i - CA.indd - Teacher

The bar of iron was brought. The boy took it in his arms and proppedit in the ground. Again he struggled to rise but the bar twisted andbent in half, and still Sundiata did not rise.“In my shop you will find a rod of iron which three men cannotlift with ease. Go fetch it,” ordered the smith. Soon, struggling menreturned with the heavy bar and rolled it to the foot of the boy.Effortlessly, Sundiata propped it up and struggled to rise. And therod twisted and bent in half, and still Sundiata did not rise.What is the significance of Sundiata bending the iron rod?“What sorcery is this?” muttered Sumanguru to himself. Everybodywas silent. Nobody dared to move. Sweat poured out of Sundiata in aflood, and still he lay in the dust, his useless legs stretched out before him.“I know,” shouted Kekotonki. “Bring him the scepter of the kings.”The thin reed, symbol of Niani’s power, was brought to the child.The scepter weighed no more than a hollow gourd [a vine like apumpkin or squash], yet Sundiata grasped it in his hands and rosefrom his prison of earth.Now, on shaking limbs, Sundiata smiled up at Sumanguru theAccursed and said: “I am glad you grieve the loss of my brothers, whowere dear to me also. Yet more will you sorrow in time to come.”Sumanguru backed away, then laughed. “We will meet again later. . . .There are other regions for me to conquer.”Sumanguru left the city of Niani and returned to his castle, shaken.1. READING: Characterization Based on thecharacterization of Sundiata in this story, what kind ofleader do you think Sundiata will be?2. WRITING: Response to Literature This is anoral tradition that combines fact and fantasy. Write aparagraph about which parts of this story you think arefact and which parts are fiction. Explain why.Writing 2.2Write responses to literature.West Africa • 173