(1) Read the story. (2) Tell the story in your own words. (3) Ask the questions.
| Animal Whispers | |
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In Romania, there is a New Year’s tradition based on a strange belief: at midnight, animals are said to gain the power of human speech. On New Year’s Eve, people quietly enter barns and stables, listening closely to cows, horses, or sheep. According to folklore, animals may speak about the future, revealing secrets of the coming year. But there is a catch: anyone who actually hears an animal speak is said to suffer misfortune, illness, or even death. The true sign of good luck is silence—if the animals don’t talk, the New Year will be peaceful and prosperous.
Today most families observe it more as a story than a ritual, but many still enjoy the thrill of standing quietly in the dark, hoping to hear—or perhaps not hear—the animals’ prophetic whispers. |
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