In addition to menacing our health, cocroaches are smelly, filthy, and ugly. Upon entering a cellar which is redolent with their aroma, you are not likely to forget the odor. And when you spy the foul culprits creating havoc in your sugar bowl or in repose atop your chocolate cake, your disposition may be exacerbated. …
Kategori: English Learning
La Cucharacha – the Cockroach
The poor cockroach has been called “the most reviled creature on the face of the earth.” Nobody loves him – except, perhaps, another cockroach. Fiction, non-fiction, and poetry are replete with derogatory references to these ubiquitous bugs. Public health officials are quick to indict the insects as carriers of viruses that can cause yellow fever …
Disappointment and Dedication
When Prince Schubert asked for additional restrictive measures, the people began to balk. Speaking on radio, the young reformer explained the reasons for higher taxes and food rationing; he was blunt when he stated the need for personal sacrifices. Nevertheless, the resistance to reform was great, and nostalgia for the “good old days” of King …
Reform Movement
In order to improve Ruritania’s financial position, an astute but parsimonious treasurer was installed and given wide its feet by slashing all waste from its budget, dismantling King Andre’s sumptuous palaces, and firing all incompetents. In addition, Prince Schubert was able to get the United States to underwrite a substantial loan which would enable him …
Prince Schubert in Action
Prince Schubert’s first move was to declare an amnesty for political prisoners and to invite home all Ruritanian expatriates. Those who had been jailed on false charges were exonerated by special tribunals. The young leader announced that he would abrogate all of the oppressive fiats which his predecessor had promulgated. Things began to look up …
Trouble in Ruritania
King Andre of Ruritania was afflicted with megalomania, and the people of his country suffered, as a result. After ten years of his profligate rule, the treasury was bankrupt, unemployment was rampant, domestic strife was mounting, and the number of the King’s opponent who were incarcerated was legion. Following a bloodless coup, his nephew, Prince …
Easy to Train
The chimpanzees are deemed by scientist to be the closest to man of all living apes; consequently, they are fairly easy to train. Several years ago, two married researchers embarked on an interesting project: they reared and trained a chimp in almost the same manner as they would have raised a child. The animal did …
Dr. Jeckyll or Mr. Hyde?
Under the pretext of being a surgeon, he gained entry to the hospital. When interviewed by the director, he had to fabricate a tale of his medical experience, but he was so adroit at lying that he got away with it. It was not until the phony “doctor” began to gesticulate wildly with his scalpel, …
Chimpanzees Are Surprisingly Smart
Washoe, the chimpanzee, has more than a veneer of intelligence; she can signal her desire to eat, go in or out, be covered, or brush her teeth. In addition, she can make signs for “:I’m sorry,” “I hurt,” “Hurry,” “Give me,” and a myriad of other terms which are familiar to young children. This urbane …
Teaching Chimpanzees to Talk
Two resourceful psychologists at the University of Nevada have made splendid progress in vocabulary development in chimpanzees. Following a number of abortive attempts to teach French, German, or English to chimps, the researchers persevered until they hit upon the American sign Language system which is often used by deaf persons. They have had to modify …