1. Describe the woman introduced in the opening paragraph. 2. What is the first sign of conflict in this story? 3. How does the woman react to what the boy does? 4. According to the narrator, approximately how old is the boy? 5. Choose three adjectives to describe the boy and explain your choice.
Explore
3 3
1. The boy says that he is sorry for what he has done. Do you think the woman should believe him?
2. The boy is frightened. Why do you think he feels this way?
3. The boy tried to steal the woman’s purse. What could have motivated the boy to do this?
Create
1. (a) The story above is incomplete. Try to imagine what happens next. What does the woman say? What does she do? What happens to the boy? Does the conflict continue? How does the story end?
Write an ending to the story in the space provided on page 40 of your Portfolio.
(b) When you have written your ending, compare it to the original by Langston Hughes, which your teacher will play for you.
How does it compare to the ending you have imagined? Write your answer in the space provided on page 41 of your Portfolio.
