Heros Journey - Stage 3 Comp - Redemption - Chapter 5.pdf

STAGE 3 Unit focus: A Hero’s Journey Text focus: Narrative Chapter 5 - Redemption Pendril wasn’t sure what she had expected when she returned to Handel. It definitely wasn’t the...

STAGE 3 Unit focus: A Hero’s Journey Text focus: Narrative Chapter 5 - Redemption Pendril wasn’t sure what she had expected when she returned to Handel. It definitely wasn’t the parade that greeted them. Papier-mache dragons hung from the city walls. Thousands of people lined the road leading to the main gate. People were singing and dancing. When the unit of soldiers finally made it to the main gate, it was flung open by several guards who had been dressed in full regalia. A market was in full swing, and people were selling clothing with crude drawings of dragons. Pendril looked closer and found that some of them even had a picture of her face on them. “Looks like you’re a celebrity,” Jesmin said, teasing Pendril with a poke and a smile. “You might be taking my father’s job!” Pendril paled. It was a crime to plot against the emperor. What if he thought that was actually her plan? “Don’t worry,” Jesmin joked, “I’m only kidding. Come on, let’s go and see him.” It took them several minutes to push their way through the crowds. Everyone wanted to hug Pendril or pat her head. Some wanted her to sign their clothes. One even handed her a baby to sign. She politely refused. When they finally made it into the corridors of the castle, it was a relief to get away from the noise and the heat. “I hear you are a hero.” The emperor stood when they entered the main hall and hobbled down the steps to greet his daughter with a hug. “Oh, father,” Jesmin said with fake modesty, “it was nothing.” “So I hear,” the emperor said and laughed. “Actually, I was talking to Pendril. I hear that she saved your life?” This time there was nothing fake about Jesmin’s blush. Her whole face went a deep shade of scarlet. “That’s right. I was momentarily incapacitated, and Pendril stepped in to save me.” Sensing that it might not be a good time to annoy the imperial family, Pendril once again stepped in to defend her new friend. “It’s true, your majesty. She attacked all resources ©2023 Literacy Shed http://www.literacyshedplus.com the dragon with courage and a ferocious attitude. I’ve never seen her like that before. Unfortunately, the dragon-“ “Struck me down with a blow of its claws,” Jesmin jumped in, finishing Pendril’s story. “After that, I don’t really remember a lot until I woke up and Sergent Munk was talking to the dragon.” “I’ve heard about the agreement. I hear you were behind that, as well?” he said to Pendril. She nodded. “Maybe we will make a leader of you!” “I think I’ve had more than enough adventure for one lifetime,” Pendril said. She laughed, but she realised that she was serious. “I promise, you are relieved from my service. I won’t call upon you again. You have earned that much!” The emperor offered his hand, which Pendril took and shook. “What will you do now?” Jesmin asked when they were alone in the corridors afterwards. “You can’t go back to hiding on your farm and wasting the days, can you?” “Nah. All of that’s behind me, now. I don’t fancy being a soldier again but maybe, in the future, I’ll travel somewhere. Right now, my mum needs a lot of help on the farm. I’ve not been doing my bit. Maybe I’ll start with that.” INFERENCE FOCUS 1. How did Pendril know that people were excited to see them return? 2. Why does Pendril panic when Jesmin jokes that she might take the emperor’s job? 3. Why might people have wanted Pendril to sign things? 4. Why might Jesmin have blushed? 5. Why do you think Pendril defended Jesmin? VIPERS QUESTIONS V What does “incapacitated” mean? R What did Pendril refuse to sign? V What does the phrase “fake modesty” mean? R What did Jesmin say the dragon used to attack her? S What is the first thing that Pendril will do next? all resources ©2023 Literacy Shed http://www.literacyshedplus.com