Курганская область

Natural

world

beautiful lakes. There are more than 7 thousand of them! They

are different: big and small, salty and freshwater, for swimming and

fishing. Also the origin of the name of some lakes is an exciting story.

Spotlight on Russia finds out

interesting facts about lakes' names

Lake Medvezhye

The legend tells the story of an old, lame and wounded bear. He was very unhappy and decided to commit suicide. One day he came out of the dense forest to the lakeside and entered the water. He plunged headlong into the lake, but the salty water pushed him to the surface. For three days the bear tried to sink to the bottom. Finally, he gave up and went ashore. And a miracle happened: the bear stopped limping and felt young and healthy. The hunter who witnessed this miraculous healing told the other hunters about it. So the lake got its name-Medvezhye.

ACTIVITY

How did the salty water of the lake help the bear to stay alive?

Imagine, that you are a hunter. What did he tell the other hunters about what he had seen by the lake?

Lake Akulinkino

Long ago there lived a beautiful, kind and household girl Akulina. A guy from a rich family fell in love with her and married her. But her mother-in-law did not love Akulina for her poverty. And she turned her son against his wife. Often the husband punished the girl. A meek girl suffered everything. But one day her patience ran out. One summer morning she came to the lake and threw herself into the lake. Since that time the water in the lake has become very clear like tears of the poor girl. And the lake was named Akulinkino.

Why is the water of the lake very clear and salty?

ACTIVITY

DISCUSS

What advice could you give Akulina to resist violence and cruelty of her husband and mother-in-law?

• What legend is more

interesting for you?

Why?