Learning through mistakes

(a) Read the following tongue twisters several times at different reading speeds.

Brave, bleeding boys battle bald, biting babies Biting babies ride battle toys while bumbling boys brave bald biting babies

(b) Recite the following poem and answer the questions that follow.

Listen, my child, there are no free things

If you want anything, work for it Your labour is your pay As they say, “No pain, no gain.” Not everything you see is someone’s wish It is normally the result of someone’s labour, physical or mental Being poor or rich usually is your choice Your choice will make poverty continue or end My beloved son, it’s time for you to act It is usually not late at your age Because age determines your labour Be a slave today in order to be a king tomorrow

Questions

1. What is the poem about?
2. Who is speaking in the poem?
3. What does ‘No pain, no gain’ mean?
4. What lesson do you learn from the poem?

Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow.

“Nengo, Nengo, wake up!” Nengo heard his mother calling him. She was waking him up for school. She used to do that every weekday morning because she knew that her son did not like school. She used to encourage him to study hard. Nengo did not see why he should go to school while he was the only child in their rich family. He always used to go to his friends to play his favourite computer games on the street. Even though his school had computers, he never liked using them because he did not like studying. One day, his parents received a letter informing them that their child had become a truant. The following day, Nengo was taken to school by his father. While at school, Nengo said that it was not that he disliked studies, but he disliked the school because it had old facilities like the classrooms, library and computers. Then, the head teacher advised Nengo’s father to take his son to another school, even though he was sure that Nengo did not like studies. Nengo’s father took his son home to discuss the matter with his wife. Nengo’s parents took him to a boarding school in a remote area, believing that such an environment would change their son’s bad behaviour. Transferring him to another school was like kicking a frog. It marked the beginning of countless transfers from one school to another until he finished Form Four. When he finished secondary school education, he said that it was enough for him. He said that he would not continue with studies even if he were sent abroad for further studies. So, his parents asked him what he wanted to do instead. He arrogantly said, “My parents, my head is full of business ideas. Just give me some capital.” His parents agreed and gave him five million Tanzanian shillings, but on condition that they would not give him more capital if he spent the money unwisely. Nengo started his business with the five million Tanzanian shillings. He established an electric appliances shop. At the beginning, the business was doing well, but later, it began failing because Nengo had started to indulge in luxurious life. Since he wanted more free time to go to nightclubs, he moved to his friend’s place. After hardly one year, he had already gone bankrupt. After he had used up all the money, he returned home. He lied to his parents that bandits had broken into his shop and looted everything. His father told him that telling lies would not help him. He told him to go on with his own life elsewhere. He said they would never give him further support. His parents were tired of his ungratefulness and extravagance. Nengo left for his friend’s place, crying bitterly. When he arrived there, he told his friend what had happened to him. His friend, Jombaa, listened to him attentively, but he ultimately told him that he no longer had a place for him. Nengo was shocked by his friend’s words and burst into tears again. He tried to remind him how they had spent the money together. Jombaa told him, “Even if we spent the money together, I can’t live with an ungrateful person. You have been ungrateful to your parents, who have been giving you everything. How can you possibly be grateful to me? I only used to accompany you to the nightclubs. For your information, I am no longer interested in visiting nightclubs. I want to be serious with my life, so please leave and never come back again.” Nengo thought for a while and then decided to go back to his parents. He knelt down and apologised to them for his ungrateful behaviour. His parents accepted his apology and forgave him. His mother asked him if he was ready to go to college. He was impressed by his mother’s suggestion. He said that he would like to join the College of Electrical Engineering. His parents agreed to his proposal. Surprisingly, Nengo studied very hard. He successfully completed his course. Following the successful completion of his course, Nengo got a job in a big electrical company. He has held various positions as a result of his hardworking spirit. He is now the Managing Director of the company.

Questions

1. Who woke up Nengo?
2. Do you like Nengo’s behaviour? Give reasons.
3. How did Nengo spend his money?
4. What made Nengo refuse to study?
5. What have you learnt from the passage?