Heidi Meets her Grandfather
by Johanna Spyri (Mulberry)
MAKING CONNECTIONS
Quick answers
1. Choose the right answer.
a. The setting of a story tells us where and when the story happens. Where does this story happen?
i) In a little house high up in the mountains. [✓]
ii) In a tall building in the city. [ ]
b. When did Heidi reach her grandfather's hut?
i) At night. [ ]
ii) During the day. [✓]
c. Which of the following was not in the grandfather's room?
2. A story has a beginning, a middle and an end. All the things that happen in a story make up the plot. Sequence these events from the story.
a. Grandfather took a sheet up to the loft. [3]
b. Heidi explored the hut. [1]
c. Heidi made a bed of hay. [2]
d. The goats arrived. [5]
e. Heidi had mild with a large slice of bread and golden cheese. [4]
Reference to context
3. "Where am I to sleep, grandfather?"
a. What did Heidi's grandfather say in reply to her question?
= Grandfather said in reply to her question that she could sleep wherever she liked.
b. Where did Heidi decide to sleep?
= Heidi decided to sleep on the hayloft.
c. What was Heidi's bed made of?
= Heidi's bed was made of hay and a sheet.
4. "Then you must have some more,' and the old man filled her bowl again."
a. Who was the old man?
= The old man was Heidi's grandfather.
b. What was in the bowl?
= There was milk in the bowl.
c. Why did the old man fill Heidi's bowl again?
= The old man filled Heidi's bowl again because she liked the milk very much. She had not drank anything so good before.
Read, reflect and write
5. Why was the hayloft a good place to sleep?
= The hayloft was a good place to sleep because it was filled with a large heap of fresh sweet-smelling hay, while through a round window in the wall she could see right down the valley.
6. Where did the grandfather's goats go during the day? When did they return?
= The grandfather's goats went to their pasture during the day.
They returned in the evening.
7. Do you think that Heidi was happy and cheerful or grumpy and fussy? Give a reason for your answer.
= I think Heidi was happy and cheerful. She came to village to her grandfather. She was excited. She wanted to explore her grandfather's house. She explored every nooks and corners. She found it exciting to sleep in the hayloft. She was happy to drink the milk and eating other food. She was friendly with the goats.
8. Imagine that you are Heidi and your aunt comes to take you away to the city. Would you want to go with her? What would you say to her?
= If I were Heidi, and my aunt comes to take me away to the city, I would have told her to stay with me at grandfather's place for few days. I would have enjoyed the natural beauty and calmness of the village. Then I would have returned to the city with aunt.
About the Author :
Johanna Spyri (1827-1901) wrote stories for children in German. She is best known for her book, Heidi. It is about the life of a young girl in her grandfather's care, in rural part of Switzerland. It was a book written 'for the children and those who love children.'