Grade 5 Retelling Practice
This worksheet helps fifth-grade students practice retelling stories by identifying key details and sequencing events.
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Retelling Practice: The Lion and the Mouse
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Read the fable 'The Lion and the Mouse' carefully. Then, answer the questions that follow to practice your retelling skills.
The Lion and the Mouse
Once upon a time, a mighty Lion was sleeping peacefully in the forest. A tiny Mouse, scurrying by, accidentally ran over the Lion's nose, waking him up. The Lion roared in anger and placed his huge paw on the little Mouse, ready to crush him.
“Please, King of the Jungle!” squeaked the Mouse. “Forgive me this time. I did not mean to disturb you. If you spare my life, I will never forget your kindness, and perhaps one day, I can repay you.”
The Lion laughed at the idea of such a small creature ever helping him, but he was amused by the Mouse’s plea. He lifted his paw and let the Mouse go.
Some time later, the Lion was caught in a hunter’s net. He struggled and roared, but the ropes were too strong. His roars echoed through the forest, and the little Mouse heard them.
Remembering the Lion’s mercy, the Mouse quickly ran to the trapped Lion. With his sharp teeth, he gnawed through the thick ropes, one by one, until the Lion was free. “You see?” said the Mouse, “Even a small Mouse can help a great Lion.” The Lion, humbled and grateful, thanked the Mouse, and from that day on, they were friends.
1. What is the main problem in the story?
The Lion can't find food.
The Mouse accidentally wakes the Lion.
The Mouse is afraid of the forest.
The Lion is not respected by other animals.
2. Number the events in the story in the correct order from 1 to 4.
The Mouse gnaws through the ropes and frees the Lion.
The Lion catches the Mouse after being woken up.
The Lion is caught in a hunter's net.
The Lion spares the Mouse's life.
3. Complete the sentences to retell parts of the story.
A tiny Mouse accidentally ran over a sleeping Lion's .
The Lion decided to the Mouse after hearing its plea.
Later, the Lion was trapped in a .
The Mouse used its sharp to free the Lion.
4. In your own words, briefly retell the beginning of the story, covering what happened when the Lion and Mouse first met.
5. What is the most important lesson or message that the story of 'The Lion and the Mouse' teaches you? Explain your answer.