by Richard Kennedy

We are going to read a story about a man who cannot stop mourning the death of his wife.
• Have you ever tried to comfort someone, but you couldn’t?
• If so, what did you do or say?
• How did it feel to not be able to help someone you care about?

We are going to read a story about a man who cannot stop mourning the death of his wife.

• How do you prefer to be comfort ed?
• Do you think the person pre ferred to stay sad, or do you think he or she wanted to be cheer ed up?
• What might be a special or unusual way to comfort someone

While I’m reading…
1) Mark with a “C” places where you connect something in the text with your knowledge or experience.
1) Mark with a “?” places where you have a question about the story.

Student name Student question
(*) means speculative – not as useful
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
11)

While I’m reading…
1) Mark with a “-” places where Oliver shelters himself
1) Mark with a “+” places where Oliver opens himself up
1) Think about why you choose these places as you make your notes

wretched

Why does Oliver want the people to have a
“wretched time” at the wedding party?
• Why does Oliver agree to play the fiddle as long as everyone else wears a dishcloth on his or her head?

Why does Oliver want the people to have a
“wretched time” at the wedding party?

Why does Oliver want the people to have a
“wretched time” at the wedding party?
• Why does Oliver feel that the townspeople have tricked him into playing at their party?

Why does Oliver want the people to have a
“wretched time” at the wedding party?
• Why does Oliver keep his promise to play at the party, even though he feels tricked?

Why does Oliver want the people to have a
“wretched time” at the wedding party?
• Why does Oliver feel “a little mean” about playing sad songs after thinking of his own bride?

What if Oliver had entered the barn where the wedding was being held instead of going to the wrong one?
• Brainstorm
• Rough draft
• Final draft