Ls 1- Monacella and
her Little Lambs
.......a Welsh Folk Tale
Monacella was a beautiful princess
of Wales.
She was greatly loved by the people
of the land.
She was kind and gentle to all
animals and people alike.
She cheered up sad children and
nursed sick animals until they were
well again.
She disliked violence of any kind.
Monacella was gentle, kind and good
She was known for her beauty and
gentle ways.
Many princes wished to marry her.
Her father wanted her to marry a
great and powerful prince.
This was so that he could increase
his own army.
On hearing this, Monacella decided
to run away from the palace.
She ran away as she did want to live amidst
violence.
She started to live in a cave in the
countryside.
She ate wild berries and drank
water from a stream.
People of the valley found out, and
came to visit her.
Soon, she was looking after their
children and nursing sick people
Monacella lived a quiet and happy life
The animals and birds of the valley too
became her friends.
One day, the Lord of the lands was
hunting.
His dogs were chasing a small brown hare.
The hare was scared, and ran to seek
Monacella.
The beasts in the forest and even the wind
were calling out to Monacella.
The hunting dogs grew closer to the hare.
… one day a little brown hare was in trouble.
All at once Monacella appeared and
blessed all the animals.
The Lord of the lands called out to his
dogs, but heard nothing.
He pushed his way through the bushes
and saw Monacella .
The hare was at her feet and the dogs
were sitting peacefully in a circle.
The Lord felt peaceful and calm.
The lord of the land saw an extraordinary
sight.
The Lord gave the valley to Monacella.
It would be a sanctuary for the
animals.
No one could hunt and kill the animals
as long as Monacella lived there.
The shepherds of the valley smiled
whenever they saw Monacella with the
hares scampering at her feet.
“There goes the shepherdess with her
lambs”, they said.
Monacella is an inspiration
This story is actually based on a real life Irish
princess named Melangell who lived in the 6th
century
The Lord of the lands was Prince Brochfael, of
Powys.
He asked her to start a monastery on those
very lands for people seeking peace and
solitude.
She agreed to the same, providing all the
animals could live there in peace and harmony.
This spot came to be known as Pennant
Melangell
It exists to this day.
The true story behind it....
Illustration
Focus Words
Vocabulary Building(synonyms, antonyms, word-
meanings and sentences)
Ques/Ans
Reference to context questions
Thinking questions
Written work of the chapter...
Focus Words
Wales entertained
scent
bayed comfort
shepherdess wounds
trotted enemies
crept
scampering capture
rustle weasels
hush
whispered
starlings
nursed
Written work of Ls 1
Antonyms Synonyms
ugly x beautiful amuse = entertain
high x low console = comfort
cruel x gentle scared = frightened
weak x strong howl = bay
release x capture
untamed = wild
huge x tiny
noisy x quiet sniff = smell
domestic x wild imprison = capture
after x before haven = sanctuary
unsafe x safe prance = trot
often x rare crept = crawl
Vocabulary Building
Word Meanings:
gentle- having a mild nature
castle- a large building built much earlier which
was protected against attacks
wandered- to roam from one place to another
scent- a pleasant smell
rustle-a soft and crackling sound
peace- freedom from disturbance and violence
Vocabulary Building
▪ Q1. Why did everyone love Monacella?
▪ Q2. How did Monacella treat a hurt child and a sick animal?
▪ Q3. Why did Monacella’s father want her to marry the great and powerful
prince?
▪ Q4. Why did Monacella run away from the castle?
▪ Q5. Why was the little brown hare frightened?
▪ Q6.What did the young lord see when he pushed his way through the bushes?
▪ Q7. What did the young lord decide to give Monacella?
Question/Answers
“ I must run, if only I can find Monacella, I shall be
safe”
Q1. Who is the speaker of the above lines?
Q2. Why is it afraid?
Q3. How would Monacella help it?
Reference to the context...
“There goes the shepherdess with her lambs”
Q1. Name the lesson from which the above lines
have been taken.
Q2. Who spoke these words?
Q3. Why did they say this about Monacella?
Reference to the context...
1. How will you take care of your pet if he or she falls sick?
2. Have you ever gone to a wild life sanctuary? How was
it? Describe it in your own words.
3. Do you feel Monacella had certain magical powers?
Support your answer with reasons.
4. Do you think it is fair to hunt or kill animals for sport?
Assignment-Thinking Questions, Answer any two of
the above questions in around 50 words in your
English Notebooks.
Thank you
