Text Leveling System

Fables

RDQ:	1208	Max Word/Sent	30	Total Words	3033		Diff Words	830
Lex	780	Ave Word/.Sent	9	Hi Freq occurs	2289	75.5%	Hi freq	341	41.1%
AR	4.0	Long Sentences	7.9	Low Freq occurs	159	5.2%	Low freq	123	14.8%

THE CROCODILE IN THE BEDROOM
A Crocodile became increasingly fond of the Wallpaper in his bedroom.
He stared at it for hours and hours.
"Just look at all those neat and tidy rows of flowers and leaves," said
the Crocodile. "They are like soldiers. There is not a single one that is
out of place."
"My dear," said the Crocodile's wife, "you are spending too much
time in bed. Come out into my garden where the air is fresh and the sun
is bright and warm."
"
well, if you insist, for just a few minutes," said the Crocodile. He
put on a pair of dark glasses to protect his eyes from the glare and went
outside.
Mrs. Crocodile was proud of her garden.
"Look at the hollyhocks and the marigolds," she said. "Smell the
roses and the lilies of the valley."
"Great heavens, cried the Crocodile. "The flowers and leaves in
this garden are growing in a terrible tangle. They are all scattered. They
are messy and entwined!
The Crocodile rushed back to his bedroom in a state of great distress.
He was at once comforted by the sight of his wallpaper.
"Ah," said the Crocodile. "Here is a garden that is ever so much
better. How happy and secure these flowers make me feel."
After that the Crocodile seldom left his bed. He lay there, smiling at
the walls. He turned a very pale and sickly shade of green.
Without a doubt, there is such a thing as too much order.]]
THE DUCKS AND THE FOX
Two Duck sisters were waddling down the road to the pond for their
morning swim.
"This is a good road," said the first sister, "but I think, just for a
change, we should find another route. There are many other roads that
lead to the pond."
"No," said the second sister, "I do not agree. I really do not want to
try a new way. This road makes me feel comfortable. I am accustomed
to it."
One morning the Ducks met a Fox sitting on a fence along the road.
"Good morning, ladies," said the Fox. "On your way to the pond, I
suppose?"
"Oh, yes," said the sisters, "we come along here every day."
"Interesting," said the Fox with a toothy smile.
When the sun came up the next morning, the first sister said, "We
are sure to meet that Fox again if we go our usual way. I did not like his
looks. Today is the day that we must find another road!"
"You are being just plain silly," said the second sister. "That Fox
smiled at us. He seemed most gentlemanly."
The two Ducks waddled down the same road to the pond. There was
the Fox, sitting on the fence. This time he carried a sack.
"Lovely ladies," said the Fox, "I was expecting you. I am glad that
you have not disappointed me."
Opening his sack, he jumped upon them.
The sisters quacked and screamed. They flapped and flopped their
wings. They flew home and bolted their door.
The next morning, the two Ducks did not go out. They rested at
home to quiet their nerves. On the following day they carefully searched
for a new and different road. They found one, and it took them safely
to the pond.
At times, a change of routine can be most healthful.]]
KING LION AND THE BEETLE
King Lion looked in the mirror.
What a beautiful and noble creature I am," he said. "I will go
forth to show my devoted subjects that their leader is every inch a king!"
The King put on his robes of state, his large jeweled crown, and all of
his gold and silver medals. As he walked down the roads of his kingdom,
everyone who saw him bowed to the ground.
"Yes, yes," said King Lion, "I deserve this respect from my people,
for truly I am every inch a king!"
There was a tiny Beetle standing near the road.
When the King saw him, he cried, "Beetle, I command you to bow
low before me!"
"Your Royal Majesty," said the Beetle, "I know that I am small, but
if you look at me closely, you will see that I am making a bow."
The King leaned over.
"Beetle," he said, "you are so hard to see down there. I am still not
sure that you are bowing."
"Your Majesty," said the Beetle, "please look more closely. I assure
you that I am indeed bowing."
The King leaned over a little farther.
Now the robes of state, the large jeweled crown, and all of the gold
and silver medals had made King Lion very top-heavy. Suddenly he lost
his balance and fell on his head. With a great roar, he rolled into a ditch
at the side of the road.
The frightened Beetle scurried away. From head to foot, every inch
of King Lion was covered with wet mud.
It is the high and mighty who have the longest distance to fall.]]
THE LOBSTER AND THE CRAB
0n a stormy day, the Crab went strolling along the beach. He was
surprised to see the Lobster preparing to set sail in his boat.
"Lobster," said the Crab, "it is foolhardy to venture out on a day
like this."
"Perhaps so," said the Lobster, "but I love a squall at sea!"
"I will come with you," said the Crab. "I will not let you face such
danger alone."
The Lobster and the Crab began their voyage. Soon they found
themselves far from shore. Their boat was tossed and buffeted by the
turbulent waters.
"Crab!" shouted the Lobster above the roar of the wind. "For me,
the splashing of the salt spray is thrilling! The crashing of every wave
takes my breath away."
"Lobster, I think we are sinking'" cried the Crab.
"Yes, of course, we are sinking," said the Lobster. "This old boat is
full of holes. Have courage, my friend. Remember, we are both creatures
of the sea."
The little boat capsized and sank.
"Horrors!" cried the Crab.
"Down we go." shouted the Lobster.
The Crab was shaken and upset. The Lobster took him for a relaxing
walk along the ocean floor.
"How brave we are," said the Lobster. "What a wonderful adventure
we have had."
The Crab began to feel somewhat better. Although he usually enjoyed
a quieter existence, he had to admit that the day had been pleasantly out
of the ordinary.
Even the taking of small risk will add excitement to life.]]
THE HEN AND THE APPLE TREE
One October day, a Hen looked out her window. She saw an apple
tree growing in her backyard.
"Now that is odd," said the Hen. "I am certain that there was no
tree standing in that spot yesterday."
"There are some of us that grow fast," said the tree.
The Hen looked at the bottom of the tree.
"I have never seen a tree," she said, "that has ten furry toes."
"There are some of us that do," said the tree. "Hen, come outside
and enjoy the cool shade of my leafy branches."
The Hen looked at the top of the tree.
"I have never seen a tree," she said, "that has two long, pointed ears."
"There are some of us that have," said the tree. "Hen, come outside
and eat one of my delicious apples."
"Come to think of it," said the Hen, "I have never heard a tree speak
from a mouth that is full of sharp teeth."
"There are some of us that can," said the tree. "Hen, come outside
and rest your back against the bark of my trunk."
"I have heard," said the Hen, "that some of you trees lose all of your
leaves at this time of the year."
"Oh, yes," said the tree, "there are some of us that will." The tree
began to quiver and shake. All of its leaves quickly dropped off.
The Hen was not surprised to see a large Wolf in the place where an
apple tree had been standing just a moment before. She locked her
shutters and slammed her window closed.
The Wolf knew that he had been outsmarted. He stormed away in a
hungry rage.
It is always difficult to pose as something that one is not.]]
THE BABOON'S UMBRELLA
The Baboon was taking his daily walk in the jungle. He met his
friend, the Gibbon, on the path.
"My good friend," said the Gibbon, "how strange to find you holding
an open umbrella over your head on such a sunshiny day as this."
"Yes," said the Baboon. "I am most annoyed. I cannot close this disagreeable
umbrella. It is stuck. I would not think of walking without
my umbrella in case it should rain. But, as you see, I am not able to enjoy
the sunshine underneath this dark shadow. It is a sad predicament."
"There is a simple solution," said the Gibbon. "You need only to
cut some holes in your umbrella. Then the sun will shine on you."
"What a good idea'" cried the Baboon. "I do thank you."
The Baboon ran home. With his scissors, he cut large holes in the
top of his umbrella. When the Baboon returned to his walk, the warm
sunshine came down through the holes.
"How delightful!" said the Baboon.
However, the sun disappeared behind some clouds. There were a few
drops of rain. Then it began to pour. The rain fell through all of the holes
in the umbrella. In just a short time, the unhappy Baboon was soaked
to the skin.
Advice from friends is like the weather. Some of it is good; some of it
is bad.]]
THE FROGS AT THE RAINBOW'S END
A Frog was swimming in a pond after a rainstorm. He saw a brilliant rainbow stretching across the sky.
"I have heard," said the Frog, "there is a cave filled with gold at the
place where the rainbow ends. I will find that cave and be the richest
frog in the world!"
The Frog swam to the edge of the pond as fast as he could go. There
he met another Frog.
"\Where are you rushing to?" asked the second Frog.
"I am rushing to the place where the rainbow ends," said the first Frog.
"There is a rumor," said the second Frog, "that there is a cave filled
with gold and diamonds at that place."
"Then come with me," said the first Frog. "We will be the two richest
frogs in the world!"
The two Frogs jumped out of the pond and ran through the meadow.
There they met another Frog.
"What is the hurry?" asked the third Frog.
"We are running to the place where the rainbow ends," said the two
Frogs.
"I have been told," said the third Frog, "there is a cave filled with gold
and diamonds and pearls at that place."
"Then come with us," said the two Frogs. "We will be the three
richest frogs in the world!"
The three Frogs ran for miles. Finally they came to the rainbow's end.
There they saw a dark cave in the side of a hill.
"Gold! Diamonds! Pearls!" cried the Frogs, as they leaped into the
cave.
A Snake lived inside. He was hungry and had been thinking about his
supper. He swallowed the three Frogs in one quick gulp.
The highest hopes may lead to the greatest disappointments.]]
THE BEAR AND THE CROW
The Bear was on his way to town. He was dressed in his finest coat
and vest. He was wearing his best derby hat and his shiniest shoes.
"How grand I look," said the Bear to himself. "The townsfolk will
be impressed. My clothes are at the height of fashion."
"Forgive me for listening," said a Crow, who was sitting on the branch
of a tree, "but I must disagree. Your clothes are not at the height of
fashion. I have just flown in from town. I can tell you exactly how the
gentlemen are dressed there."
"Do tell me!" cried the Bear. "I am so eager to wear the most proper
attire!"
"This year," said the Crow, "the gentlemen are not wearing hats.
They all have frying pans on their heads. They are not wearing coats and
vests. They are covering themselves with bed sheets. They are not wearing
shoes. They are putting paper bags on their feet."
"Oh, dear," cried the Bear, "my clothes are completely wrong!"
The Bear hurried home. He took off his coat and vest and hat and
shoes. He put a frying pan on his head. He wrapped himself in a bed
sheet. He stuffed his feet into large paper bags and rushed off toward
the town.
When the Bear arrived on Main Street, the people giggled and smirked
and pointed their fingers.
"What a ridiculous Bear!" they said.
The embarrassed Bear turned around and ran home. On the way he
met the Crow again.
"Crow, you did not tell me the truth!" cried the Bear.
"I told you many things," said the Crow, as he flew out of the tree,
"but never once did I tell you that I was telling the truth!"
Even though the Crow was high in the sky, the Bear could still hear
the shrill sound of his cackling laughter.
When the need is strong, there are those who will believe anything.]]
THE CAT AND HIS VISIONS
"What a glorious vision I see in my head!" said the Cat as he went
to the riverbank. "I see a large, fat fish on a china plate, resting
in an ocean of lemon juice and butter sauce."
He licked his whiskers in anticipation.
The Cat put a worm on a hook and threw his line into the water. He
waited for the fish to bite. An hour went by, but nothing happened.
"What a vision I see!" said the Cat. "A fish on a china plate, lying
in a lake of lemon juice and butter sauce."
Another hour passed, and nothing happened.
"I see a vision!" said the Cat. "A small fish on a china plate, sprinkled
with lemon juice and dribbles of butter sauce."
Many hours later the Cat said, "I can still see a vision. A small, thin
fish on a china plate with a little drop of lemon juice and a tiny dab of
butter sauce."
After a long time the Cat said sadly, "There is a new vision in my head.
I see no fish. I see no lemon juice and not a bit of butter sauce. I see a
china plate. It is as empty as my stomach."
The Cat was just about to leave the riverbank when he felt a sudden
tug on his line. He pulled a large, fat fish out of the river.
The Cat ran home and fried the fish. He put it on a china plate. He
poured a whole ocean of lemon juice and butter sauce all over it.
"What a glorious supper!" said the Cat.
All's well that ends with a good meal.]]
THE OSTRICH IN LOVE
On Sunday the Ostrich saw a young lady walking in the park. He
fell in love with her at once. He followed behind her at a distance,
putting his feet in the very places where she had stepped.
On Monday the Ostrich gathered violets as a gift to his beloved. He
was too shy to give them to her. He left them at her door and ran away,
but there was a great joy in his heart.
On Tuesday the Ostrich composed a song for his beloved. He sang it
over and over. He thought it was the most beautiful music he had ever
heard.
On Wednesday the Ostrich watched his beloved dining in a restaurant.
He forgot to order supper for himself. He was too happy to be
hungry.
On Thursday the Ostrich wrote a poem to his beloved. It was the first
poem he had ever written, but he did not have the courage to read it
to her.
On Friday the Ostrich bought a new suit of clothes. He fluffed his
feathers, feeling fine and handsome. He hoped that his beloved might
notice.
On Saturday the Ostrich dreamed that he was waltzing with his beloved
in a great ballroom. He held her tightly as they whirled around
and around to the music. He awoke feeling wonderfully alive.
On Sunday the Ostrich returned to the park. \\/hen he saw the young
lady walking there, his heart fluttered wildly, but he said to himself,
"Alas, it seems that I am much too shy for love. Perhaps another time
will come. Yet, surely, this has been a week well spent."
Love can be its own reward.]]
THE CAMEL DANCES
The Camel had her heart set on becoming a ballet dancer.
"To make every movement a thing of grace and beauty," said the
Camel. "That is my one and only desire."
Again and again she practiced her pirouettes, her relevés, and her
arabesques. She repeated the five basic positions a hundred times each
day. She worked for long months under the hot desert sun. Her feet
were blistered, and her body ached with fatigue, but not once did she
think of stopping.
At last the Camel said, "Now I am a dancer." She announced a recital
and danced before an invited group of camel friends and critics. When
her dance was over, she made a deep bow.
There was no applause.
"I must tell you frankly," said a member of the audience, "as a critic
and a spokesman for this group, that you are lumpy and humpy. You
are baggy and bumpy. You are, like the rest of us, simply a camel. You
are not and never will be a ballet dancer!"
Chuckling and laughing, the audience moved away across the sand.
"How very wrong they are." said the Camel. "I have worked hard.
There can be no doubt that I am a splendid dancer. I will dance and
dance just for myself."
That is what she did. It gave her many years of pleasure.
Satisfaction will come to those who please themselves.]]

Subjective Criteria

Illustrations: Little support

Dialog: Multiple speakers

Dialog: Broken dialogue

Dialog: Unlabeled Speaker

Vocabulary: Many difficult words

Language: Many descriptive words

Sentences: Multiple phrases

Text structure: Story/Poem

Table of Contents

Chapters

Headings

Features

Topic

Fantasy

*Fictional Ideas/Charac

Low Frequency Words

accustomed	ached	advice	alas	all's
announced	annoyed	anticipation	applause	arabesques
assure	attire	audience	ballet	blistered
bowing	buffeted	composed	courage	critic
delicious	derby	deserve	diamonds	disagree
disagreeable	disappointed	disappointments	doubt	dribbles
embarrassed	entwined	existence	fashion	fatigue
flown	foolhardy	furry	gentlemanly	gibbon
glare	glorious	gulp	handsome	healthful
height	hollyhocks	humpy	impressed	increasingly
jeweled	kingdom	ladies	laughter	lilies
lobster	majesty	marigolds	meadow	medals
movement	noble	ordinary	ostrich	outsmarted
pearls	pleasantly	pleasure	poem	pose
positions	pour	practiced	predicament	quiver
rainbow's	rainstorm	relevés	respect	restaurant
reward	ridiculous	riverbank	route	routine
royal	rumor	satisfaction	sauce	scissors
scurried	secure	seldom	shaken	shiniest
shrill	shutters	sickly	smirked	solution
somewhat	spending	splendid	spokesman	squall
strolling	sunshiny	surely	swallowed	tangle
tidy	townsfolk	truly	venture	violets
vision	visions	voyage	waddled	waddling
waltzing	whirled	whiskers	wonderfully