The Wise Monkeys of Nikko
Far away in Japan, there is a beautiful place called Nikko. Nikko has very old and pretty buildings called shrines.
These shrines are in a quiet forest with tall green trees. Many people walk the paths to see them.
One special place is the Toshogu Shrine. It has bright gold paint that shines in the sun.
On one wooden wall, you can see a famous carving. It is a carving of three little monkeys.
These monkeys teach us how to be good. They show us a smart way to live.
The first monkey covers his eyes with his hands. He does not want to see bad things.
The second monkey covers his ears with his hands. He does not want to hear bad words.
The third monkey covers his mouth with his hands. He does not want to speak mean words.
Together, they tell us to choose good things every day. They are the three wise monkeys of Nikko.
- Shrines:
- Special, beautiful buildings where people go to show respect.
- Carving:
- A picture or shape cut into wood or stone.
- Wise:
- Smart and knowing the right thing to do.
- Forest:
- A large area of land covered with many trees.
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- 1In which country is the beautiful place called Nikko located?
- 2What kind of trees are in the quiet forest around the shrines?
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About this informational passage for Lower Elementary
“The Wise Monkeys of Nikko” is a informational reading passage about Toshogu Shrine and the Three Wise Monkeys, written for Lower Elementary. It takes about 1 minute to read (159 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.