Raintree 2 How the Firefly Got Its Light

Summary: How the Firefly Got Its Light

 How the Firefly got its Light is a folktale.

Fly felt he was ordinary compared to other insects such as the pretty butterfly and the strong and

busy bee. Fly wanted to be special by shining like the stars at night. Moon heard his wish and agreed

to help Fly in return for friendship. Moon said when he came out at night, he felt lonely as most of

the creatures were asleep. Fly promised to be Moon’s friend. Moon taught Fly a spell by which he

could shine. Fly was so happy that his wish had come true. He immediately became Moon’s friend

and shone every night to welcome Moon. 

UNIT 2 HOW THE FIREFLY GOT ITS LIGHT

EMBEDDED QUESTIONS

Suggested Answers: Mongoose, Monkey (Accept any valid answer)

Comprehension

A. 1. special 2. strong 3. pretty 4. stars 5. spell 6. shine

B. 1. Fly was sad because he wanted to be special.

2. Moon was lonely at night because he came out in the dark when most animals were asleep. So he

had no friends.

3. Fly promised that he would always be Moon’s friend. He said he would shine brightly to welcome

Moon at night.

4. Yes, Moon was happy to get a friend. He smiled and thanked Fly for being his friend.

C. Fly felt special because he could shine. (For the second part, please encourage free response.)

D. In the second picture

Grammar

A. 2. He 3. She 4. They 5. It

B. 2. He 3. It 4. She 5. We

Vocabulary

2. large 3. jump 4. happy 5. neat

Listening

[Listen to these rhyming words. Tick the words that you hear.

1. goat float; 2. run sun; 3. ball call; 4. big dig; 6. hen pen]

Dictionary Work

1. animal; 2. butterfly; 3. cow; 4. doll; 5. end;

5. dry fry;

6. flower

Writing

2, 1, 3, 5, 4, 6

HOW THE FIREFLY GOT ITS LIGHT

A. Answer in brief.

1. Why did Moth and Mouse not see Fly when he flew around the garden?

 Ans: Moth and Mouse did not see Fly when he flew around the garden as he was too small and it

was hard to see him in the dark.

2. What did Fly say when he looked at the stars and what did Moon tell him on hearing this?

 Ans: Fly saw the shining stars and said he wanted to shine like them, Moon promised to make Fly

shine if he helped Moon.

3. What secret spell did Moon teach Fly, to make him shine?

 Ans: The secret spell that Moon taught Fly was ‘Fly o Fly, Shine o Shine’. If he said these words

every night, he would shine.

B. Answer in detail.

1. What did Fly want to be and who did he compare himself with?

 Ans: Fly wanted to be special and he compared himself with Bee who was strong and buzzed

loudly. He also thought that Butterfly was very pretty with lovely colours on her wings, but he had

nothing special.

2. How did Fly help Moon and what did Moon do in return for Fly?

 Ans: As Moon was very lonely, Fly became his friend. As Moon came out when it was dark and

most animals were asleep, Fly was awake every night. In return, Moon gave him a secret spell

which made him shine and feel special.

3. What did Moth and Mouse say when they saw Fly shining and what did Fly tell Moon on

hearing this?

 Ans: Moth and Mouse said Fly was special when they saw him shining. On hearing this, Fly was

very happy and told Moon that he will always be Moon’s friend and will be there every night,

shining brightly in the dark to welcome Moon.

C. Read the lines and answer the questions.

1. “Bee is so strong. Hear him buzz!”

 a. Who said these words and when?

 b. How was fly feeling when he said this and why?

 c. What happens when bees move their wings very fast?

 Ans: a. Fly said these words when he saw Bee buzzing.

 b. Fly was feeling very sad as he felt he had nothing special.

 c. When bees move their wings very fast, they make a buzz-zz-zz sound.

2. “Fly, if you help me, I will make you shine.”

 a. Who said this and to whom?

 b. Why did Moon need help?

 c. What did Moon want Fly to be?

 Ans: a. Moon said this to Fly.

 b. Moon needed help as he was lonely at night.

 c. Moon wanted Fly to be his friend.