A Pharaohly Big Deal - Stage 4 Comp - Chapter 5 - Comprehension Pack.pdf

STAGE 4 Unit focus: A Pharaohly Big Deal Text focus: Narrative Chapter 5 “This isn’t what I had in mind when Hori said he had a plan,” Sen snapped at Meret, who seemed...

STAGE 4 Unit focus: A Pharaohly Big Deal Text focus: Narrative Chapter 5 “This isn’t what I had in mind when Hori said he had a plan,” Sen snapped at Meret, who seemed to be enjoying the show rather too much. It was difficult for Sen to say anything with his arms strapped to a large stone plinth and his legs bound together. “Could you explain to me why I’m here, about to be offered up as a sacrifice to Osiris?” “The Pharaoh was murdered,” Meret said matter-of-factly. “That angers the gods, and they need to be appeased.” “Why me, though?” Sen whined. He’d noticed the large crowd starting to form in front of the palace. You could say this about the people; they loved to get out and celebrate a good sacrifice. “You are clearly a messenger sent from the gods to pass on their message from the late Pharaoh. It’s only polite to send you back to them now that your task is complete.” “He’s not the messenger,” a familiar voice from the crowd shouted out, echoing Sen’s thoughts. “He’s a very naughty boy! I le him in charge of the hut for a few hours, and the place has gone to wrack and ruin.” “Dje!” Sen cried out. “Can you stop this? It’s all a massive mistake.” Despite the protestations of the guards, Dje pushed his way up to the alter and stared down at his helper, shaking his head as he did. “You’ve got yourself into a right pickle this time. This is worse than when you accidentally replaced that poor man’s stomach with a watermelon.” Dje stared off into the distance as if recalling a fond childhood memory. “It really did expand in the heat!” “Focus, Dje! They want to sacrifice me to send me back to the gods.” “Why? What would they want with somebody who doesn’t know how to clean out a canopic jar?” “They don’t want me at all!” Sen shouted. “This is all a mistake!” “You never even clean under the rim,” Dje continued, determined to make a point. “All I’m saying is, it wouldn’t hurt you to work a brush under there to get the last bits of blood out.” “Dje…” Sen pleaded. “Suit yourself. I’ll have a word with the priest. Coo-eee, Priest!” Sen shook his head as his master disappeared to have a word with the second-most important man in the country. “You could help me, you know,” he said to Bastet, his voice filled with anger. all resources ©2023 Literacy Shed http://www.literacyshedplus.com “There’s not a lot I can do,” the ghost said. “Now I’ve had my vengeance, I’m feeling rather weaker in this realm.” “How convenient,” Sen hissed. “Okay, here’s the deal,” Dje said, returning with a smile. “They’re insisting on a little bit of light sacrifice but nothing more.” “Light sacrifice?” “Just a bit off the top, I think.” “Why are you so cheerful?” Sen asked. “They’ve offered me a hundred deben for the loss of my worker.” Sen sighed and watched his now wealthy master leave. “Pssssssst.” “I thought you were feeling weaker,” he snapped, trying to see where the cat was. Suddenly, his hands and feet fell free. He glanced down and was sure he saw Bastet give him a wink as he cut the last rope with his claws. Everybody else seemed very distracted, so Sen did the only polite thing, which was to quietly slink off back home and make a solemn promise never to enter the palace again. RETRIEVAL FOCUS 1. Where is Sen at the beginning of the chapter? 2. Who does Sen ask to speak to Hori for him? 3. Does he manage to save him? 4. Who ends up saving Sen? 5. What lesson does he learn at the end of the story? VIPERS QUESTIONS S Why is Sen tied up? V What is “vengeance”? I Why isn’t Dje happy with Sen’s work? I What evidence is there that people liked to watch a sacrifice? S What was the last big mistake that Sen made? all resources ©2023 Literacy Shed http://www.literacyshedplus.com