Page 4 - Book VII Unit 4

bamboo hut with no windows, with a door just big enough
to get through, and with grass sticking out of the roof—this
shows it is a man’s house. Such housing is dark inside so
it took time for our eyes to adjust. Fresh grass had been
laid on the floor and there was a platform for Jenny and
me to sleep on. There was a fireplace in the centre of the
hut. The only possessions I could see were one broom, a
few saucers, a kettle, cups, pans, and a couple of jars.

Mukap built a fire outside and laid stones on it to heat. He
then placed the hot stones in an empty oil drum with kau
kau (sweet potato), ripe corn, and greens. He then covered the vegetables with banana leaves and left them
to steam. It smelled delicious. We ate inside the hut sitting round the fire. I loved listening to the family talking
softly to each other in their language, even though I could not participate much in the conversation. Luckily,
Tombe interpreted for us.

Later, I noticed a can standing upside down on the grill over the fire. After a while, Tombe threw it out of the
doorway. Tombe told me that the can was heated to dry out the leftover food. His family believes that leftovers
attract bad spirits in the night, so any leftover food is dried up in a can and the can is then thrown out of the hut.

We left the village the next morning after many goodbyes and firm handshakes. My muscles were aching
and my knees shaking as we dragged ourselves down the mountain towards home. That evening I fell
happily into bed. It was such a privilege to have spent a day with Tombe’s family.

3 Answer the following questions.
1 What do you think “the bush” means?
2 What has been Jo’s most challenging subject to teach? Why?
3 What did Jo notice about the homes in the village she visited?
4 What did Jo notice after the meal?
5 What is Jo’s general impression of the place and people there?

4 Analyse Jo’s impressions of the school and the village.

Positive aspect Negative aspect

The students value education No running water or electricity

5 In groups, discuss these questions.
1 Jo felt it was a privilege to have spent a day with Tombe’s family. If you were Jo, how do
you think you would have felt? Why?
2 What are the differences between the school you go to and the one described in the
passage?
3 Would you like to become a volunteer teacher? Why or why not?

UNIT 4 SHARING 39