The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind Comprehension Questions

The potential consequences include eternal control by the responsible wizard.

The result is confusion and casualties, leading to the use of children as soldiers.

Witch planes are described as being able to travel great distances in a minute and disguised as everyday objects.

The purpose is to test the enemy wizards' powers and determine their weapons.

The matches involve human head balls and are for competition amongst witches.

Money repels witches and wizards, causing them to revert to human form if they come into contact with it.

Praying to clean one's soul is described as a protective measure against witches and wizards.

Father saves himself from a truck accident by the power of God.

The influence of American action films leads to the creation of a game using toy guns.

Grandpa, a renowned hunter in the district.

Magic porridge.

By checking the cobra's fangs.

Shows mercy and lets it live.

Three British pounds.

Certain rules for focus and protection.

Red maize and certain roots.

Keeping women and children indoors.

Being bewitched if doubting their existence.

Witches and wizards.

Forests and marshes.

Fear and belief in magical beings, the dangers they present, and their impact on the community.

The magic and mysteries mentioned in the text symbolize the unknown and unexplained events that shaped the author's early life and surroundings, creating an atmosphere of wonder and enchantment.

The incident with the bubble gum reflects the author's childhood innocence and joy, as it depicts a simple act of kindness and generosity that brought immense delight to the young boy, highlighting the purity and happiness of childhood experiences.

The conversation between the trader and the author's father reveals that the incident with the dropped bag was a misunderstanding, where the trader had lost one of his bags and someone had taken it before he could retrieve it, demonstrating the unexpected turn of events and the impact of small actions on others.

The author's description of the herd boys and the trader adds depth to the narrative by portraying the interactions and encounters that shaped the author's early life, illustrating the influence of different characters and events on his upbringing and the formation of his memories.

He threatened that anyone who had consumed the gum would be cursed by the witch doctor (sing'anga).

He began to experience fear, sweating, and a racing heart.

The speaker had eaten the gum and was now convinced that the witch doctor had placed a curse on him.

He believed that the witches would come for him at night and take him to magic battlefields where he would be left for dead.

The speaker ran home to his father and confessed to having eaten the stolen gum.

His father paid the trader for the entire bag of gum to prevent any further trouble.

The speaker's father believed in magic and had told stories of magic being a powerful force in their world.

In their community, there was a belief in a powerful magic hunter named Mwase Chiphaudzu who was summoned to help deal with a ferocious black rhino.

Mwase Chiphaudzu was able to disguise himself as a cluster of reeds and ambush his prey.

The rhino had killed over a hundred people by attacking at the watering hole.

A young girl from the royal family was the latest victim.

Mwase arrived at the watering hole early one morning and used his magic to ambush and kill the rhino, saving the village.

Mwase celebrated for three days and was granted land and power by the chief.

Mwase's warriors disguised themselves as grass.

The hill was renamed as 'Nguru ya Nawambe,' meaning 'The Deadly Defeat of Nawambe.'

The British authorities sent soldiers to kill the lion and display its body in the village square.

Mwase alerted the nearby village, who brought their witch doctor to perform a ritual to save the man.

The Ngoni people asked for food.

Mwase established a thriving empire, with abundant farmland and strong people.

The Ngoni planned to capture the 'Rock of the Edible Flies' and the land visible from its peak.

The villagers were unable to retrieve her body, so they notified the British authorities.

The Ngoni people fled from the chaos in the Zulu kingdom.

Mwase's body and rifle disappeared, turning into music in the breeze.

In the past, forests were dense, with many wild animals, including dangerous ones like lions and hyenas.

Phiri possessed mangolomera, a type of magic power, which made him constantly want to battle.

Phiri got into a fight with James in the fields after shopkeepers cheated him by not providing the items he paid for. The fight escalated when Phiri, with his mangolomera power, was about to attack, causing the earth to tremble.

The fight was ended by the narrator's father, who used green vines from a sweet potato plant to neutralize Phiri's magic. Phiri collapsed from exhaustion, but James fell sick and missed a week of work.

Shabani claimed to have mangolomera and offered it to the narrator to make him strong. The narrator, a weaker boy, was bullied and considered taking Shabani's offer, but his father warned him against using magic.

Shabani took the narrator to the forest, gave him a potion made of powerful roots and herbs, and had him cut his knuckles and insert the medicine into his veins.

The narrator's father used green vines from a sweet potato plant to neutralize Phiri's magic and end the fight.

Phiri collapsed from exhaustion after the fight. The next day, he was fine, but James was sick and missed a week of work.

The narrator's father arrived to break up the fight and used green vines from a sweet potato plant to neutralize Phiri's magic.

Phiri's behavior changed as he became enraged and began punching James. Shabani, Phiri's nephew, claimed to have mangolomera and offered it to the narrator to make him strong.

The narrator, a weaker boy, was bullied and considered taking Shabani's offer, but his father warned him against using magic.

Phiri got into a fight with James in the fields after shopkeepers cheated him. The narrator’s father arrived to break up the fight and used green vines from a sweet potato plant to neutralize Phiri's magic.

Phiri became enraged and began punching James during the fight. The narrator’s father used green vines from a sweet potato plant to neutralize Phiri's magic and end the fight.

The speaker's mother informed him about the death of Uncle John.

The speaker witnessed his parents suffering for the first time when his uncle died.

The speaker felt ashamed for not feeling like wailing and crying, as is expected in their culture when a loved one dies.

The speaker's father's two brothers, Musaiwale and Socrates, arrived from Kasungu later that day after the tragic news.

The funeral arrangements and the family's future were discussed under the acacia tree by Chief Wimbe's messenger and other village headmen.

The graveyard was located down the trail near Grandpa's village, under a grove of blue gums.

Graves in Malawi have a hidden compartment at the bottom, where the coffin slides in to protect the deceased from falling dirt or to keep the family from seeing the falling dirt land on the coffin.

Mister Ngwata addressed the mourners on behalf of Gilbert's father at the graveyard.

The smaller compartment at the bottom of Uncle John's grave was to protect the deceased from falling dirt or to keep the family from seeing the falling dirt land on the coffin.

The speaker felt the loneliest feeling he'd ever felt after Uncle John's burial.

Things became more difficult all around after Uncle John's death.

The narrator is instructed to wait three days for the power to take effect, not to eat okra or sweet potato leaves, and to tell no one about the powder.

The narrator tests his newfound power by crushing a boy's feet with his sandal, but is beaten in return.

The narrator discovers that the powder does not allow him to bathe, which is why it did not work as expected.

The narrator experiences a tragic loss when Uncle John collapses and is diagnosed with tuberculosis, and is unable to get to the hospital in time.

The family and villagers begin to mourn, and the narrator is left with a sense of loss.

The powder is applied to stop the narrator from crying and to grant him power.

The narrator is warned not to eat okra or sweet potato leaves.

The narrator feels different and stronger on the fourth day.

The narrator tests his newfound power by crushing a boy's feet with his sandal, but is beaten in return.

Uncle John collapses and is diagnosed with tuberculosis, and is unable to get to the hospital in time.

The narrator feels a hand on his shoulder and sees the commotion around Uncle John's bed mat, where he has collapsed.

The family and villagers begin to mourn, and the narrator is left with a sense of loss.

Handed the entire business over to John’s firstborn son, Jeremiah, in accordance with custom.

He spent most of the season’s profits in bars, and when it came time to buy seed and fertilizer, little money was left.

The free market policies led to the decline of the value of burley tobacco, making it difficult for small farmers to compete and survive.

They were forced to move back to the village and live in a large shed near the speaker's house.

He brought a large dog named Khamba to watch the chickens and goats.

He made sure that fertilizer was available to every farmer in the country who needed it and ensured that seed was cheap, allowing any Malawian to grow tobacco to sell.

Muluzi stopped all subsidies and made the farmers fend for themselves, leading to the decline of the value of burley tobacco and the struggle of small farmers to compete.

He lost both his maize mill and his cows, and his uncle forcefully took one mill and half the cows.

Bakili Muluzi, a former cabinet minister, became the president after President Banda retired.

He lost his job as a welder at Kasungu Flue-Cured Tobacco Authority when the estate closed down.

The speaker and his cousins helped keep the farm running without the help of seasonal workers.

Khamba was brought to watch the chickens and goats at the speaker's house.

Mangolomera was a form of magic that delivered superhuman strength. It was administered as a kind of paste made from the burned and ground bones of leopards and lions, mixed with roots and herbs, and rubbed into small incisions made on each knuckle, usually by a magic razor.

Phiri took a simple blade of grass and whipped the snake on the back, leaving it paralyzed. He then grabbed it by the head and snapped its spine.

Phiri's strength and invincibility were attributed to mangolomera, a form of magic that delivered superhuman strength. Once mangolomera was in his blood, it could never be reversed and was always gaining strength.

The claim that Phiri carried a mamba in his pocket as a charm signifies his fearlessness and dominance over dangerous creatures, as the snake was too afraid to bite him.

Charity lived at Mphala, which means 'a home for unmarried boys.' It was more like a clubhouse, situated on the speaker's property.

Charity and his friend Mizeck, who both still lived with their parents, slept at the clubhouse at night. Someone had built a bed from blue gum poles and maize sacks stuffed with grass in the corner of the clubhouse.

The speaker stuffed the limp birds into his pockets after picking them up. Normally, he'd carry a sugar bag, but he had forgotten it that day.

The speaker finally gave up after waiting for another half hour at the trap, then declared, 'It's time to eat.' He and Khamba then set off for Mphala.

Farmers dig new soil ridges to rotate the soil and improve crop yield. The soil is hard, requiring significant effort to break apart and crush lumps. Farming is done under harsh conditions, with long working hours in the heat and the presence of various pests and wildlife.

The challenges include lack of food, hard work required, accidents such as cutting one's foot with a hoe, and the presence of various pests and wildlife.

Maize is a staple crop in the text. It is important during the harvest season and scarce during the planting season.

The planting season starts with the first rains in December and requires quick action to make planting stations and sow seeds.

Accidents such as cutting one's foot with a hoe are common during the clearing and planting season.

The text mentions the communal aspect of the work, indicating that farming is done collectively.

Farmers wake up early in the morning to prepare for work and walk to the fields with their tools.

Farming is done under harsh conditions, with long working hours in the heat and the presence of various pests and wildlife.

The text mentions the challenges of the farming season, including lack of food and the hard work required, but also the communal aspect of the work and the joy of the harvest.

Maize is a staple crop mentioned in the text.

The planting season requires quick action to make planting stations and sow seeds after the first rains in December.

The text describes the importance of maize during the harvest season and the joy of the harvest.

Bawo is a popular game in Malawi and East Africa, played with marbles or seeds on a long wooden board.

The narrator earns entry into the clubhouse by bringing four birds from a hunting trip, and is rewarded with a fire and the chance to eat one of the birds.

Inside the clubhouse, conversations often involve girls, and the narrator is lucky to be overlooked as a child.

The narrator starts to treat Khamba harshly to prevent him from joining, and Khamba still comes to the trading center during mating season, but the narrator continues to keep him away and scare him off.

The narrator's favorite soccer team is MTL Wanderers, also known as the Nomads, and they have a poster in the clubhouse, while their rivals, Big Bullets, have a poster on the opposite wall.

The narrator is forbidden from entering the clubhouse and is only allowed in if he earns it, such as by helping steal mangoes from a neighbor.

As the narrator turns thirteen, he starts to grow up and spends more time in the trading center socializing and playing games.

The MTL Nomads soccer team is the narrator's obsession, and his emotional connection to the team is so strong that he becomes devastated when they lose, especially against Big Bullets. This obsession continues into adulthood.

The radio is a significant source of information and entertainment in Malawi, where television is not widespread. Malawians have a deep connection to their radios, considering them like family members.

The text describes the early days of Malawi Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) and the popular agriculture programs. President Banda, known as Farmer Number One, encouraged Malawians to clear fields, dig ridges, and plant before the rains.

The text discusses the narrator's fascination with the workings of the radio. He and his friend, Geoffrey, take apart old radios to understand how they function.

The integrated circuit board, responsible for the white noise, and transistors, controlling the power that moves through the radio, are highlighted in the text. They contribute to the understanding of the radio's functioning.

The narrator and his friend, Geoffrey, start repairing radios as a business, using a makeshift soldering iron and collecting used batteries from the trading center.

The text uses the example of an old man coming to their repair shop, highlighting the importance of radios in Malawian communities.

The radio picks up different bands, such as AM, FM, and shortwave, depending on the antenna. AM waves are picked up internally, while FM waves require an external antenna.

The text conveys the significance of radios in Malawi by portraying them as a source of information and entertainment, as well as a means for the narrator and his friend to engage in a repair business.

The radio is a significant part of the narrator's life, from his childhood obsession with the MTL Nomads to his adulthood where he continues to be fixated on radios and their workings.

The text illustrates the narrator's transition by showing how his childhood obsession with the MTL Nomads and radios continues into adulthood, where he engages with radios as a business and remains fixated on their workings.

Dead batteries, particularly the Malawian Sun battery.

Maize, also known as chimanga.

Nsima is a doughlike porridge made from maize flour and hot water, formed into cakes about the size of hamburger patties.

The narrator aspires to become a scientist, which he considers to be better than farming.

Women assist with planting, weeding, and harvesting, as well as household chores such as cooking, cleaning, and taking care of children.

He roasts them over the fire with salt and eats them.

Nsima is essential in the Malawian diet because their bodies depend on it, and it is typically served with relish such as beans or leafy greens.

The Malawian would feel there was no food and might struggle to sleep without nsima.

The narrator finds becoming a scientist more appealing than farming, which had started taking up a large part of his time.

The narrator is fascinated by how cars work, particularly how petrol operates an engine.

The narrator observes that people in the trading center are content to enjoy compact disc players without explanation, but his questions about how they work constantly fill his mind.

The narrator perceives that if solving mysteries is the job of a scientist, then becoming a scientist is exactly what he wants to become.

Unripe mangoes and gaga (clear-colored husks removed from the maize)

ADMARC, a government agency responsible for selling surplus grain, was reported to be empty, leaving the community without a safety net

The harvests were not successful due to floods and drought

Mister Banda informed the protagonist that he had been unable to buy maize from the usual villages for the upcoming hungry season

The surplus grain had been sold for profit to Kenya and other countries, leaving the community without a safety net, causing the price of maize to rise significantly

People started looking for alternative sources of food, such as unripe mangoes and gaga, as the price of maize began to rise significantly

Local estates and farms, including Press Agriculture estate, were reported to be empty, with nothing extra to offer during the crisis

Gилbert's father, as the chief, felt obligated to feed the hungry people in their community during the food crisis

The political rally revealed that the surplus grain had been sold for profit to Kenya and other countries, leaving the community without a safety net

Market women were selling gaga, the clear-colored husks removed from the maize, as a last resort for food during the crisis

The trader and local estates reported being unable to buy maize from the usual villages for the upcoming hungry season

The villagers gathered to ask Gilbert's father for handouts or ganyu, as they were running out of food in the bush.

Ganyu is piecework or day labor. Many men in Malawi survived the hungry seasons by doing ganyu in exchange for food when their own food supply was low.

The narrator's responsibility was to water the young tobacco plants from the stream in the nursery beds. He took care to give each plant the same amount of water to help them defend against the sun.

Gilbert explained that the villagers had come to ask for handouts or ganyu as they were running out of food. This situation related to the narrator's family history as even his father had done ganyu in exchange for food during hungry seasons.

Geoffrey's family faced financial struggles and Geoffrey might not be able to return to school. Khamba, the dog, became slower and weaker after the bad harvest, struggling to compete with other dogs for food.

The food shortage led to people seeking ganyu work in other districts, buying small portions of flour, and working in exchange for cassava. Many farmers were selling off their animals, and people gathered at Gilbert's house for assistance.

President Muluzi traveled the country giving out small handouts of money, organizing massive rallies, and making appearances with military parades. He distributed small amounts of flour or kwacha to the poor to gain their loyalty for election day.

The wealthy traders' homes emitted the smells of stewed chicken and nsima while many farmers were selling off their animals. Estate workers were out of jobs and hoping for miracles, with many people seeking work on the estates unaware of the situation.

People from different districts sought ganyu work, bought small portions of flour, and worked in exchange for cassava. The wealthy traders' homes emitted the smells of stewed chicken and nsima, while many farmers were selling off their animals.

The food shortage led to people seeking ganyu work in other districts, buying small portions of flour, and working in exchange for cassava. The wealthy traders' homes emitted the smells of stewed chicken and nsima, while many farmers were selling off their animals.

The wealthy traders' homes emitted the smells of stewed chicken and nsima while many farmers were selling off their animals. Estate workers were out of jobs and hoping for miracles, with many people seeking work on the estates unaware of the situation.

People from different districts sought ganyu work, bought small portions of flour, and worked in exchange for cassava. The wealthy traders' homes emitted the smells of stewed chicken and nsima, while many farmers were selling off their animals.

The food shortage led to people seeking ganyu work in other districts, buying small portions of flour, and working in exchange for cassava. The wealthy traders' homes emitted the smells of stewed chicken and nsima, while many farmers were selling off their animals.

The wealthy traders' homes emitted the smells of stewed chicken and nsima while many farmers were selling off their animals. Estate workers were out of jobs and hoping for miracles, with many people seeking work on the estates unaware of the situation.

People from different districts sought ganyu work, bought small portions of flour, and worked in exchange for cassava. The wealthy traders' homes emitted the smells of stewed chicken and nsima, while many farmers were selling off their animals.

The food shortage led to people seeking ganyu work in other districts, buying small portions of flour, and working in exchange for cassava. The wealthy traders' homes emitted the smells of stewed chicken and nsima, while many farmers were selling off their animals.

Gaga is a low-nutrient food that is being sold in large quantities due to high maize prices and severe food scarcity.

The narrator's family can make sixty meals with the two bags of grain, which will last for twenty-four days.

The next harvest is over two hundred days away, and there's no guarantee of rain or fertilizer.

The narrator's family had to sell their livestock, including their goats, to buy maize.

The narrator starts waking up early to make ridges in the fields and sacrifices breakfast.

The father asks the narrator to help dig ridges in the fields instead of making breakfast. The narrator offers to help his cousin Geoffrey with his ridges in exchange, but Geoffrey is distracted and does not respond.

Geoffrey has been struggling since his father died, and his performance in the fields has suffered.

Maize, a staple food, is now selling for three times the previous price, indicating a significant increase in food prices and scarcity.

The family has to start cutting back on meals, and the father sold their goats to buy maize. The narrator's favorite goat, Mankhalala, was sold, and the family had to sell other goats to survive.

The narrator expresses concerns about the family's future, as they have less than two bags of grain left, and the next harvest is over two hundred days away with no guarantee of rain or fertilizer.

The narrator offers to help his cousin Geoffrey with his ridges in exchange for help, but Geoffrey is distracted and does not respond.

He promised that every person in Malawi would get new shoes if he won the election.

He gave the school building a fresh coat of paint and a new iron sheet for the roof, but the teachers never got new homes.

He claimed that he never promised shoes, saying, 'How can I know the shoe size of every person in Malawi.'

He approved new development in the area, such as building new toilets in some villages and digging a few wells.

The chief asked the president to stop funding wells and toilets and use the money to buy grain to address the hunger crisis.

The president and his officials confronted the chief and beat him after his speech.

The chief remained on the sofa and in bed, trying to recover from his wounds, and he kept his whereabouts secret while seeking medical treatment.

The narrator felt frightened and violated, as the chief was like a father figure and represented safety for the community.

The rain allowed the family to plant a small crop of maize and a half-acre of tobacco, which would be crucial for survival in the months to come.

The waganyu were moving slowly down the road, searching for piecework, with their clothes soaked with rain and covered in mud.

The family was able to plant a small crop of maize and a half-acre of tobacco.

The half-acre of tobacco would be a lifesaver in months to come, implying its economic importance for the family.

The atmosphere was described as creepy along the trail, with people walking slowly, heads down, and not even saying hello. About fifty people were scattered outside Gilbert's house, with the smoke from their cooking fires covering the house in a gray haze.

Gilbert expressed disappointment that the nonstop procession of souls to his door had taken most of their supply. He described the available food as only nsima and beans.

Gilbert shared that his father greets people when he's feeling well, but mostly sleeps and listens to the radio with his cat. The speaker's reaction to a terrible scent on the breeze was to ask about it, to which Gilbert responded that the people aren't even bothering with the latrine anymore.

The impact on the village during the Christmas season was notably different than usual, with people walking slowly, heads down, and not even saying hello. The atmosphere was described as creepy along the trail, and the usual sounds of music or singing and families dressed in their best clothes were absent.

The narrator's father managed to withdraw the family's entire savings and used it to buy another pail of maize, which he milled and sold the next day, providing food for the family for another week.

The narrator had something to look forward to in starting classes at Kachokolo Secondary School, as it provided a distraction from the troubles at home and offered a sense of hope and opportunity for the future.

The narrator had a pair of black trousers but couldn't afford a proper white shirt for his school uniform. His mother sent him to the used clothing stalls in the trading center, emphasizing that it didn't matter where the shirt came from as long as it was white.

The narrator struggled to wash his uniform shirt and was unable to remove the yellow circles around the underarms and the gray collar despite scrubbing it with bongowe. The shirt remained dirty.

The headmaster pointed out that the narrator was wearing sandals, which were not allowed as proper footwear. The narrator explained that he had to cross two streams and the muddy conditions due to the rainy season would ruin good leather shoes, as his mother wouldn't have it.

The narrator's parents had no money for schoolbooks, and most students couldn't afford them. However, the narrator's friend, Gilbert, had managed to buy his own books and allowed the narrator to look on and share, as they read at the same level.

The conditions at Wimbe Primary were dreadful, with students having to read and study outside under trees due to overcrowded classrooms and leaky roofs. The Standard Three classroom was missing a wall, and the latrines were not only disgusting but also dangerous, as termites had eaten away the floor planks.

The headmaster emphasized the importance of following the school's rules, including being in a proper uniform and punctuality, and warned of swift punishment for non-compliance.

At that moment, the narrator was certain that he was experiencing the greatest day of his life, and he couldn't stop smiling.

The headmaster pointed out that the narrator was wearing sandals, which were not allowed as proper footwear. The narrator explained that he had to cross two streams and the muddy conditions due to the rainy season would ruin good leather shoes, as his mother wouldn't have it.

At that moment, the narrator was certain that he was experiencing the greatest day of his life, and he couldn't stop smiling.

The narrator had a pair of black trousers but couldn't afford a proper white shirt for his school uniform. His mother sent him to the used clothing stalls in the trading center, emphasizing that it didn't matter where the shirt came from as long as it was white.

The food shortage led to desperate measures such as mixing maize porridge with sawdust, selling possessions, taking high-interest loans, mobbing merchants, cutting back on food portions, and rushing to the banks to withdraw savings. People experienced hunger, stress, anxiety, and paranoia as they feared for their safety and the collapse of the government.

The crisis led the narrator's mother to spend hours baking cakes to sell for flour, which she hid from her family to check the amount earned. However, her cakes became a target during chaotic scenes, leaving her with little to sell and even less for her family to eat.

The government remained silent on the situation, leaving people to deal with the crisis on their own with little hope of a solution. This lack of government intervention led to increased desperation and uncertainty among the people.

The crisis led to chaotic scenes, protests, and mobbing of merchants. Families had to cut back on their food portions, and many resorted to desperate measures to secure food, such as selling possessions and taking high-interest loans. The economy suffered as people rushed to withdraw savings from banks, leading to further instability.

The crisis affected the narrator's family as his mother struggled to provide for them, and they had to cut back on food portions. The narrator observed the impact of the crisis on the community, including hunger, stress, anxiety, and chaotic scenes.

Mixing gaga with sawdust led to sour stomachs and protests at the market as people realized they had been deceived. This discovery exposed the desperate measures taken during the food shortage.

As the situation worsened, people experienced paranoia, anxiety, and uncertainty about their safety and the stability of the government. This fear and uncertainty became prevalent in the community.

People mobbed merchants and took what they could, leading to chaotic scenes. Additionally, they rushed to the banks to withdraw their savings as rumors spread about the government selling the country's resources.

The crisis led to a decrease in the availability of food, as people had to cut back on food portions. Additionally, the rising price of maize made it difficult for families to afford enough food, leading to hunger and stress.

Many people were already in dire straits, having sold their possessions or taken loans with high interest rates from traders. They resorted to desperate measures such as mobbing merchants and rushing to the banks to withdraw their savings.

The crisis led the narrator's mother to spend hours baking cakes to sell for flour, which she hid from her family to check the amount earned. However, her cakes became a target during chaotic scenes, leaving her with little to sell and even less for her family to eat. This significantly impacted her efforts to generate income.

The crisis led to people cutting back on food portions, mobbing merchants, and rushing to withdraw their savings. This change in behavior and daily routines contributed to the overall desperation and chaos in the community.

The protagonist went to see his cousin Charity at the clubhouse.

Charity and the protagonist wanted goat head and leg pieces, also known as mang'ina, for Christmas.

James gave them a goat skin for the Christmas drum.

They stretched the skin flat over the flames, singed the hair, scraped it off, cut the skin into small cubes, boiled it for over two hours, and added water, salt, and soda.

The boiled goat skin was described as slimy and sticky, as if covered in scalding glue.

Khamba, the dog, came to the clubhouse and was given some of the cooked skin.

The protagonist was glad to see Khamba, and he gave some of the cooked skin to the dog.

The protagonist described feeling the heat of hot food rush into his stomach and lungs, with the skin causing his lips to seal shut with each chew.

Charity said, 'It’s dog food we’re eating anyway.'

Khamba leaped onto his hind legs and caught it in the air, just like old times.

The protagonist was glad to see Khamba, indicating a sense of nostalgia and fondness for the dog.

The cooked skin was described as slimy, sticky, and tasting tough and a bit slimy.

They eat large quantities of hide to revive a dying creature, an exception made on Christmas Day

Mathematics, Primary Science, and English, but passes in Chichewa and Social Studies

The narrator is admitted to Kachokolo Secondary School, a community school considered to be one of the worst in the district

The narrator is determined to become the best student at Kachokolo and eventually transfer to a better school

The rainy season brings daily rains, which water the maize seedlings and encourage their growth, but also increases the presence of insects and mosquitoes, making life more difficult for the people

The narrator doesn't dare ask Charity for permission to share the meat with his family due to a mphala rule

The narrator receives news of his exam results, which he received better than any Christmas gift

Several large pieces of skin remain in the pot and the narrator thinks of his family who might be hungry

The rainy season brings daily rains, which water the maize seedlings and encourage their growth, but also increases the presence of insects and mosquitoes, making life more difficult for the people

Several large pieces of skin remain in the pot and the narrator thinks of his family who might be hungry

The narrator loses count of how many pieces of hide he eats and becomes too tired to continue

The narrator is determined to become the best student at Kachokolo and eventually transfer to a better school

The narrator prepared the fire and cooked the dowe in the kitchen. The narrator's sisters crowded into the tiny kitchen, fighting for space, and were excited to see the dowe being cooked.

The narrator felt excited and satisfied as they ate the dowe. They described the kernels as meaty, warm, and filled with the essence of God. Each time they swallowed, it felt like returning something that was lost, some missing part of their being.

The kitchen was crowded with the narrator's sisters fighting for space while the narrator was cooking the dowe. The narrator's parents gathered in the kitchen as the narrator prepared the steaming food.

The narrator felt excited and didn't care about the white smoke burning their eyes as they were too excited. They felt great satisfaction while cooking and eating the dowe, knowing they had waited for it for a very long time.

Mrs. Edith Sikelo

American textbooks, secondary texts, and novels

Geography, social studies, and spelling

Malawi Junior Integrated Science book

Explaining Physics

Mrs. Sikelo

The chapter on magnets

Due to poor English and the complexity of some texts

American government

Reading to catch up on studies

Visiting the library and reading

Mrs. Edith Sikelo

Electromagnets are used to generate electricity in simple motors, like those found in radios. They can also be used to pick up cars and heavy pieces of metal. Everyday objects such as nails, wire, and dry cells can be used to create electromagnets.

All magnets have north and south poles. The north pole of the magnet will always attract the south pole, while two similar poles push away from each other.

A compass works by using a small bar magnet inside to find north and keep track of direction. One end of the bar magnet will always be pulled toward the magnetic north pole of the earth.

Electromagnetic induction occurs when a coil of wire rotates inside a magnetic field, producing a pulse of current. This current can be captured and used as electricity.

Direct current (DC) flows in one direction from one end of a battery to the other, while alternating current (AC) changes direction. Batteries produce DC, while power stations typically produce AC.

When a coil of wire rotates inside a magnetic field, it produces a pulse of current, which is captured and used as electricity. This process is known as electromagnetic induction and it produces alternating current (AC).

An AC generator is used to convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. A bicycle dynamo is given as an example of a device that uses an AC generator.

A spinning coil cutting a magnetic field produces electricity, as the movement creates a pulse of current. This process is known as electromagnetic induction and it contributes to electricity production.

In a simple electric motor, a coil of wire on a shaft is housed inside a large magnet. When the coil is connected to a battery and becomes magnetized, it creates a push and pull with the larger magnet, causing the shaft to spin. An example of a device powered by such a motor is a fan.

Magnetic fields are invisible lines that radiate between the poles of magnets. Electromagnets use these magnetic fields to create their own natural magnetic field when electricity passes through a wire.

When electricity passes through a wire, it creates a natural magnetic field around the wire. This magnetic field can be enhanced by coiling the wire around a good conductor, like a nail.

Electromagnets have many uses, such as picking up cars and heavy pieces of metal as giant magnets, and powering simple motors found in radios, appliances, and alternators in cars.

Using Energy

The cover image and childhood memories of making pinwheels

By using wind to spin the blades, which in turn rotate magnets in a dynamo

Pumping water and grinding grain

As much as a power plant

To provide electricity and water to their community, specifically to their family in Malawi

A plastic jar with blades made from its sides and a pipe extension

Due to the short blades

Dug up a piece of PVC pipe, heated it over a fire to make it pliable, and used it as an extension for the blades

To build a full-sized windmill to generate electricity and power a pump for water irrigation, allowing year-round crop growth and improving their quality of life

The readiness of dowe and pumpkins in their fields signals a turning point in the narrator's family's struggle for survival, bringing a sense of relief and hope as they have access to food again.

The famine led to the majority of students at Kachokolo Secondary and Wimbe Primary stopping attending classes, with teachers also leaving to search for food. Eventually, classes were suspended entirely due to the lack of food and inability to pay school fees.

The narrator spent his time in the trading center playing bawo, learning and playing chess, and searching for a hobby to distract himself from missing school.

The narrator learned and started playing chess every day while at home, as a way to keep his mind occupied and pass the time.

The narrator's father advised against seeking revenge or punitive actions, emphasizing the importance of forgiveness and understanding that everyone was affected by hunger, showing a sense of empathy and compassion.

The readiness of dowe in the fields brought a sense of hope and strength back to the community, with people regaining their strength, smiling faces greeting each other, and a general feeling of improvement and recovery spreading throughout the area.

The narrator was forced to stay home and couldn't attend school due to the family's inability to afford his school fees, resulting in him missing out on education and being left with limited activities to occupy his time.

The readiness of dowe and pumpkins led to students slowly returning to school and classes resuming, indicating a positive shift in the community's energy and the potential for a return to normalcy after the hardships caused by the famine.

The narrator described having a stomach filled with hot food as one of the greatest pleasures in life, emphasizing the significance of having access to nourishing and satisfying meals, especially after a period of hunger and scarcity.

The narrator played bawo, learned and played chess, and sought a hobby to keep his mind occupied and prevent himself from dwelling on missing school.

The narrator and Geoffrey celebrated by picking dowe each morning before working in the fields, making a fire, and having a hearty breakfast, symbolizing a sense of relief, survival, and gratitude as they enjoyed the fruits of their labor and the readiness of dowe in their fields.

The readiness of dowe and pumpkins led to a positive impact on the community's morale and energy, with people regaining their strength, smiling faces greeting each other, and a general feeling of improvement and recovery spreading throughout the area.

The students at the schoolyard mocked the narrator for collecting scrap pieces, and their parents criticized the narrator's behavior to his mother. His mother expressed concern and disapproval, while his father defended and supported him.

The narrator decided to smile and respond casually when taunted by the students, claiming that he was 'only playing'. This decision led to the students spreading the story about the 'crazy boy in the scrapyard', causing concern and criticism from adults in the trading center.

The narrator obtained additional PVC pipe by digging out the drainage pipe from Gilbert's father's shower stall without his knowledge. He had to scrape off several inches of slime inside the pipe and endure its horrible smell during the process.

The narrator's father defended and supported him, telling his wife to leave the boy alone and see what he had up his sleeve. He seemed curious and open-minded about the narrator's activities.

an old pipe

four feet long

nuts and bolts

by helping to load wood into a truck

other boys who were also searching for the same materials

not having a generator and fearing his dream would never come true

his friend

a madman

by cutting it in half and heating it over a fire

earned money by helping to load wood into a truck

not having a generator and fearing his dream would never come true

Wooden rungs and an ax as a hammer were used to build the tower, reaching a height of sixteen feet.

A rope and pulley were used to raise the windmill, and a clothesline wire was used instead of a strong rope.

The team used the clothesline to lift the windmill up the tower, with each member taking a turn guiding and pulling. Once the windmill reached the top, it was secured with bolts drilled into the wooden poles and the frame.

The windmill attracted a crowd of people due to its unusual appearance and the promise of electricity generation.

The windmill was successfully connected to a dynamo, and the bulb lit up, surprising and exciting the crowd.

They added a dynamo.

It was located near the kitchen.

Bottle caps were used as makeshift washers.

The narrator began assembling the windmill.

The blades were connected to the tractor fan.

The narrator enjoyed the quiet and peaceful surroundings.

He was not farming much due to his health.

The guy initially refused to sell the dynamo.

The dynamo was added to the windmill project.

It took hours to heat the plastic blades.

They exchanged thanks.

He had given away all their food during the famine.

a long piece of bamboo and lashed it sideways through the frame with rope

Geoffrey

The dynamo produced twelve volts while the radio was only meant to handle half that power, and the wind spun the blades much faster than a person could pedal a bicycle, causing a power surge

An old motor coil, which lost enough power to play the radio without overpowering it

on the pole, hidden behind the house

a bag of nails

an ax and pangas

black plastic jumbos

just behind the narrator's bedroom

nailing reinforcements lengthwise like rungs of a ladder

the blue gum grove behind Geoffrey’s house

hoisted them onto their shoulders and carried them home

The narrator conducted an experiment by connecting a wire about twenty times to a twelve-volt cell, which resulted in the wire heating up and glowing red hot, eventually causing the grass to catch fire in the narrator's hands.

The narrator fashioned the coil like a magic wand, complete with a plastic handle made from a hollowed-out ballpoint pen. They connected the coil to a twelve-volt battery and dipped it into the water, resulting in the water boiling in about five minutes.

The narrator read about biogas as an alternative fuel source, which was made by converting animal waste into liquid fuel. They planned to recreate it by avoiding the pit and the long wait, thinking of a different method.

The narrator decided to find a different method to produce biogas, as they did not want to wait for months and use a pit. They aimed to find a more efficient and quicker way to tap into the gas produced from the animal waste.

The narrator filled a clay pot halfway with water and added goat poop, covered it with plastic jumbos and tied a rope around the lip for a valve. He then created a valve using a radio antenna, corked the top with a reed, and used a handful of maize piths to ignite the fire. After adding the pot, he waited for the gas to form.

She was furious and accused the narrator of ruining her pot.

Malaria.

They were unable to find a bed for her, and two days later she fell into a coma.

Malaria is a common problem in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly for those without bed nets.

She was transported back home, and the family attempted to keep her comfortable until they could find a bed at the hospital.

The experiment with the goat poop and clay pot to create biogas was a reflection of the narrator's resourcefulness and determination to find alternative solutions, which may have been influenced by the challenges his family faced, such as his mother's illness and the difficulty in finding proper medical care.

The narrator created a valve using a radio antenna and corked the top with a reed.

He used a handful of maize piths to ignite the fire.

He heard a rumbling inside the pot and observed the water boiling.

He was ready to ignite the gas but was interrupted by his mother.

Her symptoms worsened to the point where she could no longer walk or speak, and the family faced challenges in finding a hospital bed for her, ultimately leading to her falling into a coma.

The new president's name was Bingu wa Mutharika. He introduced subsidies for fertilizer to support farmers.

Many local leaders hoarded the fertilizer coupons and sold them to the highest bidders instead of distributing them to the farmers.

The corrupt officials had given most of the bags away to their friends, leading to frustration and anger among the farmers.

The lack of rain caused the seedlings to wither and dry up, leading to a poor harvest.

Instead of attributing the poor harvest to the weather, they blamed magic, and the protagonist was held responsible.

The rains initially came as normal, allowing the seedlings to sprout and grow, but they stopped suddenly, causing the crops to wither and stunt.

President Mutharika promised change and began subsidizing fertilizer, making it affordable for the protagonist's family for the first time in three years.

The corrupt officials closed the shop early and used violence to disperse the frustrated farmers, including beating the protagonist with a hose pipe.

They managed to obtain a couple more bags of fertilizer and prepared to plant their crop.

The lack of consistent rain and the sudden stoppage of rain after the seedlings had sprouted posed significant challenges for the crops.

The government's intervention through fertilizer subsidies brought hope, but the scheme was hindered by corruption and misallocation of the subsidized fertilizer.

Instead of blaming the government, the community attributed the famine to magic and held the protagonist responsible.

The father accompanied the narrator's mother to the hospital, and she was suffering from a severe case of malaria.

The doctor diagnosed the mother with a severe case of malaria that had progressed to her brain.

The father went home to sell maize and soybeans to pay for the medical fees.

The narrator's aunt Chrissy and Socrates' wife, Mary, arrived to keep vigil at the hospital. The father went home to sell maize and soybeans.

The narrator stayed behind to watch his sisters and eventually gathered the courage to visit his mother at the hospital. The mother was delirious and kept calling for her daughter Tiyamike.

The chief of the village passed away after being unwell since being beaten by the president's men. The village mourned the loss of their chief, with hundreds of people gathered to pay their respects.

The funeral preparations involved the slaughter of chickens and goats, the cooking of nsima, and the singing of mournful songs.

The superstitions and fear described in the text led to violence, deaths, and widespread panic. People were stoned to death, beaten, and attacked by mobs due to rumors of government involvement with vampires and the appearance of a strange beast. The fear also led to reports of private parts being stolen and sold to witches, Satan worshippers, and business tycoons. This wave of superstition and fear heightened existing fears and belief in evil powers, leading to more violence and chaos.

The consequences of superstitions and fear on the society included violence, deaths, panic, and chaos. People were stoned to death, beaten, and attacked by mobs. Thousands fled their homes, and many reported having their private parts stolen. The fear heightened existing fears and belief in evil powers, leading to more violence and chaos.

The government denied having any involvement with vampires, but the rumors did not go away. President Muluzi stated, 'No government can go about sucking the blood of its own people,' and emphasized that the rumors were baseless. However, the denial did not seem to make the rumors go away.

The strange beast in Dowa was later concluded to be the product of magic. A certain trader near Dowa had purchased thunder and lightning from a powerful wizard and later refused to pay for it. In retaliation, the magic man sent the beast against his family, leading to deaths and chaos in the villages.

The society sought the help of a sing’anga, who concocted a powerful potion and flung it into the trees where the beast was hiding. The potion ultimately led to the death of the beast, which was no bigger than a dog. However, the society's relief was short-lived as a second beast began attacking and killing again, sending thousands back into the bush.

Many people across Malawi reported having their private parts stolen in the night, with the victims waking up in the morning with their sheets bloody. It was later revealed that most of the victims had been virgins, and their parts had been sold to witches, Satan worshippers, and business tycoons. This led to widespread fear and panic among the population.

The opposition leader, the Honorable John Tembo, addressed the problem in parliament, emphasizing that it was not acceptable to sell other people’s private parts, especially while leaving one's own. This indicates that the reports of private parts being stolen and sold had reached the level of national concern and discussion.

The old man's death was attributed to the actions of witch children instructed by witches living near the trading center. The boy, who was recruited by the witches, confessed to his parents about the soccer game involving the old man's head and the threats to kill their grandfather. The parents reported the matter to the village headman and Chief Wimbe, leading to arrests and convictions of the witches responsible for the old man's death and the threats against the boy's grandfather.

The authorities faced challenges in addressing witchcraft-related incidents due to the difficulty in proving witchcraft, limited investigations, and the absence of specific clauses in the country's constitution to protect against witchcraft. While the authorities could eventually convict a wizard of violating the rights of a child, they were limited in their ability to address cases of kidnapping or murder related to witchcraft. This highlights the complexities and limitations in addressing witchcraft-related incidents within the legal framework.

The witches responsible for the old man's death and the threats against the boy's grandfather were convicted in the traditional court and made to pay a large amount of money. This indicates that the traditional authorities took the incidents seriously and imposed significant penalties on the convicted witches. However, it also reflects the limitations of the legal system in addressing witchcraft-related offenses, as the country's constitution lacked specific clauses to protect against witchcraft.

The heightened fears and belief in evil powers led to widespread panic, violence, and chaos within the society. People became susceptible to rumors and superstitions, leading to incidents of mob violence, deaths, and reports of supernatural occurrences such as the appearance of strange beasts and the theft of private parts. The societal implications included a breakdown of trust, increased vulnerability, and the undermining of social order as people grappled with the perceived threats posed by evil powers. This created a climate of fear and uncertainty, impacting the overall well-being of the community.