Key points of the chapter:
1. Introduction of the Football Lessons:
- Jen and three other girls receive an envelope from their Class teacher, Mr.
Lewis, with a message for their parents about new football lessons starting next
week. The note also mentions that each girl will receive a football to practice in
the evenings.
2. Jen’s Excitement:
- Jen is thrilled about the football lessons and rushes to share the news with her
father. She immediately asks if she can have a "real football strip," including a
jersey and shoes with studs, like professional players.
3. Father’s Practical Approach:
- Jen’s father reads the note and explains that they only need basic items like an
old T-shirt, shorts, and socks, but they do need new football shoes. He agrees to
take Jen to the market to buy a pair.
4. Trip to the Market:
- At the market, Jen and her father encounter a shopkeeper selling shoes. Jen
expresses her desire for real football shoes with studs, believing they are essential
to become a great footballer like FIFA champions.
5. Father’s Lesson on Hard Work:
- Jen’s father chooses not to buy the expensive shoes and instead teaches her
that costly shoes don’t make great footballers; hard work and intelligence do.
They opt for more affordable, colorful shoes from another vendor.
6. Jen’s Disappointment:
- Jen is initially disappointed with the shoes because they lack the studs she
thinks are necessary. However, she reluctantly accepts her father’s decision,
though she doubts if she can become a famous footballer without the "proper"
gear.
7. First Football Lesson:
- During the first football lesson, the children are excited, and Mr. Lewis
provides them with shin pads. Jen, despite not having the shoes she wanted,
participates energetically.
8. Jen’s Achievement:
- Jen plays with determination and scores five goals, impressing her teacher
and classmates. She is part of a team called the “Back Street Heroes,” which is
declared the champions of their group.
9. Realization and Determination:
- Inspired by her success, Jen realizes that it's not the shoes but her effort and
skill that matter. She cleans her shoes in her backyard and declares her ambition
to become a FIFA hero, showing her determination to succeed through hard
work.
Summary
The story ‘Colourful Shoes’ revolves around Jen and her excitement about starting football
lessons at school. Her P.E.teacher sends home an envelope with instructions for the girls to
give to their parents, informing them about upcoming football lessons. Jen eagerly tells her
father, who takes her to the market to buy new football shoes. Despite her desire for expensive
football boots with studs, Jen's dad emphasizes that hard work and intelligence, not costly
shoes, make great footballers. Eventually, Jen joins her classmates for their first lesson and
impresses by scoring five goals. Jen dreams of becoming a FIFA hero and is determined to
keep working towards her goal.
Questions
1. What was inside the envelope that the P.E. teacher gave to the girls?
2. How did Jen react when she found out about the football lessons?
3. Why did Jen want football shoes with studs?
4. What advice did Jen's father give her about becoming a great footballer?
5. Why did Jen's father decide against buying the costly football shoes?
6. How did Jen feel about the colourful shoes they found at the market?
7. What was Jen's attitude during her first football lesson?
8. How many goals did Jen score during the football lesson?
9. What is Jen's ultimate dream related to football?
10. What lesson can be learned from Jen's experience in the story?
Answers
1. What was inside the envelope that the P.E. teacher gave to the girls?
- The envelope contained information about the start of football lessons for the girls next
week, along with instructions for the parents.
2. How did Jen react when she found out about the football lessons?
- Jen was excited and eager to start the football lessons. She was especially enthusiastic
about getting new football shoes.
3. Why did Jen want football shoes with studs?
- Jen wanted football shoes with studs because she believed that wearing them would help
her become a famous footballer, like FIFA champions.
4. What advice did Jen's father give her about becoming a great footballer?
- Jen's father advised her that costly shoes don’t make great footballers, but hard work and
intelligence do.
5. Why did Jen's father decide against buying the costly football shoes?
- Jen's father believed that it wasn’t the shoes but the player's hard work and intelligence that
mattered, so he chose not to spend money on expensive football shoes with studs.
6. How did Jen feel about the colorful shoes they found at the market?
- Jen was initially disappointed because the colorful shoes didn’t have studs, which she
believed were necessary to become a famous footballer.
7. What was Jen's attitude during her first football lesson?
- Despite not having the shoes she wanted, Jen participated in the football lesson and played
enthusiastically.
8. How many goals did Jen score during the football lesson?
- Jen scored five goals during the football lesson.
9. What is Jen's ultimate dream related to football?
- Jen's ultimate dream is to become a FIFA hero.
10. What lesson can be learned from Jen's experience in the story?
- The story teaches that success in sports (or any other endeavour) comes from hard work,
determination, and intelligence, rather than relying solely on expensive or flashy gear.
Character Sketch of Jen
Jen was an enthusiastic and determined young girl with a deep passion for football. She was
eager to excel and dreams of becoming a FIFA hero. Despite her initial desire for expensive
football shoes, Jen learned that true success comes from hard work and intelligence, rather
than material possessions. Her dedication is evident when she scores five goals during her
first football lesson, showcasing her talent and commitment. Jen's optimism and drive make
her a promising and inspiring character.
key points of the chapter:
● Jen and her friends receive an envelope from their P.E. teacher, announcing the start of
football lessons.
● Jen is excited about the lessons and wants proper football shoes with studs, like those
worn by famous players.
● Jen's father takes her to the market but decides against buying costly shoes,
emphasizing that hard work and intelligence matter more than expensive gear.
● During the first lesson, Jen scores five goals, showing her potential.
● Jen dreams of becoming a FIFA hero, realizing that determination is key to success.
