Esperanza Rising

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A G U A S C A L I E N T E S , M E X I C O

1924

“Our land is alive, Esperanza,” said Papa, taking her small hand as they walked through the gentle slopes of the vineyard. Leafy green vines draped the arbors and the grapes were ready to drop. Esperanza was six years old and loved to walk with her papa through the winding rows, gazing up at him and watching his eyes dance with love for the land.

“This whole valley breathes and lives,” he said, sweeping his arm toward the distant mountains that guarded them. “It gives us the grapes and then they welcome us.” He gently touched a wild tendril that reached into the row, as if it had been waiting to shake his hand. He picked up a handful of earth and studied it. “Did you know that when you lie down on the land, you can feel it breathe? That you can feel its heart beating?”

“Papi, I want to feel it,” she said.

“Come.” They walked to the end of the row,

Clarified Text

Aguascalientes, Mexico

1924

Papa and Esperanza walked in the vineyard.

Papa held Esperanza’s hand.

Papa and Esperanza walked on the soft ground.

Green vines hung over the path.

Grapes hung over the vines.

Esperanza was six years old.

Esperanza liked to walk with Papa.

Esperanza looked up at Papa.

Papa’s eyes showed love for the land.

Charlotte’s Web

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Chapter 1: Before Breakfast

WHERE’S Papa going with that axe? said Fern to her mother as they were setting the table for breakfast. Out to the hoghouse,’ replied Mrs Arable. Some pigs were born last night. I don’t see why he needs an axe,’ continued Fern, who was only eight. Well,’ said her mother, one of the pigs is a runt. It’s very small and weak, and it will never amount to anything. So your father has decided to do away with it. Do away with it? shrieked Fern. You mean kill it? Just because it’s smaller than the others? Mrs Arable put a pitcher of cream on the table. Don’t yell, Fern! she said. Your father is right. The pig would probably die anyway. Fern pushed a chair out of the way and ran outdoors. The grass was wet and the earth smelled of springtime. Fern’s sneakers were sopping by the time she caught up with her father.

Clarified Text

Chapter 1: Before Breakfast

Fern lived with her parents.

Fern was 8 years old.

Fern had a brother.

They were the Arable Family.

Fern’s father was Mr. Arable.

Fern’s mother was Mrs. Arable.

Fern’s brother was Avery.

One day, Fern sat in the kitchen.

Fern saw her father outside.

Her father had an ax.

Fern asked, “Why does Papa have an ax?”

Mrs. Arable said that some pigs were born.

One pig was a runt.

A runt is small.

A runt is weak.

A runt is hard to care for.

Mr. Arable had to get rid of the runt.

Mr. Arable had to kill the runt.

The runt would die anyway.