2 Neighbours

Cearning Oufeomes: respond fo speeifie quesfions; (effer fo a re(afive

Taking Flight
Do you think it is necessaryto have friends in Art Global
Integration Awareness
life?What are some of the qualities that a good
friend must have? Discuss in the class.
Now, let us make a friendship bracelet.
You will need:
' three thick threads of differentcolours Did you know the
What to do: International Friendship
Put the threads next to each other, Day is celebrated on
vertically. O the first Sunday in the
month of August?
Holding the threads together, tie a
knot at one end.
Make a braid by crossing the threads
one over the other. You can ask for help from your teacher or parents.
At the other end, hold the threads together and tie another knot.
Your friendship bracelet is ready!You can make more colourful bracelets by
using more than three threads too.
 Alcott, Little Women covers the life of the March
IVrillen by Louisa May Massachusetts. The
family lives in Concord,
.finnily over about fifteen years. The
is Christmas in 1861, which was also the time of the
starting poinl of lhc book
sisters—Jo,Beth, Meg and
Civil IVar in Anwrica. It talks about the lives of four
threesisters. Many
An/)' and it is looselybased on lhe life of the author and her
on this book.
filins, television serials and musicals have been made based
Mr
garden separated the March's house, a shabby_one,from
LaurencessCaLely-mansion It had everythingyet seemed a lifeless
and his
house, as few people went in and out, except the old-gentleman_
-grandson. Jo, however,imagined the house to be a kind of enc-Ute-d with
palace full of and delights, and longed to make friends
the 'Laurence-boyi
out
One snowy afternoon,-Jo saw Laurie standing with his head leaning
of the window.She threw a snowballat him and he turned and greeted
her with a big smile.-Jo called out, 'How do you do? Are you sick?'
'Better, thank you. I've had a bad cold for a week,' said Laurie.
'You look lonely,' put in—Jo-
'I have no friends,' replied Laurie-
'You have us,' said-Joc
(Yes,indeed. Will you visit me, please?' said Laurie,
'Let me ask Mother first,' said_Jo,and marched into the house.
Mrs March.however,had no objections,andJo walked through her
garden and crossed into Mr Laurence'shouse.
Why do you think Jo was curious to see Laurie's house?
(shabby poor condition
'Here I am, bag-and baggage.'Jo informed stately majestic
Laurie. '-Mothersent her love, Megsent you mansion a very large house
some tarts which she cooks rather well, and [Fnchanted charming
Beth sent you her kittens: ( splendours luxuries
"-delights things that give joy
'Is Beth the rosy one, who stays at home a Robjections reasons one
great deal?' is opposed to
something
 'Yes,that's our wonderful J)eth.'
'The curly-haired girl is Amy?'
'Yes,_indeeclEBut how do you know? You've never met 'them,' asked-Jo.
'l often hear you calling out to one anothel%You alwaysseem to be
i having such fun. I haven't got a mother, and I can't
help feeling lonely.'
'Why doesn't your Grandpa let you visit us?'
'He doesn't send me to your place because he thinks
I might be a bother-to strangers. Do you want to ocher trouble
come down and see is
out, so you needn't feel afraid.'
 Do you have frtend%in your newhbotllloood?I low did you become Cru.•ncle,
With thenn?

'I'm not afraid of anything,' said Jo,Tossing,her head.

Laurie showed her the entire house. The last room hc took licr to 'vas the
libnyry It was a huge room, lined with books, pictures, and statues.
(What riches!' sighed Ju Laurie, you should be the lygppic,sUboy. in
the world.' tossing moving one's hcacl
'A fellow can't live on books.' or hairsharply
lcwicl<ecllyin a playfully
Just then the doorbell rang. mischievousmanner
grim stern
'Mercy me! It's your Orandpa!'
'So what if it is? You're not afraid of anything,' said Laurie, smiling
Wickedly.A maid entered the room. (The doctor to see you, sir,' she
informed Laurie.
Laurie went away,
and-Jo amused herself
by looking around
the room. She was
standing before the
portrait of an old
gentleman, when
the door opened
again. Thinking it
was Laurie, Jo said
loudly, (Why should
I be afraid of this old
man? He's got kind
eyes, even though his
mouth is grim, He's
not as handsome as
Iny grandfather, but
I like him.'
20
 Do you think Jo was afraid of meetingthe gentleman

] 'Thank you, ma'am,' said a oruff voice behind her._Jgturned around and
to her horror, found old Mr Laurence standing behind her.-Jo wished she
could run away from the room, but there was no escaping.
'So you're not afraid of me, hey?' the old gentleman
asked her.
INot much, sir.'
C

'And you don't find me as handsome as your_grandfather.'

(Not quite, sir.'
'But you still like me?'
'Yes,I do, sir.'
The answer pleased the old man and he had a good laugh. 'You'vegot
your_grandfather'sspirit. even though you don't have his face.'
'Thank you, sir,' saidJQ, feeling quite comfortable by now.
'So you think my_grandson is lonely and needs cheering up?'
Mr Laurence asked her.
'That's right, sir. He needs friends.'
Laurie came down the steps and was astonished to find his
with_Jo.
-Jo gave Laurie_atriumphant glance and Laurie winked back in delioht.
Tea that ßvenino was an enjoyable affair. Laurie and_JQchatted away,
while Mr Laurence did not miss the change that
had come over Laurie. /.gruff rough
'triumphant4iccorious
God! The girl's right,' thought Mr Laurence. ryglance a quick look
'I'll allow him to play with the March &irls.'

About the Author

Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) was an American novelist and a poet. We remember
her most for her novel Little Womenand its sequels LittleMen andJo's Boys.