Chapter 4: Analyzing Literature
By     Chapter 4: Analyzing Literature

The Survivor

Characters:

PHIL, an average twelve-year-old boy
CHARLIE, Phil’s friend and neighbor who has multiple bandages on his arms, legs, and face


(Setting: PHIL’s front porch on a summer evening.)
PHIL: (standing on his porch, watching CHARLIE approach from the sidewalk) What happened to you?
CHARLIE: Yesterday, when I was pedaling my bike through the park, I found myself on a direct collision course with a thirsty group of holometabolous creatures. I tell you, it was one of the most harrowing experiences of my life!
PHIL: It sounds horrible! (He pulls over a chair and gestures for CHARLIE to sit in it.) Let me run inside and grab us some snacks and drinks, and you can tell me all about it. (PHIL goes into the house and returns with a tray of lemonade and chocolate chip cookies. He places the tray on a small table between the chairs and sits in the empty chair.)
PHIL: My mom baked these cookies today. I know chocolate chips are your favorites. Help yourself. Then, tell me about your accident.
CHARLIE: Well, I just had dinner, but I suppose one wouldn’t hurt. Plus, my energy has been running low since the incident…most likely from the blood loss. (He selects the largest cookie and shoves it in his mouth. When he finishes, he takes a few gulps of lemonade.) Where should I start?
PHIL: At the beginning, duh! Don’t leave out any of the good stuff either! Unless it’s too awful for you to discuss…
CHARLIE: No, it’s not. But, Phil, I must tell you: as bad as I look, you should see the other guys. I am the only survivor of our little altercation.
(PHIL gasps, and CHARLIE clears his throat.)
CHARLIE: Anyway, as I said previously, I was riding my bicycle through the park when it happened. It was just getting dark, so I was pedaling at top speed, because as you know my parents have a strict rule against my riding my bike at night.
(PHIL nods and moves in closer.)
CHARLIE: I was riding past old Pork Chop Pond when I thought I heard a familiar sound. I didn’t pause to ponder the noise because I really wanted to arrive home before my bike curfew. Our garage is a complete disaster zone, and I know my parents are hoping for an excuse to saddle me with the task of cleaning and organizing it. So there I am, pedaling past the pond. The noise is even louder now, and I was struggling to put my finger on the source when I get to the curve in the path. As you know, that’s the blind curve where the giant oak tree completely blocks what is on the other side. I slow down slightly and coast around the corner. And there, directly in my path, is the Diptera gang.
(CHARLIE exhales loudly and reaches for another cookie.)
PHIL: Then what happened?
CHARLIE: Then, they immediately surrounded my bike, and before I knew it I’m on the ground! I wasn’t about to let them get the better of me, so I sprang into action. The Diptera gang wasn’t carrying pathogens, but they certainly could have been, right?
PHIL: (confused but interested) I’ve never heard of the Diptera gang before this. What did you do to protect yourself?
CHARLIE: I pushed the bike off of me and started swatting the creatures, swinging my arms, and kicking my legs until every last member of that gang was a goner. Then I hopped back on my bike and pedaled home. That could have been the end of it, but when I went to bed last night, I started to itch all over. I scratched myself so much that I bled all over the sheets. This morning, I had to put bandages all over me to block my urge to scratch some more.
PHIL: All the bandages are to keep you from scratching? Wait a minute. What really happened to you, Charlie?
CHARLIE: (grabbing yet another cookie) Weren’t you listening to me? I just explained that I collided with a group of holometabolous creatures called Diptera. (PHIL looks skeptical, and CHARLIE motions for him to lean in as if to tell PHIL a secret.) Of course, you probably would call it… (PHIL leans in ever closer) …a swarm of mosquitoes.

4.

In what way is drama different from books and poetry? Select two correct answers.

A
B
C
D
E