Ashraf's Invention
by Fatima Akilu
Making connections
Quick answers
1. Main characters are the central or important characters in a story. Supporting characters are the less important characters. Who are the supporting characters in this story?
= The supporting characters in this story are - Ada, the bus driver; Eugene; Segun; and Simon.
2. Use the graphic organizer to describe Ashraf's plane.
=
The tables for snacks : A pain of round hats;
The wings for the plane : His mum's purple cushions;
The body of the plane : The trunk of the mango tree;
The seats : Two branches of the mango tree;
Reference to context
3. "Why did you have to go and do that?, Ashraf stormed off, clearly upset."
a. How had Ashraf been feeling at the beginning of the first break?
= First lesson was science, but Ashraf was not listening. His eyes were on the clock. He was eagerly waiting for the 11 a.m. first break. As soon as he heard the bell, he headed out to the yard. He was excited to tell about his plane to his friends - Eugene and Segun.
b. Who was Ashraf speaking to? What had this person done?
= Ashraf was speaking to one of his friends - Segun.
This person had told Simon about the plane of Ashraf and they were kind of mocking to go to Lagos and Kano by that plane.
c. What did the listener say to Ashraf in reply?
= The listener apologised to Ashraf and also said that so many of his inventions and experiments had not worked out.
4. "Hey, steady on or we will all fall off the tree! Eugene warned."
a. Who else was on the tree with Eugene?
= Ashraf and Segun were on the tree with Eugene.
b. What is a warning? What made Eugene give this warning?
= A warning is suggestion to be more careful to avoid any further danger.
They were actually riding a mango tree and assuming it to be a plane. There were fair chance to fall off the tree if they became a bit careless while talking. This made Eugene give this warning.
c. What did Segun say in reply to this warning?
= In reply to this warning, Segun said that Ashraf would have to invent an instant parachute to save them.
Read, reflect and write
5. How did Eugene receive the news that Ashraf gave him? Would you say that he was genuinely impressed? Give a reason to support your answer.
= Eugene received the news that Ashraf gave him as a surprise. He asks what was the plane.
I would say that he was not at all impressed. As he informed Segun about the plane of Ashraf and asked him if he wanted to go to Jupiter or Saturn.
He was actually making fun of the plane by saying so. He also reminded Ashraf's time capsule that could send them into future. He thought he would wake up and found himself two grades up. He stopped studying after taking the capsule and got all D's in the examination.
6. Why did Ashraf feel that he could not go back to school, ever? What did he think would happen if he went back to school?
= As per Ashraf's invitation Eugene and Segun came to the place of Ashraf's plane and a horde of children of their school also came to see the plane along with them.
They were most probably informed by Eugene and Segun. Ashraf did not like it. The children got disappointed and commented that it was merely a train and they turned and walked off. The fact that Eugene and Segun had told everyone and the comment of the children made Ashraf feel that he could not go back to school, ever.
He thought that all the school children would make fun of him at school as they did not like plane at all. They rather commented that it was merely a tree instead.
7. Ashraf said that Eugene and Segun were great. What did he mean by this? Do you agree with Ashraf? Give reasons for your answer.
= He meant that they were good encouraging friend of him and they were his inspiration. As they said that they like all his hare-brained ideas and one day he might build all those things for real.
I do not agree with Ashraf as Segun previously said that he would come just for Ashraf's mum's delicious chocolate cake. They had no interest in any inventions anymore. And at the end of the story we can see that Segun laughed saying that Ashraf would have to invent an instant parachute to save them if they fall from the tree.
8. What did Ashraf say about the way friends should behave with each other? Write about your own experience to say whether or not you agree with Ashraf.
= Ashraf said that they were friends and they were supposed to support him no matter what.
I am totally agree with Ashraf. Friends are like mirrors and in fact more than mirrors. They reflects our strength and weaknesses. They supports us and encourages us. They rectify our faults. I can give an instance to support this. One day my mother went to my maternal uncle's house. Me and my father were at home.
At night my father fall ill. He was immediately needed to be admitted at hospital. I was like had fallen in darkness. Did not know what to do. Then I called one of my friend and said this. Then he informed other friends and their parents. They came with ambulance and took my father to the hospital. My father recovered next day. That was an experience that changed the definition of friends to me.
About the Author:
Fatima Akilu is a Nigerian author. She writes children's books. She is also a psychologist. Some other books that she has written are Timi's Dream Comes True and Ngozi Comes to Town.