The same topic and facts written three ways, so a mixed class can read and talk about one text. Each group’s sheet shows only a shape; the key says which is which.
● Easier · 209 words · Flesch-Kincaid grade 2.2
In Marble Hollow, under an old garden wall, lived a cricket named Hesper who settled arguments. Her rule was simple: she would not decide anything until she had heard both sides.
One morning two ants marched up, each gripping one end of a large cookie crumb. "It is mine," said the first ant. "I found it by the flowerpot."
"No, it is mine," said the second. "I saw it first, and I touched it first."
Hesper listened to the first ant tell her whole story. Then she listened to the second ant tell hers. She asked each one a question. "Who carried it this far?"
The first ant looked down. "We both did."
"And who will carry it home?"
"Both of us," muttered the second ant. "It is too heavy for one."
Hesper tapped her leg on the stone. "Then here is my decision. A crumb that takes two ants to carry should be shared by two ants. Break it in half, take your halves home, and each of you will bring back twice as much by morning."
The ants looked at each other. Then they laughed, snapped the crumb, and each strode off with a piece.
Hesper chirped contentedly. Most quarrels, she knew, were really about being heard.
▲ This passage · 253 words · Flesch-Kincaid grade 4.1
In Marble Hollow, beneath an ancient garden wall, there lived a cricket named Hesper who had a reputation for settling disputes. Her principle was simple and unbending: she would never reach a decision until she had listened carefully to both sides of the story.
One morning two ants marched up to her, each of them gripping one end of an enormous cookie crumb. "It is mine," declared the first ant. "I found it beside the flowerpot."
"That is untrue; it is mine," insisted the second. "I saw it first, and I touched it first."
Hesper listened patiently while the first ant told his whole story from beginning to end. Then she listened just as patiently while the second ant told hers. Afterward she asked each of them a question. "Who carried it all this way?"
The first ant looked down at his feet. "We both did."
"And who will carry it home?"
"Both of us," muttered the second ant. "It is far too heavy for one."
Hesper tapped her leg against the stone. "Then here is my decision. A crumb that requires two ants to carry it ought to be shared between two ants. Break it in half, take your halves home, and each of you will have enough for a feast."
The ants glanced at each other, and then they laughed. They snapped the crumb in two, and each of them strode proudly away with a piece.
Hesper chirped with contentment. Most quarrels, she knew, are really about wanting to be heard.
■ Harder · 254 words · Flesch-Kincaid grade 4.3
In Marble Hollow, beneath an ancient garden wall, there lived a cricket named Hesper who had a reputation for settling disputes fairly. Her principle was simple and unbending: she would never reach a decision until she had listened carefully to both sides of the story.
One morning two ants marched up to her, each of them gripping one end of an enormous cookie crumb. "It is mine," declared the first ant. "I found it beside the flowerpot."
"That is untrue; it is mine," insisted the second. "I saw it first, and I touched it first."
Hesper listened patiently while the first ant told his whole story from beginning to end, and then she listened just as patiently while the second ant told hers. Afterward she asked each of them a question. "Who carried it all this way?"
The first ant looked down at his feet. "We both did."
"And who will carry it home?"
"Both of us," muttered the second ant. "It is far too heavy for one."
Hesper tapped her leg against the stone. "Then here is my decision. A crumb that requires two ants to carry it ought to be shared between two ants. Break it in half, take your halves home, and each of you will have enough for a feast."
The ants glanced at each other and then laughed. They snapped the crumb in two, and each of them strode proudly away with a piece.
Hesper chirped with contentment. Most quarrels, she knew, are really about wanting to be heard.
Name ____________________●
The Cricket Judge of Marble Hollow
In Marble Hollow, under an old garden wall, lived a cricket named Hesper who settled arguments. Her rule was simple: she would not decide anything until she had heard both sides.
One morning two ants marched up, each gripping one end of a large cookie crumb. "It is mine," said the first ant. "I found it by the flowerpot."
"No, it is mine," said the second. "I saw it first, and I touched it first."
Hesper listened to the first ant tell her whole story. Then she listened to the second ant tell hers. She asked each one a question. "Who carried it this far?"
The first ant looked down. "We both did."
"And who will carry it home?"
"Both of us," muttered the second ant. "It is too heavy for one."
Hesper tapped her leg on the stone. "Then here is my decision. A crumb that takes two ants to carry should be shared by two ants. Break it in half, take your halves home, and each of you will bring back twice as much by morning."
The ants looked at each other. Then they laughed, snapped the crumb, and each strode off with a piece.
Hesper chirped contentedly. Most quarrels, she knew, were really about being heard.
Questions
- What was Hesper's rule for settling arguments?
- What were the two ants arguing about?
- What did the ants admit when Hesper asked questions?
- What was Hesper's decision?
- Why did the ants stop quarreling?
- What does Hesper mean when she says quarrels are about being heard?
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Name ____________________▲
The Cricket Judge of Marble Hollow
In Marble Hollow, beneath an ancient garden wall, there lived a cricket named Hesper who had a reputation for settling disputes. Her principle was simple and unbending: she would never reach a decision until she had listened carefully to both sides of the story.
One morning two ants marched up to her, each of them gripping one end of an enormous cookie crumb. "It is mine," declared the first ant. "I found it beside the flowerpot."
"That is untrue; it is mine," insisted the second. "I saw it first, and I touched it first."
Hesper listened patiently while the first ant told his whole story from beginning to end. Then she listened just as patiently while the second ant told hers. Afterward she asked each of them a question. "Who carried it all this way?"
The first ant looked down at his feet. "We both did."
"And who will carry it home?"
"Both of us," muttered the second ant. "It is far too heavy for one."
Hesper tapped her leg against the stone. "Then here is my decision. A crumb that requires two ants to carry it ought to be shared between two ants. Break it in half, take your halves home, and each of you will have enough for a feast."
The ants glanced at each other, and then they laughed. They snapped the crumb in two, and each of them strode proudly away with a piece.
Hesper chirped with contentment. Most quarrels, she knew, are really about wanting to be heard.
Questions
- What principle did Hesper follow when settling disputes?
- What were the two ants quarreling over?
- What did the ants admit when Hesper questioned them?
- What was Hesper's decision about the crumb?
- Why did the ants stop arguing and laugh?
- What does Hesper mean when she says most quarrels are about wanting to be heard?
Free at teach.peabody.kids
Name ____________________■
The Cricket Judge of Marble Hollow
In Marble Hollow, beneath an ancient garden wall, there lived a cricket named Hesper who had a reputation for settling disputes fairly. Her principle was simple and unbending: she would never reach a decision until she had listened carefully to both sides of the story.
One morning two ants marched up to her, each of them gripping one end of an enormous cookie crumb. "It is mine," declared the first ant. "I found it beside the flowerpot."
"That is untrue; it is mine," insisted the second. "I saw it first, and I touched it first."
Hesper listened patiently while the first ant told his whole story from beginning to end, and then she listened just as patiently while the second ant told hers. Afterward she asked each of them a question. "Who carried it all this way?"
The first ant looked down at his feet. "We both did."
"And who will carry it home?"
"Both of us," muttered the second ant. "It is far too heavy for one."
Hesper tapped her leg against the stone. "Then here is my decision. A crumb that requires two ants to carry it ought to be shared between two ants. Break it in half, take your halves home, and each of you will have enough for a feast."
The ants glanced at each other and then laughed. They snapped the crumb in two, and each of them strode proudly away with a piece.
Hesper chirped with contentment. Most quarrels, she knew, are really about wanting to be heard.
Questions
- What principle did Hesper follow when settling disputes?
- What were the two ants quarreling over?
- What did the ants admit when Hesper questioned them?
- What was Hesper's decision about the crumb?
- Why did the ants stop arguing and laugh?
- What does Hesper mean when she says most quarrels are about wanting to be heard?
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Answer key: The Cricket Judge of Marble Hollow
● Easier (Flesch-Kincaid grade 2.2)
- She would not decide until she had heard both sides.
- Which of them owned a large cookie crumb.
- They had both carried the crumb and both would have to carry it home.
- The ants should break the crumb in half and share it.
- They realized they had both done the work, and the fair choice was to share.
- People often argue because they want someone to listen to them.
▲ This passage (Flesch-Kincaid grade 4.1)
- She would not decide until she had listened to both sides.
- Which of them owned an enormous cookie crumb.
- They had both carried the crumb and both would need to carry it home.
- They should break it in half and share it.
- They realized each had done part of the work, so sharing the crumb was the fair choice.
- People often argue because they want someone to listen and take them seriously.
■ Harder (Flesch-Kincaid grade 4.3)
- She would not decide until she had listened to both sides.
- Which of them owned an enormous cookie crumb.
- They had both carried the crumb and both would need to carry it home.
- They should break it in half and share it.
- They realized each had done part of the work, so sharing the crumb was the fair choice.
- People often argue because they want someone to listen and take them seriously.
Free at teach.peabody.kids