Why the Snake does not have Legs - Grade 7 Learner's Book

Jul 17, 2026

A grade 7 learner’s story explains how Snake lost her legs after lending them to her best friend Millipede. Long ago they did everything together, yet Snake’s many legs made her especially beautiful. When Millipede wants to look stunning at a party, Snake agrees to lend her legs on the condition of return, but Millipede later chooses not to return them. The decision ends the friends’ relationship.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages15

Reading Time23 min

Why the Snake does not have Legs

Friendship and the party request

The promise to return the legs

The dilemma and the broken friendship

Vocabulary and comprehension questions

Why the Snake does not have Legs English: Learner's Book Grade 7 Why the Snake does not have Legs English: Learner's Book Grade 7 Lusaka, Lusaka, Zambia Copyright © 2017, Annjoy M. Julius [http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/](http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) You may not use this work for commercial purposes. You may adapt and add to this work. You must keep the copyright and credits for authors, illustrators, etc. A long time ago,Snake and Milipede were best friends. They did everything together. They farmed together; they went to the market together; they went to the salon together; and they went to the river together. During that time,Millipede did not have as many legs as she has today. On the other hand, Snake had very many legs. This made her look extremely beautiful. Infact,she was the prettiest creature that ever lived. Every male snake wanted to marry her! One day Millipede was invited to a party. Millipede wanted to be the most beautiful lady in that party. She went and spoke to Snake. "Snake,my firend,could you lend me your pretty little legs? I want to look stunning tonight! I might even get myself a suitor there," said Millipede,feeling very excited atthe thought of looking as beautiful as Snake. "Certainly,I will help you,my friend," replied Snake. "I shall lend you my legs provided you promise to return them after the party." "Of course, I'll return them immediately after the party!" promised Millipede. Therefore,Snake lent Millipede her legs. When she wore them,Millipede looked gorgeous,just like Snake. During the party,all male Millipedes admired her, the way male Snakes had always admired her. Millipede felt so good about herself! After the party, Millipede was in a dilemma.'Should I return these legs?' she thought to herself. At last, she decided not to return Snakes's legs. She did not mind being disloyal to her generous,longtime friend! She did not even care that she was hurting her best friend.That is how Snake lost her legs! It was also the end of the Snake's and Millipede's friendship! Answer the following questions 1.Check up the meaning of these words in your dictionary and write them down. a. stunning b. suitor c. dilemma d. disloyal Check Your Understanding What do the words 'I shall lend you my legs' tell us about Snake and Millipede's friendship? They did not like each other Their friendship was not strong They trusted each other and had great friendship They could not help each other Check Your Understanding Millipede borrowed Snake's legs because Snake didn't need them She had been invited to Snake's house She didn't like Snake looking so beautiful She wanted to look pretty during the party

FAQs

Why did Millipede borrow Snake’s legs?

Millipede wanted to look the most beautiful lady at the party, feeling excited about stunning appearance and possibly getting a suitor.

What condition did Snake set before lending her legs?

Snake agreed to lend the legs provided Millipede promised to return them after the party.

What does the story’s dilemma reveal about Millipede?

After the party, Millipede debates whether to return the legs, and she ultimately decides not to, showing disloyalty even though it hurts her friend.

Jul 17, 2026

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