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This is a sad and beautiful story about a dog. The story is called “A Dog’s Tale”. It was written by a famous American writer named Mark Twain. He lived in the 1800s and wrote many important books. He is best known for stories like The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. Mark Twain used simple language, but his stories were full of meaning. He often wrote about people, animals, and life in America.
In this story, the main character is a kind and brave dog. She tells the story herself. At the beginning, she lives with her mother and learns many big words. Her mother teaches her to be good, brave, and to always help others.
Later, the dog is taken to a new home. A little girl named Sadie and her family take care of her. She loves her new family, especially the baby in the house. One day, a fire starts in the house. The dog sees the fire and saves the baby. But sadly, people do not understand her and think she is bad. She is hurt and feels alone. Later, the family learns the truth and calls her a hero.
This story teaches us about love, kindness, and sacrifice. It shows how animals can feel just like people. They feel happiness, sadness, pain, and love.
This story is good for beginner English students. You can Learn English through Story Level 1 by reading it slowly. The words are simple, and the story helps you understand feelings and actions. It also helps you learn new English words in context.
Let’s begin this touching story together and learn English with heart.
This story was rewritten by LearnEnglish-new.com for English learners. Enjoy reading the story and improve your English skills!
A Dog’s Tale
By Mark Twain
Contents
Chapter One: My Family and My Mother’s Big Words
Chapter Three: The Truth is Found
Chapter Four: A Goodbye and a Gentle Heart
Chapter One
My Family and My Mother’s Big Words
My name is Aileen Mavourneen. I am a dog. I want to tell you my story.
My father was a big St. Bernard dog. My mother was a collie. She was smart and kind. She always told me, “You are a Presbyterian.” I did not know what that meant, but I believed her.
My mother loved big, long words. She liked to say them out loud and watch other dogs look surprised. She did not go to school, but she listened to people in the dining-room and drawing-room. She listened to the children talk about Sunday school. That’s how she learned new words. When she heard a new word, she said it again and again until she remembered it. Then, she used it in front of other dogs. They were amazed. Sometimes they even gave her treats because they thought she was so clever.
Mother told me to always act smart and brave. When someone asked her the meaning of a big word, she answered quickly. She always sounded sure, even if she didn’t know the answer. Other dogs believed her because she spoke with confidence.
One day, she brought home a new word—Unintellectual. She worked hard all week, saying it again and again at different places. At the end of the week, another dog asked her what it meant. She said, “It means someone who does not use their mind.” Everyone was very impressed.
Another week, she used the word Synonymous. She told me, “It means one word that has the same meaning as another.” I was proud of her. She loved big words and wanted to sound clever. She was the smartest dog I knew.
Mother also taught me how to be good. She said, “When you are in danger, don’t think of yourself. Think of others. Do the right thing, even if it is hard.”
I never forgot her words.
Chapter 1 – Vocabulary
1. Mother /ˈmʌðər/ — a woman who has a child
Example: My mother was a collie.
2. Smart /smɑːrt/ — able to learn and understand things well
Example: She was smart and kind.
3. Kind /kaɪnd/ — caring and nice to other people or animals
Example: She was smart and kind.
4. Brave /breɪv/ — not afraid when something is difficult or dangerous
Example: Mother told me to always act smart and brave.
5. Word /wɜːrd/ — something that you say or write with letters
Example: My mother loved big, long words.
6. Learn /lɜːrn/ — to get knowledge about something
Example: That’s how she learned new words.
7. Danger /ˈdeɪndʒər/ — a situation that can hurt you
Example: When you are in danger, don’t think of yourself.
8. Help /help/ — to do something good for someone who needs you
Example: We are born to help others.
Chapter 1 – Comprehension Questions
1. What is the dog’s name?
2. What kind of dog was her father?
3. What kind of dog was her mother?
4. Was the dog’s mother smart and kind?
5. Where did the mother learn new words?
6. What did the mother teach her daughter to do in danger?
7. What did the word “Unintellectual” mean?
8. What did the mother tell her daughter to do when someone is in danger?
Chapter 1 – Grammar Exercises
1. My father ______ a big St. Bernard dog.
A) am
B) was
C) were
2. My mother ______ smart and kind.
A) was
B) were
C) are
3. She ______ big, long words.
A) love
B) loves
C) loving
4. She ______ to people in the dining-room.
A) listen
B) listens
C) listening
5. Mother ______ me to be good and brave.
A) teach
B) teaches
C) taught
6. When you ______ in danger, think of others.
A) am
B) is
C) are
7. I ______ what that meant.
A) do not know
B) did not know
C) does not know
8. She ______ the word again and again.
A) say
B) says
C) said
Answer Key — Chapter One
1-B, 2-A, 3-B, 4-B, 5-B, 6-C, 7-B, 8-B
Chapter Two
A New Home
When I grew up, something sad happened. I was taken away from my mother and sold to a new family. I never saw her again.
I was very sad. She was sad too. We cried. But she licked my face and said kind words to me:
“Remember what I taught you. We are born to help others. Be brave, be kind. Don’t live for yourself—live for love and truth. That is the best life, my child.”
Her words stayed in my heart forever.
My new home was big and beautiful. It had flowers, green grass, and tall trees. The people who lived there were called the Gray family. They were kind and loved me. They called me by the name my mother gave me—Aileen Mavourneen.
There was a little girl in the family. Her name was Sadie. She was ten years old. She had red hair and a happy smile. She loved me very much. She hugged me, played with me, and even pulled my tail sometimes. But I didn’t mind. I loved her more than anything.
There was also a baby. He was one year old—chubby and sweet. I liked watching him sleep.
Mr. Gray was the father. He was a smart man who worked in a science lab. He had a serious face and used big words, just like my mother. I did not understand the words, but I knew they were important.
Mrs. Gray was kind. She let me sleep in her room and even used me as a footrest. I didn’t mind. I was happy to be close to them.
I also made friends with the servants. They were good to me and gave me food. My life was peaceful and full of love.
Later, I had a puppy. It was the happiest day of my life. My little puppy was soft, tiny, and perfect. I felt proud to be a mother, just like mine. I promised to teach my puppy all the good things my mother taught me.
But then something terrible happened.
One winter night, I was in the nursery. The baby was sleeping in his crib. I was sleeping on the bed. Suddenly, a spark from the fire flew out and landed on the baby’s blanket. The fire grew fast. Flames climbed up the crib.
I jumped up, barked, and ran to the baby. The fire was hot. Smoke filled the room. I grabbed the baby’s clothes with my teeth and pulled. I pulled hard through the fire and out of the room. The baby was safe.
I barked and ran in circles. I wanted someone to come. Finally, the master came. But he didn’t understand. He thought I was bad.
He shouted, “Begone, you beast!” and hit me with a stick. I cried and ran.
One hit hurt my leg badly. I limped to the far end of the hall and found a place to hide in the dark. My leg was in great pain, but my heart hurt more.
I had saved the baby, but no one knew.
Chapter 2 – Vocabulary
1. Home /hoʊm/ — the place where you live
Example: My new home was big and beautiful.
2. Sad /sæd/ — feeling unhappy
Example: I was very sad.
3. Family /ˈfæməli/ — a group of people who live together and love each other
Example: The people who lived there were called the Gray family.
4. Love /lʌv/ — to like someone very much
Example: They were kind and loved me.
5. Baby /ˈbeɪbi/ — a very young child
Example: There was also a baby.
6. Sleep /sliːp/ — to rest with your eyes closed
Example: I liked watching him sleep.
7. Fire /faɪər/ — a hot, burning thing that can hurt people
Example: Suddenly, a spark from the fire flew out and landed on the baby’s blanket.
8. Save /seɪv/ — to help someone get away from danger
Example: I had saved the baby, but no one knew.
Chapter 2 – Comprehension Questions
1. Who took Aileen to a new home?
2. Why was Aileen very sad?
3. What was the name of the little girl in the family?
4. How old was Sadie?
5. What did Sadie like to do with Aileen?
6. Where did Aileen sleep in Mrs. Gray’s room?
7. What happened to the baby one winter night?
8. How did Aileen save the baby from the fire?
Chapter 2 – Grammar Exercises
1. I ______ very sad when I left my mother.
A) was
B) were
C) are
2. The Gray family ______ kind and loved me.
A) was
B) were
C) am
3. Sadie ______ ten years old.
A) were
B) was
C) are
4. She ______ me very much.
A) love
B) loves
C) loving
5. I liked ______ him sleep.
A) watch
B) watching
C) watched
6. The baby ______ in his crib.
A) was sleeping
B) were sleeping
C) sleep
7. I ______ up and ran to the baby.
A) jump
B) jumped
C) jumping
8. I ______ the baby’s clothes with my teeth.
A) grab
B) grabbed
C) grabbing
Answer Key
1-A, 2-B, 3-B, 4-B, 5-B, 6-A, 7-B, 8-B
Chapter Three
The Truth is Found
I stayed hidden in the attic. I was cold and scared. My leg hurt. My heart was heavy. I thought I had done the right thing, but now I wasn’t sure. I didn’t understand why my master was angry. I cried quietly, remembering my mother’s words:
“Think of others, not yourself.”
After some time, I heard voices. People were calling my name. Sadie’s sweet voice said,
“Come back, little doggie. We love you! Please forgive us.”
I wanted to run to her, but I was weak and afraid. I had not eaten in days. My leg was hurting more. But her voice gave me hope. I slowly walked down the stairs.
Sadie saw me and cried out with joy.
“She’s here! She’s safe!”
She ran to me and hugged me. Everyone came. They were so happy. Sadie’s mother cried, and even the servants smiled. Mr. Gray came too. He looked sad and ashamed.
Then came the truth.
The nurse told everyone what had happened.
“The fire started in the nursery. If it wasn’t for the dog, the baby would have died. She pulled him out of the fire!”
Everyone was shocked. Mr. Gray dropped to his knees and hugged me.
“You brave little dog,” he said. “You saved my child.”
From that moment, everything changed.
People from town came to see me. They called me a hero. Sadie and her mother told the story to everyone. I became famous. The family gave me soft beds, good food, and sweet kisses. They loved me more than ever.
Even Sadie’s friends came to hear the story. I liked hearing them say,
“She’s the smartest, kindest dog ever!”
But it wasn’t just about praise. I was happy because I had done what my mother told me—I helped someone in danger. I did not think about myself.
One day, Mr. Gray’s friends came from the science lab. They took my puppy. They wanted to test something on him. I didn’t understand what they were doing, but I saw wires and bottles. I got worried.
They said the puppy was blind. They used tools and machines to test him.
The puppy cried out. He was hurt. I ran to him and licked his face. I stayed close to him.
Then I heard them say,
“Yes, the test is complete. He is blind. Thank you, little dog. You have helped science.”
But I didn’t care about science. I only cared about my baby.
The puppy died.
Chapter 3 – Vocabulary
1. Truth /truːθ/ — something that is really true
Example: Then came the truth.
2. Hidden /ˈhɪdən/ — kept where people cannot see you
Example: I stayed hidden in the attic.
3. Weak /wiːk/ — not strong
Example: I wanted to run to her, but I was weak and afraid.
4. Hope /hoʊp/ — a feeling that something good may happen
Example: Her voice gave me hope.
5. Safe /seɪf/ — not in danger
Example: She’s here! She’s safe!
6. Hero /ˈhɪroʊ/ — a person or animal who does something brave
Example: They called me a hero.
7. Hurt /hɜːrt/ — to feel pain
Example: The puppy cried out. He was hurt.
8. Die /daɪ/ — to stop living
Example: The puppy died.
Chapter 3 – Comprehension Questions
1. Where did Aileen stay when she was scared?
2. Why was Aileen weak?
3. Who called Aileen’s name?
4. What did Sadie do when she saw Aileen?
5. Who told the family about the fire?
6. Why did Mr. Gray call Aileen a brave dog?
7. What did the people from the town call Aileen?
8. What happened to Aileen’s puppy?
Chapter 3 – Grammar Exercises
1. I ______ hidden in the attic.
A) stay
B) stayed
C) staying
2. I ______ cold and scared.
A) was
B) were
C) am
3. Sadie ______ my name.
A) call
B) called
C) calling
4. She ______ to me and hugged me.
A) run
B) ran
C) running
5. Everyone ______ very happy to see me.
A) was
B) were
C) are
6. Mr. Gray ______ to his knees.
A) dropped
B) drop
C) dropping
7. People from town ______ me a hero.
A) called
B) call
C) calling
8. The puppy ______.
A) die
B) died
C) dying
Answers:
1-B, 2-A, 3-B, 4-B, 5-A, 6-A, 7-A, 8-B
Chapter Four
A Goodbye and a Gentle Heart
After my puppy died, I felt broken inside.
Mr. Gray asked the servant to take the little body and bury it in the far end of the garden — the place where the trees gave shade and flowers grew in the summer. That was where I used to play with Sadie, the baby, and my puppy.
I followed the servant slowly. My leg was still hurt, and my heart was even more hurt. I tried to help, but I could not dig with only one good leg. I watched as they placed my puppy in the ground. The servant covered him with soil. Then he looked at me and said,
“Poor little doggie, you saved his child.”
Tears were in his eyes.
After that, I felt weaker every day. I could not eat. I could not sleep well. At night, I had strange dreams. I felt a cold fear inside me, but I didn’t know what it was.
Sadie came to see me. She petted me and whispered,
“Don’t go away, little doggie. Come back. We love you.”
But I felt myself fading.
Sometimes the servants came at night and called me, hoping I would feel better. But I didn’t. I just lay quietly and listened. I could feel their sadness. I wished I could stay longer, but I knew my time was ending.
I watched the sun one last time. It was going down, and the sky turned gold and red. The wind touched my face gently, like my mother once did.
Then everything became quiet.
A Note from Sadie (many years later):
“That little dog taught me more about love than any person ever did. She saved my baby brother. She gave her life for her puppy. She forgave us when we were cruel.
I hope people never forget her story.
We buried her beside the puppy, under the big elm tree. On her grave, we wrote:
‘The humble little friend is gone—where go the beasts that perish.’”
— THE END –
The Original Version of the Story: americanliterature.com
Chapter 4 – Vocabulary
1. Broken /ˈbroʊkən/ — feeling very sad or hurt inside
Example: After my puppy died, I felt broken inside.
2. Bury /ˈberi/ — to put a dead person or animal in the ground
Example: Mr. Gray asked the servant to take the little body and bury it in the garden.
3. Garden /ˈɡɑːrdən/ — a place where flowers and plants grow
Example: That was where I used to play with Sadie, the baby, and my puppy.
4. Soil /sɔɪl/ — the earth in which plants grow
Example: The servant covered him with soil.
5. Tears /tɪrz/ — drops of water that come from your eyes when you cry
Example: Tears were in his eyes.
6. Weak /wiːk/ — not strong
Example: After that, I felt weaker every day.
7. Quietly /ˈkwaɪətli/ — without making much noise
Example: I just lay quietly and listened.
8. Grave /ɡreɪv/ — a place in the ground where a dead person or animal is buried
Example: On her grave, we wrote: “The humble little friend is gone.”
Chapter 4 – Comprehension Questions
1. How did Aileen feel after her puppy died?
2. Where did the servant bury the puppy?
3. Why could Aileen not dig the ground?
4. What did the servant say to Aileen?
5. Why did Aileen feel weaker every day?
6. What did Sadie say to Aileen?
7. What did Aileen see for the last time?
8. Where was Aileen buried?
Chapter 4 – Grammar Exercises
1. I ______ broken inside after my puppy died.
A) feel
B) felt
C) feeling
2. Mr. Gray ______ the puppy in the garden.
A) buried
B) bury
C) burying
3. The servant ______ the puppy with soil.
A) cover
B) covered
C) covering
4. Aileen ______ eat after her puppy died.
A) could not
B) can not
C) does not
5. Sadie ______ to see Aileen.
A) come
B) came
C) coming
6. Aileen ______ quietly and listened.
A) lie
B) lay
C) lying
7. The sun ______ down one last time.
A) went
B) go
C) going
8. They ______ Aileen beside the puppy.
A) bury
B) buried
C) burying
Answers:
1-B, 2-A, 3-B, 4-A, 5-B, 6-B, 7-A, 8-B
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