Did you know it is good luck to shake the hand of a man who cleans chimneys for a living? Read this tale to find out why.... Did you know it is good luck to shake the hand of a man who cleans chimneys for a living? Read this tale to find out why....
A Chimney Sweep's Luck
Illustrated by Jennifer D. Kwon
It was 1835 in London, England. Peter Wiggins walked down the cobbled lane beside his father. Each carried a broom and a scraper and was dressed in black trousers and a long black tailcoat.
What is the setting in this story?
Peter, who wore a black knit cap, longingly eyed the tall black top hat perched on his father's head. He looked forward to the day when he would wear one, too.
Peter and his father worked as chimney sweeps, and the attire that they wore served a dual purpose. The dark clothing helped hide the ashes and soot that got on their clothing as they cleaned the chimneys. It also gave them a dignified appearance.
As they walked, Peter thought about his family's trade. Although the work was hard and dirty, it provided a steady income because there were always chimneys needing to be cleaned.
What does the word "attire" mean?
What does the word "trade" mean as used above?
When a chimney is dirty, too little oxygen reaches the fire on the hearth, and the fire can die out. Or the smoke from the fire can fill the house instead of going up the chimney. Grimy chimneys filled with grease and coal tar can easily catch fire. All in all, Peter felt that his job was actually quite noble because it provided an important service to many people.
As the morning wore on, more of the townspeople could be seen on the street. On the corner was a baker, setting out steaming biscuits. Down the lane was a man with a newspaper, and coming toward them was a woman with her dog. Approaching Peter and his father, people smiled and extended their hands. Cheerfully, his father shook their hands and greeted them.
"Father, why is it that people think shaking the hand of a chimney sweep will bring them good luck?" Peter asked.
What do people at this time think will bring them good luck?
"Let's take a rest for a bit, and I'll answer your question," Mr. Wiggins said. He bought a biscuit from the baker and gave half to Peter. He and Peter sat on a low brick wall.
"Years ago there was a chimney sweep about your age named Jack," Mr. Wiggins said. "One fine day Jack was on a rooftop cleaning a chimney. What a grand view Jack had of all the rooftops of London! He looked up and down the busy street. It was lined with people because the royal carriage was due to come through town that very day."
What is the name of the boy in Peter's father's story?
Peter's eyes widened as he imagined the grand sight. His father continued to narrate the story. "Soon came an elegant carriage drawn by four horses. The king was leaning out and waving at all the townspeople. Just then Jack saw a paper blow out of the carriage and sail lightly off in the breeze.
"The crowd hurrying behind the carriage did not even notice it. But Jack kept his eyes fixed on it. To his astonishment a gust of wind blew the paper right onto the roof where he was working.
"Feeling bound to return it, Jack immediately snatched up the paper with his sooty hands and quickly slid down the chimney. He knew that the paper must belong to the king because the king's royal seal was stamped on it. He caught up with the carriage, which had stopped at the street corner, and humbly handed the paper to the king.
"The king looked at the paper and clutched it to his chest. Then he thrust his hand out and shook Jack's hand, not even minding the soot. 'You are a fine young man for returning this official document, signed and sealed by me this very morning,' the king said. 'How fortunate for me that it fell into your honest hands.'
"Because of his good deed, Jack rode in the king's carriage all the way to the edge of town. As he walked back home, people everywhere reached out to shake the hand that had been touched by the king. Since that day all of the English know it is good luck to shake the hand of a chimney sweep!"
"That's a good tale," Peter laughed. Although the story seemed plausible, he asked, "Is it true?"
His father stood up and slung his broom over his shoulder. "You can believe what you want," he said with a grin. "But if a chimney sweep isn't lucky, then my name isn't Jack."
A. most buildings in the 1800s had fireplaces
B. the king visited the city once a year
C. several people saw the document blow away
D. Jack was afraid of heights
A. put on his glasses to read it
B. continued to look at it wherever it traveled
C. blinked to get the soot out of his eyes to see it
D. glanced casually at the paper
A. irritated
B. nervous
C. puzzled
D. grateful
A. The king shook Jack's hand.
B. Jack caught up with the king's carriage.
C. The king signed and sealed a document.
D. The people lined the streets of the city.
A. believable
B. available
C. valuable
D. miserable
A. One morning Peter and his father sit on a low brick wall along the lane so they can eat a biscuit from the baker.
B. Peter and his father are English chimney sweeps who wear dark, dignified clothes and carry brooms and scrapers for use in their work.
C. While walking down the street, Peter thinks about being a chimney sweep and realizes that there will always be chimneys needing to be cleaned.
D. Peter is proud to be a chimney sweep and asks his father to explain why people think shaking the hand of a chimney sweep will bring them good luck.