A Very interesting story | Level 1 | listen and practice | LETT # 23

Summary

The story follows Hans, a poor but happy man, who is given a magical coat by an old woman. She sends him on a quest to retrieve a small glass box hidden in a magical tree guarded by three dogs with enormous eyes. Hans successfully collects wealth from the tree, but refuses to give the glass box to the woman. Later, he uses the box to summon the dogs, allowing him to meet a lonely princess locked away by her father. Hans ultimately rescues the princess, marries her, and they live happily ever after.

Takeaways

• 😀 Hans, a poor but happy man, encounters a magical adventure after meeting an old woman.
• 🧥 The old woman gives Hans a magic blue coat and sends him to a tree where treasures are guarded by three dogs with unusually large eyes.
• 💰 In three rooms, Hans finds money, gold, and jewels, each guarded by dogs with eyes as large as eggs, oranges, and plates.
• 📦 The old woman asks for a small glass box, but Hans refuses to give it to her, escaping with the treasure instead.
• 👸 Hans learns about a princess locked away by her father because of a prophecy that she would marry a poor man.
• 🌳 Using the magical glass box, Hans calls the dogs to bring the princess to his garden at night, where they develop a bond.
• 🕵️ The king's servant, Anna, becomes suspicious of the princess's behavior and follows her to Hans' house, but Hans tricks them by marking every door in town with an 'X'.
• 💎 Hans is captured and sentenced to death by the king, but he retrieves the glass box and calls the dogs to save him.
• 👑 Hans eventually marries the princess, fulfilling the prophecy, and they live happily with their six children in a large garden.
• 🌸 The old king retires happily, surrounded by the white flowers his late wife loved, while Hans and the princess rule the kingdom.

Q & A

Who is the main character of the story, and what is his situation at the beginning?

The main character is Hans, a poor man with no money, no house, and no food, but he remains happy and optimistic.

What magical item does the old woman give to Hans, and what is its purpose?

The old woman gives Hans a magic blue coat, which he uses to control the dogs guarding treasure inside a tree.

What does the old woman request from Hans in exchange for the magic blue coat?

The old woman asks Hans to retrieve a small glass box from the third room inside the tree, which belonged to her grandmother.

How does Hans access the treasures inside the tree?

Hans uses the magic blue coat to calm the dogs guarding the treasure boxes. He moves each dog aside by placing it on the coat to access the treasure inside the boxes.

What does Hans take from the treasure boxes inside the tree?

Hans takes money from the first box, gold from the second box, and jewels from the third box.

Why does Hans refuse to give the glass box to the old woman?

Hans refuses to give the glass box to the old woman because she becomes aggressive, and he senses that the glass box holds more power than she let on.

What special ability does the glass box possess?

The glass box has the ability to summon three magical dogs, each with progressively larger eyes. The dogs can bring wealth and help Hans in various ways.

Why does the king keep his daughter, the princess, locked away in a house with high windows?

The king locks the princess away because a clever old man prophesied that she would marry a poor man, which made the king angry and protective.

How does Hans eventually meet the princess?

Hans uses the glass box to summon a dog, which brings the sleeping princess to his garden where they meet and walk together.

How does the story end for Hans and the princess?

Hans and the princess marry, becoming the new king and queen. They live happily with six children, while the old king enjoys his final years surrounded by white flowers in his garden.