Writing- PBW
Read the following drama about curiosity. Then answer the question that follows.
We will continue Passage Based Writing on a weekly basis.
This week we will focus on The Crane Wife. It is uploaded below.
Complete a graphic organizer like the ones we did in class. Make sure to include 3 claims, quotes, explanation, and analysis/reasoning. If you are unsure please let me know.
Write essay: revise edit and then publish into google docs and share with me via email- sobhn@dearbornschools.org. You do not need to send me your annotations or graphic organizer for now but please save all your work. I only need a typed copy of the final PBW.
Due date- Friday, March 20th by 3:00 p.m.
Characters
Narrator
Man Fisherman
Woman
Emperor
Crane
The Crane Wife
adapted from a Japanese tale by Kathleen Hollenbeck
Narrator: There once lived a man who earned his living making charcoal for people to burn in their stoves. He worked hard, but he earned little money and was poor.
Man: I have labored my entire life and saved what little I could all these years. Finally, I have enough money to buy a sleeping mattress. No longer will I sleep on the bare floor!
Narrator: The next day, the man set out for the market. He walked down the long, dusty road toward town.
(He comes upon a fisherman who has trapped a crane in his fishing net.)
Fisherman: Ha! Ha! Ha! Look at that gawky crane, struggling to free herself from my sturdy net! She’ll never break loose! Ha! Ha! Ha!
Man: Young man! Let that bird free!
Fisherman: (laughing) It’s just a bird. What do you care?
Man: That bird has done nothing to you. (He reaches into his pocket.) Look; here is the money I have saved to buy myself a mattress. I will give you this money in exchange for the crane’s freedom. Take my money and release her.
(The fisherman takes the money and sets the crane free. The crane immediately soars to the sky and flies away.)
Man: (to himself as he walks back home) All my savings are gone. I have worked hard, and yet I have nothing to show for it. (He smiles.) The crane is free, though! What a beautiful, glorious bird!
Narrator: That night, the man heard a knock at his door. When he opened the door, there stood a stunning young woman.
Man: May I help you?
1
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS
Woman: I wish to be your wife.
Man: Why would you want to marry me?
Woman: I have seen that you are kind and gentle. I know you have worked hard, and it’s time someone cared for you. I want to do that.
Man: I would be honored to call you my wife.
Narrator: For years, the man and his wife lived in happiness together. She became a loving wife and cared for him. He wished only that he had more money so he could buy her beautiful clothes and provide a more comfortable home.
Man: (sitting by the fireplace) I wish I had more money to provide for you.
Woman: Perhaps I can help you, my dear husband. I must go into that little room and close the
door. I will be in there for hours, and you must promise me not to open the door.
Man: Whatever you wish, I will do.
Narrator: Hours passed, and his wife finally came out of the room. In her arms she carried the finest white fabric ever made.
Woman: Take this fine cloth to the Emperor. He will pay you handsomely for it.
Narrator: The man met with the Emperor the next day.
Emperor: (He admires the cloth.) This is the most beautiful cloth I’ve ever seen! Here, take this money in exchange. (He pays the man.)
Narrator: Several years pass.
Man: (sitting by the fire again) With the money we got for the cloth, we built a fine home, enjoyed plenty of food and bought nice clothes. But now the money has run out, and I have no way to replace it.
Woman: Once again, I will go into that little room and close the door. I will be in there for several hours, but remember . . . you must promise me not to open the door.
Narrator: Again, hours passed and the wife came out with fine cloth. Again, the man took it to the Emperor and came home with a sack full of coins. The man and his wife lived on this money for quite some time. Eventually, the money again ran out, and the man felt despair.
Woman: If it will please you, I will make some more cloth.
(She goes into the little room and closes the door.)
Man: I am curious to know how my wife makes that beautiful cloth. What can she possibly use to spin such exquisite fabric? Surely one little peek will not hurt.
Narrator: The man cracked open the door, and to his surprise, there stood the beautiful white crane he had saved so long ago.
Crane: (sadly) Yes, it is I, the crane you once saved. I became your wife that night to thank you for saving my life. Now that you have discovered my secret, I can no longer stay here.
(She flies out an open window. The man rushes outside, calling after her.)
2
Passage-based Writing Prompt Student Responses
In the drama, the Fisherman and the Emperor are minor characters.Write an essay analyzing how the Fisherman and the Emperor are important to the development of a theme of the drama. Use evidence from the drama to support your response.
You may reference the passage as often as you need.
Remember, a well-written essay:
• shows understanding of the text
• uses details from the text for support
• is organized with an introduction and conclusion
• uses transitions and clear language
• follows rules of spelling, punctuation, and grammar
