August 27, 2025

Reductions using the word “For” 74. This is for you. [thissiz•feryoo] 75. It’s for my friend. [itsfer•my•fren] 76. A table for four, please. [uh•tabler•ferfour•please] 77. We planned it for later. [wee•plandit•ferleidr] 78. For example. For instance. [ferexample] / [ferinstance] 79. What is this for? (“for” not reduced) [wadddiz•this•for] 80. What did you do it for? (“for” not reduced) [wudjuh•doowit•for] 81. Who did you get it for? (“for” not reduced) [hoodjuh•geddit•for] From 82. It’s from the IRS. [itsfrum•thee•yai•ar•es] 83. I’m from Armenia. [aimfrum•Armenia] 84. There’s a call from Bob. [therzuh•call•frəm•Bob] 85. This letter’s from Alaska! [this•ledderzfrəm•muhlaskuh] 86. Who’s it from? [hoozit•frəm] 87. Where are you from? [weh•rer•yoo•frəm]

1. The Brave Little Parrot (Buddhist Jataka tale) Story: A long time ago, a small green parrot lived in the forest. One day, lightning struck a tree, and soon the whole forest was on fire. All the animals ran away in fear. But the little parrot decided not to escape. Instead, it flew to the river, dipped its wings in water, and carried drops back to the fire. Again and again, the parrot flew back and forth, dropping tiny amounts of water on the huge flames.

The other animals laughed. “You are too small! You cannot stop this fire!” they shouted. But the parrot continued, saying, “I will do what I can.”

The gods in the sky saw this brave act. Touched by the parrot’s courage, one god cried. The god’s tears fell like rain, putting out the fire and saving the forest.

Moral: Even the smallest effort can make a big difference if it comes from courage and compassion.

Discussion: “Do you think one person can change the world?”

2. The Wise Parrot (Persian/Indian folktale) Story 2: A rich merchant had a beautiful parrot in a golden cage. The bird loved freedom but could not escape. One day, the merchant prepared to travel to India. He asked the parrot, “Do you want me to bring you a gift?” The parrot said, “Please go to the forest of India, find the parrots there, and tell them about me.”

The merchant agreed. In India, he found a group of parrots. He told them about his own parrot in the cage. When he finished, one parrot suddenly fell from the tree and lay still on the ground. The merchant thought it had died of sadness.

When he returned home, he told his parrot the story. As soon as the parrot heard it, it too dropped to the bottom of the cage and lay still. Believing his pet was dead, the merchant sadly opened the cage and took it outside. At once, the parrot flew up into the air and landed on a branch.

🦜 For The Brave Little Parrot (courage & persistence) 1. “Every little bit helps.” → Even small actions can make a difference. “You only donated a little, but every little bit helps.” 2. “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” → If you really want something, you’ll find a way to achieve it. “She didn’t have much money, but she opened her shop. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.” 3. “Don’t give up without a fight.” → Keep trying before you quit. “The parrot didn’t give up without a fight against the fire.”

“Now I understand,” said the parrot. “The parrot in India sent me a message: to be free, I must pretend to be dead. Thank you for carrying the message, master. Now I am free!” And the bird flew away into the sky. Moral: Wisdom and clever thinking can bring freedom.

Vocabulary: merchant, cage, gift, freedom, pretend Discussion: “Is it better to be clever or strong?”

🦜 For The Wise Parrot (cleverness & freedom) 4. “Think outside the box.” → Be creative, find a new way to solve a problem. “The parrot thought outside the box and escaped the cage.” 5. “Play dead.” → Pretend to be weak or defeated to trick someone. “The parrot played dead to win its freedom.”

6. “Freedom is priceless.” → Being free is more valuable than money or gold. “The parrot chose freedom over a golden cage. Freedom is priceless.” 7. “A little bird told me…” → I heard a secret from someone (but I won’t say who). “A little bird told me you got the top grade in class!”

Part B. Complete the sentences with the correct idiom 1. “I know you only gave one dollar, but ________. We really appreciate it.” (every little bit helps.) 2. “She didn’t have much money, but she opened her business” because ________.” (Where there’s a will, there’s a way.) 3. “The team was losing, but they ________ and scored at the last minute.” (didn’t give up without a fight ) 4. “We need to ________ if we want to solve this difficult problem.” (think outside the box) 5. “The cat came close, so the mouse decided to ________.” ( play dead) 6. “The parrot escaped the golden cage because it knew that ________.” ( freedom is pricelesS) 7. “________ you’re the best student in class!” (A little bird told me)