Building the World of the Story -

Readers actively construct understanding at the beginning of a story. Pay attention to the elements of a story and ask questions to check for understanding as you begin a story.

“Seeking a Hidden Hive” by Jocelyn Rish

    Guyo kicked the ground, stirring up a cloud of red dust.
    “What’s wrong, Guyo?”
    Guyo looked up to see his grandfather.
    “Father, won’t let me herd the cattle.  He says I’m too little,” said Guyo.
    “Your father has a lot on his mind.  Times are tough,” said Grandfather.
    “That’s why I want to help!  But every time I try, people say I am too small.”
    “You can help your mother by getting honey.”
    Guyo jangled the few coins in his pocket.  “But I don’t have enough money.”
    His grandfather smiled.  “We’ll gather honey the way our Borana tribe has gathered honey for years.”  He opened his hand.  It held a snail shell with a hole cut in it.
    “What’s that, Grandfather?”
    “It’s a fuulido.  When we use it, a honey guide will come and lead us to a hidden beehive.”  He handed Guyo the shell.  “Call one.”
    Guyo blew through the hole, creating a high-pitched whistle.  When nothing happened, he whistled again.
    Before long, a gray-brown bird fluttered to a nearby branch.  She called tirr tirr many times, then turned and flashed the white patches on her tail feathers.  Once she had the attention of Grandfather and Guyo, she flew off toward the west.
    Guyo was eager to follow.  His grandfather picked up a tin pail and said, “Let’s go.”
    They hurried through the dry brush, always keeping the honey guide in view.  But when they came to a high ledge, they paused so Grandfather could help Guyo scramble over it.  They lost sight of the bird.  “I’m sorry, Grandfather,” Guyo said.
    “Don’t worry.  She’ll be back.”
    Soon Guyo heard the trilling call again.  They honey guide landed on a limb, waving her tail feathers.
    Grandfather said, “She will make sure we go the right way.  This has been the custom between our tribe and the honey guides for hundreds of years.”
    The bird flew into the air.  
    “Why do they help us?” Guyo asked.
    “The honey guides are experts at finding hives.  But because they’re small, bee stings would kill them.  They need our help to get what’s inside the hive.
    Guyo and his grandfather followed the bird for half an hour.  Each time the bird returned, she perched closer to the ground.  Grandfather said, “That means we’re getting closer.”
    Finally the honey guide’s call changed.  She swooped toward a crack in a cliff wall.  “We’re here,” said Grandfather.
    Guyo’s heart beat faster as they approached the crack.  An army of angry bees guarded the entrance.  The buzzing tickled his ears.
    Grandfather gathered small sticks and started rubbing them together.  “Help me build a fire in front of the crack.  The smoke will calm the bees.”
    Guyo was afraid he might get stung.  But he had to prove he was big enough to help.  He kept an eye on the bees as Grandfather blew on the smoky bundle of sticks.  When the smoke drifted over the bees, the buzzing got quiet.
    Grandfather tried to push his hand into the crack, but it wouldn’t fit.  He said to Guyo, “You should be able to reach the honeycomb.”
    Guyo trembled.  He couldn’t reach into that dark hole!  What if the bees stung him?  He looked at his grandfather.  He couldn’t disappoint him.  
    Guyo took a deep breath and stretched out his arm.  then he jerked back in fear.  I can do this, I can do this, he repeated to himself.  He closed his eyes and thrust his fingers into the crack.  No stings!  The smoke worked.
    Reaching as far as he could, he tugged out chunk after chunk of honeycomb dripping with sticky amber honey.  
    Grandfather said, “That’s plenty.  We need to leave enough for the bees.”
    They backed away from the hive just as the bees started to buzz again.  Grandfather put most of the honeycomb inside his tin pail.  He handed Guyo a piece.  “Give this to the honey guide, with the thanks of the Borana tribe.”
    Guyo placed the honeycomb at the base of the tree where the honey guide perched.  “Thank you for sharing this treasure with us.”
    The honey guide trilled and dropped to the ground to eat her reward.
    As they started walking home, Grandfather placed a hand on Guyo’s shoulder.  “You were able to reach so much honey that we’ll be able to see the extra in the village.  That will be a big help to our family.”
    Guyo smiled.  “I guess being little is sometimes a good thing.”

Identifying Theme -

Readers of fiction recognize that stories address particular themes. Consider which themes are addressed in a realistic fiction story.

Examining a Modern-Day Fairy Tale -

Readers understand the common features of a fairy tale including the message or lesson learned. Identify and discuss the features and message of a fairy tale.

Historical Fiction -

Readers of Historical Fiction pay attention to story elements with particular attention to the setting. Notice the effect the historical setting has on the characters and conflict.

Exploring Point of View -

Readers pay attention to who is narrating the story and consider how the narrator influences how the story is told. Consider how the person that is telling the story affects what story is told.

Analyzing Characters -

Readers analyze characters by paying attention to their actions, thoughts, and dialogue. Identify details that reveal the character's traits.

Elements of a Story -

Readers pay attention to the elements of a story to build their understanding. Identify elements as you read and develop your thinking about them.

The Structure of Fiction -

Readers understand that fiction is often structured chronologically. Certain scene changes signal chronological movement.

What is fiction?

There are many types of fiction that share similar characteristics. The purpose of all types of fiction is to entertain its readers.