Supplementary Reading: A Play – Basic 2 English Lesson Note (Second Term)

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

1. Read and share with other pupils the story read
2. Discuss lessons learnt from the book
3. Relate events in the story to their personal lives

Content

What is a Play?

A play is a story that is meant to be performed by actors on a stage. Unlike regular stories, plays are written mostly in dialogue (what characters say to each other) and stage directions (instructions for how actors should move and behave).

Elements of a Play

Characters: The people (or animals) in the story Dialogue: The words that characters speak Stage directions: Instructions written in italics or brackets Setting: Where and when the story takes place Plot: What happens in the story

Play: “The Magic Paintbrush”

CHARACTERS:

• LILY: A kind 8-year-old girl who loves to draw
• MR. CHEN: An elderly man who owns a magic shop
• MOTHER: Lily’s caring mother
• TOM: Lily’s younger brother, age 5
• NARRATOR: Person who tells parts of the story

SETTING: A small village with Lily’s house and Mr. Chen’s magic shop

SCENE 1: Lily’s House

NARRATOR: In a small village, there lived a girl named Lily who loved to draw more than anything else in the world. But her family was very poor and couldn’t afford art supplies.

LILY sits at a simple wooden table, trying to draw with a broken crayon on old newspaper.

LILY: (sighing) I wish I had real paintbrushes and colorful paints. Then I could create the most beautiful pictures!

MOTHER enters, carrying laundry.

MOTHER: Lily, dear, I know you love drawing, but we need to focus on practical things. Help me hang these clothes to dry.

LILY: Yes, Mama. (puts down broken crayon sadly) But someday, I’ll have proper art supplies and become a real artist.

TOM runs in excitedly.

TOM: Lily! Lily! There’s a new shop in the village! The old man there has the most amazing things!

LILY: What kind of things, Tom?

TOM: Mysterious boxes, strange bottles, and… (whispers) people say he has magic items!

MOTHER: (laughing) Tom, you have such a big imagination. Magic isn’t real, dear.

LILY: (thoughtfully) Maybe I should visit this shop. Perhaps he has old paintbrushes he doesn’t need.

SCENE 2: Mr. Chen’s Magic Shop

NARRATOR: The next day, Lily walked to the mysterious shop. It was filled with curious objects and had a strange, wonderful smell of incense and old books.

1. CHEN stands behind the counter, organizing bottles with colorful liquids. He has a long white beard and kind eyes.
2. CHEN: Welcome, young artist. I’ve been expecting you.

LILY: (surprised) Expecting me? But we’ve never met, sir.

1. CHEN: (smiling mysteriously) I can see the creativity burning in your eyes. You seek the tools to bring your visions to life.

LILY: (excited) Yes! I love to draw and paint, but I don’t have proper supplies. Do you have any old paintbrushes you could spare?

1. CHEN disappears behind a curtain and returns with a simple-looking paintbrush.
2. CHEN: This paintbrush is very special. But remember – with great power comes great responsibility.

LILY: (confused) It looks like an ordinary paintbrush to me.

1. CHEN: Ah, but appearances can be deceiving. Take it home and discover its true nature. Use it wisely, and it will serve you well.

LILY takes the paintbrush carefully.

LILY: Thank you so much! How much do I owe you?

1. CHEN: Your kindness is payment enough. Now go, and let your creativity flourish.

SCENE 3: Lily’s House – Discovery

NARRATOR: When Lily returned home, she immediately wanted to test her new paintbrush. But she had no paint, so she decided to try painting with just water.

LILY sits at her table with a bowl of water and the paintbrush.

LILY: (talking to herself) I’ll pretend this water is paint and practice my brush strokes.

She dips the brush in water and begins painting on a piece of paper. Amazingly, beautiful colors appear where she paints!

LILY: (gasping) That’s impossible! The brush is creating real colors!

She paints a butterfly, and suddenly the butterfly flutters off the paper and flies around the room!

LILY: (in amazement) It’s alive! The paintbrush really is magic!

TOM enters and sees the butterfly.

TOM: Lily! Where did that beautiful butterfly come from?

LILY: (whispering) I painted it with my new paintbrush, and it came to life!

TOM: (eyes wide) Really? Can you paint me a toy car?

LILY paints a small red car, and it becomes real.

TOM: (joyfully) This is the best toy ever! Thank you, Lily!

SCENE 4: The Test of Character

NARRATOR: Word spread quickly about Lily’s magic paintbrush. Soon, people from all over the village came asking her to paint things for them.

MOTHER enters with several VILLAGERS.

MOTHER: Lily, these people have heard about your special paintbrush. They want you to paint valuable things for them.

VILLAGER 1: Paint me a bag of gold coins!

VILLAGER 2: I want a big house with servants!

VILLAGER 3: Paint me expensive jewelry!

LILY looks uncomfortable and thinks carefully.

LILY: I understand you all want these things, but I think the paintbrush should be used to help people who really need help, not just to make people wealthy.

VILLAGER 1: (angrily) Don’t be selfish! If you can create anything, you should share!

LILY: (firmly but kindly) I will use the paintbrush to help, but in the right way.

LILY begins painting. She creates food for hungry families, warm clothes for people in need, and medicine for the sick.

LILY: (to the villagers) This is how the magic should be used – to help those who truly need it, not to make anyone greedy or lazy.

SCENE 5: The Lesson Learned

NARRATOR: As time passed, Lily continued using the magic paintbrush wisely. She helped many people but never painted anything just for wealth or showing off.

1. CHEN appears at Lily’s house.
2. CHEN: (smiling proudly) You have learned the most important lesson, young Lily.

LILY: What lesson is that, Mr. Chen?

1. CHEN: That true magic comes not from the brush, but from a kind heart and wise choices. The paintbrush chose you because you have both.

LILY: (understanding) So the real magic was learning to help others?

1. CHEN: Exactly. And because you’ve used the gift wisely, the paintbrush will remain magical for you always.

MOTHER, TOM, and several grateful VILLAGERS gather around.

MOTHER: (proudly) I’m so proud of you, Lily. You’ve helped so many people.

TOM: And you’re still the best big sister ever!

LILY: (happily) I’ve learned that the best art comes from the heart, and the best magic is kindness.

All characters smile as the NARRATOR concludes.

NARRATOR: And so Lily continued to use her magic paintbrush to spread joy, help others, and create beautiful things. She became known throughout the land not just as a talented artist, but as a person with a truly magical heart.

THE END

Understanding the Play

Main Themes:

1. Responsibility with power – Using special abilities wisely
2. Kindness over greed – Helping others instead of seeking wealth
3. True magic comes from within – Character matters more than tools
4. Sharing gifts for good – Using talents to benefit others

Character Analysis:

LILY (Protagonist)

Traits: Kind, creative, responsible, wise beyond her years Growth: Learns to use power responsibly and resist greed Motivation: Desires to create art and help others

MR. CHEN (Mentor)

Traits: Wise, mysterious, caring, observant Role: Tests Lily’s character and guides her learning Motivation: Wants to find someone worthy of the magic paintbrush

MOTHER (Supporting Character)

Traits: Practical, loving, initially skeptical but supportive Role: Provides family foundation and moral support Growth: Learns to believe in magic and be proud of daughter’s choices

TOM (Supporting Character)

Traits: Innocent, excited, loving brother Role: Represents pure joy and unconditional family support Importance: Shows how magic can bring simple happiness

VILLAGERS (Antagonistic Force)

Traits: Greedy, demanding, focused on material gain Role: Test Lily’s character and represent temptation Lesson: Show contrast between greed and generosity

Plot Structure:

EXPOSITION (Beginning)

• Introduction to Lily’s love of art and family’s poverty
• Establishment of setting and characters
• Creation of desire for art supplies

Rising action

• Discovery of Mr. Chen’s shop
• Receiving the magic paintbrush
• Discovery of its magical powers
• Growing requests from villagers

CLIMAX (Turning Point)

• Lily’s decision to use the paintbrush for helping others instead of creating wealth
• Standing firm against pressure from greedy villagers

Falling action

• Lily continues helping those in need
• Mr. Chen returns to check on her progress

RESOLUTION (Ending)

• Mr. Chen’s approval and explanation of the real lesson
• Lily’s understanding of true magic
• Community recognition of her wisdom and kindness

Lessons from the Play

Primary Lessons:

1. Responsibility and power

Lesson: When we have special abilities or opportunities, we must use them responsibly. Application: Students with academic talents should help struggling classmates; those with resources should share with those in need.

2. Kindness over material gain

Lesson: Helping others is more important than accumulating wealth or possessions. Application: Choose to share toys, help with homework, or comfort sad friends instead of only thinking about yourself.

3. Resisting peer pressure

Lesson: Sometimes doing the right thing means saying no to others, even when they pressure you. Application: Stand up for what’s right even when friends want you to do something wrong.