Page 53 - Purple Butterfly Book 2

Date:
unit 2
Robinson Crusoe
Read the story carefully.
By Daniel Defoe
Many years ago, there lived in England a boy whose name was Robinson Crusoe.
Though he had never been near the sea, Crusoe’s dearest wish was to become a sailor and
go on a ship to foreign lands.
This grieved his mother very much, and she begged the boy to remain at home. His father also warned him of danger, saying, “If you go abroad, you will be most miserable. I cannot give my consent.”
It happened that Crusoe visited Hull, a large town by the sea, to say good-bye to a companion who was about to sail for London. He could not resist the chance of going on a voyage, and without even sending a message to his father and mother; he went aboard the ship and sailed away.
Robinson Crusoe met with many strange adventures at sea. On his first voyage, the ship was wrecked in a fearful storm, and the crew was saved by sailors from another ship.
Next, Crusoe went on a voyage to Africa. On the way there pirates captured the ship. The captain of the pirates made a slave of the boy. The man took Crusoe to his home and made him dig in the garden and work in the house.
One day Crusoe hid some food in a small boat and managed to escape, with a boy. They sailed for many long days and nights, keeping close to shore. They did not dare to land, because of the lions and other wild animals.
After a time they saw a Portuguese vessel. The captain allowed them to go aboard. This ship was bound for South America. They finally landed in Brazil.
Robinson Crusoe lived on a plantation in Brazil for several years. He raised sugar and tobacco. For a time he was happy and made money.
But Robinson Crusoe was never content anywhere for very long. When a merchant asked him to go on another voyage to the coast of Africa, he consented, and he had soon started on this new venture.
At first the weather was very hot. Then one day, without warning, a hurricane burst upon them. The wind raged for twelve days, and the ship was nearly torn to pieces. No one expected to escape.
After a time the wind abated somewhat. The captain ordered the course of the ship changed, but soon another storm followed, even worse than the first.
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