he had forgotten nothing, except what he had wanted to forget — his wife.
This is one of my favorite lines in the passage because it shows Stiva's problem perfectly. He can handle work, people, and everyday responsibilities, but he keeps trying to avoid dealing with his marriage.
almost everyone in the house, even the nanny, Darya Alexandrovna's chief friend, was on his side.
This says a lot about Stiva's character. He doesn't really form his own opinions; he goes along with whatever is popular because it fits his lifestyle.
one must live for the needs of the day, in other words, become oblivious.
Stiva deals with his problems by distracting himself instead of actually fixing them. It seems like his way of coping is to keep moving and pretend everything will eventually work itself out.
his own guilt.
Stiva knows that he did something wrong, but he doesn't seem truly sorry for cheating. He is more upset that Dolly found out and that his normal life has been disrupted.
All was confusion in the Oblonskys' house.
The word “confusion” fits the family because Stiva's affair has affected everyone, not just him and Dolly. Even the servants and children are being affected by the conflict.
All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.
This feels like the main idea of the beginning. Tolstoy is saying that happiness in a family might look similar, but problems can be very different depending on the people involved.
(It could just as well be otherwise)
This is probably one of the most important ideas in the section. Tomas realizes that his relationship with Tereza was partly based on chance. If a few small events had happened differently, they might have never met, which makes him question whether their love was really "meant to be."
the goal of their lovemaking was not so much pleasure as the sleep that followed it.
This shows that Tereza means something different to Tomas than the other women. Physical attraction isn't the only thing connecting them; sleeping beside her gives him a type of emotional closeness he doesn't get elsewhere.
The important thing is to abide by the rule of threes.
Tomas makes rules for his relationships because he wants to stay independent. It seems like he is trying to control love so he doesn't become too attached to anyone.
A single metaphor can give birth to love.
I really like this line. Tomas starts thinking of Tereza as a child he needs to protect, and that changes the way he feels about her. A simple comparison ends up affecting his entire life.
We can never know what to want
This is relatable because we can never know for sure if we made the right choice. We can't go back and compare our life to another version of it.
What then shall we choose? Weight or lightness?
This seems like the main question of the whole section. Weight can mean responsibility and commitment, while lightness can mean freedom. I'm not sure either one is completely better.
The heavier the burden, the closer our lives come to the earth, the more real and truthful they become.
This stood out to me because I normally think of a burden as something bad. Kundera makes it seem like responsibility and suffering can actually make a person’s life feel more meaningful.
a life which disappears once and for all
I think Kundera is saying that because we only live once, our actions can seem less important since we never get to experience them again. This connects to the idea of life having "weight."
BOOK II
Confucius focuses on the importance of wisdom, learning, good behavior, and leadership. He explains that people should not just learn information but should also think carefully about it and use what they learn in their actions. He believes a good leader should lead by setting a good example instead of depending only on laws and punishment. Confucius also emphasizes respecting parents, being honest, understanding what you do and do not know, and having the courage to do what is right. Overall, Book II shows that true wisdom comes from learning, thinking, acting responsibly, and becoming a positive example for others.
BOOK I
Confucius explains that becoming a good person takes more than simply having knowledge. A person should continue learning, practice what they learn, and treat other people with honesty, kindness, and respect. He especially emphasizes being a good son, brother, friend, and member of society. Confucius also believes people should reflect on their own behavior and admit when they make mistakes so they can improve themselves. Overall, Book I focuses on building strong character, having good relationships with others, and becoming a better person through learning and self-reflection.
Zhu Bajie
Zhu Bajie is another character from Journey to the West who helped inspire some of the characters and ideas in Dragon Ball.
Sun Wukong
Sun Wukong is one of the most important connections to Dragon Ball. He inspired the character of Goku, especially Goku's monkey-like appearance, adventurous personality, and magical abilities.
demons, spirits and other magical creatures.
Both stories contain supernatural creatures and fantasy elements. Dragon Ball uses similar ideas but combines them with martial arts and science fiction.
Journey to the West
Journey to the West is a famous Chinese novel from the 16th century. It is one of the major sources of inspiration for early Dragon Ball.
many elements, themes and even characters from this story, known as Journey to the West, were borrowed and creatively adapted
This shows adaptation and influence. Toriyama changed ideas from Journey to the West to create something new rather than simply copying the original.
many fans might be surprised to learn that his magnum opus was based on a quintessential piece of Chinese literature.
Toriyama did not create Dragon Ball completely from scratch. He took inspiration from an older Chinese story called Journey to the West.
declined until 907
Eventually the dynasty completely collapsed and broke into smaller kingdoms.
she maintained a steady grip on the government until she was in her 80s
That's impressive considering how long she was able to stay involved in government.
the state was bankrupt
This explains why the administration had to stay small and cheap. They didn't have much money to work with.
The first Tang emperor, Li Yuan, known by his temple name, Gaozu, began as a contender for the rule of the Sui, of which he had been an official.
He didn't just become emperor easily. He had to compete with other people and rebels for control.
splendour of its arts and its cultural milieu made it a model for the world.
It's interesting that a dynasty could have so much violence and political problems but still become known for its culture.
rose in duplicity and murder, and it subsided into a kind of anarchy.
This makes the dynasty sound pretty unstable even though it eventually became a golden age.
stimulated a cultural and artistic flowering that amounted to a golden age.
The Tang Dynasty seems like it was especially important for art and culture, not just politics.
(618–907 ce)
This lasted a long time, so a lot could have changed during these almost 300 years.
81 adventures
81 is a lot. The journey is probably meant to show how much they have to go through before reaching their goal.
based on the actual 7th-century pilgrimage
So even though the story has magical creatures and fantasy, it started with a real journey. That's interesting.
Journey to the West, foremost Chinese comic novel
I didn't know this was supposed to be a comedy. I expected it to be more serious because it's about a Buddhist pilgrimage.
his work enjoyed a revival in the 1980s
Kind of interesting that he wasn't very famous while alive but became much more recognized later.
To be conscious of all time at once is to be enlightened.
I think this explains why his poems jump between normal scenes and huge ideas about time, space, nature, and death. He's trying to see everything as connected.
what happened in the past. It is all part of ‘the monstrous bright accumulation of time.’ He, living or dead, or you, or me, or anyone else, experiences this fusion of time, congealed into the present
This helps explain why time feels weird in his poems. He talks about the past, future, memories, and things happening now almost like they're happening together.
an ecological vision well ahead of its time.
This makes sense with how his poems put humans, animals, plants, and even galaxies together. He doesn't really treat humans as separate from nature.
He studied geology
This might explain why some of his poems use scientific words and talk about things like minerals, geology, space, and different forms of life.
Poet and farmer
Interesting that he was both a writer and a farmer. This probably connects to how much nature shows up in his poems.
Where are you right now?
This sounds like he's talking to someone who isn't actually there. It gives the poem a lonely feeling.
My chest is dark and hotIt seems to begin fermenting
This makes the emotion feel physical. Instead of just saying he's sad or sick, he describes his body changing.
That is the reason for the sorrow
The repetition makes the sadness feel like something he keeps trying to explain to himself.
When I lost in me a power to rescueI also lost my sister
This sounds like guilt. He isn't only sad that she died; he seems to blame himself for not being able to save her.
Two big white birdsSharply, sorrowfully crying to each other
The birds immediately feel like they represent something more than just birds. Their crying makes the speaker think about someone he lost.
Are you on that gigantic Jupiter
He imagines Toshiko somewhere far away in space. Instead of simply saying he misses her, he connects her to another planet, which makes the loss feel enormous.
Toshiko, Toshiko
This name feels important because the poem keeps returning to her. I would mark this because it seems like the speaker's memories are mixing with what he's seeing around him.
A row of students rests
This suddenly feels more normal and realistic than the earlier poems. There are actual students sitting in the grass.
Princess Nachiranatora
He turns the worm into a princess in his imagination. This shows how quickly the poem changes from something ordinary to something completely imaginary.
A small, red wriggling wormWearing water and light around its body
Instead of just seeing a worm as gross or normal, he makes it beautiful. The way he describes the light makes it seem almost magical.
From the gray steel of mental images
Right away, the poem makes thoughts feel physical. "Gray steel" makes the thoughts seem heavy and cold.
estimated 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria. Each inhabits a territory that it considers to be its own by right of first occupancy and inheritance.
This stood out to me because 250 ethnic groups is a lot. It shows that Nigeria has many different cultures and communities, including the Hausa-Fulani, Yoruba, and Igbo.
Nigeria has a tropical climate with variable rainy and dry seasons, depending on location.
I noticed that Nigeria does not have the exact same weather everywhere. The rainy and dry seasons change depending on the part of the country, which shows how different the regions can be.
Nigeria is not only large in area—larger than the U.S. state of Texas—but also Africa’s most populous country.
I was surprised by this because I did not realize Nigeria had a larger population than every other country in Africa. Comparing its size to Texas also helped me picture how large Nigeria is.
The country became independent on October 1, 1960, and in 1963 adopted a republican constitution but elected to stay a member of the Commonwealth.
This stood out to me because Nigeria was under British control before becoming independent. October 1, 1960 was an important turning point in the country’s history.
The national capital is Abuja
I noticed that Abuja is the capital of Nigeria, while Lagos was the former capital. I thought it was interesting that Lagos is still an important commercial and industrial city even though it is no longer the capital.
That evening, as on other evenings, I went to sleep over my legends.
I noticed that stories and legends were a regular part of her life. The ending makes me think that storytelling was just as important to her childhood as beadwork and playing outside.
I was greatly vexed that my shadow should check its pace also.
This part made me laugh because she seriously tried to catch her own shadow. It shows how imaginative and curious she was as a child.
My mother required of me original designs for my lessons in beading.
I thought this was interesting because her mother did not just make her copy designs. She wanted her to use her own creativity and make her own patterns.
This was the beginning of my practical observation lessons in the art of beadwork.
I noticed that her mother was teaching her beadwork by letting her watch and practice instead of just telling her how to do it. This shows how she learned an important skill from her mother.
The Council worked to unite the tribes across the United States to gain suffrage for all Indians.
This stood out to me because she spent years fighting for Native Americans to have a voice in the government. She didn't just write about problems; she actively worked to change them.
Sun Dance was the first American Indian opera written. It is a symbol of how Zitkála-Šá lived in and bridged both her traditional Native American world and the world of white America that she was raised in.
I thought this was really interesting because Zitkála-Šá used music and storytelling to preserve an important part of Native culture. She was able to bring her traditional culture into a form that people in American society could also experience.
She was fired from Carlisle.
This surprised me because she lost her job for writing about the problems Native students were experiencing. It shows that she was willing to speak up even when it could hurt her personally.
Her autobiographical and Lakota stories presented her people as generous and loving instead of the common racist stereotypes
I think this was important because she used her writing to fight against the way Native Americans were being portrayed. She wanted people to see her culture through the experiences of Native people instead of stereotypes.
She felt that she did not fit in after her experiences at the Institute.
This stood out to me because she was caught between two different worlds. Her experiences at the Institute changed her, but she still did not feel like she belonged there or completely at home on the reservation.
Remedios the Beautiful, is so unfathomably attractive, her looks so pure and otherworldly, that she ascends to Heaven, like Jesus.
This surprised me because someone literally goes to Heaven while taking out the laundry. I think this is a good example of magical realism because something impossible is treated as if it is completely normal.
Magic is mundane, annoying even.
I thought this was funny because magical things happen, but the characters don't act like they are amazing. They treat supernatural events like they are normal parts of everyday life.
Members of each generation repeat, or respond to, the destructive choices of the last, the patterns of behaviour they are raised with and locked into.
I noticed that the family seems trapped in a cycle where the same mistakes keep happening. This connects to the title because the family experiences the same kinds of problems over many years.
the Buendía family is the protagonist here.
This stood out to me because I expected Colonel Aureliano to be the main character after the opening. Instead, the whole family is important, which makes the story feel much bigger.
Each re-read is like catching up with a good, old friend
I liked this comparison because it shows how the meaning of a book can change when you read it more than once. It makes me think that I might notice different things if I reread a book years later.
He leads thirty-two uprisings and all end in failure before an embittered Aureliano returns home to live out his days making little fish of gold, melting them down, and making them again, over and over.
I was surprised that Aureliano fought in so many uprisings but never succeeded. This makes his character seem tragic because he keeps fighting for something but ends up returning home bitter and disappointed.
An insomnia plague attacks the town and brings with it a temporary but severe loss of memory.
I thought this was one of the most interesting parts because losing sleep eventually causes people to lose their memories. It makes me think about how important memory is to a person's identity and to the history of Macondo.
they were afraid of producing a child with a pig’s tail, something that had already happened between their two “inbred” families.
This was strange and surprising to me. It shows that the Buendía family is very worried about their family becoming too closely related, and it also introduces the unusual magical elements of the story.
Standing before a firing squad, Colonel Aureliano Buendía remembers the day that his father, José Arcadio Buendía, had taken him to see ice for the first time.
This caught my attention because the story starts with Colonel Aureliano about to die, but then suddenly goes back to a childhood memory. I wonder why seeing ice was such an important moment that he remembered it right before his execution.
Each is another and no other: crossing and vanishing through their empty names: water, stone, wind.
This stood out to me because Paz seems to be saying that everything is connected even though we give things different names. I think the poem is showing that nature is always changing and nothing stays exactly the same.
Water hollows stone, wind scatters water, stone stops the wind. Water, wind, stone.
I noticed that each part of nature affects another part. It shows that even though water, wind, and stone are different, they are connected and can change each other.
Many female writers like Toledo are staking a literary claim through Indigenous languages in the field of Mexican literature, which has been dominated by males.
I noticed that this is not only about preserving Indigenous languages but also about giving more women opportunities to be recognized as writers. It shows that Mexican literature is continuing to change.
Many modern authors are delving into Mexico’s linguistic riches.
This stood out to me because writers are bringing Indigenous languages back into Mexican literature. I think this is important because it gives Indigenous communities a stronger voice.
Juan Rulfo, who was born in 1917, is regarded as a pioneer of magical realism, a genre that combines a narrative or realistic style with dream-like or fantasy elements.
I thought magical realism was interesting because it combines realistic events with dream-like or fantasy elements. It seems like a creative way to tell stories while still dealing with real-life problems.
The Mexican Revolution (1910–20) also heavily influenced Mexican authors for more than a century. For example, Laura Esquivel’s 1993 novel, Like Water for Chocolate, employs magical realism in a tale that begins during the Mexican Revolution.
I noticed how strongly historical events affected Mexican literature. Writers were not just telling fictional stories; they were also writing about the problems and changes happening in their country.
in 1521, he and his followers conquered the Aztecs.
This seems like an important turning point in Mexican history and literature. After the conquest, Spanish culture and language became a major influence on Indigenous traditions.
The painted books contained historical accounts and myths as well as some religious information, including hymns and poems. The students were expected to memorize the hymns, poems, and other information in the books.
I thought these books were important because they preserved different kinds of knowledge. They were not just religious books; they also recorded history and stories.
The Mayas are regarded as the most advanced civilization in pre-Columbian America.
I found this interesting because the Maya developed their own writing system and calendar. It shows that they had a very advanced way of recording and understanding the world.
The literature evolved through colonial influences, blending European and indigenous languages and themes
This stood out to me because two very different cultures influenced Mexican literature. I think this helped create a unique type of literature that reflects both Indigenous and European history.
It includes ancient poems, songs, legends, and mythology created by indigenous civilizations such as the Aztecs and the Maya.
I thought it was interesting that Mexican literature goes back so far. I usually think of literature as books, but these cultures also used songs, legends, and myths to share their ideas.
his most prominent theme was the human ability to overcome existential solitude through erotic love and artistic creativity.
This was interesting to me because it explains one of the main ideas behind Paz’s writing. He believed that love and creativity could help people overcome loneliness, which seems like a very personal idea that many people can relate to.
he resigned in protest over Mexico’s brutal treatment of student radicals that year.
I found this important because Paz was willing to give up his position as ambassador to protest the government’s actions. This shows that he was willing to stand up for what he believed was right.
he identified strongly with the Republican cause in the Spanish Civil War.
This stood out to me because Paz was not just observing the war from a distance. He actually supported one side. I think this experience probably influenced his writing and political views.
he grew up in straitened circumstances. Nonetheless, he had access to the excellent library that had been stocked by his grandfather, a politically active liberal intellectual who had himself been a writer.
I thought this was interesting because even though Paz’s family had financial problems, his grandfather’s library gave him access to books. I think this helped him become interested in writing and literature.
Wouldn’t it be better to turn life into poetry rather than to make poetry from life
This quote made me think about how Paz viewed poetry. It seems like he believed poetry should be part of how people experience life instead of just being something they write about.
Paz became Mexico’s ambassador to India and resigned six years later in protest when government forces massacred student demonstrators in Mexico City.
This surprised me because Paz was willing to give up an important position to protest what happened to the students. It shows that his political beliefs were important enough for him to take action.
Piedra de Sol [Sun Stone] (Fondo de Cultura Económica, 1957) borrows its structure from the Aztec calendar.
This stood out to me because Paz connected his poetry to ancient Mexican culture. I think using the Aztec calendar made the poem more meaningful and connected it to Mexico’s history.
Paz spent time in the United States and Spain, where he was influenced by the Modernist and Surrealist movements.
I noticed that living in different countries exposed Paz to different ideas and styles of writing. I think this helped shape the unique style he developed later.
Under the encouragement of Pablo Neruda, Paz began his literary career in his teens by founding an avant-garde magazine
I thought this was interesting because Paz started his literary career when he was still a teenager. It shows that he was serious about writing at a very young age.
He was influenced by several different ideologies: Marxism, surrealism, existentialism, Buddhism and Hinduism.
This stood out to me because he was influenced by many different ideas and beliefs. It makes me think he was open-minded and interested in different ways of thinking.
Beginning in 1946, he served as a diplomat for 20 years. During this period he published numerous collections of poetry and prose.
I noticed that Paz spent a large part of his life as a diplomat. Being around different countries and cultures probably influenced his writing.
he became embroiled in the Spanish Civil War.
This surprised me because I did not expect a poet’s life to involve a war. I think this experience may have influenced his writing.
access to his grandfather’s library sparked his interest in literature at an early age.
I thought this was interesting because his grandfather’s library helped inspire his love for literature. It shows how something from his childhood affected his future.
torture and human sacrifice were fundamental religious rituals of Maya society; they were thought to guarantee fertility
This was probably the most disturbing part to me. It shows how different Maya religious beliefs were from what I might expect today. It also makes me wonder what people believed they would gain or accomplish through sacrifice.
those of the Sun, the Moon, rain, and corn. A priestly class was responsible for an elaborate cycle of rituals and ceremonies.
I noticed that many of these gods are connected to things people depend on to survive. This shows me that Maya religion was closely connected to nature and agriculture.
a Mayan maize (corn) god
Corn seems especially important to the Maya. Since corn was such an important part of everyday life, it makes sense that it would also appear in their religious stories.
who were transformed into, respectively, the Sun and the Moon.
I thought this was interesting because the story connects human characters to things in nature. It makes me think that the Maya used stories like this to explain things they saw in the world around them.
the Popol Vuh features the Hero Twins, Hunahpu and Xbalanque, who were transformed into, respectively, the Sun and the Moon.
The Hero Twins seem like they are going to be some of the most important characters in the story. I want to know what challenges they face and how they become heroes.
He both copied the original K’iche’ text (now lost) and translated it into Spanish. His work is now in the Newberry Library, Chicago.
This stood out to me because without Ximénez copying the original, this information could have been completely lost. It also makes me think about how much of the original story might have been changed during translation.
the actions of the gods
The gods seem to have a huge role in controlling what happens in the world. This is different from stories where humans are the most powerful characters because here the gods are responsible for creating and shaping humanity.
It chronicles the creation of humankind, the actions of the gods, the origin and history of the K’iche’ people, and the chronology of their kings down to 1550.
This makes me wonder why the gods needed to create humans in the first place. I think the creation of humans is probably one of the most important parts of the story because it explains how the Maya believed people came into existence.
At the beginning of the 20th century, most Nigerians were followers of traditional religions, but British colonial policies discouraged this to such an extent that by the time of independence in 1960 the great majority of the people were classified as Muslims or Christians.
Before Christianity became widespread, many Nigerians followed traditional African religions.
English is the official language of Nigeria.
English became important because of British colonialism.
The languages of Nigeria are classified into three broad linguistic groups: Niger-Congo, Nilo-Saharan, and Afro-Asiatic. The huge Niger-Congo group is further subdivided into nine major branches
Nigeria has hundreds of languages because of its many different ethnic groups.
There are an estimated 250 ethnic groups in Nigeria.
Nigeria has many different ethnic groups and cultures.
Camels, antelopes, hyenas, lions, baboons, and giraffes once inhabited the entire savanna region, and red river hogs, forest elephants, and chimpanzees lived in the rainforest belt.
Nigeria once had a large variety of wildlife.
Precipitation is heavier in the south, especially in the southeast, which receives more than 120 inches (3,000 mm) of rain a year, compared with about 70 inches (1,800 mm) in the southwest.
Southern Nigeria is much wetter than northern Nigeria.
the south the rainy season lasts from March to November
The southern part of Nigeria receives a lot of rain, which supports farming.
Nigeria has a tropical climate with variable rainy and dry seasons
Nigeria's climate changes depending on the region.
The forest soils represent the third zone.
Southern Nigeria has forested areas with productive soil.
In the precolonial period the country normally produced enough agricultural commodities to feed its population, and it even maintained a surplus for export.
Before European colonization, Nigerians had successful agricultural systems.
The Niger delta is a vast low-lying region through which the waters of the Niger River drain into the Gulf of Guinea. Characteristic landforms in this region include oxbow lakes, river meander belts (see meander), and prominent levees. Large freshwater swamps give way to brackish mangrove thickets near the seacoast.
The Niger River creates a large, fertile area before reaching the Atlantic Ocean. Water and fertile land helped support agriculture and communities in Nigeria.
The Niger River, for which the country is named, and the Benue, its largest tributary, are the principal rivers.
Rivers were important for transportation, farming, and trade.
The Jos Plateau rises almost in the centre of the country; it consists of extensive lava surfaces dotted with numerous extinct volcanoes.
Shows that Nigeria's geography varies greatly from region to region. The environment is important in Things Fall Apart because farming and the natural environment affect everyday Igbo life.
the topography of Nigeria consists of plains in the north and south interrupted by plateaus and hills in the centre of the country.
Nigeria has many different types of land, including plains, hills, and plateaus.
Nigeria is bordered to the north by Niger, to the east by Chad and Cameroon, to the south by the Gulf of Guinea of the Atlantic Ocean, and to the west by Benin.
Nigeria is located in West Africa and has several neighboring countries.
The country became independent on October 1, 1960
Nigeria eventually gained independence from British rule.
Modern Nigeria dates from 1914, when the British Protectorates of Northern and Southern Nigeria were joined.
Britain combined different regions and peoples into one country. This helps explain the cultural differences Achebe shows in Things Fall Apart.
The national capital is Abuja
Nigeria has changed politically over time, especially because of British colonization.
the pineapple would ripen and fall towards the road so that it caught the attention of passersby. Although squirrel and her children passed through that road all the time, they stopped stealing Tortoise’s pineapple, not because they did not want to eat pineapple anymore but because they were afraid of ‘talk-talk
Even though they know stealing is wrong, they still want the pineapples. Tortoise's gossip became a punishment that actually changed their behavior.
while she was forgiven, she would continue to be the subject of gossip
The story shows that embarrassment and gossip can be used to discourage people from doing wrong.
Tortoise he had forgiven her.
I understand why Squirrel is upset because she thought being forgiven meant the situation was over.
Tortoise would gather his friends and tell them what Squirrel and her children did to him.
Is this really forgiveness if Tortoise is still telling everyone about what she did?
Tortoise forgave Squirrel.
Tortoise shows that he is willing to forgive Squirrel.
Squirrel heard the news, she pleaded with Tortoise.
Squirrel realizes she went too far and is asking for another chance.
Tortoise knew that he had to stop Squirrel from eating his pineapples. He concluded that he would ask the local priest to curse anyone eating his pineapple.
Tortoise is trying to find another way to stop Squirrel since he can't fight her.
whenever Tortoise saw Squirrel on his farm, she was always on top of a palm tree, or some other tree that was impossible for Tortoise to climb.
Squirrel has an advantage because Tortoise can't reach her.
Squirrel did not heed his advice.
Squirrel knows she is doing something wrong but continues anyway.
Tortoise warned them to stop eating his pineapple
I think Tortoise is being reasonable because he gives Squirrel a chance to stop before taking stronger action.
He found that Squirrel and her children were to blame.
Tortoise now knows exactly who is causing the problem.
the pineapples became unsellable and unacceptable as gifts.
Squirrel's actions are causing Tortoise to lose money and make his farm less valuable.
The issue was not that they ate the pineapple, but they would go around the large farm and would take a bite out of every ripe pineapple.
This is worse than just eating a pineapple because they are ruining food that could have been sold or given away.
Squirrel and her children would go to the farm to eat every ripe pineapple they could find.
I understand that they are hungry, but they are taking advantage of Tortoise's farm.
Tortoise owned a pineapple farm by the roadside.
Tortoise's farm is the main location where the conflict happens.
he promised to take corrections, suggestions and advice in the future.
The Moral of this is that we should listen to others advice and be willing to accept correction instead of always thinking we are right.
The King was sorry for his past disobedience
The King finally realizes that his mistakes and is willing ro change.
because he had never listened to any advice or correction, they could not tell him.
This is the biggest lesson in the story. His behavior caused people to stop trying to help him.
The King immediately touched his moustache and the red melon fragment soiled his hand, which made him angry.
I understand why he is embarrassed, but he should of realize that this happened because he refused everyone's advice.
The King who does not listen to advice
This story is showing that refusing advice can lead to embarrassment and problems.
the drummer saw the fragment of the red melon on the King’s moustache
I think the drummer is going to be the person who finally teaches the King a lesson.
the King did not know; neither did anybody tell him because he had not taken to previous advice.
His refusal to listen has now caused other people to stop correcting him.
a fragment of it hanged on his moustache.
I think this is ironic because he could have avoided the embarrassing situation if he had listened to everyone.
All attempts by the chiefs, elders, wives and friends advising him against eating the food did not succeed.
This shows how stubborn he is. Multiple people warned him, but he still refused to listen.
Ologhe, the heir apparent, insisted that he must eat the delicious red melon
I feel like eating the melon is going to cause a problem because everyone is warning him not to.
One day, the Council of Chiefs decided to crown him
Why would the chiefs crown him if they knew he was not going to listen to anyone?
He did what was right in his own eyes and not what would benefit the people.
This started to makes me think he was becoming selfish. A good king should think about his people, not just himself.
The heir apparent began to rule, but he did not take any advice from the Council of Chiefs.
This is a major change from his father. He refuses to listen to people who are trying to help him.
He could not perform the ritual
This decision caused serious consequences for his father and his future as king.
The young man agreed, but before sunset, he went to his concubine’s house
I think this was irresponsible because he knew his father needed him.
The King would seek advice in every matter
The King understands that listening to other people helps him rule well.
The King had a kind heart and his people loved him.
The King seems like a good ruler because his people respect and love him.
On the day of the event, the Cook prepared food for the Duke and his guests. They all ate and were happy.
Mamara is finally being recognized for her talent instead of her appearance.
The king pleaded with the people not to tell anybody who had not known that the Cook had a sore, and they obeyed.
I think this shows respect for Mamara and protects her from being embarrassed.
The Duke in his wisdom decided to employ a doctor to treat the cook.
The Duke shows kindness by helping her instead of judging her.
After the contest, Mamara was judged to be the best and the winner.
This proves that the people who judged her because of her sore were wrong.
The chief who recommend Mamara advised the Duke to conduct a contest for the cooks so that he could choose the best of them.
I think Mamara will use the contest to prove everyone wrong.
Although they knew that Mamara was the best in her community and all the neighboring villages, they did not contact her because of the ugly sore at the back of her hand.
I think this is unfair because they are judging her before seeing what she can do.
He needed a cook to prepare food for his guests.
This gives Mamara a chance to show her cooking ability.
but she had an ugly sore at the back of her left hand that refused to heal.
I think this sore is going to cause problems for Mamara even though it doesn't affect her cooking.
Mamara was a very beautiful lady and a good cook
Mamara is talented, but the story is going to show that people focus on something else about her.