Introduction
Cuthbert had a particular attachment to the many wonderful birds of the Farne Islands, which remained a key feature of devotion to the saint at his shrine in Durham. He was not, however, a bird-pleaser any more than he was a people-pleaser, and if his birds needed a little moral correction he would steel himself to provide it.
AFTER St Cuthbert retired from Lindisfarne to the island of Inner Farne, further out to sea, he built a small hut for his occasional visitors. However, two ravens who had nested for many years on the island started stealing its thatch. Cuthbert took them to task, saying that they were doing a great deal of harm to people who had not hurt them at all. The ravens fled at once.
Three days later, he was digging in his little garden when he looked up to see one of the ravens spread out on the ground in an attitude of complete self-abasement. Having thus gained the saint’s attention, the bird flew away, only to return shortly afterwards with his companion, carrying in their beaks a large piece of lard, which they dropped at the bishop’s feet. Cuthbert used to show it off to visitors, reflecting on how much humility can be learned from animals as he rubbed a little fat into his guests’ cracked leather boots.
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Word Games
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Bird. Ground. Small.
2 Build. His. Occasional.
3 Grind. Person. Rub.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
Homophones Find in Think and Speak
In each group below, you will find words that sound the same, but differ in spelling and also in meaning. Compose your own sentences to bring out the differences between them.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
Confusables Find in Think and Speak
In each group below, you will find words that are similar to one another, but not exactly the same. Compose your own sentences to bring out the similarities and differences between them, whether in meaning, grammar or use.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
High Tiles Find in Think and Speak
Make words (three letters or more) from the seven letters showing below, using any letter once only. Each letter carries a score. What is the highest-scoring word you can make?
Your Words ()
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