Hundreds of years ago England was ruled by a great English king, called Alfred the Great. He became king in 871 and died in 899. He was known as a just and fair ruler. That is why he has earned the title the Great. Many interesting stories and legends are told about him. One of them tells how he learnt to read. Alfred’s mother, Queen Osburga, was a good and wise woman and a very kind mother to her little children. She was also very educated and clever, and fond of reading, which was rather uncommon in those days when very few people could read or cared about it. They thought that learning was for churchmen, and that it was more useful to know how to use a sword than a pen. One day Alfred and his brothers saw her reading a book. It was the book of old English songs. The book was written on parchment* and the pictures were all painted by hand. It was a pretty book. As Osburga turned the pages Alfred saw the pretty pictures, so he left his play, and came to lean against his mother’s
knee, to look at them. All the other boys came to see the pretty book too. When
Osburga saw how they all liked the book, she was very much pleased. She
looked at their happy eager faces.
“Do you truly like this book?” asked Osburga.
“Oh yes, mother, we do,” they all answered at once.
“Then, boys,” she said, “I will give it to the one who first learns to read it.”
His brothers went away and thought no more of the book, but Alfred was
so eager to have the book that he worked hard all day long and patiently studied
to learn to read. The strange old writing was not easy to master. So one morning
he came to his mother and proudly claimed his prize. Osburga kissed him and
gave him the prize, as she had promised.
All his life afterwards Alfred was fond of books, and even when he became
king, he still found time not only to read, but also to write them. He started
schools and encouraged people to study in them because he understood that
knowledge is more valuable than force.

• Why are many stories and legends told about Alfred the Great?
• Because these legends and stories are about his life, how he ruled fair and the one of them how he started to read and write.
  . Why didn’t the Queen give the book to her sons?
• Because to read a book you need to know to read letters, book is for reading, and who can learn it earlier he can had it.
  Why was Alfred able to claim his prize?
• He deserved it for learning to read and write earliest and maybe he was the only one who can.
  Why did Alfred encourage people to study in schools?
• I think, because after being read and write, he understand that knowledge is more useful power than than force.
  Why did people call their King, Alfred the Great?
• He earned title Great, because he was a fair ruler and he was very clever king and person.

1. able to learn quickly c. clever      
2. not the same b. different   
3. always calm, showing self-control a. patient 
4. something that is important or costs a lot d. valuable
5. having a practical purpose, helpful          e. useful

6. acquire complete knowledge or skill    f. to master
7. to govern, to guide    g. to rule
8. a popular story, perhaps untrue h. legend
9. worry i. care   
10. just     j. fair