hibernation (noun)- comes from hibernate (long sleep through the
winter)
legend- old story that is told from parents to children, and
children's children, and so on for many many years
shadow- darkness made where the light can't go through (when the
sun shines you can see the dark outline of your body on the ground)
Story
A ground hog is a small animal that digs and lives under the ground. It
is also called the woodchuck. Ground hogs live in many parts of America.
In the winter they hibernate like bears and some other animals.
There is a legend that says a few hundred years ago Europeans
brought Ground Hog Day to America. They said that the ground hog
wakes up from his hibernation on February 2. (February 2 is half way
between winter and spring.) If he comes up from his hole and it is sunny,
he will see his shadow and be frightened. If he sees his shadow, there will
be 6 more weeks of winter weather. But if he comes up and the sky is
cloudy, he will not see his shadow and will not be frightened. Then spring
weather will come very soon.
Some people believe this legend and they watch the sky on February 2.
Many people are happy if it is cloudy on that day. They think spring will
come soon. But most people think it is just a fun legend. What do you
think?
Questions
Click the arrows to see the correct answer
1. What is another name for ground hog?
2. Where do ground hogs live?
3. What does a ground hog do during the winter?
4. When does the ground hog wake up from his hibernation?
5. If a ground hog sees his shadow, what will happen?