Tonight Heracles must catch something. But he mustn’t kill it.
The Labours of Heracles · A2
Labour Three: The Golden Hind
Mustn’t, faster than, its, the past simple (ran, didn’t), ago, in winter, quietly, will for promises, and when: A2 grammar for a year-long chase after a deer with golden horns.
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SOPHIA
DEMETRIA
Good!
The story
After the old stories of Heracles
The third labour was the golden hind: a deer with golden horns. It belonged to Artemis, the goddess of hunting. It was faster than an arrow. Heracles mustn’t hurt it.
Heracles ran after it for a whole year: in spring, in summer, in autumn and in winter. An old hunter told him: “I saw it here a week ago. Wait for it by the water.”
At last, in winter, the hind stopped to drink at a river. Heracles moved very quietly, and caught it. He didn’t hurt it at all.
Artemis appeared. She was angry. “I will bring it back to you,” said Heracles. “I promise.” When did Eurystheus come out of his jar? When he saw the hind, and it ran away, back to Artemis.
Mustn’t
PHILO
Heracles mustn’t kill the hind. It belongs to Artemis!
SOPHIA
mustn’t + verb: it is not allowed. You mustn’t touch it.
Faster than; its
MARCOS
It was faster than an arrow! Its horns were gold!
SOPHIA
-er than to compare two things. And its (no apostrophe) = belonging to it. it’s = it is.
The past simple
DEMETRIA
The hind ran into the forest. Heracles didn’t hurt it. When did the king come out?
SOPHIA
Irregular past forms: run → ran, see → saw, catch → caught. Negatives and questions with did + base verb.
Ago; in winter
PHILO
“I saw it a week ago.” He caught it in winter.
SOPHIA
ago goes after a time: two days ago. in + seasons, months, years; on + days; at + times.
Quietly; will
MARCOS
He moved very quietly. “I will bring it back. I promise!”
SOPHIA
Adverbs often end in -ly: quietly, slowly, carefully. And will for promises.
Sophia’s summary
| Form | Use | From the story |
|---|---|---|
| mustn’t | not allowed | He mustn’t kill it. |
| -er than; its / it’s | comparing; belonging / it is | faster than an arrow; its horns |
| past simple; did / didn’t | finished past | It ran. He didn’t hurt it. |
| ago; in / on / at | time | a week ago; in winter |
| -ly adverbs; will | how; promises | quietly; I will bring it back |
Practice
Answer all the questions, then press “Check my answers”. You can try again as many times as you like.
A · Choose
Choose the correct word.
1. Heracles ___ hurt the hind.
2. The hind was ___ than a horse.
3. The hind ___ into the forest.
4. I saw it here two days ___.
5. He caught it ___ winter.
6. He moved very ___.
B · Write
Write the missing word.
7. The hind was beautiful. horns were gold.
8. Heracles hurt it. (did not)
9. “I bring it back. I promise!”
10. did he catch it? — In winter.
C · Right or wrong?
Is it correct?
11. “It’s horns were golden.”
12. “Did Heracles caught the hind?”
13. “The old man saw it a week ago.”
Now play Labour Three yourself, as Heracles!Play the gamebook →