Benny

The Story:

An out-of-towner accidentally drives his car into a deep ditch on the side of a country road. Luckily a farmer happened by with his big old horse named Benny.

The man asked for help. The farmer said Benny could pull his car out. So he backed Benny up and hitched Benny to the man's car bumper.

Then he yelled, "Pull, Nellie, pull." Benny didn't move.

Then he yelled, "Come on, pull Ranger." Still, Benny didn't move.

Then he yelled really loud, "Now pull, Fred, pull hard." Benny just stood.

Then the farmer nonchalantly said, "Okay, Benny, pull."

Benny pulled the car out of the ditch.

The man was very appreciative but curious. He asked the farmer why he called his horse by the wrong name three times.

The farmer said, "Oh, Benny is blind, and if he thought he was the only one pulling he wouldn't even try.

Vocabulary Practice.
Mark the best choice.

An 'out-of-towner' is someone who........
lives in the city
is not from the town he or she is in
someone who drives cars for a living
a person who needs help

'Yelling' means........
calling out softly
speaking in an ordinary voice
screaming
whispering

To do something 'nonchalantly' is to do it........
casually
angrily
menacingly
happily

'Hitching' something to something else is........
to pick them up
to tie them together
to put them down
to connect them together

Questions for Discussion
What is funny about this joke? Why won't Benny pull without help?

Activities
Have you ever had problems travelling and being an 'out-of-towner'? What were they? Discuss with a classmate.