Introduction
Click here for useful vocabulary
| Vocabulary | Definition |
|---|---|
| Frigid | very cold. |
| Overcast | covered with clouds; cloudy. |
| Crumbling | falling apart; breaking into small pieces. |
| Peek | to look quickly and slyly, especially through a small opening or from a hidden place. |
| Alley | a narrow passageway between or behind buildings. |
| Frozen | turned into ice; hardened by cold. |
| Desolate | deserted; empty; barren. |
| Precise | exact; accurate; specific. |
| Claws | sharp, curved nails on an animal’s foot. |
| Crouching | bending down low with the legs bent and close to the body. |
| Bury | to put something in the ground and cover it with earth. |
| Propelled | driven forward or onward. |
| Sparkled | shone brightly with flashes of light. |
| Crisp | pleasantly firm and fresh. |
| Glanced | to take a quick look. |
| Propelled | driven forward or onward. |
| Sparkled | shone brightly with flashes of light. |
| Glanced | to take a quick look. |
| Whispered | spoke very softly or quietly. |
| Willow | a type of tree with long, slender branches and narrow leaves. |
| Afterthought | a thought occurring later, especially after the main or more important thought. |
| Twin | two similar or identical things considered as a unit. |
| Kite | a toy consisting of a light frame with thin material stretched over it, flown in the wind at the end of a long string. |
| Harelipped | having a cleft or split in the upper lip, often congenital. |
| Park bench | a long seat for several people, typically made of wood or metal, placed in a public park or garden. |
| Thought | past tense of think. |
| Along | in a line or direction; on or beside a path or line. |
| Changed | made or became different. |
Conversation Prompts
- Reflecting on the narrator’s transformation in the text, discuss a significant event in your own life that shaped who you are today.
- Consider the theme of redemption highlighted by Rahim Khan’s statement, “There is a way to be good again.” Do you believe everyone deserves a chance for redemption? Why or why not?
- Explore the symbolism of the kites in the story. What do you think they represent, and why do they trigger memories for the narrator?
- Discuss the concept of loyalty and sacrifice portrayed in the phrase, “For you, a thousand times over.” Can you think of a time when you made a similar commitment to someone?
- Reflect on the idea that the past “claws its way out.” Do you agree with this statement? Why do you think some memories persist despite attempts to forget or bury them?
- Imagine yourself in the narrator’s position receiving the phone call from Rahim Khan. How would you react, and what emotions would you experience?
- Consider the setting of Golden Gate Park and its significance in the text. How does the park’s environment contribute to the narrator’s introspection and contemplation?
- Discuss the importance of forgiveness and reconciliation in the story. Do you think the narrator will seek forgiveness for past wrongs? Why or why not?
- Explore the impact of cultural background and upbringing on the narrator’s identity and choices. How do you think cultural factors influence individuals in shaping their lives?
- Reflect on the role of memory and nostalgia in the text. How do memories, both positive and negative, influence our perceptions of ourselves and our past experiences?
El Pato de Goma 