"The Durian Challenge"

In the bustling town of Durianville, where the scent of durians was as common as the morning breeze, there was a legend that intrigued everyone: the Durian Crown. It was said that whoever could find and eat the rarest durian, the "King of Durians," would be crowned the official Durian Champion of the town.

Lila, a curious and adventurous girl, loved the challenge of finding the perfect durian. But in a town full of durian enthusiasts, she had always struggled to find one that stood out among the rest. Her grandfather, known as the "Durian Whisperer," was famous for picking the best durians, but he had passed down his secrets only to her—his granddaughter.

One warm afternoon, as the sun set behind the hills, Lila ventured into the deep jungle where the oldest durian trees grew. The trees were said to produce the best and most unique durians, but no one dared venture there after sunset. Lila wasn’t afraid. She was determined to find the legendary durian.

As she wandered through the thick jungle, Lila heard whispers in the air, "The King is near… but so is the test." She wasn’t sure where the voice had come from, but she pressed on.

The Challenge Begins

Lila came across an ancient tree, its branches stretching high into the sky. Hanging from one of the branches was the most beautiful durian she had ever seen. The spiky shell was a rich golden yellow, and the smell, while strong, was sweet in a way she had never experienced.

To test if this was indeed the King of Durians, Lila remembered her grandfather’s final words: "The true durian crown will challenge you, not only your senses but your heart."

As she approached the fruit, a deep voice echoed through the jungle. "To eat me, you must solve the riddle of taste."

The riddle was:

"I am sweet but can be bitter,

I’m golden but often hidden.
To find my worth, one must see,
Not just the surface, but what’s inside me."

Lila stared at the durian and pondered the riddle. She remembered how durians could be both sweet and bitter. She understood the deeper meaning—sometimes, things that appear perfect on the outside may not always meet expectations. But with patience and a willing heart, the true reward would always reveal itself.

The Discovery

Lila carefully picked the durian and cracked it open. The golden flesh inside gleamed with sweetness, and the rich, creamy texture was unlike any durian she had ever tasted. She knew then that she had found the King of Durians.

Suddenly, the jungle came alive with cheers, and the sky above twinkled with golden light. The people of Durianville emerged from the trees, celebrating the discovery of the rare durian. They crowned Lila as the Durian Champion, not just for finding the rarest fruit, but for understanding the deeper lesson of patience, resilience, and acceptance.

From that day on, Lila continued her grandfather’s legacy. She shared her knowledge with others and taught them how to respect the durian, with all its complexities and beauty. Durianville flourished as the heart of durian lovers, all because Lila had uncovered the truth hidden inside the King of Durians.

Exercises

1. Comprehension Questions

a. What was the legend of the Durian Crown?

b. How did Lila find the rare durian?

c. What was the riddle Lila had to solve?

d. What did Lila learn from her experience with the durian?

e. Why was Lila crowned the Durian Champion?

2. Creative Activity

Create your own “King of Durians” and describe it. What makes it different from other durians? What special features does it have?

3. Vocabulary Practice

Match the words to their meanings:

Spiky
Whisper
Challenge
Resilience
Patience

A. The ability to recover from difficulties

B. To speak softly or quietly

C. A difficult task or test

D. Sharp and pointed

E. The ability to wait without frustration

4. Writing Exercise

Write a short story about an adventure where you find a rare fruit. What kind of fruit is it, and what makes it so special?

5. Reflection

What do you think Lila’s journey teaches us about patience and resilience? Write a few sentences on the importance of waiting for the right moment and not rushing things.

Comments

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