Read and Understand Traditional Stories: 'Dick Whittington'

The tale of Dick Whittington and his cat is very well known.

Read the story and then have a go at answering the questions. 

Remember that you can look back at the story as often as you like by clicking the red help button on the screen.

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DICK WHITTINGTON

Long, long ago there lived a poor boy called Dick Whittington. He was an orphan and often had nothing to eat. One day, he heard of the great city of London where, it was said, even the streets were paved with gold. Dick decided to go to London to seek his fortune.

London was a big and bustling city, full of people both rich and poor. But Dick could not find any streets that were paved with gold. Tired, cold and hungry, he fell asleep on the steps of a great house. This house belonged to Mr. Fitzwarren, a rich merchant, who was also a good and generous man. He took Dick into his house, and gave him work as a scullery boy.

Dick had a little room of his own where he could have been very happy if it had not been for the rats. They would run all over him as he lay on his bed at night and would not let him sleep. One day, Dick earned a penny shining shoes for a gentleman and he decided to buy a cat. After that, Dick's life became easier - the cat frightened away all the rats and Dick could sleep in peace at night.

One day, Mr. Fitzwarren called all the servants of the house together. One of his ships was leaving for a far-off land with goods to trade. Mr. Fitzwarren asked his servants to send something of their own in the ship if they so desired: something which could perhaps be traded for gold or money. Dick had only his cat to send - which he did with a sad heart as it had been a good companion for him.

Dick continued to work as a scullery boy for Mr. Fitzwarren, who was very kind to him. So was everyone else except the cook, who made Dick's life so miserable that he decided to run away. He had almost reached the edge of the city when he heard the Bow Bells ring out. 'Turn again Whittington, thrice Lord Mayor of London,' chimed the bells. Dick was astonished - but he did as the bells said and turned back to Mr. Fitzwarren's house.

When he got back he found that Mr. Fitzwarren's ship had returned, and that his cat had been sold for a great fortune to the King of Barbary whose palace had been overrun with mice. Dick had become a rich man and did indeed become Lord Mayor of London three times.

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