Language Arts 9 Name ____________________

Short Story

The Blue Bead

By Norah Burke

Prereading

Who do you think of when you hear the word “hero”? What is your image of a
typical hero? What does it take to be a hero? Why are people honored for acts of
heroism?

During Reading

As you read through the story, generate a list of questions. If the question is
answered as you read on, check it off your list.

Once we are all done reading we will hold a class discussion on the questions that
are not answered. Which questions are answered in the text? Which require
inference? Which questions go beyond the text?

Post Reading

Think – Pair – Share: Why does Sibia tell her mother about the blue bead instead
of the rescue?

Comprehension

1. How old is the crocodile?

2. How does the crocodile store his food?

3. Why does the writer mention the blue bead at the same time that the
crocodile is introduced?
4. Describe Sibia’s home, food, and lifestyle.

5. What sort of finery has Sibia seen and where has she seen it?

6. What did the women do to earn money?

7. What is this work like?

8. Describe the agent’s work.

9. How do the Gujar people live?

10.Why is it dangerous for Sibia to be crossing the river alone?

11.Why does Sibia think of the two brass vessels when the Gujar woman is
attacked?

12.How does Sibia save the woman?