Saved by a Dolphin
by James Baldwin
Comprehension
A. Write true or false.
1. Arion was not a famous musician. [F]
2. A musical competition was held at Corinth. [F]
3. Arion won the first prize in the competition. [T]
B. Answer the questions.
1. Why did Arion travel to the island of Sicily?
= Arion travelled to the island of Sicily to take part in a musical competition which was being held there.
2. What happened there?
= Arion's music won him the first prize in the competition. Many people requested him to come to their cities and perform for them. Arion visited several cities, and in each place he was well paid for his music.
3. What did the captain and the sailors of the ship want to do with Arion?
= The captain and the sailors of the ship wanted to kill Arion and keep his money and belongings.
C. Read the lines and answer the questions.
1. "We will nor spare your life," they said, "but you have a choice."
a. Who said this and to whom?
= The sailors of the pirate ship said this to Arion.
b. Why wouldn't they spare his life?
= The king of Corinth was Arion's friend. The sailors feared that if they let Arion live, he would report the matter to the king.
c. What was the choice they offered him?
= They offered Arion the choice that either they will throw him overboard or they will kill him and bury him.
2. "I promise that as soon as it is over, I will jump into the sea."
a. Who made this promise and to whom?
= Arion made this promise to the sailors of the pirate ship.
b. What did he want to do before keeping his promise?
= He wanted to sing his favourite song before keeping his promise.
c. Why did he say he would jump into the sea himself?
= He said he would jump into the sea himself because he knew that he would manage to save his life anyhow. Perhaps he had friendship with the dolphins from before and he was sure about the fact that they would rescue him.
3. "He had told the king about the adventures he had undergone, but the king would not believe him."
a. Who is he and who is the king?
= Arion is he and the king is the king of Corinth who is Arion's friend as well.
b. What adventures had he undergone?
= He had been trapped by the pirates and he had saved himself with the help of the dolphins after jumping into the sea.
c. Why did the king not believe him?
= The king did not believe him because it is next to impossible to save one's life with the help of dolphins from the mid-sea.
D. Think and answer.
1. Why did Arion wish to sing his favourite song before being killed?
= It is very clear that Arion had good friendship with the dolphins of the sea. He was aware of the fact that the dolphins will definitely save him from drowning. So, to let them know that he is in danger, Arion wished to sing his favourite song before being killed.
2. Why do you think the dolphin saved Arion's life?
= Dolphins are intelligent animals. They have feelings. They have sympathy too. They loved the song of Arion and took pity on him when he jumped into the water. There may be another reason too. Perhaps they knew Arion from before. They were friends with Arion. They are acquainted with the song. They gathered around the ship charmed by his music. So, they saved Arion's life.
3. Did the king believe what Arion said about the sailor? How do you know?
= The king believed what Arion said about the sailor because after a few hours later the ship came into port and the sailors confessed their crime to him.
About the Author:
James Arthur Baldwin (1924-1987) was an American novelist, essayist, poet and social critic.