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Reading & Understanding
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High Yield·10/13 papers · 5 years
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Story Summary

Kezia, a little girl, is terrified of her strict, commanding father. She stammers in his presence and tries to avoid him. When she tears up his important speech papers to make a birthday gift, he punishes her. She wishes she had a kind father like the neighbour. But one night, when she has a nightmare, her father comforts her -- and she finally understands that he is not cruel, just different in showing love.

Key Points

  • 1
    Kezia is a small girl who fears her strict father
  • 2
    She stutters and gets nervous around him
  • 3
    She accidentally destroys his important papers while making a gift
  • 4
    She compares her father unfavourably with the kind neighbour
  • 5
    Key moment: Father comforts her after a nightmare -- she sees his love
  • 6
    Theme: People express love differently; understanding takes time

Pro Tip

This story is about perception -- how children see adults differently from how adults truly are.

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