ClassX Video Lessons Youtube Channel Smile and Learn English Platero and I????????????♂️CLASSIC STORIES for Kids ???? Literature for Kids
Once upon a time, there was a little donkey named Platero. He was small, fluffy, and as soft as a cloud. His eyes were shiny and black, like pieces of glass. When I let him run in the meadow, he would dash around happily. When I called him, he would trot back to me with joy. The villagers would say, “He’s as strong as steel!” And they were right. Platero’s coat was shiny like silver, and he was as brave as steel.
One day, while we were walking, Platero started to limp. “What’s wrong, my friend?” I asked. Platero lifted his hoof, and I saw a thorn stuck in it. I quickly lay down, pulled the thorn out, and took him to the stream for a drink. Platero was so happy! We then headed to the sea, and Platero nuzzled me to say thank you.
Platero loved to roll around and get dirty, so I had to wash him often. On a hot summer day, I took him to the courtyard for a bath. I filled a basin with water and gently washed him. As the dirt washed away, Platero looked cleaner and happier. He brayed and shook himself dry, looking shy but handsome. He was so happy that he ran around the courtyard like a playful puppy!
One day, Platero and I found a swallow caught in a net. The poor bird was flapping and chirping for help. “Oh no, Platero, we must help her!” Together, we freed the swallow, and she flew away to join her friends. Platero and I felt so happy to help someone in need!
One autumn afternoon, I showed my friends a new album of trading cards. We decided to have a race to win the cards. “Ready, set, go!” I shouted. The girls ran fast, but Platero, excited by the game, galloped ahead and won the race! The girls made a crown of parsley for Platero, and he wore it proudly.
During Carnival, the children painted Platero’s face. The town was celebrating, but Platero was scared. I took him to the meadow to calm down. A butterfly flew by, and Platero watched it happily. He loved butterflies, and they always made him feel better.
One morning, I found Platero very sick. He lay on his straw bed, breathing slowly. The vet came and said there was nothing we could do. I stayed with Platero, stroking his back and telling him how much I loved him. Platero passed away at noon, and I was very sad.
Months later, my friends and I visited Platero’s grave in the meadow. We placed flowers around it and remembered our happy times together. A beautiful butterfly landed on the grave, and I knew it was a gift from Platero. I smiled and thanked my dear donkey for all the joy he brought into my life.
We’ve learned so much from Platero’s story! Remember, there are many more stories and videos to explore. Keep learning and having fun!
Draw and Describe Platero: Use your imagination to draw Platero the donkey. Think about how he looks based on the story. Is he fluffy and shiny? What color are his eyes? After drawing, describe your picture to a friend or family member. What makes Platero special to you?
Role-Play a Scene: Choose a scene from the story, like helping the little bird or having a fun race. Act it out with your friends or family. How does it feel to be Platero or his friend? What do you learn from helping others or having fun together?
Nature Walk and Observation: Go for a walk in a nearby park or garden. Look for animals like birds or butterflies, just like Platero did. Can you find something that needs help, like a stuck leaf or a small twig? How can you help, just like Platero and his friend did? Share your experience with your class or family.
Sure! Here’s a sanitized version of the transcript:
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Smile and learn. Platero was my donkey. He was small, fuzzy, and as soft as a cloud. Only his jet black eyes were as sharp as a piece of glass. When I let him loose in the meadow, he would run and run, and when I called him, he would trot happily back to me. The villagers would see him and shout, “He’s like steel!” and it was true; he was like both silver and steel. His coat was as shiny as silver, and he was as strong and brave as steel.
[Music]
One day, as we were walking, Platero began to limp. “What’s wrong, my friend?” Platero raised his right hoof with a sad look on his face; he had a thorn stuck in it. I didn’t waste a second. I lay down on the ground, pulled the thorn out of his hoof, and took him to the stream to drink some water. Oh, how happy Platero was! After a short while, we headed to the sea. On the way, Platero nuzzled me on the back. I knew it was his way of thanking me.
[Music]
Platero got dirty very easily, and his coat had to be washed with great care. It was a hot summer day, perfect for a bath, so I took Platero out to the courtyard, brought out a basin, and asked him to get in. “You go, Platero, we’re going to get you nice and clean.” Platero nodded, although he was not very convinced. I gently washed him with the hose; little by little, the dirt from his coat disappeared, and the water in the basin got darker and darker. “See, my little stubborn donkey, don’t you feel better?”
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Now Platero brayed and shook himself dry. Suddenly, he looked shy and embarrassed. “How handsome you are, Platero!” The little donkey, overjoyed, reared and started running around the courtyard as if he were a dog. He was so happy, clean, and beautiful; his little black eyes were shining brighter than ever.
[Music]
One day, Platero and I were walking in the field when we came upon a swallow caught in a net. She flapped and chirped, calling out to her brothers for help, but they couldn’t possibly get too close or they would get trapped too. “Oh no, Platero, that poor bird is caught! Help me!” Platero looked as sad and worried as I was. We couldn’t leave without doing something. Together, we pulled on the net until we managed to free the poor swallow. She was so small and so frightened. “Now you are free! Fly away, my friend!” The little bird spread her wings, took flight, and went to join her brothers. Reunited, the swallows chirped joyfully together, and they were not the only ones; Platero was beside himself with joy. How wonderful it felt to help others!
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One afternoon in early autumn, Platero and I gathered in the field with our friends. I wanted to show them a new album of trading cards that I had received as a gift. It came all the way from Vienna. The girls looked at it, their eyes widening and their jaws dropping with each page. Then I had an idea: “Let’s have a race! The first one to reach the violets wins all the cards!” “Really? I promise I’ll be the referee. Ready? On your mark, get set, go!” The girls started running; they zipped across the grass, their little dresses flapping in the wind. They were close to reaching the violets when suddenly Platero, excited by the game, galloped ahead and passed them. The girls didn’t want to waste a single second complaining, but even when they did, it was too late. “Platero wins! Platero wins!” “That’s not fair! Platero can’t even read!” It was true; Platero had won the race, but he couldn’t even hold the book with his hooves. “I have an idea!” One of the girls picked a handful of parsley from the meadow and made a crown for Platero. The little donkey was delighted when the girl placed the crown on his head. “Three cheers for the winner! Hip hip hooray! Hooray! Hooray!”
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It was Carnival Monday, and the children had painted Platero’s face. The whole town was celebrating and dancing around him. However, the poor little donkey was not enjoying the party. He would raise his ears and try to find a way to escape, but there was no way. At last, I managed to get him out of there and take him to the meadow to relax. Poor Platero; there was no way to calm him down. Platero was scared to death and wouldn’t stop trembling. Then a butterfly flew by. “Look how it flies, Platero! It flies and flies!” Platero calmed down right away; he had always loved butterflies just as much as I did.
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One morning, I discovered that Platero was very sick. His eyes were closed, and he wouldn’t get up from the pile of straw that was his bed. His belly was so swollen, and he was breathing very slowly. “What’s wrong, my friend? What’s hurting?” “There, there, the vet will make you feel all better. Just hold on a little longer.” The village vet arrived at the stable a few minutes later. He kneeled down to listen to Platero’s heart, then looked up at me very sad. “Not good, is it? There’s nothing we can do, kid. He must have eaten a bad herb. The best thing you can do is stay with him until he falls asleep.” And so I did. I sat down at Platero’s side and gently stroked his back. “Platero, you are my best friend.” I didn’t know if he could hear me, but I had to say it. “You are the greatest donkey one could ever have. What good times we have had together. Do you remember the swallow and the race you ran so well? That day you can rest now, Platero. Everything will be all right. We’re going to be fine.” Platero passed away at noon. The stable was silent except for the sound of my sobbing.
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All around us flew a colorful butterfly that shone in the sunlight. One afternoon, months later, my friends and I went to the meadow. In the shade of a pine tree, there was a small stick anchored to the ground, surrounded by flowers. It was Platero’s grave. “Platero, my friend,” my friends cried. “Oh, Platero, Platero, we miss you, my little donkey. I’m sure you’re in a nice place now. Are there lots of swallows flying freely through the air? Do you take baths? I hope you’re not still eating things off the ground. Tell me, do you see us? Are you looking down on us from up there?” Then, as if it were a sign, a beautiful butterfly fluttered from flower to flower and landed on Platero’s grave. I was sure that the butterfly was a gift from Platero, who didn’t want to see us sad. So I smiled, stroked the stick anchored in the ground, and gave thanks to my donkey.
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We’ve learned so much in just one video! Did you know there are many more videos? Imagine how much you could learn! Subscribe to the Smile and Learn educational channel to learn and have fun at the same time!
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