What is one life lesson that you have learnt from the main character in the novel that

you have studied? Support your answer with close reference to the text.

I have studied the novel 'Catch Us If You Can' by Catherine MacPhail. The story is narrated by Rory, a young boy who lived alone with his grandfather, Mr. McIntosh whom he lovingly calls 'Granda'. Rory's father had left him when he was still small and his mother had died of a broken heart. One life lesson that I have learnt from Rory is that one should be a responsible family member. Rory was a very responsible boy even though he was still a young kid. He realised that Granda had looked after him all his life and now that Granda needed him, he would take care of him. He did the shopping and cooking. He cleaned the house. Rory also gave up football for Granda. Mr Hood, his football coach had asked him to join the football team but he lied that he did not like football anymore. The truth was, he needed to look after Granda. Granda relied on him to get his lunch and he also had to make sure Granda took his pills. Sometimes, he rushed home during lunchtime to buy two hot pies for their lunch. When Granda was hospitalised at Rachnadar, Rory realised that if he left Granda there, he would be very miserable and sick. He was very frightened when he visited Granda and he did not respond to him. He was afraid that he would 'be dead inside'. He decided to run away with Granda in order to save him. Darren's mother was concerned for Rory. She felt that Rory should not have to bear this kind of responsibility. However, Rory felt that it was his responsibility since there was nobody else. Finally, when he found out about his father, he felt that it was high time he lived up to his responsibility as a son and father.

Question: Write about a sad event and its effect on the characters in the novel that you have read. Give evidence to support your answer.

Answer: The novel that I have studied is Catch Us If You Can by Catherine MacPhail. This novel is about a young boy named Rory who lived alone with his grandfather. When Rory and Granda were separated due to a fire, Rory made a decision to run away with Granda so that they could be together. One of the sad event in this novel is when a fire broke out at the flats where Rory and Granda were staying. On that day, Rory was heading to the bakery as usual to get lunch, the baker told him that something was going on at his flats, the Fire Brigade had gone there and someone had been sent to the hospital. Rory rushed home immediately to find many people surrounding the building. He tried to get into the building. A policeman told him that Granda had been admitted to the hospital but he was going to be all right. Rory heard that Granda had probably left the chip pan on and forgot about it. Then, Rory was taken to the hospital to see Granda. This event triggered a few other important events which changed their lives forever. As a result of the fire, Rory had to be sent to stay in Castle Street, the children's home and Granda was sent to Rachnadar Hospital. Rory hated Castle Street as he had to face the terrible Tess who bullied everyone around her. He ended up fighting with her. At the same time, Granda was suffering at Rachnadar Hospital. He blamed himself that Rory had ended up in Castle Street. Rory saw that he was retreating further and further into his shell and he did not want Granda to die 'inside'. So, he made a decision to run away. During the Great Escape, Rory and Granda had to move from place to place. This affected Granda's health. First, they went to Darren's mum's caravan. When Rory received news from Darren that they were found out, they escaped again. This time they were rescued by Ruby and family. They

went on an adventurous journey from place to place. At one time, Granda even had to hit a boy who was threatening to catch Rory. Then, Granda hotwired a car and they escaped again. Their adventure ended when Granda fell unconscious at the bus shelter while they were on the run from the police. Finally, Rory had to ask for help and Granda was sent to the hospital. There, they were reunited with Jeff, Rory's father and his new family. Thus, we can see that the fire that caused Rory and Granda to be separated triggered other events which changed their lives forever. In the end, Rory's problems were solved when they could stay somewhere near his father and they also received home help for Granda and their meals are taken care of by 'meals on wheels'.