Globe Trotting Frog Comes Home

Swansea,MA, USA ? If you love a good mystery, this story is for you! One spring day, Gertrude and John Knight, both 67, were working in their yard. They noticed that the ten-pound cement frog in their garden was gone. I thought some kids ripped it off said John.
But several weeks later, John began to change his mind. The Knights got a strange postcard that said. ”I’m sick of sitting in your garden. Had to get away. Love, the Frog.”
Then the Knights got a letter from New York. “Dear Ma and Pa, I’m in New York! I should be back by Christmas. I’ll write again soon!” Inside the letter was a photo of the frog at a New York subway station.
For the next eight months, cards and pictures arrived from around world. The Knights heard from the frog in Indonesia, Sweden and Italy. A letter from Paris said, “HI mom and Dad, can’t stay here too long. They eat frog legs!” Finally, the frog dropped them a line from Japan, which said ,“I’ll catch you later, around Christmas.”
Sure enough, just before Christmas, the globe trotting frog arrived home in a limousine. There was also champagne and a letter for the Knights. “Thanks for being a good sports!” it said. The Knights don’t have a clue who took the frog. But they sure got a kick out of his adventure!
1.What did John Knight think happened to the frog at first?
2.When and why did he change his mind?
3.According to the postcard, why did the frog have to get away?
4.When did he promise to be back?
5.For how long did the Knights continue to hear from the frog?
6.What did the card from Japan say?
7.When did the globe-trotting frog arrive home?
8.What was the message in the letter?
9.Do the Knights know who took the frog?
10.How did they feel about his adventure?
11.In your opinion, what kind of person took the frog?
Complete the idioms.
a.Hector wanted to fix the sink, but he changed his ______________. He realizes he doesn’t have a __________________ how to do it.
b.Tina and Diego are a _______________ couple. They get __________ out of traveling the world.
c.A thief ripped _______________ my bike
Complete the dialogue.
A mother and her 18-year-old daughter, Lucy, are saying goodbye. Lucy is about to move to San Francisco. Fill in the blanks with idioms from the box. Put the verbs in the correct form and tense.
Be sick of
be back
not have a clue
Change one’s mind
get away
drop a line
Catch you later
hear from
Mother: Lucy, there’s still time to (1)____________ about this.
Lucy:No, Mom. I’ve got to (2) ______________. This town is too small for me. I (3)_______________ it. San Francisco is calling me.
Mother: I know, honey. Don’t forget to call and write. I’m afraid we’ll never (4)______________ you.
Lucy: Don’t worry. I (5) _______________ every week.And I (6) _______________ here for Christmas vacation. That’s only three months away!
Mother: Yeah, that’s true. How long do you think it will take you to find a job?
Lucy: I (7) ________, Mom. I’ll just have to see. I’d better**go. Goodbye, Mom.
Mother: Goodbye sweetheart. I’ll miss you. Give me a big kiss. Drive carefully and call the minute you get there.
Lucy: OK. Bye, Mom. (8) ________________________!
mystery:puzzling event or situation:?an event or situation that is difficult to fully understand or explain
strange:unexpected or extraordinary:?not expected, usual, or ordinary
Example
There's so many mystery about this place.
That's a strange time to hold a wedding.
New Idioms and Expressions
1. globe trotting- traveling widely throughout the world.
2. rip something off- steal something
3. rip someone off- steal from someone
4. change one’s mind- change one’s opinion or point of view
5. be sick of something- be tired of; be bored with something
6. get away- leave one’s daily routine; go on vacation
7. be back- be again where you were before
8. hear from someone- write a short letter to someone
9. drop someone a line-receive a phone call, letter, or e-mail
10. I’ll catch you later- I’ll see you later
11. sure enough- As expected
12. be a good sport- Be able to laugh at jokes and pranks that involve you
13. not have a clue- Not know anything
14. get a kick out of something - to enjoy doing something very much.
1.Where would you like to spend your summer get away ?
2.How often do you drop your friends and family a line? How often do you hear from them?
3.What kind of of adventures do you get a kick out of ?
4.Are you a globe trotter (or would you like to be). Tell about your travels (or your plans).