CHAPTER 1: THE SCHOLARSHIP JACKET (SHORT STORY)

Summary:

The story “The Scholarship Jacket” is a story by Marta Salinas. In this story she tells about a Mexican girl named Marta. The small Texas School follows a tradition every year. A beautiful gold and green jacket is awarded to the class valedictorian, the student who maintains the highest grades for eight years.



The scholarship jacket was the only object in Marta’s mind. She was smart and maintained an ‘A’ plus average in her eight year of school. Thus she was expecting that jacket that year. But one day she overheard a conversation between two teachers. They were arguing about the distribution of the scholarship jacket. One teacher Mr. Boon argued in favour of Joann as her father was a member of the board and also owned the only shop in town.

The next day, the principal called Marta to the office. He told her that this time the scholarship jacket was going to cost fifteen dollars. If Marta could not pay for it the jacket would be given to the runner up. Marta left school fearfully. Her grandfather was not ready to pay for the jacket. He asked quietly, ‘What does a scholarship jacket mean?’ He told Marta to tell her principal he would not pay the fifteen dollar. This increased her sadness. She cried a lot.

The next day, Marta told the principal what her grandpa said. She had a slip of the tongue also. She told the principal that she guessed he would the jacket to Joann. Marta didn’t mean to say that. The principal, feeling guilty told Marta that she would get the scholarship jacket. Thus she earned the jacket and not purchased it.

Speech:


2. After receiving the scholarship jacket, Marta delivers a speech. Prepare the speech for her.

Respected principal, teachers, all other dignitaries on and off the dais and my dear friends,

Today is a great day for me. You all know why? Yes, I received the reward for my eight years hard work. I got this scholarship jacket. It had been my only dream since the last eight years.

I could not participate in sports because there were registration fees, uniform costs and so on. Though I was agile and athletic I kept away from sports. And so this scholarship jacket was my only chance. I worked hard to achieve success. Thus, I am standing here. I got inspiration from my elder sister, Rosie. I would like to thank my family especially my grandfather for this. He was my guide to show the path of truth and hard work. Finally I would like to thank my dearest teacher Mr. Schmidt for his boundless support and help.

I have only one advice to my younger brothers and sisters. There is no short cut way to success. Hard work is the only short cut way to success. You bravely select this path and come in flying colours. Let me conclude my speech.
Thank you all.

Letter:

3. The management decides to change the policy regarding the scholarship jacket. The principal feels uncomfortable and unhappy about this change. He expresses his resentment in a letter to the management. Write a likely letter.

Principal
The Texas School, America
June 14, 2019
The Manager
The Texas School

America

Sir,
Subject: Regarding change in policy
Regretfully, I want to inform you about the problem that I have encountered due to the recent change in school policies. I can’t agree with the policy regarding the scholarship jacket.

A scholarship is to be earned and not to be purchased. Most of the bright students in our school come from poor background. If we bring a condition of fifteen dollars for scholarship jacket, a true valedictorian will not receive it. So I think this is a wrong decision from the school management.

Hence, I kindly request you to resolve the issue at the earliest.
Thanking you
Principal

News report:

4. Marta is awarded the scholarship jacket by the Vice Chancellor of the university. Prepare a news report that may appear in the newspaper, the next day.
June 14, 2019

New Texas
The Texas School conducted its prize distribution ceremony yesterday. The main attraction of the programme was the scholarship jacket. Honorable Vice Chancellor was the chief guest.

The function began with a prayer by the school choir. Vice Chancellor formally inaugurated the programme. He spoke about the importance of hard work for success. He gave away the scholarship jacket award to Marta for her highest grade in eight years. School principal presided over the function.

Besides scholarship jacket, there were distribution of other awards of sports and cultural activities. The distribution of scholarship jacket was the colourful moment. Marta had secured grade A in all the previous classes. She delivered a speech after getting the jacket.

Staff secretary Mr. Roy welcomed all to the programme and school leader Ashy extended vote of thanks. The function was a grand success.




CHAPTER 2: POETRY( POEM) 

Appreciation of ‘Poetry’:

The Chilean poet Neftali Ricardo Reyes Basoalto wrote poems using his pen-name Pablo Neruda. In the poem ‘Poetry’ the poet talks about poetry that arrived in search of him. He did not know where it came from, how and when. He said that he was summoned away by an invisible force, and the poetry touched him. The theme of the poem is the ecstatic experience of the poetic
creativity.

He had in his mind ideas which he could not express effectively before he was blessed by the touch of poetic creativity. By the touch of poetry something started in his soul, like a fever. Then he got the "fire of poetry." He wrote his first line which was feeble and faint. But by the arrival of poetic inspiration, his imagination became boundless and he became a poet. By the touch of poetry, he was suddenly elevated to a world of ecstasy. He describes the whole experience as his "heart breaking loose on the wind"

Free verse is the style of the poem; passion is the tone. The line ''he poetry arrived in search of me… and it touched me" presents poetry as a person and the poetic device Personification is applied here. The poet has not used the end rhyme but an instance of assonance is there in the line “I don't know how or when” (internal rhyme).This forms a rhythm.



Alliteration can be seen in lines, “and something started in my soul, / fever or forgotten wings” and “planets,/palpitating plantations,”. Words like flowers, violent fires, the branches of night,planets, plantations are beautiful visual images.


CHAPTER 3: THE NEVER NEVER NEST (ONE ACT PLAY) 

Summary

The Never Never Nest is a one-act play. It is written by Cedric Mount. The characters include Jack and Jill (a couple), Aunt Jane, a Nurse.  Jack and Jill are living happily. One day, Aunt Jane comes to visit the couple. Jack and Jill are happy to show Jane all their house and belongings. Jane likes everything. Jack and Jill have good furniture, car, refrigerator, piano and a radiogram. Aunt Jane asks whether they really own them all. They reply that they have bought all on instalment system. To pay off the amount, they take loan from other financial corporations. Jane gets angry, and she is not even ready to sit on somebody else’s furniture. She hastens to leave the house. She is not ready to go by Jack’s car which belongs to somebody else. On leaving, she gives Jill a cheque for ten pounds to pay at least one of their bills. Jill decides to pay the doctor’s bill because with that one instalment, the baby would become theirs.