ENGLISH 8

Quarter 3-Module 4-Analyzing Literature

ACTIVITY SHEET

DIRECTIONS: Read the literary piece from Thailand entitled “Makato and the Cowrie Shell. Answer
the questions that follow.

Makato and the Cowrie Shell – Thailand

(Retold and translated by Supannee Khanchanathiti)

Once upon a time there was a boy named Makato. He was At the time the people of Sukhotai used cowrie shells
an orphan, and had no friends or family to take care of him. as money, and although one little cowrie had little value, he
Because he had to make his own living he did all kinds of wanted to use it wisely. He went to the market to buy
odd jobs: chopping wood, feeding pigs, clearing and seeds, yet quickly realized he could not even buy the
cleaning. He didn't mind to work hard, and despite his smallest bag of seeds, while he noticed a lettuce seed stall.
small wages he was satisfied with his life.
"Lady, if I dip my finger into this pile of seeds, can I
He was only 4 years old when his mother passed take those that stick to my finger for one cowrie?", he
away, but he remembered some stories she had told about asked. "Well why not", replied the sales lady, amused by
the kind-hearted king of Sukhotai. Ever since he was small his suggestion. Makato carefully scraped the seeds from
he wanted to meet this king. Since Makato was a poor his finger and planted them, watering the tiny sprouts daily,
orphan, he cannot change the fact that he's longing for a until the garden was covered in fresh, green lettuce. Proud
family no matter how happy he is. He left his village and as he was, he offered to king his first produce.
set out into the wide world. He walked along cheerfully,
enjoying new insights and talking to the people he met on "Where did you get these, my boy?" the king asked
the way. After a month's journey, he reached a village on surprised, and Makato told him the story. The king was
the boundary of the Kingdom of Sukhotai. Fortunately he impressed by so much intelligence and industry that he
met an old woman who helped her. offered him a fixed position at the palace.

One day, when helping a friend to find food for elephants,
he found so many branches that the friend offered him a
job to become the assistant of the King's mahout. He
worked hard cleaning elephants sheds and finding food.
One fine morning Makato's patience and hard work got
rewarded: he was to accompany the King's elephant and a
parade. As the king mounted the beast, in his splendid,
shiny costume, he dropped a tiny cowrie shell. Makato
picked it up and held it out to the king. who told him to keep
it.
As the years passed Makato grew tall and
handsome. He mastered every grace and served the king
well. He was so loyal that the king trusted him absolutely.
He was promoted to higher and higher positions until he
was given the title of Khun Wang, which meant that he was
the most important person in the king’s court.
He was happily married to a beautiful young
daughter of the king. After that, the king made him the ruler
of Mon. So, Makato, who had once been a poor orphan,
became the king of a prosperous kingdom.

http://folkloreformanagers.blogspot.com//2010/08/makato-and-
cowrie-shell-thailand.html
1. What country’s folktale is “Makato and the
Cowrie Shell”?

A. Malaysia
B. Thailand 3. What do cowrie shells signify in today’s world?
C. Singapore A. seeds
D. Philippines B. token
What was Makato's dream in the first part of the C. money
story? D. coupon
A. To be rich 4. The following are the character traits of Makato
B. To see the King that made him successful EXCEPT
C. To be successful a. loyal
D. To go on an adventure b. hardworking
c. adventurous
d. hot tempered

For items 5-10 Match Column A (Some events in Makato and the Cowrie Shells) with Column B (Parts of plot).
Write the letter of the correct answer.

A. B.

5. He left his village and set out into the wide world.He walked along
cheerfully,enjoying new insights and talking to the people he met on the way.After A. THEME
a month's journey,he reached a village on the boundary of the Kingdom of B. CLIMAX
Sukhotai.Fortunately he met an old woman who helped her. C. SETTING
D. CONFLICT
6. Once upon a time there was a boy named Makato. He was an orphan, and had E. CHARACTER
no friends or family to take care of him. Because he had to make his own living he F. RISING ACTION
did all kinds of odd jobs: chopping wood, feeding pigs, clearing and cleaning. G. INTRODUCTION

7. Since Makato was a poor orphan, he cannot change the fact that he's longing
for a family no matter how happy he is. He left his village and set out into the wide
world.

8. Once upon a time there was a boy whose name was Makato.

9. The cowrie shell fell from the King. Makato picked up the cowrie shell and gave
it back to the King but the King said to him that he may keep it. He used the
cowrie shell to buy lettuce seeds. When he harvested the lettuce, he gave some of
them to the King and the King was pleased to him.

10. So, Makato, who had once been a poor orphan, became the king of a
prosperous kingdom. because of his good character traits.
KEY ANSWER:

1. B
2. A
3. C
4. D
5. F - Rising Action
6. G - Introduction
7. D - Conflict
8. C - Setting
9. B - Climax
10. A- Theme