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Don't Count Your Chickens!

LLaura
Upper Elementary
Explanatory Article
EN
2 min read
Image for Don't Count Your Chickens!

Don't Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch

Have you ever heard someone say, "Don't count your chickens before they hatch"? It's a common saying, but what does it really mean?

This proverb is a reminder to not get too excited or make plans based on something that hasn't happened yet. It means you shouldn't assume you'll have something before you actually have it. Let's break it down.

Imagine a farmer who has a hen sitting on a dozen eggs. He starts thinking about all the chickens he'll have. He imagines selling them at the market and using the money to buy a new tractor. He's already spending the money in his mind!

But what if some of the eggs don't hatch? What if only half of them become chicks? Then his plans for a new tractor are ruined. He counted his chickens before they even hatched!

Here's another example. Imagine you're playing a game and you're close to winning. You start celebrating before the game is actually over. But then, your opponent makes a comeback and wins! You counted your victory before it was certain.

This proverb teaches us to be patient and realistic. It's good to be hopeful and have goals, but it's important to remember that things don't always go as planned. Waiting until something is actually achieved before celebrating or making big plans is a good idea.

So, next time you feel tempted to celebrate too early, remember the wise words: "Don't count your chickens before they hatch!" It's a good way to stay grounded and avoid disappointment.

Listen to Don't Count Your Chickens!

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Glossary
Proverb:
A short, popular saying that expresses a well-known truth or belief.
Realistic:
Having a practical and sensible view of things.
Assumptions:
Things that are accepted as true without proof.
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Part of a collectionIdioms and Proverbs Reading PassagesExplore the whole collection · 13 readings

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About this explanatory article passage for Upper Elementary

“Don't Count Your Chickens!” is a explanatory article reading passage about Proverbs, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (261 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

Is this passage free?

Yes. You can read “Don't Count Your Chickens!” online for free and download a printable PDF worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.

What reading level is “Don't Count Your Chickens!”?

It’s written for Upper Elementary — a explanatory article text about Proverbs, about a 2-minute read (261 words).

What’s included with this passage?

An illustrated reading passage, a glossary of key terms, comprehension questions with an answer key, and an interactive quiz.

Can I adapt it for my students?

Yes. With a free account you can remix it to a different grade level or translate it to another language in one click.