Introduction
The following story was included in a collection of anecdotes about dogs, and credited to Abraham Abell (1782-1851), a native of Cork in Ireland, member of the Royal Cork Institution, and one of the founders of the Cuvierian Society. It is told here by Edward Jesse, the man who oversaw the restoration of Hampton Court Palace and its subsequent opening to the public in 1838.
This dog had been constantly annoyed in the streets of Cork by little noisy curs, of whom, however, he took no notice. One of them was particularly troublesome, and at length carried his petulance so far as to bite the Newfoundland dog in the back of his leg. This was a degree of insult which could not be patiently endured, and he instantly turned round, ran after the offender, and seized him by the skin of his neck. In this manner he carried him to the quay,* and holding him for some time over the water at length dropped the cur into it. He did not, however, design that the culprit should have too severe a punishment, for after the offender had been well ducked and was struggling in the water, the generous Newfoundland plunged in and brought him safe to land.
From “Anecdotes of Dogs” (1846), by Edward Jesse (1780-1868).
* The city of Cork, in the southeast of the Republic of Ireland, stands on the River Lee, roughly twelves miles inland from where the river empties into the Irish Sea. Cork is a major port city, and at the heart of the town is a large, busy river island; so our Newfoundland had plenty of choice when it came to finding a quay suitable for a ducking.
Précis
Irish antiquarian Abraham Abell told of a Newfoundland dog in Cork, who was unceasingly harassed by street dogs. One day, one of them bit him. The Newfoundland scruffed him, carried him to the quay, and dropped him into the water. After watching him flounder for a bit, the big-hearted Newfoundland jumped in and rescued his tormentor before he could drown. (60 / 60 words)
Irish antiquarian Abraham Abell told of a Newfoundland dog in Cork, who was unceasingly harassed by street dogs. One day, one of them bit him. The Newfoundland scruffed him, carried him to the quay, and dropped him into the water. After watching him flounder for a bit, the big-hearted Newfoundland jumped in and rescued his tormentor before he could drown.
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: besides, may, not, or, otherwise, ought, since, whereas.
Archive
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.
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 Patient. Some. Troublesome.
2 Bring. Little. Seize.
3 Drop. Holding. Quay.
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.)
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 ()
You are welcome to share your creativity with me, or ask for help with any of the exercises on Clay Lane. Write to me at this address:
See more at Email Support.
If you like what I’m doing here on Clay Lane, from time to time you could buy me a coffee.
Buy Me a Coffee is a crowdfunding website, used by over a million people. It is designed to help content creators like me make a living from their work. ‘Buy Me a Coffee’ prides itself on its security, and there is no need to register.
.jpg){kind=link}