Walton Burns - The Real Treasure

The Real Treasure A folktale from Kazakhstan adapted by Walton Burns A1+ / Beginner + 2020 Alphabet Publishing. All rights reserved. Illustrations by Kamil Sawczuk. Map created by Central Intelligence Agency, 2003, Public Domain For discounts on class sets, contact us: Alphabet Publishing 1024 Main St. #172 Branford, CT 06405 USA www.alphabetpublishingbooks.com

F or a long time, in Kazakhstan, many people lived as nomads . Nomads do not live in one place.

They do not build stone or wood houses and they do not live in towns. Instead they move around. This helps them find food for their animals. The Kazakh nomads traveled north in the summer. They went away from hot places. They found cool places with green grass.

In the winter, they traveled south. They went away from the snow. They found grass for cows and horses to eat. Because they traveled a lot, Kazakhs lived in round tents called yurts . You can take a yurt down. You can travel with it.

Some people still live in these houses. Nomads in Kazakhstan and all over the world still travel to find food. They live in tents or houses that can move. Would you like to be a nomad? What would be the biggest change in your life?

A long time ago, there was a young man from Kazakhstan His name was Bakyt. That means happy in Kazakh. Bakyt always wanted more. Bakyt always wanted more.

He wanted a bigger house. He wanted more food for dinner. His horse was too small. His sword was too weak. So Bakyts father took him to Mergen. Mergen was an old man.

He was very wise. Can you guess what Mergen means? Mergen asked Bakyt, Why are you sad? I want to be rich, Bakyt said, I want beautiful things. Expensive things. Very well, said Mergen, Sell me your eyes. I will give you a beautiful saddle for your horse. Bakyt said, But wise Mergen, if I sell you my eyes, I cannot ride.

Then I do not need a beautiful saddle. Very well, said Mergen, Then sell me your ears. I will give you a golden dombra. Bakyt said, But wise Mergen, if I sell you my ears, I will not need a dombra. Then sell me your nose. I will give you delicious food.

Bakyt said, But wise Mergen, without a nose, the food will not smell delicious. It will not taste good. Then sell me your arms. I will give you an exquisite sword. Bakyt said, But wise Mergen, if I sell you my arms, I cannot use a sword. Then sell me your legs.

I will give you a fast horse. Bakyt said, If I give you my leg, I cannot ride a horse. What about this? said Mergen,, Sell me your heart. I will give you an enormous yurt. Bakyt said, But wise Mergen, if I sell you my heart, I will die. Your body is healthy and whole. Your body is healthy and whole.

Your family loves you. You have a home and food to eat. said Mergen, These are the real treasures. Enjoy what you have. Do not ask for more. Bakyt went back home.

He never complained again. Sometimes, he even smiled!

d elicious : tastes good enormous : large, big exquisite : very beautiful Kazakh: a group of people wholive in Kazakhstan. They have lived there a long time. It is also the name of the language the people speak. treasure: something that costs a lot of money or something that is important wise : knowing about the best way to live Next page