Selection 6 GRADE 7

Speed and Comprehension Reading Material

The Origin of the Pine Tree

I.V. Mallari

There once lived a girl by the name of Bangan. She was good and honest, gentle and charming. She
liked the company of people, and she enjoyed doing things for them.

Despite all these, no one liked Bangan’s company for her skin was rough, being covered with
pimples and ringworms. She even had to work alone by herself. And of course no man would court her.

This made Bangan discontented and unhappy. She was particularly worried about her future. What
would happen to her in her old age, if she had to live alone all her life?

Finally one day, Bangan went to a faraway mountain to seek comfort in the company of trees and
flowers, birds and animals. These, at least, would not notice how unattractive she was. And they would not
avoid her company.

The sight of the trees gave Bangan an idea. Why should she not also become a tree and be useful to
people? Then perhaps, they would like her better.

And so, raising her eyes to heaven, Bangan prayed, “Oh, Kabunian, my god, grant that I become a
tree. I want to be useful to people. I want them to like me. For only thus can I be happy.”

After saying this prayer, Bangan lay down in the warm sun. Soon she was fast asleep. She smiled in
her sleep because she knew somehow that she was going to be happy at last.

By the next morning, Bangan had disappeared. In her place grew a beautiful pine tree. Its bark was
round but its leaves were fragrant, and they whispered and murmured in the wind all day.

The pine tree grew fast, reaching toward the sky like a prayer. Soon, it bore cones and when those
cones opened, the wind blew light little seeds far and wide.

Thus, as years rolled on, the mountains became covered with pine trees. Those pine trees, now grown
large and beautiful still stand. And their never-ending murmur is Bangan’s murmur of contentment. For she
has at last found happiness in the service of the people.

No. of words: 328

 Selection 6 GRADE 7
Speed and Comprehension Reading Material

The Origin of the Pine Tree

Questions:

1. How would you describe Bangan according to the story?

a. good, honest, gentle and charming c. cruel, witty, disobedient and dishonest
b. smart, kind, loyal and merciful d. lazy, clumsy, untidy and witty
2. Why was Bangan avoided by people?
a. because of bad breath
b. because her skin was rough being covered by pimples and ringworms
c. because of her bad attitude
d. because of her bad humor
3. What was Bangan’s wish?
a. to have a smooth skin c. to become a flower
b. to have many friends d. to become a tree
4. Who granted her wish?
a. Cabunian c. Kabunian
b. Mabunian d. Sabunian
5. Why did she wish to become something?
a. to be useful to people c. to be fragrant
b. to be beautiful d. to be attractive
6. What made Bangan discontented and unhappy?
a. She felt that she is ugly. c. She had to live alone.
b. She had to work alone by herself. d. She felt useless.
7. What gave Bangan an idea to wish for something?
a. the sight of trees c. the sight of sun
b. the sight of moon d. the sight of the mountain view
8. How did she feel after her wish was granted?
a. happy and contented c. frustrated and disappointed
b. unhappy and discontented d. surprised and amazed
9. What could be the best theme for the selection?
a. love c. friendship
b. contentment d. courtship
10. Who is the author of “The Origin of the Pine Tree”?
a. I.V. Mallari c. I.B. Mallari
b. I.M. Mallari d. I.F. Mallari
 Selection 6 GRADE 7
Speed and Comprehension Reading Material

The Origin of the Pine Tree

Answer key
1. a
2. b
3. d
4. c
5. a
6. b
7. a
8. a
9. b
10. a
 Selection 6 GRADE 7
Speed and Comprehension Reading Material