1. (a) What impression do you form of the old man when the girl and her mother first encounter him?
(b) Did this impression change by the end of the story? Give a reason for your answer.
2. How would you describe the relationship between the girl and her mother?
3. Would you say there is humour in this short story? Explain your answer. 4. In your opinion, do you think what the old man is doing is clever or wrong? Give two reasons for your answer.
5. Work with a partner to reduce this story into four main steps: situation, complication, problem or crisis point, resolution.
6. Think of an unexpected moment that surprised you in a novel or short story that you have studied.
(a) Name the novel or short story and the author. (b) What impact did this moment have on a central character?
Create 1. Write a short story inspired by the word ‘discovery’. Use the checklist below to help you.
Short stories
Plan the plot (situation, complication, problem or crisis point and resolution)
Decide whether your story is going to be told in the first- or the third-
person Choose a setting
Use descriptive language that appeals to the senses
Include dialogue Create interesting characters Show, do not tell
2. Imagine that the narrator and her mother decided to make a police report on the actions of the old man. Write the text of this report.
