The Hero of Haarlem
by Mary Mapes Dodge
Look closely at the two pictures, and spot four differences and circle them.
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MAKING CONNECTIONS
Quick answers
1. Fill in the story map given below.
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2. Fill in the blanks:
a) Dykes were built so that the sea water could not enter into and wash away the city of Haarlem.
b) Hans' mother sent cake and bread to Mr Jansen because he was an elderly man whose eyesight was failing and he had no family to care for him.
c) Hans enjoyed Mr Jansen's company because Mr Jansen enjoyed telling him stories about how things were long ago and they talked and talked for hours.
d) As he walked home, Hans was very cold and wet. This is why he was thinking about a warm dinner and a cosy bed.
Reference to context:
3. ''While the wind turn the windmills, and the rain water the tulips, the strained and swollen dykes kept filling.''
a) Apart from the dykes which two other things mentioned in this lines tell us where the story is set?
= The two things mentioned in these lines are - windmills and the tulips.
b) What does the author mean by saying the the dykes were 'swollen'?
= The author means to say that the water level of the sea was increased due to the rain and the condition of the dykes were getting worse.
c) What did Hans wonder when he saw the dykes?
= Hans wondered that who would take care of the dykes if something goes wrong while his father was away.
4. ''My lad', said Mr. Jansen, 'first I'll take you home and then I'll tell everyone of the boy who saved the town!''
a) Where was Mr Jansen when he said these lines?
= Mr Jansen was near the dykes which had got a hole and had been repaired by Hans' effort.
b) Who did Mr Jansen call 'my lad'? Why did he want to get him home?
= Mr. Jansen called Hans as 'my lad'. He wanted him to get him home as he had been sitting at the dykes since long in the rain. So, after the dyke had been repaired, Mr Jansen wanted to take Hans to his own home and tell everyone about how bravely he had saved the town.
c) What do you think Mr Jansen had told the people of Haarlem?
= I think Mr Jansen had told the people of Harlem the whole story of Hans saved their town. He would have praised him a lot to them.
Read reflect write:
5. List the words and phrases from the story that describe the weather.
= The words and phrases from the story that describe the weather are - 'spring rain'; 'heavier than usual'; 'pouring down hard'; 'windmills'; 'tulips'; 'strained and swollen dykes'; 'pelted'; 'piercing cold'; 'stung'; etc.
6. Why do you think Mr Jansen was always very happy when Hans came to visit?
= Mr Jansen was an elderly man. His eyesight was failing. He had no family to care for him. He became happy when Hans came because he could talk to him and share his feelings. Hans used to bring some food for him every time. This made Mr Jansen more happy and contented.
7. Do you think 'The Hero of Haarlem' a good title for this story? Give reason to support your answer. Suggest and other suitable title for the story.
= Yes, this is a good title for the story. Hans is truly a hero of Haarlem as he saved his town from that great danger. If he did not see the hole and take steps to repair it, his town could have been washed away by the sea water. Not only that, he was sitting all alone in that rainy night like a brave hero until Mr. Jansen came there. He forgot about his dinner and comfort only to save the town of Haarlem.
Another suitable title may be 'A Brave Boy of Haarlem'.
8. List two qualities of Hans that you admire. How do Hans' actions in the story show us that he has these qualities?
= The two qualities of Hans that I admire are - his obedience and his bravery.
He was very obedient boy. He agreed to go to Mr Jansen's house in the rainy and windy weather. He also promised to return home before 6 o'clock.
He was very brave also. He did not ignored the hole on the dike. He sat in the bad weather plugging his fist into the hole all alone until it was repaired.
About the Author :
Mary Mapes Dodge (1831-1905) was the author of many stories for children. Her best known novel is Hans Brinker; or, the Silver Skates: A Story of Life in Holland from which this excerpt has been taken.