Look at the picture and read the text aloud.

Notice how in a comic book, there are no speech marks when characters talk. Instead what they say is put in a speech ‘ebubbei’. However, if we wish to repeat or ‘report’ what they say, we must put it into reported speech.

Change the following sentences in the story to reported speech. The first one has been done for you.

(ii) Why is your face half-shaven?

Gopal's wife asked him _____________

(iii I accept the challenge, Your Majesty.

Gopal told the king _____________

(iv) I want to see the king.

Gopal told the guards _____________

Find out the meaning of the following words by looking them up in the dictionary. Then use them in sentences of your own.

Challenge, mystic, comical, courtier, smearing

Now ask your partner questions about each picture.

(i) Where is the stag?

(ii) What is he doing?

(iii) Does he like his antlers (horns)?

(iv) Does he like his legs?

(v) Why is the stag running?

(vi) Is he able to hide in the bushes?

(vii) Where are the hunters now?

(viii) Are they closing is on the stag?

(ix) Is the stag free?

(x) What does the stag say about his horns and his legs?

Now write the story in your own words. Give it a title.