Myths and legends –British Isles

◎供稿：英國大使館文化教育處

Gelert and the baby

Llywelyn lived in a castle in the Welsh mountains, near a dark forest fullof wild animals. There were three things that Llywelyn loved most inthe world: his wife, his baby son and his dog, Gelert. Gelert was a gooddog and loved the baby boy. He went everywhere with Llywelyn and did everything Llywelyn told him to do.

One day, Llywelyn and his wife had to leave the castle early in themorning. Llywelyn told the dog to look after the baby while he wasaway. They returned at the end of the day. As Llywelyn walked into thebedroom, he saw something horrible. The walls of the bedroom werecovered in blood and so was Gelert the dog. He could not see the babyanywhere. ‘My dog has killed my baby,’ he thought and he killed theanimal with his knife.

Seconds later, he saw his baby safe and well and the body of a large wilddog.Gelert had not killed the baby but he had killed the wild dog whichhad come into the bedroom. Llywelyn had made a terrible mistake.Today, people still remember the story of Llywelyn and his dog.

Activity 1

Answer questions 1–5.

1. Where did Llywelyn live?

2. Why did he love his dog?

3. When did Llywelyn and his wife leave the castle?

4. What did he tell his dog to do before they left?

5. What time did they get back to the castle?

Activity 2

Finish the beginnings of the sentences (1–5) with the ends of the sentences(a–e). An example has been done for you.

Llywelyn and his wife returned home a. because he had killed his dog by mistake.1. He knew something terrible had happened b. and they still do today.

2. He thought Gelert c. with his knife.3. He killed his dog d. when he saw blood everywhere.4. Llywelyn was so unhappy e. had killed his baby boy.5. He wanted people to remember his dog as the sun was going down.

Activity 3

Look at these sentences from the story:

He went everywhere with Llywelyn

He could not see the baby anywhere

? We use everyone/thing/where to mean all people/things/places.

? We use anyone/thing/where in negative sentences and questions, or to mean “it’s not important which one”.

Use a word from the table to complete each sentence (1–6).

everyone anyone everywhere anywhere everything anything

1. I’ve lost my front door key – I can’t find it _____ !

2. Be quiet, _____ , you’re making too much noise!

3. The children listened carefully to _____ I told them.

4. “Have you got _____ to tell me?” said the policeman.

5. I’ve been _____ ! I’ve been to China, India, South America andEurope.

6. “I’ve never been in love with _____ as much as you!”

Activity 4

This story is about the love between a man and his dog. Why do you think some people love their pets so much? How do you feel about pets such as cats and dogs?