We use the ‘Flesch–Kincaid Grade Level Formula’ to present scores as per US grade level. See all the grade levels here. Following articles, stories and features are appropriate for people at reading level of Grade 4 (Age 9-10 years). More information about Flesch–Kincaid readability tests can be found here.
153 items in this section. Displaying page 4 of 16
What's in a Name?
There were two things in the world that Ghagra Geeta Bali hated. The first was the way Rani, the domestic help, combed her hair. Rani said she combed hard to make sure that there was no lice or dandruff in her hair. But she did it with such force that Ghagra Geeta Bali feared it would remove bits of her scalp, as well. The second was, you guessed it, her name. She hated her name so much that she prayed to god every night: Dear god, let me die and be born again....
Sadako’s Cranes
The atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima ten years ago. I lived a mile away from the city so nothing much happened to me, though the city and its people were burnt. The bomb didn’t do anything to me — so I thought for ten years. I love running. A few months ago, while I was practising for a relay event, I felt dizzy. I thought it was only because I was tired. Then a few weeks after that, I fell down in the field and couldn’t get up....
Haroo, the Croc
Here’s a lazy crocodile Snoozing on the bank He is quick at catching prey So do keep off his tank! His skin is rough, his teeth so sharp And he is moody too So don’t annoy or throw him stones And take care what you do! Haroo, the Croc [Illustration by Sudheer Nath] (C) Swapna Dutta
Don't Throw the Seeds Away...
It makes you healthy, It gives you energy, An apple or a guava An orange or a papaya Eat a fruit everyday But don’t throw the seeds away. Here’s a simple thing you can do You could tell all your friends too! Plant the seed in the soil (It doesn’t take much time or toil) Pour a little water there A young shoot will soon appear. In time it’ll become a big tree – Which gives so much to you and me!...
The Ungrateful Friend
This happened a long long time ago. In a small village in southern Orissa, there lived an old woodcutter. One day, when he was going to the forest to cut wood, he met the tiger. The woodcutter stopped in his tracks on seeing the king of the jungle. But, strangely enough, the tiger did not roar on seeing the woodcutter. He remained silent. The woodcutter was baffled. How was he to know that the tiger was blind?...
The Greek Barber
I wonder what others think of when they hear a mention of Greece. I think of the first Olympics and I think of the poison Socrates the philosopher was forced to drink. But I want to see something different today. Athens, here I come! The Greek Barber [Illustrations by Anup Singh] My machine says we have reached the Athens of 2005 years ago (5th century BC). I stretch myself and walk out of the machine....
The Doctor who did not Cure
An old woman had lost her eyesight completely. So she went to a doctor to help her see again and made a bargain with him in the presence of a few witnesses. The bargain was that: if he could cure her, he would be paid handsomely. But if he couldn’t, she would not be obliged to pay him anything. The doctor had a special ointment. When it was applied in the eyes for a certain period of time, it restored the eyesight of anyone who was sightless....
A Verbal Trade
One evening, an old man was passing through a village. From the interior of a small house, he heard a sweet, melodious voice singing. He stood outside on the road till the song ended. Then he went near the house and looked inside. The singer was a small girl. He patted her affectionately and gave her a gold mohur. The girl’s father, Mohan, who was standing nearby, was delighted at the unexpected present. He snatched the gold mohur from his daughter’s hand....
The Dog and the Pig
Retold from ‘When the World was Young’, by Verrier Elwin. The book is a fascinating collection of folktales from the tribal peoples of India. Elwin was a pioneering anthropologist; he spent his entire life getting to know the ways of life of the tribal peoples. A man kept two animals — a dog and a pig. He kept them in the hope that they would help him in his work. But he was sorely disappointed. All they did was eat and eat and eat....
The Jungle
Far away in the jungles where the green grass grows, lived families of mynas their nest in rows. They were friends and foes who played and fought for fun. But when it came to the enemy they stood together as one. One morning they were surprised a strange creature there to find. Loud, noisy with strange scary ways a being like that…seemed a ferocious kind. The Jungle [Illustration by Anup Singh] Eager to befriend the new...