Today, you will read and think about the passages from Rafiki Means Friend and A Friend Forever. As you read these texts, you will gather information and answer questions about comparing themes and topics so you can write an essay.

Rafiki Means Friend

1 When she was twelve years old, Raha earned a scholarship to study at a boarding school in England. She kissed her little sisters round cheek. She patted the cows brown shoulder. She hugged Mamas wide waist. Then Raha and Baba, her father, rode the crowded bus to the airport. 2I named you Raha, which means happiness, Baba said. Remember that. 3 As the plane took off, Raha looked out the window at the goat herds and brown rivers of Kenya. She gazed down at the green fields where she used to run like the wind. 4 At school in England, Raha wished Baba had told her to study hard and to practice running every day. That was much easier than staying happy. 5 The teachers gave her dozens of math problems to solve, essays to write, and books to read. She ran to her classes through cold rain, clutching her books inside her blue blazer. 6 At school in England, it wasnt easy for Raha to stay happy. 7 Her running coach gave her a striped shirt and white shorts, shoes with cleats for sprints, and another pair with spongy soles for cross-country. 8 Raha had always run barefoot at home, and the shoes felt tight on her toes. But all the other runners wore shoes, and Raha didnt want to be different. 9 The team practiced every weekday afternoon. On Saturdays, everyone watched rugbyeveryone but Raha. On Saturdays, she ran alone on country lanes lined with thistle and blackberries. She ran over fields thick with mud. The cold air stung her throat, and her shoes stuck in the mud, slowing her down. She missed running barefoot and fast under the hot African sun. 10 Each day at lunch, Raha sat alone in the large hall, eating rubbery roast beef and brussels sprouts. She wished she were home, eating spicy soup from a calabash bowl and laughing with her family. Her mouth craved fish and coconut, or a golden papaya, juicy and sweet. 11 One Saturday, Raha ran up a hill and found herself in a barnyard. One of her classmates, a day student named Thomas, stood just inside the barn doors. 12 After he greeted her, Raha asked, Why arent you watching rugby? 13 I have to help my father, said Thomas. Would you like to see the cows? 14 Raha entered the barn, and the familiar smell of cows surrounded her. We have a cow at home, she said. I call her Rafiki. That means friend. 15 Raha rubbed the swollen sides of a brown cow. 16 Shell give birth to a calf soon, said Thomas. 17 On Monday, Thomas invited Raha to sit with him and his friends at lunch. They talked about the track meet coming up in two weeks. At home, Raha had always looked forward to running races, but now she had a churning in her stomach. How would she run fast in those clumsy shoes? 18 The next Saturday, Raha ran to Thomass farm. She didnt see him at the barn, so she ran up the hill to the fields above. She found Thomass brown cow lying on her side and breathing heavily. 19 Poor thing, your calf is coming, Raha said. You need help. She looked out over the fields, but there was no one in earshot. 20 Raha didnt know how to deliver a calf, but she knew how to run. She pulled off her shoes and ran, barefoot and fast, as she used to run at home. 21 She ran over the fields, past the barn, and to the white house where Thomas lived. Raha found Thomas and his father, and they followed her back up the hill. 22 When they reached the upper field, the cow still lay on her side. Beside her, the calf was already born, but it lay slick and still. Please, Raha thought, let them be alive. 23 The calf is breathing, said Thomass father. He dragged the calf to the mothers head. The cow, smelling her newborn, struggled to her feet, nuzzled her calf, and started to lick its wet fur. The calf opened its eyes. 24 We came just in time, said Thomas, still panting. 25 Yes, thanks to you, Thomass father said, nodding to Raha. He looked at the calf. Shell be needing a name. 26 How about Rafiki? Thomas suggested. Then he smiled at Raha and said, It means friend. 27 On her run back to the school, Raha felt like a bird flying over the patchwork of green fields. 28 In the shower room, Raha stood in her clothes under the hot water, letting the mud run off her. She grinned. Baba, she thought. Im living up to my name. 29 On the day of the races, busloads of runners and spectators came from other schools. Thomas waved to Raha from the crowd. She wore her striped shirt and her white shorts. Her feet were bare. 29 The runners lined up, and the starting gun exploded. Raha ran like the wind. 1. The reader could most likely conclude that ThomasA. is weak and intimidated by his fatherB. does not like living on a farmC. has a hard time making friendsD. does not need to do what everyone else is doing

2. The best way for a reader to interpret the ending of this story is thatA. Raha is afraid and startledB. Raha is at peace with herselfC. Raha needs to go back homeD. Raha does not want to stand out

3. Read this sentence from the story.

On her run back to the school, Raha felt like a bird flying over the patchwork of green fields.Which of these statements best explains what this sentence does?A. It suggests Raha's wish to escape from England and return to Kenya.B. It suggests Raha's view of the countryside's beauty, like pieces of cloth in a quilt.C. It suggests that Raha can fly over the messy fields.D. It suggests that the scenery is all one color and, therefore, is dull.

4. In this story, the author's perspective or point of view affects the text byA. including Raha's opinions in the narrationB. criticizing English customs in the descriptionsC. showing how Thomas and his father thinkD. relating events through Raha's eyes only

5. In paragraph 22, the author creates a mood ofA. suspenseB. reliefC. disappointmentD. anger

6. Which sentence from the story best indicates that Raha lacks self-confidence?A. The teachers gave her dozens of math problems to solve, essays to write, and books to read.B. But all the other runners wore shoes, and Raha didn't want to be different.C. "I named you Raha, which means happiness," Baba said. "Remember that."D. She pulled off her shoes and ran, barefoot and fast, as she used to run at home.

7. Readers would more completely comprehend this selection if their purpose for reading were toA. find out about being true to yourself in a foreign landB. understand your own personal growthC. solve problems that come from running barefootD. enjoy cross-country running as a sport

A Friend Forever1 As Elisha sat in the subway car watching people board, one older man caught her attention as he gingerly stepped onto the train carrying a satchel in one hand and a large volume tucked under his other arm. He found a seat directly across the aisle from Elisha and her mother. He immediately opened the book and began paging through it quickly, hunting for something he knew was there but couldnt find. In a moment, he began reading attentively, his lips moving slightly as he read. Just then, he glanced up, and noticing Elisha watching he smiled at her. 2 Its a butterfly, he said in explanation. I love butterflies and I saw one this morning that Ive never seen around here before; I had to find out what it was. Come look. 3 Elisha crossed the aisle and looked into the book the man was holding. This butterfly is a Hessels hairstreak, he said, pointing to a picture of a vivid green and brown butterfly. Its extremely rare in New York. I dont know how it came to be in the city, but I saw it this morning in Central Park and Im going back to see if I can locate it again, now that I know what it is. 4 Were going there ourselves, Elisha said. We go there every Wednesday afternoon in the summer. 5 Perhaps youd like to accompany me, the man said and smiled across the aisle at Elishas mother. Im George Paxton, by the way, and I go there almost every day to look for butterflies and to enjoy being outdoors. 6 Can we, Mom? Elisha asked eagerly. 7 All the while, Elishas mom was watching the gentleman closely, assessing him, trying to determine his motives. She decided he was okay, a kindly man, probably lonely, who was absorbed in his hobby and excited for the opportunity to share it with them. She smiled and nodded, and when the train reached their stop, the three walked to the park together, Mr. Paxton guiding them to just the spot where hed seen the butterfly earlier. 8 They didnt find the Hessels hairstreak, but they did see many other butterflies, which Mr. Paxton identified for Elisha. In the weeks ahead, they met often to search for butterflies, sometimes catching them in a silky net so they could examine them closely, Mr. Paxton holding them delicately so as not to damage their fragile wings. Elisha soon became an avid butterfly collector herself, enthusiastically collecting sightings, listing the names of each species she saw in a small book. 9 One Wednesday, Elisha and her mom went to the park to meet Mr. Paxton, but he never showed up. They never saw him again, though they continued going to the park to look for him. Elisha was heartbroken at the loss of her new friend, and she never forgot him. Each time she saw a butterfly, she remembered the kindly guide and friend he had been. 8. The first paragraph in this story is important becauseA. it shows how kindly Mr. Paxton is.B. it explains why Mr. Paxton is going to the park.C. it introduces the characters and the setting.D. it suggests that Elisha and Mr. Paxton will become good friends.

9. Why does Mr. Paxton invite Elisha and her mom to go to the park with him to look for butterflies?A. Mr. Paxton forgot the way to the park and needs help.B. Mr. Paxton is bored and has nothing better to do with his time.C. Mr. Paxton wants to play a prank on Elisha and her mom.D. Mr. Paxton wants to share a hobby he enjoys with other people.

10. Elisha's mom decides that Mr. Paxton is a kind person. Which detail from the story reinforces her judgment?A. "'Perhaps you'd like to accompany me,' the man said and smiled across the aisle at Elisha's mother.'"B. "When the train reached their stop, the three walked to the park together, Mr. Paxton guiding them to just the spot where he'd seen the butterfly earlier."C. "They didn't find the Hessel's hairstreak, but they did see many other butterflies, which Mr. Paxton identified for Elisha."D. "In the weeks ahead, they met often to search for butterflies, sometimes catching them in a silky net so they could examine them closely, Mr. Paxton holding them delicately so as not to damage their fragile wings.

11. At the end of the story, Mr. Paxton fails to show up to meet his friends and they never see him again. You can infer that Mr. PaxtonA. had become annoyed with Elisha and her mother.B. became sick and may have died.C. found new friends who knew more about butterflies.D. found a better place to look for butterflies.

12. Which detail would NOT need to be included in a summary of this story?A. Sightings are when you see a particular type of butterfly. B. Elisha, her mom, and Mr. Paxton meet on a subway car.C. Mr. Paxton invites Elisha and her mom to go to the park to look at butterflies.D. Each time Elisha looked at a butterfly, she thought of Mr. Paxton.

13. Read this sentence from the story.

This butterfly is a Hessels hairstreak, he said, pointing to a picture of a vivid green and brown butterfly.

What is the meaning of vivid in this sentence?

A. NecessaryB. Intensely brightC. Full of lifeD. Extremely angry

14. What can readers conclude about the hobby of butterfly collecting?

A. Butterfly collecting takes months or years of practice and study.B. Butterfly collecting can only be pursued in a city.C. Butterfly collecting is boring.D. Butterfly collecting is too hard for the very young.

You have read the passage from Rafiki Means Friend and A Friend Forever. Both texts develop the theme of friendship. Write an essay that compares and contrasts the approaches each text uses to develop the topic of friendship.