Supplementary Reading: Story Book Basic 5 English Studies Lesson Note

Objective: By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Understand the structure and usage of simple past tense sentences.
2. Analyze and discuss the story “The Guilt” using appropriate vocabulary and grammar.
3. Engage in group discussions and express their opinions about the moral lessons in the story.

Materials Needed:

1. Story: “The Guilt”
2. Whiteboard or chalkboard
3. Markers or chalk
4. Printed copies of the story for each student
5. Chart paper and markers

Content

The story of the Guilty Boy

Title: The Guilt

Once upon a time in the bustling city of Lagos, there lived five young friends named James, Deborah, Esther, Anthony, and Agnes. They were all primary 5 students studying at St. Mary’s School. One day, their teacher, Miss Grace, gave them an assignment to write an expository story. Little did they know this assignment would bring them face-to-face with their own guilt.

James, a curious and mischievous boy, had always been intrigued by the old abandoned house on the outskirts of their neighborhood. He heard countless stories about it being haunted, but one sunny afternoon, James decided to share his secret interest with his friends.

“Friends, James gathered his friends near the old house. A few suspicious-minded minds, they were amazed by the sight before them. Dark covered furniture, cobwebs hanging from the ceiling, and faded photographs scattered on the ground, became their introduction to the mysteries contained within the old house walls.

Curiosity got the better of James as he reached out to touch the painting. But before he could, Deborah, the responsible and caring member of the group, warned him not to disturb anything. She believed in respecting others’ property, even if it seemed abandoned. James listened reluctantly and backed away, but his curiosity lingered.

Days turned into weeks, and the old house became their secret meeting place. During their visits, James would often pick up the pieces of the broken furniture and Deborah would always remind him not to vandalize what happened to her and why the house had been left abandoned.

One fateful day, while exploring the house, they stumbled upon an old diary beneath a pile of books. They eagerly opened it and discovered that it belonged to Mrs. Adebola because they bought reading the stories inside, they learned the tragic history of the house and the heartbreaking tale that led to its abandonment.

As they read further, a chilling revelation unfolded. Mrs. Adebola had been unfairly accused of a crime she didn’t commit, leading to her ultimately being forced to flee the neighborhood. Her furniture and belongings heavily on the children’s hearts.

Haunted by his injustice they had just learned about, James, the five friends decided to seek the truth. They started gathering information from the neighborhood, speaking to older residents who knew about the incident. Slowly, piece by piece, the real story began to emerge.

Determined to right the wrongs of the past, James, Deborah, Esther, Anthony, and Agnes decided to approach a community meeting. They voiced concerns with residents and shared what they discovered about Mrs. Adebola, along with the townspeople who had blindly believed the rumors.

At the meeting, the children presented their findings, surprising the local townspeople and the accusations. They urged the community to acknowledge their mistakes, apologize, and learn from the injustice. Truth, honour, and honesty should be valued above all else.

News of the gathering spread throughout the city of Lagos, and soon, the story of the children who sought justice for Mrs. Adebola became a heartwarming tale. The community members were ashamed of their past actions and committed to making amends.

James, Deborah, Esther, Anthony, and Agnes became local heroes, known for their courage and determination. The abandoned house, once a symbol of mystery, turned into a community center dedicated to promoting unity and fairness.

From that day forward, the children pledged to always stand up for what was right, fighting against injustice, and advocating for those in need of forgiveness and compassion.

And so, the story of “The Guilt” became a reminder to the people of Lagos that even the smallest acts of kindness and honor can have the power to heal old wounds and bring about the miracles of the past.

The moral lessons

The story “The Guilt” contains several moral lessons:

1. Respect for Others’ Property: The story teaches the importance of respecting others’ belongings. James emphasizes the significance of respecting others’ property, even if it seems abandoned. It reminds us to be mindful of what belongs to others and to treat it with care. 
2. Curiosity and its Consequences: James’ curiosity leads him to explore the abandoned house, but it also teaches us that while curiosity can lead to discovery, it should be balanced with responsibility. This encourages children to balance their curiosity with responsible decision-making. 
3. Standing Up for Justice: The children’s quest to uncover the truth and seek justice for Mrs. Adebola demonstrates the importance of seeking justice and fighting for truth in the face of injustice. It teaches the lesson of standing up for what is right, regardless of popular opinion. 
4. Empathy and Understanding: The community meeting organized by the children promotes empathy and understanding. The children’s willingness to listen to residents, work towards healing, and learning from past injustice. This encourages compassion and the ability to put oneself in others’ shoes. 
5. Courage and Determination: The children’s bravery in seeking justice for Mrs. Adebola demonstrates the moral lesson of finding courage in the face of challenges. It inspires readers to be courageous when standing up for what is right and just. 
6. Forgiveness and Healing: The story emphasizes the power of forgiveness and the healing that comes with acknowledging and rectifying past mistakes. It shows that admitting fault, seeking forgiveness, and working towards building a better future based on understanding and forgiveness. 
7. The Impact of Small Acts: The actions of the children, though seemingly small, have a significant impact on the community. It teaches the lesson that even small acts of kindness, bravery, and determination can bring about positive change and inspire others to follow suit. 

Overall, “The Guilt” promotes values such as respect, curiosity with responsibility, truth-seeking, empathy, courage, forgiveness, and the understanding that individuals can make a positive difference in their communities.

Evaluation

1. What was the name of the primary school where James, Deborah, Esther, Anthony, and Agnes studied? a) St. John’s School b) St. Mary’s School c) St. Patrick’s School d) St. Joseph’s School 
2. What encouraged James and his friends to explore the old abandoned house? a) A treasure map b) A mysterious book c) A previous tale d) A ghostly rumor 
3. Who among the friends was sensible and responsible? a) James b) Deborah c) Esther d) Anthony 
4. What did the children do to expose James not to touch the abandoned house? a) Touch anything b) Steal the diary c) Enter the hidden rooms d) Buy sleep 
5. What did the children find hidden beneath a pile of books in the old house? a) A hidden treasure b) A scary photograph c) A diary d) A valuable painting