“The Holidays” A tale told in the past tense

Please hold up the card of the tense you would use to translate the ITALICIZED UNDERLINED verb.

Preterite vs Imperfect Once upon a time…There a hard-working man married to an amicable but foolish woman. was

Preterite vs Imperfect She a poor housewife besides. was

Preterite vs Imperfect Try as he did, he her to keep the cottage clean and neat. could not teach

Preterite vs Imperfect Once of his neighbor friends who felt sorry for him, “My friend, let me give you some advice.” said

“As all the world knows, the holidays are coming, and of course everything must be in order and ready for them. Why don’t you remind your wife of this?”

Preterite vs Imperfect The man there was no harm in trying. thought

Preterite vs Imperfect So a short time later, just before he for work… left

Preterite vs Imperfect … he to the woman and, “Wife, listen carefully. The holidays are coming, so be sure to have everything ready for them today.” said turned

Preterite vs Imperfect Now the woman really to please her husband. wanted

Preterite vs Imperfect Thinking that the holidays were grand, important people, she the whole morning standing at the cottage door asking every passerby, “Are you the Holidays?” spent

Preterite vs Imperfect Everyone and “no”. laughed answered

Preterite vs Imperfect At noon the wife inside to eat her lunch. went

Preterite vs Imperfect A pair of rogues along in a wagon. came

Preterite vs Imperfect They at the cottage door. paused

Preterite vs Imperfect “Come in, come in,” the woman. “Are you the Holidays?” called

Preterite vs Imperfect The rogues, who as sharp of wit as they nimble of fingers, the question odd indeed. were thought

Preterite vs Imperfect “Why do you ask?” they. inquired

Preterite vs Imperfect “My husband me the Holidays and to have everything ready for them,” the woman. told were coming explained

Preterite vs Imperfect “And this I’ve done,” she proudly. added

Preterite vs Imperfect “We’re the Holidays, all right,” one rascal, while the other greedy eyes all over the things in the snug cottage. said cast

Preterite vs Imperfect As the simple woman ____ by, the two ________ to load into the wagon everything they could pick up. stood proceeded

Preterite vs Imperfect When the husband home, he astonished to find the cottage almost bare. camewas

Preterite vs Imperfect “What terrible misfortune has befallen us?” he. cried

Preterite vs Imperfect “No misfortune, dear husband,” the wife. said

Preterite vs Imperfect “I just as you me.” did told

Preterite vs Imperfect “I everything in order and ready for the Holidays.” had

Preterite vs Imperfect “They at noon – two of them – and _____ up their wagon.” came loaded

Preterite vs Imperfect The poor husband ____ his head. shook

Preterite vs Imperfect “Ah well,” he, “how truly ‘tis : ‘Leave well enough alone’.” sighed said