Introduction
Prince Agib has toppled a vast brass statue of a horseman upon the Black Mountain, a labour for which he has been rewarded with the ship he needs to find his way home. Stopping off on a remote island, he sees a boy being led into an underground chamber, and when the coast is clear, Agib follows him in, eager to hear his story.
“ONE day [said the boy] my father dreamed that a son would be born to him, and he consulted all the wise men in the kingdom as to the future of the infant. One and all they said the same thing. When the statue of the brass horse on the top of the mountain of adamant is thrown into the sea by Agib, the son of Cassib, then beware, for fifty days later your son shall fall by his hand!
“It was only yesterday that the news reached him that ten days previously the statue of brass had been thrown into the sea, and he at once set about hiding me in this underground chamber, promising to fetch me out when the forty days have passed.* For myself, I have no fears, as Prince Agib is not likely to come here to look for me.”
I listened to his story with an inward laugh as to the absurdity of my ever wishing to cause the death of this harmless boy.
This is a classic story-telling theme, the quest to nullify a prophecy. See also The Tragedy of King Oedipus.
Précis
Prince Agib hears how a boy has been shut in an underground chamber to evade a prophecy, which says that within forty days a certain Prince Agib will come and murder him. Agib finds the whole matter ridiculous, even though he knows he has already fulfilled part of the prophecy by destroying a brass statue of a horseman. (58 / 60 words)
Prince Agib hears how a boy has been shut in an underground chamber to evade a prophecy, which says that within forty days a certain Prince Agib will come and murder him. Agib finds the whole matter ridiculous, even though he knows he has already fulfilled part of the prophecy by destroying a brass statue of a horseman.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 65 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: although, despite, just, or, otherwise, ought, whereas, who.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
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