Ben was 1. _______ by a gunshot. The shot noise came through the thick stone walls of the house. 2. Two weeks ago, he saw a deer among the trees. He held his breath with 2.________. 3. He thought perhaps he had dreamed he heard a gunshot. He looked out toward the 3. ______ lake. 4. Suddenly, a bird flew upward. The man quickly put the gun to his 4. ________ and shot. 5. His voice cut through the 5_______. The hunter stopped, but then continued to follow the bird. 6. Instead, he returned to the house, he got a 6._______shovel and hit the stone sides of the house so that the noise would warn the birds and animals of danger. 7. Ben had just bought this house in the woods. He wanted to 7._______ everything on his land. 8. He walked 8.______. He wanted to surprise the hunter, but then what would he do? He could not fight the hunter. 9. Ben lifted the bird and held it close against his body. The bird fought to 9.________, but soon lay quietly in Ben's arms. 10. Ben was afraid and tried to answer but his mouth was too dry to speak. But he 10.____ his lips and said “No.” 11.“ But he is not dead yet,” Ben answered, “besides anything on my land 11._______ to me.” 12. There were something 12._________ in the man’s cool quiet voice and he had a gun. 13. The hunter 13._______ closer and said. “Give me that bird.” 14. “ Now, look, mister,” the hunter said, “be 14.___________.” 15. “ I am trying to be as reasonable as I can,” said Ben, holding the bird15._______, “I just want you to get off my land.” 16. This feeling gave Ben great 16.________. He was no longer afraid. 17. His knees began to shake and he felt sick. Yet, he stood 17.________, wondering what would happen next. 18. The wing was pulled almost away from the body. The bullet had 18.______ the bone. 19. He knew now what he would do. He would stay with the bird, 19._________ its feathers until it died. 20. You have been listening to the American Story "Tale For A Frosty Morning”. It was written by Merrill Pollack. It was 20._________ by the Anteyack Press.