WIP5006 • SOLUTIONS FOR ALL • ENGLISH HL GRADE EIGHT READER • SIXTEENTH POSITIVE PROOF • 17 MAY 2013
Solutions for all
English
Home Language
Grade 8
Core Reader
Compilers:
S Cheketri
H Nahman
WIP5006 • SOLUTIONS FOR ALL • ENGLISH HL GRADE EIGHT READER • SIXTEENTH POSITIVE PROOF • 17 MAY 2013
Solutions for all English Home Language Grade 8 Core Reader
© Compiled and adapted by S Cheketri and H Nahman, 2013
© Illustrations and design Macmillan South Africa (Pty) Ltd, 2013
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form
or by any means, electronic, photocopying, recording,
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Any person who commits any unauthorised act in relation to this
publication may be liable for criminal prosecution and
civil claims for damages.
First published 2013
13 15 17 16 14
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Published by
Macmillan South Africa (Pty) Ltd
Private Bag X19
Northlands
2116
Gauteng
South Africa
Typeset in Stone Serif 12/14pt by Positive Proof cc
Cover design by Deevine Design
Cover image from VMS Images
Illustrations by USDI, Robin Mcbride and Sean Verster
Photographic acknowledgements
Ruphin Coudyzer: pp. 106, 110, 116, 118, 124, 126, 129, 132, 137
The publishers have made every effort to trace the copyright holders.
If they have inadvertently overlooked any, they will be pleased to make the necessary
arrangements at the first opportunity. The publishers would also like to thank
those organisations and individuals we have already approached and from whom
we are anticipating permission.
ISBN PDF: 978-1-4310-2553-4
WIP PDF: 5006M000
It is illegal to photocopy any page of this book
without written permission from the publishers.
WIP5006 • SOLUTIONS FOR ALL • ENGLISH HL GRADE EIGHT READER • SIXTEENTH POSITIVE PROOF • 17 MAY 2013
Contents
FOLKLORE
1
What is folklore?
2
Why Monkey Fears Leopard – An Ndebele folktale, retold by
Nick Greaves
3
The Bride of the Rainbow – A Shona folktale, retold by Nick Greaves 9
The Unicorn – An English legend, retold by Ann Pilling
14
The Horned Animals and the Hyena – A Swahili folktale, retold
by Sylvanna Cheketri and Hayleen Nahman
20
The Magic Verandah Pole – A Venda folktale, retold by
25
Nick Greaves
The Origin of Day and Night – An Australian Aboriginal myth,
retold by Charles P Mountford, Sylvanna Cheketri and Hayleen
Nahman
30
The Motherly Baboon – A Zulu folktale, retold by Nick Greaves
35
SHORT STORIES
What is a short story?
The Road to Mara by Tom Chacha
The Toilet by Gcina Mhlophe
Enemy by Lionel Abrahams
The Setting Sun and the Rolling World by Charles Mungoshi
The Sound Machine by Roald Dahl
Dad, Can I Come Home? by Malorie Blackman
Roppie by Jack Cope
40
41
42
48
54
59
64
70
76
POETRY
What is a poem?
Ordinance on Arrival by Naomi Lazard
After Sports Day by John Foster
Telephone Conversation by Wole Soyinka
the african pot by Fhazel Johennesse
Career Woman by Charles Mungoshi
Our Points of View by Jaki Wa Seroke
New Boy by Gareth Owen
Poem for a kitchen by Arthur Nortje
I sing of Change by Niyi Osundare
One Small Boy Longs for Summer by Mafika Gwala
82
83
84
85
86
88
89
90
91
93
95
96
WIP5006 • SOLUTIONS FOR ALL • ENGLISH HL GRADE EIGHT READER • SIXTEENTH POSITIVE PROOF • 17 MAY 2013
Aladdin throws away his lamp by Elias Lieberman
The Sad Story of Percy, the TV Addict by J G Goodacre
Beerhall queen by Mongane Wally Serote
To see the rabbit by Alan Brownjohn
The Hermit by Alan Paton
98
99
100
102
104
DRAMA
What is drama?
Maru by Bessie Head, adapted by Phyllis Klotz
106
107
109
GLOSSARY
142
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
146
WIP5006 • SOLUTIONS FOR ALL • ENGLISH HL GRADE EIGHT READER • SIXTEENTH POSITIVE PROOF • 17 MAY 2013
Folklore
FOLKLORE
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WIP5006 • SOLUTIONS FOR ALL • ENGLISH HL GRADE EIGHT READER • SIXTEENTH POSITIVE PROOF • 17 MAY 2013
Folklore
What is folklore?
Folklore refers to the traditional beliefs, myths, art and customs of a
specific community, which are passed on from generation to
generation in the form of stories. These stories are called folktales.
Folktales often explain things that happen in nature or pass on some
truth about life and human nature.
Plot
Plot refers to the events in a story and the structure of these events.
The plot of a folktale usually concerns the explanation of a tradition
or belief. Folktales attempt to explain why things are the way they
are or why certain people or animals behave in the way they do. In
the past, people did not have access to the scientific knowledge that
we have today, so they used storytelling to try to explain the world
around them.
Characterisation
The characters in a folktale, even when they are animals, often
represent specific character traits in people, such as cheerfulness,
determination, vanity or selfishness. These features are often
exaggerated in order to teach the listener or reader a particular
lesson.
Role of the narrator
Folklore is part of an oral tradition, which means that folktales were
originally passed along by word of mouth. The narrator is often an
elder or ancestor who wants to teach the community about their
past.
Messages and themes
Many folktales have a moral lesson for their listeners. These moral
lessons are passed down from generation to generation, in order to
equip the next generation with the wisdom that their ancestors have
acquired.
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Folklore
Why Monkey Fears Leopard
– An Ndebele
folktale, retold by Nick Greaves
This folktale links to the theme, ‘Brand me’, in the Learner’s Book.
Pre-reading activities
1. a) Discuss what you know about folktales.
b) Can you name any folktales that you have heard?
c) Can you tell any of those stories?
2. What are the Ndebele people best known for?
3. What is the relationship between monkeys and leopards in
the wild?
One day, long ago, Ingwe the leopard was sprawled out along the
spreading branches of a pod mahogany tree. He was gazing intently
at his reflection in the pool below. Ingwe was very particular about
his appearance: he spent more time admiring himself than any other
animal in the bush. As a result, he was generally considered to be the
handsomest animal in the wild.
Now, Ingwe had been so self-absorbed in studying his immaculate
appearance that he forgot all about Mpisi, the spotted hyena, who
was waiting to see him. Eventually, the hyena made a small giggling
noise to attract the leopard’s attention and remind him of their
appointment. Ingwe was jolted out of his daydream and remembered
that the hyena was patiently hanging about. He stood up, lazily
stretched his body and jumped down from the tree in one fluid
motion.
‘Well, what is it?’ asked Ingwe, curious as to why Mpisi had asked to
see him.
‘News,’ said the hyena, as he trotted forward to meet the leopard.
‘Baboon has found a huge, strange gourd full of water in the forest.
He is offering a reward to anyone who can drink it all in one day!’
‘Oh! That sounds easy enough. Is that all there is to this urgent
meeting?’ said Ingwe, disdainfully.
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Folklore
‘Yes, that is all,’ replied the hyena, somewhat put out by the
leopard’s nonchalance.
‘Hmm …’ mused Ingwe thoughtfully for a while. ‘Where did Baboon
find the unusual gourd of water?’ he eventually asked.
‘No one knows for sure. Some say it came from the human village on
the other side of the great river.’
‘Indeed? Then I think I will go and see what the commotion is all
about. I thank you for having the sense and the manners to notify
me of this event. I am much obliged.’
‘My pleasure, I assure you,’ Mpisi grinned with delight, then trotted
off down towards the river to give the news to Mvuu, the
hippopotamus.
Ingwe stalked off in the direction of the forest and it was only after
several hours of travel that he arrived in a large clearing. It was
evident that something unusual was happening. An extraordinary
event, apparently, had brought together a great many of the animals
of the bush and more kept arriving. In the centre of the clearing was
a huge, old baboon, sitting with one of his daughters. Next to them
was an enormous gourd, filled with a clear liquid, and it was this
that everyone was staring at.
For a moment Ingwe surveyed the scene with dignity. Then he
walked over to his friend Isilwane, the lion, and enquired whether
he knew any more about the mysterious challenge.
‘Just an ordinary gourd of water, as far as I know,’ Isilwane replied.
‘They say there is a prize for anyone who can drink it all in one day.
Ridiculous, I say! I could drink it in one hour.’
‘Absurdly easy,’ sneered the leopard. ‘I reckon I could drink it in
three-quarters of that time. I shall win the prize!’
‘You have not won yet,’ snorted the lion indignantly. ‘When I said
an hour, I actually meant half an hour. Rest assured that I shall win!’
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WIP5006 • SOLUTIONS FOR ALL • ENGLISH HL GRADE EIGHT READER • SIXTEENTH POSITIVE PROOF • 17 MAY 2013
Folklore
‘And what good is such a boast?’ asked Mvuu, the hippopotamus, as
he waddled up to join them. ‘I can beat you all easily! What is a
gourd of water to me? It is a mere mouthful. I will gulp it all down
in one go and not even notice it.’
The same argument was raging all over the clearing, and the volume
of sound rose as the voices became more heated. Suddenly
Ndwanguli, the baboon, shouted above the growing clamour and
silence descended on the gathering. Baboon confirmed that the rules
were as follows: Firstly, the gourd had to be drunk in one day and
the individual to do this would be the winner. Secondly, straws
would be drawn to see who the first contestant would be.
After a great deal of excitement, it was Mvuu, the hippopotamus,
who drew the shortest straw. A hush fell over the crowd as the hippo
walked up to the gourd. Looking very confident, as well he might,
he took a deep breath and put his mouth to the cool, clear liquid.
A moment later, a huge roar shattered the silence of the clearing. The
gathering was amazed to see Mvuu leap wildly into the air and start
dancing up and down on the spot. How he roared, bellowed and
howled! With tears streaming from his little eyes, he tore off down
the pathway towards the river and began frantically washing out his
mouth. The liquid from the gourd, though it looked like water, had
stung and burnt Mvuu like nothing that he had ever tasted before.
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This was not surprising, for the liquid was a gourd of katchass, a brew
of powerful liquor that had somehow been stolen from the human
village not too far away.
The animals knew nothing of such things. There was another round
of noisy chatter and argument and, indeed, a good deal of laughter
over Mvuu’s distress. Ingwe was secretly pleased, for he had thought,
as had many other animals, that the competition would be over
before it started. After all, Mvuu had been the obvious contender to
win. But now, Ingwe felt there was a chance that he could win and
he stepped forward to take his turn.
Silence once again fell on the clearing as Ingwe approached the
gourd. All eyes were upon him as he paused for breath and then took
a gulp of ‘water’. There was an instant’s pause and then Ingwe was
howling and dancing on the spot. He too thought that his tongue
was on fire and so raced off down to the river to wash out his
mouth.
Isilwane was next. He drew the gourd to his mouth and then ran
howling to the river, as did all the other animals who tried to drink
the katchass.
Eventually, Inkawu, the little vervet monkey, walked up to the
baboon from a patch of long grass and said he would like to try. But
he asked if he could lie down to rest between each mouthful,
provided that the gourd had been emptied down to the last drop
before the day was done, just as the rules stated. Baboon and the
remaining animals conferred and quickly agreed that the little
monkey’s proposal fulfilled all the requirements.
Inkawu ran straight up to the gourd, took a sip and ran back to the
grass from where he had come. Every few minutes, he would run
back to the gourd for another sip and, within a couple of hours, the
gourd was half empty. Already the little monkey had done what
none of the other beasts of the bush could do, and he had done it
making over a hundred brief visits!
Just as the sun was setting, the monkey ran up for the last time and
the last few drops of the fiery liquid were consumed.
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Folklore
Most of the animals that had tried to drink the firewater had
returned from the river to see whether the monkey could succeed
where they had failed. Ingwe, sitting in a nearby tree, was amazed at
how the little monkey could possibly stand such torment. But, as he
stared at the long grass, he sensed something moving. At first, he
thought that it might be a trick of the failing light. But the more
intently he looked – and we know that the leopard has remarkably
good eyesight – the more certain he felt that something was moving.
In fact, several things were moving. No, lots and lots of things were
moving! It was the tails of dozens and dozens of vervet monkeys
waving in the long grass.
At that moment, loud applause broke out as the crafty little monkey
was draining the last drop of ‘water’ and apparently winning the
competition, none the worse for wear. In the excitement, no one had
noticed the waving monkey tails in the long grass, nor did they see
Ingwe sneak out of his tree and stalk into the patch of grass. Then
the leopard pounced.
‘Cheats! Frauds! Liars! Tricksters!’ roared the angry cat as he struck
wildly at the monkeys nearest to him. ‘How dare you trick us all?
You shall be punished for such a crime!’
The monkeys screamed and scattered in fright. Even in their slightly
drunken state, they knew they were in great danger and so they
turned and ran. When the other animals saw what had happened,
they too joined in the chase. The monkeys left the long grass and
fled up into the highest trees. The lithe and limber leopard could
also climb trees, though, and the monkeys were chased up into the
slenderest, topmost branches.
And there they stayed, for no one else could climb so high up into
the thin branches. To this day, Inkawu prefers the highest branches.
The vervet monkeys seldom come down to the ground – just in case
Ingwe the leopard catches them, for he still wants his revenge.
Activities
A. Know the facts
Give the names of each of the following animals in the
folktale: leopard, hyena, baboon, hippopotamus.
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WIP5006 • SOLUTIONS FOR ALL • ENGLISH HL GRADE EIGHT READER • SIXTEENTH POSITIVE PROOF • 17 MAY 2013
Folklore
B. Understanding the folktale
Plot and sub-plot: Write down the following words and, next
to each word, write the part of the story that applies to it:
●
exposition
●
rising action
●
conflict
●
climax
●
falling action
●
dénouement/resolution
Messages and themes: What is the message of the story?
C. Language in context
Name the figure of speech in the following sentences:
1. ‘How he roared, bellowed and howled!’
2. ‘He too thought that his tongue was on fire.’
3. ‘The lithe and limber leopard could also climb trees.’
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WIP5006 • SOLUTIONS FOR ALL • ENGLISH HL GRADE EIGHT READER • SIXTEENTH POSITIVE PROOF • 17 MAY 2013
Folklore
The Bride of the Rainbow – A Shona
folktale, retold by Nick Greaves
This folktale links to the theme, ‘Please call me’, in the Learner’s
Book.
Pre-reading activities
1. Where do the Shona people live?
2. What is another name for Mosi-oa-Tunya and where is it?
Once upon a time, in a very old place, in a very old time, it fell to
the honour of Chibuta and her family that she should sacrifice
herself as a bride to the mighty, rainbow-cloaked Rain Lord, Lesa.
Chibuta was not the first of these brides. Every year, one of the
prettiest maidens of the BaSonga clan was chosen. She would leave
the village at dawn so that she could prepare herself for her bittersweet sacrifice. Each evening, there would be the signs of thunder
and lightning coming from Lord Lesa’s abode, high up in the
heavens. This was the harbinger of the rains, the sign that the Rain
Lord was satisfied with the previous season’s sacrifice.
The bride-to-be would throw herself into the mighty Mosi-oa-Tunya
waterfall on the Zambezi River, which was sacred to Lord Lesa. Lord
Lesa would swallow his bride by embracing her with his waters and
the people from the village would hear the last moans of the bride
on the stormy wind. The following morning, the Rainbow Children
would fill the sky around the great waterfall.
On the day of the ceremony, Chibuta put rattles on her ankles and
decorated herself with beads and ornaments so that she could
perform the ritual dances and songs. But she cried, as did all the
maidens called upon to sacrifice themselves to the Rain Lord, as she
carried the pot of palm wine that was to be poured into the cauldron
at the foot of the falls. She, herself, would then follow it.
As she made her way down the path to the drumming of the great
ngoma, the ceremonial drums, and the chanting of the masked
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WIP5006 • SOLUTIONS FOR ALL • ENGLISH HL GRADE EIGHT READER • SIXTEENTH POSITIVE PROOF • 17 MAY 2013
Folklore
ngangas, she came upon an
old woman who was trying
to gather firewood. The old
woman did not seem to
know who Chibuta was or
where Chibuta was headed,
because she stopped the
young girl and spoke to her
in a very faint voice.
‘I am sorry to bother you,
dear, but would you please
help me collect some
firewood?’ she said, showing
the young girl her gnarled
hands. ‘These old, crippled
limbs make the task of
collecting firewood very
difficult.’
‘Certainly, mother,’ replied
Chibuta respectfully. She laid
down the pot of palm wine
very carefully, making sure
she did not spill it, and proceeded to help the old woman collect as
much firewood as she could carry.
She turned to the old woman. ‘I would also help you carry this load
home, mother,’ she said, ‘but I have a very long journey to take this
day and it is a very important task.’
Chibuta had almost forgotten her grief as she helped the old woman.
‘Never mind, my daughter. Thank you,’ the old woman cried as
Chibuta lifted the heavy load onto her bent and weary back. ‘For this,
and for your other kindnesses, you will be handsomely rewarded.’
Then the old woman disappeared as quickly as she had appeared.
Chibuta continued on her way, starting to sob once again. As she
walked, she heard a bird in the branch of the tree above her.
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Folklore
‘Nci-nci-nci!’ called the bird, as it hopped among the lianas that
adorned the trees in the rainforest. It was the most beautiful bird
that Chibuta had ever seen. It was an astonishing scarlet colour and
had long, shiny, tail feathers.
‘Why do you weep, Chibuta?’ asked the little bird.
‘Why shouldn’t I weep, little bird? I am doomed to die so young –
am I not entitled to cry some tears of grief?’ Chibuta told the bird
her sad tale.
‘Dry your tears, little one,’ said the bird. ‘No harm will come to you.
The Rainbow Lord is not the evil being that you think he is. Our
Lord Lesa loves his brides and he decrees that, in order to live in the
sacred palace up in the heavens, they must give up the evil ways of
the world. Only good laws exist up in the heavens. But none of the
brides so far have obeyed the laws of the heavens and he has had to
swallow them. Had he not done so, no rain would have fallen on
earth and the Rainbow Children would be no more!’
‘But how can I know the laws of heaven when I am only mortal?’
asked the girl.
‘You already know them, little sister, for you have been kind to the
mother of our Lord Lesa, the old lady that you met on the path,’ the
bird replied. ‘All the other girls scorned her, more concerned with
their own problems and, like you, they did not recognise her. Now
pluck one of my tail feathers to guide you through your perils.’
The little bird sat very still as Chibuta plucked out one of his tail
feathers. She gently placed it in a band tied around her hair. She
continued on her way, but the sky started to grow gloomy as if a
great storm approached. However, it was not a storm. A towering
cliff loomed in her path, blotting out the sky.
‘This is but a wall, built by our Lord Lesa to test you,’ the little
feather whispered in Chibuta’s ear. ‘Tie me on your shoulder and I
will help lift you over.’
Chibuta did this and immediately she grew two powerful scarlet
wings. Testing her new wings, she found she could fly with strong
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wingbeats – she soared high above the wall and landed on the other
side in a beautiful, green valley.
‘Pluck me from your shoulder now, little sister,’ said the tail feather.
Obediently, Chibuta placed the beautiful scarlet feather back in her
headband and walked through the pleasant valley. Eventually, she
climbed a koppie and she saw beyond it, to her horror, a field of
serpents. Their writhing bodies and flashing, forked tongues made
her shriek and jump back in fear.
‘What am I going to do now?’ she wondered aloud.
The feather said to her, ‘Throw me among them!’
Chibuta did as she was told, but she was anxious, ‘I am afraid to lose
you. You may be eaten!’
‘I will fly back up to you, Chibuta,’ the feather reassured her. The
feather landed amongst the serpents and straightaway the field of
serpents turned to a sea of scarlet and gold flame lilies. The little
feather flew straight back to perch in Chibuta’s hair.
Eventually, the girl and the feather reached the foot of Lord Lesa’s
home.
‘Here I must leave you, little sister,’ he said. ‘My Lord Lesa will take
you by the hand now.’
‘Farewell, friendly little feather,’ Chibuta said as she watched the
scarlet feather float away. It looked like a tiny, red canoe on the vast,
blue ocean of the heavens. As she stood there, she was surrounded
by a radiant light made up of many colours. It was as if she were
surrounded by a rainbow.
‘Hail! Oh, my Lord Lesa!’ she cried as she fell forward respectfully.
‘My best beloved, come with me,’ said a soft, soothing voice. The
voice had the sound of the rainbird’s wings and the patter of
raindrops on the parched earth. A rainbow bore them up into the
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high heavens to their golden thrones in the home of the Creator,
Mwari.
And there Chibuta sits to this day, the brave maiden who became
the Lady of the Rainbow, Queen of Lesa. She brings the mwana wa
murende, the drops from the rainbow that give to Man blessings of a
fruitful earth.
Activities
A. Know the facts
1. What must Chibuta do to sacrifice herself to the Lord
Lesa?
2. What sign will the Rain Lord give the people that he is
pleased with the previous season’s sacrifice?
B. Understanding the folktale
Setting: Describe the setting of the story.
Characters and characterisation: Describe the character of
the Rain Lord Lesa as Chibuta gets to know him.
Messages and themes: What is the message of the story?
C. Language in context
Rewrite in reported speech: ‘I am sorry to bother you, dear,
but would you please help me collect some firewood?’ She
showed the young girl her gnarled hands. ‘These old crippled
limbs make the task of collecting firewood very difficult.’
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WIP5006 • SOLUTIONS FOR ALL • ENGLISH HL GRADE EIGHT READER • SIXTEENTH POSITIVE PROOF • 17 MAY 2013
Folklore
The Unicorn
– An English legend, retold by Ann Pilling
This folktale links to the theme, ‘Weird and wonderful me’, in the
Learner’s Book.
Pre-reading activities
1. What does the word ‘unicorn’ mean?
2. Do unicorns really exist?
3. Describe what unicorns look like and what their special
qualities are.
4. Who was King Arthur?
Long ago, in the days of King Arthur and his knights, there lived a
girl called Rhiannon. Her father had been thrown into prison by the
cruel Sir Brangwyn, who accused him of stealing deer from his forest.
This was a lie. Rhiannon’s father was one of the most honourable
men in the village. With him around, the great lord wouldn’t have
dared to cheat and lie and demand such high taxes. Sir Brangwyn
got rid of him in order to silence him.
Rhiannon’s mother had to work in the castle’s kitchen to pay for the
miserable scraps of food that her husband ate in prison. So, when
this story begins, poor Rhiannon had neither father nor mother.
People called her ‘Sir Brangwyn’s orphan’, and how she hated him
for taking away her beloved, innocent parents.
Rhiannon had to work too, even though she was only thirteen years
old. Her job was to hunt in the forest for truffles – the sweet, fleshy
fungi that grow on the roots of the trees. Sir Brangwyn was a fat man
who loved his food and he loved the delicately flavoured truffles
most of all. But truffles were difficult to find and Rhiannon often
searched all day and only uncovered a handful.
Next to feasting, Sir Brangwyn loved to hunt. Often, while Rhiannon
was out in the woods, he and his knights would come crashing
through the trees, chasing after a deer. People said that there were
still ancient beasts in Sir Brangwyn’s woods: unicorns and dragons,
and basilisks whose gaze could turn you to stone. But Rhiannon had
never seen animals of this kind.
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Folklore
A year to the day after her father had been imprisoned, Rhiannon
ventured into the woods with her basket. She spent the whole day
searching for truffles, but there were none to be found. Rhiannon
was miserable, as she knew that Sir Brangwyn was not going to be
happy with her for not bringing any truffles to him.
The sun was setting and Rhiannon knew that she needed to start
making her way out of the forest before it got dark. As she left the
forest, Rhiannon saw that she was being followed to the edge of the
trees by a beautiful little foal. It had a pure white coat, with a silky
mane and tail.
The people of the village saw the magnificent foal following
Rhiannon. They thought that if they caught it and gave it to Sir
Brangwyn, he would be so pleased with them that he would take the
horse instead of their taxes. But when they tried to catch it, the
horse darted away and vanished into the forest, leaving Rhiannon
alone. However, to Rhiannon’s surprise, her basket was now heaped
with precious truffles. She was not sure what to tell the village
people who were looking at her with suspicion, because they knew
how hard truffles were to find. Shyly, Rhiannon told them that the
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beautiful, white foal had shown her where to dig in order to find the
truffles.
The next morning, the villagers set off to find the little white foal for
themselves. If it could lead them to a hoard of truffles, their problems
with greedy Sir Brangwyn would be over. They could use the truffles
to pay their taxes and even have money left for their own needs. But,
even though they waited all day, there was no sign of Rhiannon’s
foal. Only when they had gone home did the magnificent creature
come to her, shimmering through the trees and, again, as it came
close, she found that her basket was filled with truffles.
Day after day, the same thing happened. Sir Brangwyn’s clerk, who
was a monk and a clever man, ordered one of the castle servants to
spy on Rhiannon in the forest.
The next day, the servant reported back to the clerk. ‘It is just as the
girl has told us,’ he said. ‘The creature runs about in the trees and,
where it stops and paws at the ground, the young girl digs and finds
truffles. When her basket is full, it puts its head in the girl’s lap and
she sings to it. It is a fine little beast,’ he went on, ‘there’s just one
thing though …’
‘Yes?’ asked the monk, keenly, for he had guessed the truth about
this creature.
‘There’s a lump between its eyes,’ said the servant nervously, ‘as if, as
if …’
‘As if a horn were growing there,’ murmured the monk, finishing the
servant’s sentence. And the monk knew that Rhiannon’s beautiful,
white foal was not an ordinary horse. It was, in fact, a magical
creature. It was a unicorn.
The monk decided to tell Sir Brangwyn his news, knowing it would
make him happy. There hadn’t been any unicorns in the forest for
hundreds of years and Sir Brangwyn was very excited, as he realised
that a unicorn would be a prize indeed. Sir Brangwyn called together
his best huntsmen and ordered them to find the magical little
creature.
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The people from the village turned out to help him, setting traps and
going into the forest to watch for the little white horse, but nothing
did any good. Day after day, they all trailed home disappointed
because they had not caught the magical creature. The unicorn had
vanished.
Sir Brangwyn began to grow impatient. Then the old monk, his
clerk, told him what was needed. The surest way to catch the
unicorn was to send the young girl into the woods alone, so she
would lure it into the clearing. There she could sing to it, until it fell
asleep. If it was sleeping, it would not see the huntsmen coming and
the prize of this magical unicorn would be theirs.
So poor Rhiannon was dragged before Sir Brangwyn, who told her
what she had to do. She did not want to harm her new friend, but her
tears and protests did no good at all. Sir Brangwyn told her that he
would kill her parents if she didn’t help him capture the unicorn. So
she had to go with the royal huntsmen into the forest and wait and
watch. She felt sick at heart, as she did not want to betray her new
friend who had been so kind to her. The huntsmen reminded her that
if she did not help them, she would never see her parents again. They
sat her down and piled up a great bank of brushwood, behind which
they and their horses could hide until the unicorn came.
All night they stayed there, keeping watch, waiting for the magical,
beautiful little foal to come to Rhiannon. Even Sir Brangwyn was
there, waiting. He was the most eager-eyed of them all, waiting
behind the heaped-up branches on his huge, black horse, holding a
spear in his hand.
At last, the unicorn came, like moonlight painting the dark trees. The
unicorn looked this way and that, pawing at the ground. Then,
scenting its friend, Rhiannon, it bounded up to her and kissed her on
the forehead. It lay down next to her and placed its head on her lap.
But this time, Rhiannon did not sing to the beautiful little foal and it
could not understand why. The unicorn looked up at her face,
puzzled. At that very moment, Sir Brangwyn came thundering
through the trees with a cry of triumph. He held his spear above his
head as he charged, and it flashed coldly in the moonlight.
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Rhiannon leapt up, flung her arms around her magical new friend’s
neck and dragged it into the forest, away from this cruel man and
his huntsmen.
Sir Brangwyn could not believe that Rhiannon would dare to defy
him. He was furious and chased after Rhiannon and the unicorn, the
blade of his spear still poised for one awful thrust.
Creeping out from behind the brushwood, the huntsmen waited for
their lord to return with his prize. But nobody came. All they heard
was a crashing of hooves and a great neighing noise. There was a
long cry of pain and then silence.
Sir Brangwyn’s finest huntsmen entered the forest in search of their
master. Rhiannon hid in the shadows and watched as they hunted
for Sir Brangwyn. After many hours, they found him lying dead on
the forest floor. There was no sign of his horse or of his murderous
spear. But something had pierced him through the heart and he lay
staring glassily into the trees.
Sir Ivor, the son of the wicked Sir Brangwyn, was as kind as his father
had been cruel. He emptied the castle dungeons, freeing all the
innocent people, including Rhiannon’s parents, who took her home.
What Rhiannon had seen in the forest remained her secret forever.
All her parents knew about her secret were four little words, which
she whispered sleepily one night as she was falling asleep in her bed,
‘Unicorns have parents too.’
Activities
A. Know the facts
What had happened to Rhiannon’s parents?
B. Understanding the folktale
Point of view: Does the narrator sympathise with Rhiannon
or Sir Brangwyn or the villagers? To support your answer, refer
to the way in which the characters are described.
Mood: How does the mood change in this story?
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C. Language in context
Name and explain the use of punctuation marks in the
following:
1. Long ago, in the days of King Arthur and his knights, there
lived a girl called Rhiannon.
2. Sir Brangwyn got rid of him in order to silence him.
3. People called her ‘Sir Brangwyn’s orphan’.
4. People said that there were still ancient beasts in Sir
Brangwyn’s woods: unicorns and dragons, and basilisks
whose gaze could turn you to stone.
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WIP5006 • SOLUTIONS FOR ALL • ENGLISH HL GRADE EIGHT READER • SIXTEENTH POSITIVE PROOF • 17 MAY 2013
Folklore
The Horned Animals and the Hyena
– A Swahili folktale, retold by Sylvanna Cheketri and Hayleen
Nahman
This folktale links to the theme, ‘Mad about anything’, in the
Learner’s Book.
Pre-reading activities
1. Point out on a map the countries in which Swahili is spoken.
Which are they?
2. Have you heard the Swahili phrase ‘hakuna matata’ before?
What does it mean?
One day, there was huge excitement in the forest; all the animals
were tweeting, hissing and roaring about it. There was going to be a
magnificent party, but it was by invitation only. The birds and the
snakes and the lions could speak of nothing else, as they had heard
that this was going to be a very different kind of party. When the
invitations went out, some of the animals were sad and disappointed
because they had been excluded, while others rejoiced. The
invitation read:
Come one, come all,
Come big, come small,
If you have a horn on your head,
Come and be fed.
There will be food and drink.
You will not have to think.
Come as early as you dare.
It’s going to be a fantastic affair.
The horned beasts had chosen a beautiful location in the middle of
the forest and they had hung colourful decorations from the trees.
There were lanterns to provide light at night as the feast was planned
to continue for many days. There was also plenty of food and, of
course, plenty to drink.
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On the first night, only a few horned animals attended the
celebrations. The rhinoceros was there, and the waterbuck, impala
and springbok too. As word spread further of the wonderful party,
more and more horned creatures joined the event. Kudu and his
herd came the second day, followed by giraffe, who joined in the fun
after a vote was taken as to whether the little stumps on his head did
indeed count as horns.
It was a huge gathering and the horned animals ate and drank and
chatted and laughed. The more they drank, the louder the
conversation and the laughter became. The other animals who were
not attending the party could hear the noise all over the forest.
After the initial disappointment had worn off, most of the other
animals in the forest, like the leopard and the monkeys, really did
not care that they were not welcome at the party of the horned
beasts.
‘If they don’t want us un-horned animals,’ hooted the wise old owl,
‘then we don’t want to be there.’
‘That’s how we also feel,’ chanted the tiny working ants as they
marched hurriedly along the forest floor. They had work to do,
places to go and heavy loads to carry, so they really did not have the
time to attend a silly party anyway.
Of course, not everyone had come to terms with the fact that this
celebration was only for the horned beasts of the forest. In a burrow
in the forest was a very silly hyena, who truly wanted to attend the
party, and was very upset that he had been disqualified. The hyena
thought about the party all the time, until he decided that not
having a horn was not going to keep him from going.
He wandered through the forest for hours, trying to come up with a
plan of action. At last, when he had almost given up, he came across
the carcass of a buck. He was not sure what kind of buck it was, but
it had horns and that was all he needed. He quickly detached the
dead buck’s horns, his mind racing with ideas of how he would
attach these to himself.
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Then he thought of a brilliant plan and went in search of a deserted
beehive. It really was the hyena’s lucky day, because it was not long
before he found a deserted beehive. And, as he peered inside, he
knew that he was even luckier to find more than enough sticky wax
for him to use to stick the dead buck’s horns on his head.
‘Hee, hee, hee,’ the hyena chuckled to himself. ‘Those silly, horned
beasts thought they could have a party and not include me …’ As he
stuck the horns in place, he continued chuckling, ‘… I’ll show those
horned beasts!’
The monkeys in the trees watched the hyena, and they squeaked and
screeched, ‘That poor hyena is going to make such a fool of himself,
and all for this silly party!’
The leopard was crouching lazily behind a rock, trying very hard to
understand why the hyena was so determined to make a fool of
himself. ‘I just don’t understand that foolish beast,’ he said as he
licked his paw. ‘Doesn’t he know that he is not welcome?’
And the hippopotamus, who saw the hyena run past the river on his
way to the party with the horns stuck on his head, mumbled, ‘That
ridiculous hyena – what is he getting himself into?’
When the hyena finally arrived at the party, it was the early hours of
the morning and the creatures did not take much notice of him as
they had been partying all night. The beasts who weren’t at the party
waited patiently to see what would happen when the hyena entered.
They were very surprised that he was not kicked out immediately!
The hyena managed to stay at the feasting table because a lot of the
horned beasts were feeling rather groggy from the night before and
weren’t alert enough to notice that there was something strange
about the newcomer.
All was going well for the ‘horned’ hyena. He was eating like a king,
drinking like a queen and laughing like a jester, but his fun did not
last long. The cool morning air started becoming warmer as the sun
began its ascent into the sky. As it moved higher and higher, it
became warmer and warmer in the clearing and the beeswax that
held the buck horns in place on the hyena’s head began to melt.
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The hyena could feel the dead buck’s horns slipping off his head. He
had to think of something to do and he had to think fast, before the
horns fell off completely … And so he lifted his front paws, held the
dead buck’s horns on and called out to all the other horned animals
at the party, ‘Quickly!’ he cried out, ‘those of you whose horns come
off, take them off now!’
The foolish hyena seemed to think that there were some other horned
animals there whose horns could come off. He thought that those
animals would also take their horns off with him. At that moment,
the other horned beasts finally saw through the silly hyena’s trick and
were furious with him for invading their special party.
‘He’s cheating us; he must go!’ they shouted as they drove the silly
hyena away in disgrace.
The real horned creatures carried on with their party and the hyena
was not allowed to forget his disgrace, as he could hear the revellers
celebrating and partying in the forest for many more days.
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Activities
A. Know the facts
1. Which creatures could not attend the party?
2. Why does the hyena decide to attend the party?
3. Explain how the hyena disguises himself.
B. Understanding the folktale
Characters and characterisation: Describe the hyena’s
character.
C. Language in context
Read the following sentence:
Then he thought of a brilliant plan and went in search of a
deserted beehive. It really was the hyena’s lucky day.
1. Give synonyms for these words: thought, brilliant, plan,
deserted, lucky.
2. Give antonyms for these words: brilliant, deserted, lucky.
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WIP5006 • SOLUTIONS FOR ALL • ENGLISH HL GRADE EIGHT READER • SIXTEENTH POSITIVE PROOF • 17 MAY 2013
Folklore
The Magic Verandah Pole
– A Venda folktale,
retold by Nick Greaves
This folktale links to the theme, ‘Spaced out’, in the Learner’s Book.
Pre-reading activities
1. Where do the Venda people live?
2. What do you know about the Venda people?
Once upon a time, there lived a young man who had no parents. His
mother and father had died when he was very young. This meant
that he was alone: he lived alone and he spent his days herding
cattle alone in the lonely bush. When night fell, the young man
would return home to his empty hut, with nothing but the cold,
moaning, night wind to keep him company.
The hut that he lived in had been built by his father many years
before. It was old and it had been neglected. The young man knew
that his little hut was in desperate need of repair. One morning, he
decided he needed to do something to fix the dilapidated structure.
He went into the bush and began cutting down poles and collecting
thatch for a new roof. The largest poles were used for the verandah,
which would support the roof frame, which, in turn, would support
the thatch.
When the young man had completed the work on his new roof, he
carved the last pole into the shape of a woman. He carved this
woman so that she was most beautiful, from her shapely feet to the
intricate topknot of hair that helped support the thatch edge. The
people who passed by the young man’s hut would remark on how
fine the carving was. The young man was lonely and so he would
often find himself talking to the verandah pole as he went about his
household tasks.
One day, soon after the young man had left to herd his cattle in the
bush, the pole stirred, shook and turned into a beautiful woman.
The lovely woman swept the courtyard and smeared the floor with
fresh cow dung. She put porridge and water in the young man’s pots
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next to the fire, ready
to be cooked when he
returned that night. As
night began to fall, the
young man returned to
his hut with its new
roof. He was astonished
to find that all his
household chores had
been completed while
he was gone. He had
no idea who could
have done this for him,
for the young woman
had turned back into a
verandah pole.
Many times, after the
young man had left for
the bush, the carved
pole would turn into
the beautiful, young
woman. Each time, she
would do the young
man’s chores while he
was herding his cattle.
The young man was determined to find out who was doing his
household chores – he wanted to solve the mystery and thank the
kind person who had helped him.
So, one day, instead of herding the cattle as he usually did, he hid
himself in a clump of ferns that stood near his hut. He watched his
hut and was amazed to see the pole on his verandah turn into a
beautiful, young woman. The work of his own hands had become a
living, breathing being. He leapt out from the fern and clasped the
young woman’s hands. He declared his love for her and expressed
his wish for her to become his wife. The young woman gladly
accepted his proposal and the two of them were married. They lived
blissfully together and were content. Never again, she said, would
she be a lifeless piece of wood.
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Some time later, a messenger from the chief arrived to say that all
the people must come together to work on the chief’s kraal.
‘You must come,’ the messenger commanded the young man. ‘And
bring your wife too. Not one person can remain behind. Everyone
has to help. Whoever lingers will be subject to a heavy fine.’
The young man had a strong feeling of foreboding and said, ‘But I
have no wife. I will come alone.’
‘You’re lying!’ replied the messenger. ‘You have a wife. If you leave
her behind, then you will have to pay a large fine.’
The young man’s fears were soon realised. The chief had an eye for
beauty and, as soon as he saw the young bride, he wanted her to
become his junior wife.
‘She must not work out in the hot sun,’ the chief said. ‘Let’s put her
to work in the shade with the bearers of food.’
The young man finished early and left for home. The young woman
worked until sunset, but when she was ready to leave, the chief
refused to let her go.
The other bearers of food left the chief’s kraal and came singing
cheerfully through the bush in the twilight. The young man saw that
his bride was not among them.
‘Where is my wife?’ he asked.
They stopped singing and looked sad as they replied, ‘She is not with
us. The chief has taken her as his junior wife.’
The young man was distraught, but he did not know what to do.
Loneliness once again enveloped him and it seemed ten times worse
than before, since now he knew how sweet companionship could be.
He resolved to get his wife back, even if he should die in the attempt.
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And so the young man took his musical bow and gourd and set off
towards the chief’s kraal. He disguised himself as a wandering
performer. At the meeting place, he stood dead still and began to
play his instrument. Then he danced and sang. The words of his
song were so haunting that the people stopped to listen, and some
called for the chief’s wives to come and hear. The young man sang
his sweetest melodies and, as she listened, tears welled up in the
young woman’s eyes.
Suddenly, a dust devil whirled through the kraal. When it cleared,
the chief’s newest wife was nowhere to be seen. All that remained in
the meeting place was a carved verandah pole, lying on the ground.
The lonely young man went back to his remote hut in the bush
while the people gathered around the pole in amazement.
‘How odd is this?’ they asked each other, studying the beautifully
carved pole. ‘We must go immediately to tell the chief of these
strange happenings.’
When the chief saw the pole and listened to the story of what had
become of his junior wife, he was afraid.
‘The singer must be a powerful witchdoctor. I want no part in
sorcery,’ he said. ‘Take this pole and return it to his home, for it is of
no value to me.’
So the people of the royal kraal returned the verandah pole to the
young man’s hut and they threw it to the ground at the entrance.
‘Here is your verandah pole!’ they called out to the young man. ‘Our
chief has no use for it now.’
As soon as the people had left, the pole changed back into the
beautiful, young woman and the couple embraced in great joy. The
chief was afraid of the young man who had performed magic – and
so left the young couple alone. The young man and his beautiful,
young wife lived a happy and contented life.
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Activities
A. Know the facts
1. How did the young man come to have a beautiful
verandah pole?
2. How did the young man find out who was doing the
chores around his house? What did he do then?
B. Understanding the folktale
Conflict: Explain where the conflict in the story comes from.
Suspense and surprise: How are suspense and surprise used to
maintain the interest of the reader until the end of this story?
C. Language in context
Copy the following table into your workbook and complete it.
The heading is: Degrees of comparison.
Positive
Comparative
Superlative
lonely
neglected
beautiful
lovely
sweet
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