F2 Short Story

Name:_________________ FORM :_________________

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SYNOPSIS
The story started with Mr. Velos, the headmaster of a school, talking about
the top two entries of a short story competition. The two entries were Geoffs and Lynnes.
Lynnes story was a moving and exciting story about a sheepdog that was lost in a flood.
Whereas, Geoffs story was a comedy about a circus elephant running loose in Albert Park.
In the end, the judges decided that writing a comedy was harder than writing a drama so
Geoff won the competition. Lynne was very disappointed but she and Geoff were good
friends. Lynne decided to forget about the competition and concentrate on making the school
basketball team.

One day, however, Lynne read a story by William Bradburie about an

elephant which had escaped in a park, causing much confusion. Lynne was furious because
she thought that Geoff had cheated and had copied Bradburies story. She realised that if Mr
Velos found out the truth, he would take the medal away from Geoff and Geoff might even
have to leave school. Lynne wanted to tell Mr Velos the truth. But every time she came up
with to tell Mr Velos was a terrible idea. In the end, Lynne decided that Geoff had won and
there was nothing that she could do about it.

The next day, the form teacher, Mr Matheson, was talking about careers. Mr
Matheson assumed that Geoff would be interested in a career to do with writing. However,
Geoff stated that he wanted to be a lawyer as there was more money in law. Outside the
classroom, Marge mentioned that television was more exciting as many authors appeared on
television. At that moment, Lynne blurted out the name Bradburie. After that, Geoff did not
seem to be interested in the conversation. Later, Lynne realised that all the Bradburie books
had been taken from the school library.

Soon, Mr Velos sent for Lynne. He explained to Lynne that Geoff had told
him that he had read a Bradburie story about an elephant escaping in a park and had
forgotten about it. Geoff felt that he may have taken the idea from that story and wanted to
be disqualified. Lynne was appalled and disagreed. Mr Velos also disagreed and mentioned
that the two stories were not similar and Geoff had not cheated. However, he felt that since
Lynnes story was original, she should be the winner and Geoff should be second. But Lynne
objected. Everything changed after that.

When they left the room, Geoff apologised to Lynne. She told him that she
didnt want to win like that. Geoff said he realised that but there was nothing else he could
do. Sadly, Lynne leaned against a locker and tried to remember in which book she had read
about a sheepdog in a flood and whether she too may have got the idea from somewhere.
 2

PLOT
EXPOSITION
Lynne is upset after hearing the result of the short story competition.
Geoff wins the medal which she covets. Lynne feels that she rightly
deserves to win because of the effort and pain she put into crafting a
touching tale of a sheepdog in a flood.

RISING ACTION
Lynne thinks that Geoff had stolen the idea for his story from a short
story by a famous author, William Bradburie. In her mind, Geoff has
cheated and therefore should be disqualified and stripped of the
Holmes-Watkins Medal She struggles to decide whether she should
tell Mr Velos.

CLIMAX
Lynnes classmates gather around Geoff after class one day. They are
having a discussion about a career in writing versus a career in law.
Lynne explodes and hints to Geoff that she knows he has cheated.

FALLING ACTION
Lynne is summoned into the principals office. Mr Velos tells her that
Geoff wants to be disqualifies for cheating although his story is
original. Mr Velos reverses the positions and Lynne wins the Holmes-
Watkins Medal.

RESOLUTION
Despite the decision, Lynne is bitter and unhappy. She mentally asks
herself if she, too, had stolen the idea of a sheepdog in a flood from
another source.
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CHARACTER
_______________________________________________

~ She was a very hardworking person. She put a lot of time and effort
into
writing her short story.
~ Lynne was a gracious person. Although she lost the competition, she
congratulated GeoffHowever,
friends with Geoff. and did not resent
when shehim for wining.
suspected She
him of remained
cheating, she felt that was unfair.
good
~ Lynne had a strong sense of fair play and thought that it was unfair of Geoff to win if he
had
cheated. However, she was a good friend and a kind person. She didnt want to get Geoff
into
trouble so she decided not to say anything to Mr Velos.
~ Lynne was self-aware and always questioned herself as she tried to be as honest as she
could to
herself. In the end, she wondered where she had read a story about a sheepdog in a flood
and
_______________________________________________
whether she too may have copied the idea for her story without realising it.
~ He was a very humorous and friendly person. Geoff joked a lot and had
many friends. When he won, he tried to make things better with Lynne
by
telling her a joke. He succeeded and they remained friends.
~ want
Geofftowas
getvery
into practical. When
writing line. He it came toto
preferred choosing a career,
be a lawyer he he
so that didnt
could earn more money.
~ Geoff had a lot of integrity. As soon as he realised that he had taken the idea for his story
from
another story that he had read, he went to Mr Velos and asked to be disqualified.
~ He was intuitive and realised that Lynne didnt want to win that way.
_______________________________________________
~ He was a headmaster and one of the judges for the short story
competition.
~ He tried to be fair and had a good reason for choosing Geoffs story over
Lynnes.
~ benefit
He was of
anthe doubt. He didnt
understanding man.blame Geoff
He was and to
willing realised that give
listen and Geoff had not deliberately
Geoff
cheated.
the
 4
~SYNOPSIS~
CHAPTER 1 : THE COMPETITION

The headmaster droned on and on while Lynne wished that he would stop
talking so that they could go home. Mr. Velos commented that they had difficulty in
separating the two top entries in the short story competition. He said that two people had
written good quality short stories for the medal. They were Geoff Bolder and Lynne
Webbings.

Mr. Velos explained that Lynnes story about a sheepdog in a flood was
exciting and moving. Perhaps it was a tie, Lynne thought. She thought of all the time she
had spent on that story. She had worked on the plot and characterisation, such as how
you make a character from a one-eyed, stupid red kelpie.. She had also worked on the
atmosphere and the tension. She had written, rewritten and had even torn up the story
and started writing all over again. She had gone through so much pain in pulling it all
together.

Then Mr. Velos continued that they had found Geoffs story of a circus
elephant running free in Alber Park was very funny. He felt that comedy was generally
harder to write than a drama and congratulated Geoff on winning the Holmes-Watkins
Medal.

Determinedly, Lynne put aside her short story and got over her
disappointment. Eventually, she could even meet Geoff without feeling any pain. Geoff
told her that he had found out how Mr. Velos had picked the winner. Geoff said that Mr.
Velos had climbed up on top of his lovely special mahogany desk. He had held each
story in one hand and then dropped them both. The one that hit the floor first was the
winner. Geoff commented that Lynne should use heavier paper the next time.

After that Lynne was her normal self. She abandoned her story in a drawer and
concentrated on getting onto the school basketball team.
 5
~SYNOPSIS~
CHAPTER 2 : THE DILEMMA

One day, Lynne read a book of short stories by William Bradburie about an
elephant which has escaped in a park and caused hopeless confusion. As Lynne read it,
she became angry. He is a cheat, Lynne said slowly. He did not actually write the story.
Lynne realised that if Mr. Velos found out the truth, he would take the medal from Geoff
and Geoff might have to leave school. He deserved it!
Lynne pictured herself telling Mr. Velos. She would explain how Geoff
cheated so that she would get the medal instead. But that would be an awful thing to do.
She wanted to get Marge to do it but was worried that Marge would not really like her
after that. She also didnt want to write an anonymous letter. Eventually Lynne decided
there was nothing she could do about it.
The next day, the form master, Mr. Matheson, asked the class what jobs they
were thinking about. Marge wanted to be a Grand Prix driver but her mother would not
allow her so she had settled for being a surgeon. When Mr. Matheson asked Geoff which
type of writing he was interested in, Geoff said that he wasnt interested in writing. He
was going to be a barrister as there was more money in law.
Outside, Lynne joined a group which was having a discussion. When she
realised that they group had formed around Geoff, she wanted to shuffle away, but she
could not do so without appearing to be jealous of Geoff. Marge was scolding Geoff for
being so devoted to money.
Geoff wanted to know what was wrong with money. Marge said that it was
dull and e should think of all the excitement he was missing. Geoff could get on
television like Roald Dahl and Paul Jennings. Suddenly, Lynne angrily shouted out the
name, Bradburie. Geoff looked at her and frowned. Marge wanted to know who
Bradburie was and Lynne replied that Geoff read his stories.
Geoff smiled but for a moment his eyes quivered. The bantering conversation
continued but Geoff seemed to be less and less interested in the conversation.
 6
~SYNOPSIS~
CHAPTER 3 : THE DECISION

When Lynne went to the school library, she found that all the Bradburie books
had been taken. Then, Mr. Velos sent for her. Mr. Velos explained that Geoff had read a
book by William Bradburie, three years ago, but had forgotten all about it. In the book
was a story about an elephant escaping in a park. Although the stories werent the same,
Geoff felt that he should be disqualified.

Lynne was appalled and disagreed. Mr. Velos too felt that Geoff had not
cheated. They had decided not to disqualify Geoff but to reverse the positions of the two
entries. Since Lynnes story was entirely original, it was considered a little better than
Geoffs.

Later,, Geoff apologised to Lynne who felt upset and dejected as she did not
want to win this way. She also began to wonder in which book she had read a story about
a sheepdog in a flood.
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THEMES
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

MORAL VALUES
MORAL VALUE EVIDENCE
Geoff is a example of truth and integrity. He immediately
confesses to Mr Velos that he has read Bradburies story which
also had the idea of a circus elephant running loose. Geoff feels
that he might have accidentally copied the idea and put that into
his own short story.
Lynne very diligently wrote and rewrote her short story until it
was good enough to earn second place in the competition. Even
though it was really difficult for her, she did not give up.
Both Lynne and Geoff were friends and classmates. They felt that
friendship was more important than the award or prize. In the
end, their friendship was tested through this situation and they
both showed that they were good friends. This made their
friendship stronger.
 8
5 notes in 1
Moral Message Theme Character Evidence
Value
Honesty We must be Honesty - Geoff is a Geoff is a example of truth
a honest honest boy and integrity. He immediately
person in confesses to Mr Velos that he
doing has read Bradburies story
something. which also had the idea of a
circus elephant running loose.
Geoff feels that he might have
accidentally copied the idea
and put that into his own short
story.

Diligence We must do Diligence - Lynne is a Lynne very diligently wrote

everything diligent girl and rewrote her short story
diligently until it was good enough to
earn second place in the
competition. Even though it
was really difficult for her, she
did not give up.
Friendship We must Friendship - Lynne Both Lynne and Geoff were
appreciate appreciate friends and classmates. They
our her felt that friendship was more
friendship friendship important than the award or
with Geoff prize. In the end, their
friendship was tested through
this situation and they both
showed that they were good
friends. This made their
friendship stronger.

Kindness We must be Kindness - Lynne was Lynne was a good friend and a
kind a kind- kind person. She didnt want
towards hearted girl to get Geoff into trouble so she
other decided not to say anything to
people Mr. Velos after she found that
Geoffs story was not
completely original.
 9

EXERCISE 1

Then Mr. Velos continued that they had found Geoffs story of a circus elephant running
free in Albert Park very funny. He felt that comedy was generally harder to write than
drama and congratulated Geoff on winning the Holmes-Watkins Medal.
Determinedly, Lynne put aside her short story and got over her disappointment.
Eventually, she could even meet Geoff without feeling any pain. Geoff told her that he
had found out how Mr. Velos had picked the winner. Geoff said that Mr. Velos had
climbed up on top of his lovely special mahogany desk. He had held each story in one
hand and then dropped them both. The one that hit the floor first was the winner. Geoff
commented that Lynne should use heavier paper the next time.
After that Lynne was her normal self. She abandoned her story in a drawer and
concentrated on getting onto the school basketball team.

1. Whose story was a comedy?

______________________________________________________________________
2. Who was Mr. Velos?
______________________________________________________________________
3. How did Lynne feel when the winner was announced?
______________________________________________________________________
4. Geoff told Lynne how Mr. Velos had picked the winner to
______________________________________________________________________
5. A comedy is
______________________________________________________________________
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EXERCISE 2

Lynne pictured herself telling Mr. Velos. She would explain how Geoff cheated so that
she would get the medal instead. But that would be an awful thing to do. She wanted to
get Marge to do it but she was worried that Marge would not really like her after that. She
also didnt want to write an anonymous letter. Eventually Lynne decided there was
nothing she could do about it.
The next day, the form master, Mr. Matheson, asked the class what jobs they were
thinking about. Marge wanted to be a Grand Prix driver but her mother would not allow
her so she had settled for being a surgeon. When Mr. Matheson asked Geoff, which type
of writing he was interested in, Geoff said that he wasnt interested in writing. He was
going to be a barrister as there was more money in law.

1. Lynne pictured herself telling Mr. Velos

What were the three ways he thought of to tell Mr. Velos?
i. _____________________________________________________________
ii. _____________________________________________________________
iii. _____________________________________________________________
2. What did Lynne want to tell Mr. Velos?
______________________________________________________________________
3. Why did Lynne decided against telling Mr. Velos in the end?
______________________________________________________________________
4. You would be worse that he is. Explain this.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
5. What is an anonymous letter?
______________________________________________________________________
6. What was the topic discussed in class the following day?
______________________________________________________________________
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EXERCISE 3

Lynne was appalled and disagreed Mr. Velos too felt that Geoff had not cheated.
They had decided not to disqualify Geoff but to reverse the positions of the two
entries. Since Lynnes story was entirely original, it was considered a little better
than Geoffs.
Later, Geoff apologised to Lynne who felt upset and dejected as she did not want
to win this way. She also began to wonder in which book she had read a story about
a sheepdog in a flood.

1. What was Lynne appalled?

______________________________________________________________________
2. What did she disagree with?
______________________________________________________________________
3. Why was Lynnes story considered better than Geoffs?
______________________________________________________________________
4. What was the final decision?
______________________________________________________________________
5. Lynne was not happy in the end because
______________________________________________________________________
6. Do you think Lynnes story was completely original?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
7. What can we tell about Lynne here?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
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Practice 1
Based on the short story Cheat, write about a character you admire.
Provide evidence from the text to support your response.
Write:
In not less than 50 words
In continuous writing(not in note form)
 13

Practice 2
Based on the short story Cheat, write about a theme of the story.
Provide evidence from the text to support your response. Write:
In not less than 50 words
In continuous writing(not in note form)2
 14

Practice 4
Based on the story Cheat, write about a message that you learnt from the story.
Provide evidence from the text to support your response.
Write:
In not less than 50 words
In continuous writing(not in note form)