Behaviour, Rules and Laws
Primary 6 · English
Behaviour, Rules and Laws
Lesson 3 of 6
40 min
Is it ever right to tell a lie? Should you tell the teacher if your friend copies in a test? People can disagree about questions like these, and that is fine, as long as they explain their reasons and listen to each other.
Today's tale from Ethiopia gives us a lot to talk about. You will learn to give your opinion with words like must, should and might.
This folktale, retold by Merga Debelo and Elizabeth Laird, comes from the African Storybook. In it, fire, water, truth and lies are people.
Once upon a time, Fire, Water, Truth and Lies were friends. But Lies was not happy, and he wanted to destroy their friendship.
One day Lies said, “Why don't we all go and look for free land? Then each one of us can have a kingdom.” The others agreed, and they started walking.
Lies went to Water and whispered, “Fire is our worst enemy. She burns everything. We need to find a kingdom without her.”
“What should we do?” asked Water.
“We must put her out,” replied Lies. “You are the only one with the power to do that. When she sits down, pour yourself all over her!”
“If I do that, I'll spill on the ground, and I won't be able to come together again,” said Water.
“No problem,” said Lies. “I'll put some stones down, so that you won't run away. I will collect you again.” And Lies put down stones to hold Water.
When Fire sat down, suspecting nothing, Water poured all over her, and Fire went out. So Lies got rid of Fire, and they went on their way.
After some time, Lies said to Water, “Look, why don't you sit at the top of this cliff and enjoy the view?” When Water sat down, Lies crept up and pulled the stones from under her. She spilled away down the cliff, and that was the end of Water.
Now Lies wanted to get rid of Truth. When they came to a big mountain, Lies told Truth to wait at the bottom, and he pushed a huge stone down the mountain towards Truth.
When the stone crashed down, it broke open, and diamonds, gold and all sorts of treasures fell out. Truth crawled out from under the broken stone, safe.
Lies came down to look. Instead of Truth, he saw the treasures. “Where did these come from?” he asked.
“When the stone landed on me, this is what came out,” said Truth. Lies wanted the treasures too. “I'll go down to the bottom of the mountain,” he said. “You go up and push down another big stone.”
So Truth went up and pushed down a big stone. It landed on Lies, and that was the end of Lies.
And that is why, people say, the truth always comes out in the end.
Answer each question in your head or in your exercise book first. Then tap Show answer to check.
What did Lies want to do from the very beginning?
He wanted to destroy the friendship of the four friends.
How did Lies trick Water?
He promised to hold her with stones so she could come together again, then pulled the stones away at the top of a cliff.
How did Truth survive the falling stone?
The stone broke open and treasures fell out, and Truth crawled out safe.
What does “the truth always comes out in the end” mean?
Lies are found out sooner or later; the truth cannot stay hidden.
Water believed Lies. What should Water have done?
Possible answer: She should have talked to Fire first. We shouldn't trust someone who speaks badly about our friends behind their backs.
| Modal | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| must / mustn't | a very strong duty or opinion | We must tell the truth. You mustn't take what isn't yours. |
| should / shouldn't | advice: the right thing to do | You should apologise. Water shouldn't believe gossip. |
| ought to | the same as should | We ought to help people in trouble. |
| can / can't | ability or possibility | One lie can destroy a friendship. |
| may / might | it is possible, but not sure | If you tell one lie, you might need another to hide it. |
| would | what you imagine doing; polite questions | I would tell the teacher. Would you forgive a friend who lied? |
The golden rule: after a modal, use the base verb, with no to and no -s: She should tell the truth, never should tells or should to tell. (Only ought to keeps its to.)
In my opinion, ... · I think / I believe ... · I agree with ... because ... · I disagree, because ...
Keza: In my opinion, you must always tell the truth, even when it is hard.
Gatete: I agree, but I think you should say it kindly, so you don't hurt people's feelings.
Keza: That's true. A kind truth is better than a sweet lie.
Values words: honesty · respect · trust · kindness · courage · fairness · truth
Tip
Modals are bossy little helpers. The verb after them stays in its plainest form: She must go. He should help. It might rain.
Write your answers in your exercise book, then check.
Choose: You (must / might) never share your password with strangers.
Answer: must (a strong rule)
Correct the mistake: He should tells the truth.
Answer: He should tell the truth.
Give advice with should: Mutesi found a 1,000 Frw note on the classroom floor.
Answer: She should give it to the teacher, so the owner can get it back.
Which modal shows that something is only possible: must, might or should?
Answer: might
Is it ever right to tell a lie? Begin with In my opinion and use one modal.
Answer: Example: In my opinion, we should not tell lies, because people might stop trusting us.
What you learned today
Sources and credits
Quick check
We ought ___ people in trouble.
