64
Toshpo‘lat
Textbook: Part 4, pp. 26–28
GoalUnderstand that strength must be used for good; identify the narrator of a text.
New words
strength · kuchstrongman · pahlavonboulder · xarsangrespect · hurmat
Explanation
Strength is not only muscles but also using one’s strength for good. The textbook has the poem “Toshpo‘lat” by Abdurahmon Akbar about a boy who considered himself very strong; the poem is told by “we”. We do not retell the poem; we read our own text. When reading we ask: “Who is speaking?”: the hero, an outside narrator, or a group saying “we”.
Worked examples
“My brother’s strength”. My elder brother Bekzod goes to a wrestling club and has won many competitions. But he never shows off his strength. Yesterday our neighbour, aunt Nodira, came back from the market with heavy sacks. My brother at once carried the sacks into her house. Then, when the neighbourhood children’s ball got stuck in a tree, he got it down for them. I asked my brother: “Why don’t you tell anyone about your wins?” He said: “Strength is not for boasting, it is for helping.”
Narrator: “I” — Bekzod’s younger brother or sister (first person).
Class activity
“Strength test”: children name 5 ways to spend strength on good (carrying heavy things, protecting).
Practice
1
Which club does Bekzod go to?
A wrestling club
2
How did he help aunt Nodira?
He carried her heavy sacks into her house.
3
How did he help the children?
He got their ball down from the tree.
4
What did Bekzod say about strength?
Strength is not for boasting but for helping.
5
Who is the narrator of the story?
“I” — Bekzod’s younger brother or sister