Look at the pictures and the heading. Talk about what you think the story
is about. Read the story written by Mapula's 11-year-old friend. In her
story, she explains why Mapula missed school today.
Beginning of the story
Mapula did not come to school today. There was a big fire at her home. Mapula's family uses paraffin for cooking at home. They have a red paraffin stove. Mapula has a young brother, Thami, who never listens to anyone. Last night Thami played with the stove, even though it is not allowed. He also found the matches that someone had carelessly left lying around. The little boy lit the stove and then, in his excitement, knocked the stove over onto the carpet. Soon the small room was on fire.
Middle of the story
Luckily for Thami, Mapula carried him out of the house. She asked the kind neighbours to phone the fire brigade. They arrived very quickly, and they used their long hoses to put the fire out. Soon the whole house was filled with water and smoke.
Mapula did not come to school today. There was a big fire at her home. Mapula's family uses paraffin for cooking at home. They have a red paraffin stove. Mapula has a young brother, Thami, who never listens to anyone. Last night Thami played with the stove, even though it is not allowed. He also found the matches that someone had carelessly left lying around. The little boy lit the stove and then, in his excitement, knocked the stove over onto the carpet. Soon the small room was on fire.
Middle of the story
Luckily for Thami, Mapula carried him out of the house. She asked the kind neighbours to phone the fire brigade. They arrived very quickly, and they used their long hoses to put the fire out. Soon the whole house was filled with water and smoke.
The fire was put out before Mapula's angry parents came home. Everything in the room was burned, and Mapula was very sad because her favourite baby doll and her beautiful workbooks were also burned in the fire.
End of the story
Today, Mapula helped her mother to clean their house. She hung all the wet blankets and curtains in the sun to dry. Meanwhile little Thami had been sent to preschool, so that he could stay out of trouble. Tomorrow Mapula will go back to school. Her mother will buy her a new school bag.
Read the story again, and then answer these questions.
Who started the fire?
How did the fire start?
List 3 things that Mapula did that shows she could think and respond quickly.
Now number the sentences from 1 to 5 to show the order in which things happened in the story.
| Mapula carried Thami out of the room. | |
| The whole room started to burn. | |
| Thami found the paraffin stove and lit the stove. | |
| The fire brigade put the fire out. | |
| The next day, Mapula and her mother had to clean up. |
Look at your numbered list and write the
sentences starting with the following words. We call these words determiners. When you have
completed this explain what you have written to your friend.
completed this explain what you have written to your friend.
1. First |
2. Then |
3. After that |
4. Then |
5. Finally on the next day |
