by Frank Stockton
Contents
Chapter Three: The Princess Knows
Chapter Four: The Final Choice
This story is in the public domain, rewritten for English learners.
Chapter One: A Strange King
There is a king. He is strong. He is powerful. But he is also strange. He has a big arena. People come there every week. They want to see something exciting.
The king has a special idea. He says, “This is justice.” In the arena, there are two doors. They look the same.
Behind one door, there is a tiger. The tiger is big. It is very dangerous. Behind the other door, there is a lady. She is young and beautiful.
A man stands in the arena. He looks at the two doors. He chooses one door. If he opens the tiger door, the tiger comes out and attacks him. If he opens the lady door, he marries the lady at once.
The people watch in silence. Then they shout, cry, or smile.
The king is happy. He loves this game.
Chapter 1 – Vocabulary
King – a man who rules a country
The king rules the people.
Arena – a big place for games or shows
People go to the arena.
Door – something you open to go in or out
He opens the door.
Tiger – a large, dangerous animal
The tiger is very strong.
Lady – a woman
The lady stands and waits.
Choose – to decide what you want
He chooses a door.
Dangerous – not safe
The tiger is dangerous.
Marry – to become husband and wife
He marries the lady.
Watch – to look carefully
People watch the arena.
Game – something people play or watch
The king likes this game.
Comprehension Questions
1. Who rules the country?
2. Where do people go?
3. How many doors are there?
4. What is behind the first door?
5. What happens if the man chooses the lady?
6. Do you like this game? Why or why not?
Chapter Two: Love and Danger
The king has a daughter. She is the princess. She is beautiful. She is proud and strong.
There is a young man. He is not rich, but he is brave. He has kind eyes and a warm smile.
The princess loves him. He loves her too.
They meet in secret. They talk. They laugh. They are happy together.
But one day, the king sees them. His face becomes cold. He does not smile.
He says, “This is wrong.”
The young man goes to prison. The king makes a decision.
“You go to the arena,” he says.
The people hear the news. They are excited.
The princess feels afraid. But she does not cry. She thinks.
Chapter 2 – Vocabulary
Princess – the daughter of a king
The princess lives in the palace.
Young man – a man who is not old
The young man is brave.
Love – to feel strong care for someone
They love each other.
Brave – not afraid
He is brave.
Secret – something hidden
They meet in secret.
Angry – very upset
The king is angry.
Prison – a place where people cannot leave
He stays in prison.
Decision – a choice
The king makes a decision.
Afraid – feeling fear
She feels afraid.
Together – with each other
They are together.
Comprehension Questions
1. Who is the king’s daughter?
2. Who does she love?
3. Why is the king angry?
4. Where does the young man go?
5. Is love a problem in this story?
6. What do you think about the king?
Chapter Three: The Princess Knows
The day of the trial comes.
The arena is full. Everyone is there. The young man walks in. He is calm, but his heart beats fast.
He looks at the princess. She looks back at him.
She knows the secret.
She knows which door has the tiger. She knows which door has the lady.
Yes… the lady.
The lady is very beautiful. The princess sees her before. The lady looks at the young man. Sometimes she smiles at him.
The princess remembers this. She feels fire in her heart.
She does not like this lady. Not at all.
The young man asks her with his eyes:
“Which door?”
The princess does not wait. She moves her hand… to the right.
Very fast. Very small. Only he sees it.
Chapter 3 – Vocabulary
Trial – a test to decide something
The trial starts today.
Secret – something only a few people know
She knows the secret.
Look – to use your eyes
He looks at her.
Jealous – not happy when someone has something you want
She feels jealous.
Heart – the place of feelings
Her heart is strong.
Remember – to think about the past
She remembers the lady.
Smile – to show happiness with your face
The lady smiles.
Sign – a small movement with meaning
She makes a sign.
Right – one side (not left)
He goes to the right.
Fast – quick
She moves fast.
Comprehension Questions
1. Is the arena full or empty?
2. Who knows the secret?
3. Why is the princess jealous?
4. What does the young man ask?
5. Is the princess kind or not? Why?
6. What do you feel for her?
Chapter Four: The Final Choice
The young man understands. He trusts her. He walks to the right door. Step by step.
The arena is silent. No one moves. The king watches. The princess watches.
The young man puts his hand on the door. He opens it.
Now… everything changes.
What comes out?
Is it the tiger?
Strong. Wild. Deadly.
Or is it the lady?
Beautiful. Smiling. Alive.
The princess loves him. This is true. But she is also jealous. This is also true.
She thinks again and again:
“Do I want him alive… with another woman?”
“Or do I want him dead… but still mine?”
Her heart burns. Her mind is strong.
She makes her choice. But we do not see the answer. So now, the question is yours:
Is it the lady… or the tiger?
Chapter 4 – Vocabulary
Choice – a decision
He makes a choice.
Trust – to believe someone
He trusts the princess.
Silent – very quiet
The arena is silent.
Open – to move something to see inside
He opens the door.
Alive – living
He is alive.
Deadly – can kill
The tiger is deadly.
Jealous – wanting something someone else has
She is jealous.
Think – to use your mind
She thinks a lot.
Answer – something you say to a question
We do not know the answer.
Question – something you ask
This is a big question.
Comprehension Questions
1. Which door does the man choose?
2. Is the arena loud or silent?
3. What are the two possibilities?
4. Does the princess love him?
5. What do you think: tiger or lady?
6. Why do you think so?
7. What do YOU choose in this story?
Read the original story: americanliterature.com
Read more stories and improve your English.
A Service of Love – (Present Simple, Level 1)
