LEVELED READER • Z

Robinson Crusoe
A Reading A–Z Level Z Leveled Reader A Selection from
Word Count: 2,940

Robinson
Crusoe

Written by Daniel Defoe

Illustrated by David Cockcroft
U.K. VERSION

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 A Selection from

Robinson
Crusoe

Written by Daniel Defoe A Selection from Robinson Crusoe

Level Z Leveled Reader
Illustrated by David Cockcroft © 2007 LearningPage
Written by Daniel Defoe
Illustrated by David Cockcroft

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 Table of Contents
Shipwrecked . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Luck. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Afloat . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Shelter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Storm. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

Home. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Hope . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
In this classic novel, Robinson Crusoe, an English
sailor exploring the Caribbean and South America,
becomes stranded on a tropical island when his ship
is blown off course and wrecked. This part of the story
opens when Crusoe finds himself alone on the island,
the only member of the ship’s crew to survive.

Shipwrecked
I looked to the stranded vessel, but the waves
and froth of the sea being so big, I could hardly
see it. It lay so far off. How was it possible I had
reached the shore?

3 4
 After I had calmed my mind with the
realisation that I was alive, I began to look
around to see what kind of place I was in. I soon
had a dreadful shock, for I was wet, had no
warm clothes to cover me, nor anything to eat
or drink. Neither did I see any prospect before
me except perishing with hunger or being eaten
by wild beasts. This threw me into such misery
that for a while I ran about like a madman. Night
coming upon me, I began with a heavy heart to
consider what would be my fate if there were
any ravenous beasts in that country. At night,
they always come out for their prey.

The only solution that entered my thoughts

was to get up into a thick, bushy tree that grew
near me. I resolved to sit all night and consider Luck
what death I should die, for I saw no prospect
of life. I walked from the shore to see if I could When I awoke, it was broad day, the weather
find any fresh water to drink, which I did, to my clear, and the storm had stopped, so that the
great joy. Having drunk, I went to the tree, and sea did not rage and swell as before. But what
getting up into it, tried to place myself so that if surprised me most was that the ship had lifted
I should sleep, I might not fall. And having cut in the night. It was driven up almost as far as the
a short stick like a club for my defense, I took rock that I mentioned, where I had been bruised
up my lodging. Having been extremely tired, by the wave dashing me against it. This was
I fell fast asleep, and slept as comfortably as few within two kilometres from shore, and the ship
could have done in my condition. seemed to stand upright. I wished I were on
board, so at least I might save some necessary
things for my use . . .

5 6
 A little after noon I found the sea very calm,
and the tide ebbed so far out that I could come
within half a kilometre of the ship. And here my
grief returned, for I saw that if we had stayed on
board, we would have been safe, and I would
not be left entirely alone. This forced tears to
my eyes again, but there was little relief in that.
I resolved, if possible, to get to the ship. So I We had several spare masts in the ship. I
pulled off my clothes—for the weather was resolved to work with these, and I flung as
extremely hot—and took to the water. But when many of them overboard as I could manage. I
I came to the ship, I did not know how to get tied every one with a rope, so they might not
on board, for she lay high out of the water, and drift away. When this was done, I went down
there was nothing within my reach to lay hold of. the ship’s side, and, pulling them to me, I tied
I swam round her twice, and the second time I four of them together at both ends in the form
spied a small piece of rope hung down low. With of a raft. Laying two or three short pieces of
great difficulty I got hold of it, and by the help plank upon them crossways, I found I could
of that rope I got up onto the deck of the ship. walk upon it very well . . . My raft was now
strong enough to bear any reasonable weight.
Here I found that the ship had a great deal
of water in her hold, but she lay on the side of Having considered well what I most wanted,
a bank so her stern lifted up, and all in that part I got three of the seamen’s chests, which I had
was dry. You may be sure my first work was to broken open and emptied, and lowered them
search and see what was spoiled and what was down upon my raft. The first of these I filled
free. First, I found that all the ship’s provisions with provisions—bread, rice, three Dutch
were dry and untouched by the water. Being cheeses, five pieces of dried goat’s flesh, and
very hungry, I went to the bread room and filled a little bit of European corn. There had been
my pockets with biscuits, and ate as I went about some barley and wheat together, but, to my
other things, for I had no time to lose . . . great disappointment, I found afterwards that
the rats had eaten or spoiled it all.

7 8
 While I was doing this, the tide began to rise,
though very calmly. I had the mortification to
see my coat, shirt, and waistcoat, which I had left
on the shore, float away. However, this set me
rummaging for clothes, of which I found enough.
I took no more than I wanted for present use,
for I had other things which I was more eager to
get. The first things I wanted were tools to work
with on shore. After long searching, I found the Afloat
carpenter’s chest, which was a very useful prise
to me, and much more valuable than a shipload I had three encouragements—first, a smooth,
of gold would have been at that time. calm sea; second, the tide rising; third, what little
wind there was blew me toward land. And thus,
My next thought was for some ammunition having found two or three broken oars, I put to
and arms. There were two very good hunting sea. For a mile or thereabouts my raft went very
rifles in the cabin, and two pistols. I knew there well, only that it went a little distant from the
were three barrels of powder in the ship, but place where I had landed before. I noticed that
knew not where our gunner had stowed them. there was some movement of the water, and I
With much search I found them, two of them hoped to find some creek or river, which I might
dry and good, though the third had taken water. use as a port. As I imagined, so it was. There
The dry two I got to my raft. And now I thought appeared a little opening of the land, and I found
my raft pretty well loaded, a strong current of the tide set into it. I guided
and began to think how my raft as well as I could, keeping in the middle
I should get to shore, of the stream.
having neither sail, oar,
nor rudder. The least But here I almost suffered a second shipwreck,
capful of wind would which, if it had, I think would have broken my
have overturned my raft. heart. My raft ran aground at one end upon a
shoal, and not being aground at the other end,

9 10
the smallest wave would send all my cargo off
into the water. I did my best to set my back
against the chests to keep them in their places.
But even with all my strength, I could not free
the raft. I dared not stir from the posture I was
in, holding up the chests with all my might.

I stood in that manner near half an hour, in

which time the rising of the tide floated my raft
again. I at length found myself in the mouth of
a little river, with land on both sides, with a
strong current of tide running up. I looked on
both sides for a proper place to get to shore. Shelter

At length I spied a little cove on the right My next work was to view the country and
shore of the creek, to which with great pain and seek a proper place for shelter and to stow my
difficulty I guided my raft. At last I got so near goods. Where I was, I knew not, whether on the
that, reaching ground with my oar, I could pull continent or an island, inhabited or not inhabited,
her in. But here I almost dropped all my cargo in danger of wild beasts or not. There was a hill
into the sea again, for that shore lay pretty steep, not more than two kilometres from me, which
and there was no place to land. If one end of my rose up very steep and high. I took one of the
float ran on shore it would lie so high, and the hunting rifles and a horn of powder, and thus
other sink so low, that it would spill my cargo armed, I travelled up to the top of that hill. After
again. All that I could do was to wait till the tide great labour and difficulty, I got to the top. I saw,
was high, keeping the raft near shore with my to my great affliction, that I was on an island
oar. As soon as I found water enough, I thrust surrounded on all sides by the sea. No land to
her upon a flat piece of ground, and there be seen except some rocks, which lay a great
fastened her. Thus I lay till the tide ebbed away way off, and two smaller islands, which lay
and left my raft and all my cargo safe on shore. about three leagues to the west . . .

11 12
 Having seen this, I came back to my raft, and
fell to work to bring my cargo on shore, which
took up the rest of that day. What to do with
myself at night, I knew not. I was afraid to lie
down on the ground, not knowing if some wild
beast might eat me, though I afterwards found
no need for those fears. I went to work to make
a little tent with a sail and some poles. Into this
tent I brought everything that I knew would
spoil either with rain or sun. I piled all the empty Storm
chests and casks up in a circle round the tent,
to fortify it from any sudden attack, either from I had been now thirteen days on shore, and
man or beast. had been eleven times on the ship. I had brought
away all that one pair of hands could bring. I
I now began to consider that I might get a believe, had the calm weather held, I should have
great many things that would be useful to me brought away the whole ship, piece by piece.
out of the ship. I knew that the first storm might But the twelfth time I went on board, I found the
break her all in pieces. I resolved to put all other wind began to rise. I thought nothing more could
things off till I had got everything out of the ship be found, yet I discovered a locker with two or
that I could get . . . three razors and one pair of large scissors, with
some ten or a dozen of good knives and forks.
In another I found money—some European coin,
some Brazilian, some gold, and some silver.

I smiled to myself at the sight of this money.

“Money!” said I, aloud, “what are you good for?
You are not worth anything to me—no, not
worth taking off the ground. One of those knives
is worth all this heap.”

13 14
 I began to think of making another raft,
but while I was preparing this, I found the sky
overcast, and the wind began to rise. In a quarter
of an hour it blew a fresh gale from the shore.
It occurred to me that it was in vain to make a
raft with the wind blowing out to sea. It was
my business to be gone before the tide began,
otherwise I might not be able to reach the shore
at all. Accordingly, I let myself down into the
water, and swam across the channel. Even that
was difficult, partly with the weight of the things
I had, and partly the roughness of the water.
The wind rose very hastily. Before long, it blew
a storm.

But I had got home to my little tent, where

I lay with all my wealth about me, very secure.
It blew very hard all night, and in the morning,
Home
when I looked out, behold, no more ship was to I soon found that the place I was in was not
be seen! I was a little surprised, but thought to fit for my settlement, because it was upon low,
myself with satisfaction that I had lost no time marshy ground, near the sea. I resolved to find
getting everything out of her that could be useful a more healthy and convenient spot of ground.
to me. Indeed, there was little left in her that I I thought of several things I needed: first, healthy
might have brought away if I had had more time. and fresh water; second, shelter from the heat
I now gave up any more thoughts of the ship, or of the sun; third, security from danger, whether
of anything out of her, except what might float man or beast; fourth, a view to the sea. If there
on shore from her wreck. Indeed, pieces of her were any ship in sight, I might not lose any
did, but those things were of small use to me. chance of escape.

15 16
 In search of a proper place, I found a little When I was in, I lifted the ladder over after me,
plain on the side of a rising hill whose front and so I was completely fenced. I slept secure
was as steep as a house-side. Nothing could in the night, which otherwise I could not have
come down from the top. On the side of the done, though I realised afterwards, there was
rock there was a hollow place, worn a little no need of all this caution.
way in, like the entrance or door of a cave,
Into this fence or fortress, with infinite
but there was not any cave.
labour, I carried all my riches, all my provisions,
On the flat, just in front of this hollow place, ammunition, and stores. I made a large tent to
I resolved to pitch my tent. This plain was less protect me from the rains. I made a smaller tent
than a 91 metres broad, and about twice as long, within, and covered the top tent with a large
and lay like a lawn before my door. At the end, tarpaulin, which I had saved among the sails.
it descended down into the low ground by the And now I lay not in the bed that I had brought
seaside. It was on the north side of the hill, on shore, but in a hammock, which was indeed
so it was sheltered from the heat every day till a very good one, and belonged to the mate of
near sunset. the ship.

Before I set up my tent, I drew a half-circle

in front of the hollow place. In this half-circle I
pitched two rows of strong stakes, driving them
into the ground till they stood very firm. The
biggest end stood out of the ground one and
a half metres, and was sharpened on the top.
This fence was so strong that neither man nor
beast could get into it or over it. This cost me
a great deal of time and labour.

The entrance into this place I made, not by

a door, but by a short ladder to go over the top.

17 18
 Hope
I was cast away upon that island after having
been driven by a violent storm. We were quite
out of the course of our intended voyage, and
When I had done this, I began to work my some hundreds of leagues out of ordinary trade
way into the rock. Thus I made a cave, just routes. I had great reason to consider it my fate
behind my tent, which served me like a cellar that in this desolate place, and in this desolate
to my house. Having now fixed my shelter, I manner, I should end my life. The tears would
found it absolutely necessary to provide a place run plentifully down my face when I had these
to make a fire in, and fuel to burn. What I did thoughts. Sometimes I would ask myself why
for that, and how I enlarged my cave, I shall tell I was so absolutely miserable, so without help,
in its place. But I must now give some mention abandoned, so entirely depressed. It could hardly
of myself, and of my thoughts about living. be reasonable to be thankful for such a life.

19 20
 But something always turned around inside Glossary
me and stopped these thoughts. Particularly one
affliction pain; distress (p. 12)
day, walking by the seaside, I was very sorrowful
about my present condition. But I thought to casks barrels that holds liquid (p. 13)
myself, “Well, you are in a desolate condition, desolate empty, alone, and unwelcoming
it is true. But, pray remember, where is the rest (p. 20)
of your crew? Did not eleven of you come in the
boat? Where are the other ten? Why were they ebbed flowed back into the sea (p. 7)
not saved, and you lost? Why were you singled fortify made strong as a defense (p. 13)
out? Is it better to be here or there?” and then I
infinite endless; going on forever (p. 18)
pointed to the sea. All evils are to be compared
with the good that is in them, and with what leagues unit of measure; about 5 km or
worse might have been. three miles (p. 12)
mortification extreme embarrassment (p. 9)
If you would like to read more of Robinson
Crusoe’s adventures, ask your librarian for the prospect future; the predicted outcome
book Robinson Crusoe, by Daniel Defoe. (p. 5)
provisions food supplies (p. 7)
ravenous starving; violently hungry or
greedy (p. 5)
resolved decided (p. 5)
shoal high ground under the water that
is dangerous to boats (p. 10)
stern the back end of a boat (p. 7)
tarpaulin a sheet of waterproof fabric
(p. 18)

21 22