STD 9 UNIT 4

Possible discourses
THE JUNGLE AIR CRASH
1) Prepare a news paper report of Julian's survival
From Ashes to Life
Pucalpa 1971 Dec 24:The Lansa Airlines scheduled from Lima to Pucalpa was crushed to
pieces in an air crash 30 minutes after the take off. All the 92 passengers except a 17 year
old girl Juliane Koepcke died on the spot. She is the only survivor of the attack and was
going to meet her dad along with her mother. When the plane exploded she was thrown out
still strapped to her seat. she was not spotted by the rescue team and had to spend 11 and
half day in the dense forest. Finally she was rescued by the mestizo hunters who took her
to Tournavista and then handed over to her father. Juliane was congratulated by people all
over the world for her bravery and strong will power.
2) Thoughts of Juliane after her escape
Oh at last I am safe, back at home. It is really a miraculous escape. I can't forget the
horrifying experiences in the jungle. I never thought I could come out alive. God is so
great!.I can't believe that I spent 11 and half day in the dense forest. The mosquitoes,the
crude jungle path,the broad river,the bleeding wound,all remain a nightmare .Finally I
could see my family. But Oh I lost my mother,I wish she were alive. I am so thankful to the
mestizo hunters who saved me.
3) Prepare 5 questions to interview Juliane
4) Imagine Juliane narrates the experience to her friends. Prepare the narrative
5) Write a letter to Juliane congratulating her
6) Your school is organising a meeting to congratulate Juliane. Prepare a notice for it
7) Prepare a conversation between Juliane and the mestizo hunters
8) Prepare paragraph about the events after the plane took off
........................................................................................................................................
The last leaf
O Henry
1) Prepare a news report of the spread of epidermic in New York city
Pneumonia the unseen stranger stalks
New York:the city of New York has been struggling in the hands of Pneumonia for the last
few days. Many deaths were reported all over the country. The weather being extreme
cold this year ,the number of deaths is expected to increase in the coming days. The
authorities have taken emergency steps to put the condition under control. A team of
doctors have arrived in the city and people are advised to take precautionary measures to
prevent the attack. Those hospitalised were visited by the health team.
2) Sue feels worried thinking about Johnsy. What would be her thoughts?
Oh my dear Johnsy ,how cruel you are...You never think about me. Why are you counting
the leaves? A stupid thought has come to your mind. Your life has nothing to do with the
falling leaves. They fall because of rain and wind. But who can prevent it? What will
happen if the last leaf falls ? I just can't think about it .She thinks she will also die. How
can I convince her? No one can find a solution. I feel so helpless.
3) Johnsy feels so sad thinking about the leaves falling. Prepare her diary.
Oh God My days are coming to a close. The last leaf will fall tomorrow. It is heavy rain
and storm outside. I am sure the last leaf can't withstand it. When it falls I shall also die.
 The endless waiting. I can't bear it any more. Sue loves me very much and has closed all
windows. She wants me not to look at the leaf. But I am not safe. Nothing can't stop death
from approaching me. I don't want to live. Poor Sue ,She is also worried about me.
4) Prepare a news report of Behrman's death
A Masterpiece from a Sacrifice
New York:A marvellous painting of a leaf broke hearts yesterday as it was drawn with the
life blood of Behrman the great artist. People in Greenwich village were awakened
yesterday with the shocking news of his death in the hospital due to pneumonia. He was a
failure in art till then. It is said that he was worried about the pathetic condition of Johnsy
who was sick. Johnsy had a strange fancy that when the last leaf from an ivy vine fell she
would die. So Behrman painted an eternal leaf on the walls out side her window despite
the cold weather and left this world. The story of his sacrifice has elevated him to a great
artist.
5) Imagine Johnsy writes a letter to her friend about the sacrifice of Behrman .Prepare
the letter.
Dear Ann,
How goes life there? Hope everyone is happy. Are you coming to our village during
Christmas?I wish you were here.
I am writing this letter to share a sad news. I have told you about an old artist Behrman
who lives in the first floor .He was a father figure for Sue and me. He had a blank canvas
in his room and he had always boasted of his masterpiece. But the masterpiece has taken
his life.
As I had been affected with Pneumonia I had a feeling that when the last leaf fell I would
also die. So I became desperate,weak and started to count the falling leaves. Sue was
worried about my foolishness but I never noticed it. Hearing about my condition from Sue
Behrman painted a leaf on the wall despite the cold weather. When I saw the leaf still
there I regained confidence .But we lost old Behrman who died of Pneumonia.
I feel guilty .He sacrificed himself for me. I have decided to devote my life to the service
of artists like him. I need your support too. so see you soon.
Yours friendly
Johnsy
6) Character sketch of Johnsy
Johnsy is a young artist living in Greenwich village with her friend Sue. She is an
emerging artist who wants to paint the Bay of Naples one day. She loses her confidence
when she becomes a patient of Pneumonia. Johnsy starts to feel that when the last falls
she will also die. She becomes desperate and hopeless. She develops a negative outlook
and begins to count the falling leaves . Johnsy fails to notice the pain of Sue . In fact she
becomes a pessimist. The decease has weakened her body and shattered her mind. She is
adamant in her fancy and not bothered about the love and care of Sue. Johnsy fails to face
life bravely.
7) Character sketch of Behrman
Behrman is a painter who lives in the first floor of an old building in Greenwich village.
He is considered as a failure in art who always talks about the masterpiece he is going to
paint. But his canvas remains empty waiting for it. He never begins it. He is a serious old
man who becomes angry when he hears about the fancy of Johnsy. He earns money by
posing as models for poor artists. Behrman is not confident about himself. He considers
himself as a watch dog and protector of Sue and Johnsy. He loved them as his daughters.
 He is a selfless painter who saves Johnsy's life with the eternal last leaf painted on the
wall. He is elevated to the status of a hero. Behrman is a motivation for all artists.
8) Thoughts of Behrman about Johnsy's fancy
How silly this little girl is! Pneumonia has chilled her senses. She feels she will die when
the last leaf falls. What a stupid thought. She has become very weak and the doctor says
she has very rare chances to survive if she continues to be hopeless. Even Sue's love fails
to instil hope in her. But how can I let her embrace death? Johnsy does not listen to
advices. Oh I have to do something to save her. What if I paint a leaf on the wall ?Yes It
may fill her mind with positive thoughts. Let God be with me.
9) Prepare a conversation between Sue and the doctor about Johnsy's condition
10) Narrate the story in your own words
11)Character sketch of Sue

Prepared by
Leena V, H S A English Ghss Kodungallur ,Thrissur dist