Unit 1 focuses on the theme of learning, perseverance, and appreciating our senses through three distinct literary pieces: The Day the River Spoke, Try Again, and Three Days to See.
Jahnavi is a ten-year-old girl living in a coastal village in India. She dreams of going to school like her brothers, but is kept home to care for her younger siblings. One day, she hears the sleepy voice of the River, who encourages her to take charge of her destiny. Inspired, Jahnavi gathers courage to attend school, leading her teacher to visit her home and convince her parents to let her study.
The dialogue between Jahnavi and the River highlights the contrast between her curiosity about nature (why spiders are yellow, why bamboo trees rustle) and her social limitations. The River acts as a mentor, reminding her that girls can do as much as boys and urging her to take the first step.
Written by Eliza Cook, this narrative poem tells the story of King Bruce of Scotland. Defeated and in despair, he watches a spider repeatedly fail but persist in climbing to its web. On its tenth attempt, the spider succeeds. Inspired by this display of perseverance, King Bruce resolves to try again and ultimately triumphs.
Helen Keller, who lost her sight and hearing in infancy, shares her perspective on how she experiences the world through touch. She outlines what she would do if granted sight for just three days, urging those who can see to appreciate their senses fully.
Words like on, off, up, and down can function as both prepositions and adverbs.
Modal verbs are auxiliary verbs expressing necessity, possibility, permission, or ability.