Literature- Short Stories

Flipping Fantastic by Jane Langford

~NoteS~

Summary/Synopsis

Characters

Theme and Setting

Activities


Additional Activities


Key Answers

The Fruitcake Special by Frank Brennan

~NoteS~

Summary/Synopsis

Characters

Theme and Setting

Activities


Additional Activities


Key Answers

Flipping Fantastic- Summary/Synopsis

                         
                                Summary/Synopsis

This story is set out in the form of diary entries by twin brothers and their mother. The story starts with the last day of primary school at Peter Hill where the twin brothers both acted parts in a school play. Tristan gets to play the leading character as Tom Sawyer, whereas James only got tiny role, and still he cannot do it. Throughout the diary pages, the thoughts of both the twin brothers, Tristan and James about their new schools that they will be attending shortly are reflected. In this story, there are also diary pages of their mother and it does reflect her thoughts on the behavioural aspects of her twin sons.


Tristan is not an ordinary boy. He is physically disable and is wheel-chair bound. He has always been pushed around by James or his mother. Both Tristan and James have opposite characters. Although Tristan is disable, he is very determine and confident, but James seems to be very shy and timid. 


James feels that having Tristan go to a special school called Chesterlea Grange, where Tristan will be home only during weekends, is somewhat disadvantageous to him as he needs Tristan's help in Highfields, the new school he will be attending which is a day school for ordinary students. Moreover, he is shy and believes there is no one there whom he will be able to depend upon.


Tristan confused whether to attend Chesterlea Grange or not. Once, he visited the school, and he seems to like it, as the school provided swimming pool, and Tristan loves to swim. Every summer, they hold event such as the Paralympics. But, he doubtful about his decision to leave James. When his mother asked him whether he really want to go to Chesterlea Grange, he answered no. Later, he got confused and started to regret.


James feels concern about Tristan changing his mind. So, he has a talk with Tristan and reminded Tristan about things that they saw when they visited the school and how friendly the staffs were. So, Tristan finally changes his mind again and tells her mother that he wants to go to Chesterlea Grange. So, when the semester starts, James goes to Highfields and Tristan goes to Chesterlea Grange. Both of them are happy with their new schools.

Flipping Fantastic- Characters

                                           
Main Characters

• Tristan

Tristan is the twin who has a physical disability. He moves around in a wheelchair and cannot walk or move his arms easily. He is also unable to dress himself or play football. Tristan is good in Maths and computers. He is also good in drama and acts very well as Tom Sawyer in the year-end school play. Although Tristan cannot play games, he is good at swimming. Even though Tristan is disabled, he is emotionally stronger and more confident than James. However, Tristan is indecisive and changes his mind three times about going to his new school. He is also concerned about how James will manage without him and ask Kiara Jones to be James' 'special friend' and help him get used to his new school.

• James

James has no physical disability. He is good in sports and plays football. James hates drama and does not like Jessica Parker. He lives in fear of her and her 'stupid laugh'. James is shyer and less confidence than Tristan. He is also more nervous and very worried about going to new school without Tristan. This is mainly because he is very dependent on Tristan. 

• Mum 

Mum is a loving, caring mother who supports her sons and wants the best for them. She is very concerned about her sons and does not get upset even when Tristan changes his mind a couple of times about going to his new school.

Mum sees the good in both her sons and is extremely proud of them. She is a very determined mother and always has a positive attitude. Consequently, she does not like the negative word 'disability'.

Minor Characters

The teachers

• Mr Sewell

         
         He is the twin's English and drama teacher. 
         Tristan likes him very much.

• Mrs Robert

         
         She is Tristan's favourite teacher in Peter Hill Primary. 
         She teaches Maths.

Schoolmates

Kiara Jones

• Kiara Jones

        Kiara plays football and Tristan arranges for her to be James' 

       'special friend' at Highfields to help him adapt to his 
        new school. 

        Both James and Tristan like her very much.

• Jessica Parker

        She is with the twins at Peter Hill Primary. 
        James does not like her and hates her 'stupid laugh'. 
        However, Tristan fells that she only laughs at James because
        she wants him to notice her.

Flipping Fantastic- Theme and Setting

                               

Themes of the "Flipping Fantastic"

There are a few themes in this story. They are:

   1.    The relationship between brothers

           Being twins, the two brothers are extremely close to each
           other. 

           They depend on each other a lot and they fear
           being separated.

   2.    The pain of separation
           The twins experience the pain of separation when they have
           to go to different schools.

   3.    Fear of change

           The twins fear change as they are very comfortable as they
           are presently.
           They are worried as they know their lives will be very
           different when they go to another school, especially if
           they go to different schools.

   4.    Mother's love
           The mother's love for her children is unlimited. 

           She is proud and supportive of both her sons. 

           She understands their characters well and 

           worries about them constantly. 

           She refuses to accept that Tristan has disabilities and 

           her attitudes helps Tristan carry on with life in a positive 

           manner.

   5.    Adapting to new environments
           The twins learn that they cannot fight change and they have
           to adapt to their new environments.
           In the end, they find that they need not have worried as they
           adapt to their new school quickly and are extremely happy
           there.

Setting of  the "Flipping Fantastic"

Time	Place
- End of Primary School.                   - Going to Secondary School.	- The place where the narration is written is  not mentioned although three places are referred to in the story.  - The places referred to are Peter Hill Primary, Highfields and Chesterlea Grange.

Chesterlea Grange

Moral Values of the "Flipping Fantastic"
1. It is important to get co-operation and support from family
     members to make good decisions.
2. Parents who are patient and understanding can build a child's
     confidence and self-esteem.

Point of View of the "Flipping Fantastic"

This story is told in the first person point of view. It is in the form 

of a diary or journal. The three main characters give their 

personal points of view on the events and incidents that occur in the story. 

Flipping Fantastic- Activities

Activity 1

Gap-fill Exercise

Activity 2

Quiz: Identify Character

Activity 3

Quiz: Choose the Correct Answer

Activity 4

Crossword Puzzle

Additional Activities- Flipping Fantastic

Activity 1

Match the descriptions with the characters. Thick the right column.

	Tristan	James	Mum
1.       Very positive and determined
2.       Shy, shared and has no confidence
3.       Good at Maths
4.       Wants to please his mum by not using the ‘dis’ part of disability
5.       A good swimmer
6.       Good at computers
7.       Can dress himself
8.       Can play football
9.       Writes with a pen
10.   Writes using a computer
11.   Always pushing a wheelchair around
12.   Can describe clearly how he feels
13.   Always gets ‘A’s for his homework
14.   Excited about his new school
15.   Prefers hearing the word ‘ability’
16.   Does not want to think of leaving school
17.   Does not like to use the ‘dis’ word
18.   Only interested in what Tristan CAN do
19.   Worried about managing on his own in his new school
20.   Moves around in wheelchair

Activity 2

Write TRUE (T) or FALSE (F) for the statement below

__________1. Tristan enjoyed his school play. __________2. James enjoyed his school play. __________3. Mum enjoyed their school play. __________4. Tristan loves drama. __________5. James loves drama. __________6. Mr. Sewell is a good English teacher. __________7. There is a ramp leading to the stage in Tristan’s school now. __________8. There is a ramp leading to the stage in Tristan’s new school. __________9. Tristan had only one line to say in the play. __________10. Mum thought both her sons were great. __________11. Mum was proud of herself. __________12. Mum was worried about James than Tristan.

Key Answers- Flipping Fantastic

Activity 1-Key Answer

Match the descriptions with the characters. Thick the right column.

	Tristan	James	Mum
1.       Very positive and determined			ü
2.       Shy, shared and has no confidence		ü
3.       Good at Maths	ü
4.       Wants to please his mum by not using the ‘dis’ part of disability	ü
5.       A good swimmer	ü
6.       Good at computers	ü
7.       Can dress himself		ü
8.       Can play football		ü
9.       Writes with a pen		ü
10.   Writes using a computer	ü
11.   Always pushing a wheelchair around		ü
12.   Can describe clearly how he feels	ü
13.   Always gets ‘A’s for his homework	ü
14.   Excited about his new school	ü
15.   Prefers hearing the word ‘ability’			ü
16.   Does not want to think of leaving school		ü
17.   Does not like to use the ‘dis’ word			ü
18.   Only interested in what Tristan CAN do			ü
19.   Worried about managing on his own in his new school		ü
20.   Moves around in wheelchair	ü

Activity 2- Key Answer

Write TRUE (T) or FALSE (F) for the statement below

_____T_____1. Tristan enjoyed his school play. _____F_____2. James enjoyed his school play. _____T_____3. Mum enjoyed their school play. _____T_____4. Tristan loves drama. _____F_____5. James loves drama. _____T_____6. Mr. Sewell is a good English teacher. _____F_____7. There is a ramp leading to the stage in Tristan’s school now. _____T_____8. There is a ramp leading to the stage in Tristan’s new school. _____F_____9. Tristan had only one line to say in the play. _____T_____10. Mum thought both her sons were great. _____F_____11. Mum was proud of herself. _____T_____12. Mum was worried about James than Tristan.