons. Now and then I like to see cognitive programmes: "What? Where? When?", "Brain-ring" They are enjoyable and entertaining programmes.