A Collection Of Poems, Short Stories And Drama [spm] 6p5a2f

A collection of Poems, Short Stories and Drama Form 5

In the Midst of Hardship Synopsis This poem is about a family who faces hardship whereby their son’s albino buffalo is nowhere to be found. A flood occurs and they go out to find the buffalo. They reach home early in the morning without the buffalo and yet there is no sign of despair in them. Meanwhile, they can still crack jokes and roll the cigarettes. Stanza 1 They returned home at day break and headed for the stove. Their clothes were soaking wet and tattered. Their bodies were covered with scratches and wounds. Yet, they did not display any sign of being worried. Stanza 2 They were out in the flood the whole day and night. They were surrounded by dead animals and parts of trees that had been destroyed by the flood. They searched desperately for their son’s albino buffalo but were unable to find it. Stanza 3 They were born into poverty and difficult, but they do not complain about their suffer. Instead, they sit in the kitchen, cracking jokes while smoking cigarettes.

Setting The setting of the poem is in the house.

Themes   

Being resilience when facing hardship. Family love Acceptance of way of life

Moral Values 1. 2. 3. 4.

We should learn to accept problems in life with the positive outlook. We must attempt to face and solve problems. Facing hardship is part and parcel of life. If we face a problem, do not feel despair.

He Had Such Quiet Eyes Synopsis This poem is about a lady who falls in love with the wrong man. She is fascinated with his eyes that seem to lure him to give him paradise. The man has a pair of quiet eyes that she does not realize they are not that quiet. As she is charmed, by the eyes, she does not listen to the advice given by other people who are concerned with her behavior. In the end, she realises her mistakes and is broken hearted. Theme   

Betrayal of love. Personal experiences. Relationships that are meaningful.

Moral Values     

Don’t be naive and believe everything we are told especially in matters of the heart. Be wise when choosing friends. Falling in love is normal but one should be careful. We must learn from the experience of other people. We should be very careful not to give in our principle in order to please other help.

Nature Synopsis The poet tells about his homeland, Jamaica and rejoices the beauty of this island. Jamaica has no seasonal changes. It has a tropical climate which is hot and wet throughout the year. The days of golden sunshine are glorious and magnificent. There are many canefields in Jamaica as sugar is one of the main exports in this country. In the ending of the poem, the poet tells us his favourite time days when the flowers of mango trees and logwood blossom. He uses imagery of sound and smell to illustrate abundant life and activity in the bushes when the sound of bees and the scent of honey add to the charm and beauty is Jamaica. He describes the fields filled with lovely yellow buttercups. All this happens when the rains have stopped and the beauty of nature emerges once again.

Themes   

Beauty of nature. Appreciation of one own country. Appreciate nature.

Moral Values    

We should appreciate what we have in our own country. We should not long for what we do not have. We should appreciate our homeland. We should appreciate the beauty of nature.

Are You Still playing your flute Synopsis The persona is thinking of someone she was close to and who plays the flute. She longs to hear the wonderful soothing music that had touched her heart a long time ago. She wonders if he is still playing his flute in their village that is now empty and quiet. She feels troubled that she should be thinking of him and her past while people around her are suffering and her world is changing. Stanza 1 In life, we sometimes have to change our way of life due to work or family circumstances. From a lifestyle filled with values and traditions like in the village, we may find ourselves embracing a totally different lifestyle in towns. However, we may sometimes long for our previous life with its unforgettable moments. Stanza 2 We may wonder if the values and traditions we believed in and practiced are still observed in our former villagers. Many people have migrated to towns or adopted an urban way of life where such traditions may not be so well-ingrained. In these places, life is fast paced and they do not have the time to enjoy the simple pleasures of life they used to. Stanza 3 These people may think back to their days in the rural areas with guilt. Traditions and the old values may seem trivial compared to their present circumstances. There are economic, political and social problems to be faced. Some of these problems have become personal as they affect people who are close to them. THEMES 

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Values and traditions - Values and traditions have an important role in our life. They teach us to live correctly and to hold on to our principles in life. We learn to value life, family and friends. A society without values and traditions is colourless and loses its direction. Changes in life - Nothing stays the same forever and that includes life. Life changes over time. These changes affect every aspect of our lives and may have positive and negative consequences.

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Family commitments - Everyone has family commitments, whether it is to our immediate family or extended family . Be aware of these commitments as they bind a family together. Priorities in life - There are important and unimportant things in life. Learn to differentiate them and make plans accordingly. Enjoying the simple pleasure of life - Nature surrounds us and the beauty of nature offers us the simple pleasures of life. The rising sun, the moon and stars, the rainfall and dew are some of the pleasures that nature offers. Enjoy them and enjoy life. ionate about one's interest - When we are really interested in a hobby, we will become ionate about it. It helps us to mature as this ion helps us to stay focused. We learn to be creative too. But, we should not let this ion become an obsession.

MORAL VALUES   

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We should learn to appreciate the values and traditions of society and family. They give us balance in life and help us to differentiate between the good and the bad. We face changes in life every day. Learn to accept changes but only if they are for the good of society. If they are beneficial, work around them for the general good. Our family is the most important thing in our life. We should put their interest and safety first before anything else. Show consideration for one's duties within the home and carry out family commitments responsibly. We should know our priorities in life and be aware of them at all times. Don't get so taken in by our interests that we forget our priorities. ion for interests should not be at expense of family happiness. There is a time for work and a time for play.

Qwertyuiop Synopsis The story tells of how an underestimated secretary flights with an ex-secretary who still thinks that she works there and haunts the typewriter. Lucy Beck is a strong willed as Miss Broome, the ex-secretary, to hold on to the job for Ross and Bannister’s. Miss Broome haunts the typewriter and frightens anyone who uses it with the word QWERTYUIOP and others. Lucy manages to overcome the problem and sends Miss Broome away with a new task which is to help the late Mr. Bannister up there. Themes   

Determination Letting go Strong will

Moral Values  

If we want something, we must work to make it a reality. We must know when to let go of something if it is not ours anymore.

Characters Main character 

Lucy Beck

Minor Character    

Harry Darke Miss Broome Lucy’s mother and uncle, Uncle Bert Miss Price and Mr. Ross

Plot 1. Exposition Lucy starts working in Ross and Bannister’s as a secretary. Harry Darke gives her hints of the haunting of the typewriter by Miss Broome but she does not realise it at first. 2. Conflict Lucy types her letter but she is confused that her letter has words that are not typed by her. 3. Climax Lucy retypes her letter but is challenged by Miss Broome who asks her to leave and even threaten her. Lucy fights with it by using correcting liquid to clean off words type by Miss Broome. 4. Falling action Lucy learns about Miss Broome and her haunting of the typewriter. She knows how Uncle Bert would have felt. 5. Resolution Lucy types and talks to Miss Broome and convinces her to leave this world peacefully and go to other world. Lucy managed to keep her job in Ross and Bannister’s.

The fruitcake special Synopsis The Fruitcake Special is the story if the effects of a perfume on men. It was accidentally created by Anna, a chemist who works at New Jersey. When Mr. Ramos sense the perfume worn by Anna, he feels he is in love with Anna and so invites her out for dinner. He does not behave like a man in love and Anna is surprised and upset. When she dabs the Fruitcake perfume again, Mr. Ramos and a waiter become attracted to her and both make declarations of love to her. The

situations become chaotic when a fight ensues between two men. Anna leaves the restaurant and the factory and ends up with Armstrong, the pizza boy. Themes   

Illusion vs reality Be realistic in life Appearance can be misleading.

Moral Values   

We should not fall for physical appearance. We must not to be proud of our looks. We must not look down of other people.

Plot 1. Exposition Anna accidentally creates the Fruitcake perfume and dabs on it. Mr. Ramos becomes attracted to her when he gets near her. 2. Conflict During dinner, Mr. Ramos does not show his interest as he was in the morning. Anna dabs on the Fruitcake perfume in the ladies room. 3. Climax Mr. Ramos suddenly becomes interested in Anna and makes declarations of love to her. A waiter also does silly things to attract Anna’s attention. A fight starts between Mr. Ramos, the waiter and Sabrina, Mr. Ramos’ girlfriend. Anna realises it is the effects of the fruitcake perfume. 4. Falling action Anna wants to find the special something in the fruitcake but is unable to as the woman who sold the fruitcake has already dead. 5. Resolution Anna quits her job from Amos Cosmetics and she settles for the pizza delivery man, Armstrong, who has his own pizza company. Character Main character  

Anna, the narrator David Amos, owner of Amos Cosmetics

Minor character  

Narrator’s mother Narrator’s Aunt Mimi

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Waiter at the restaurant Sabrina, David Amos’s girlfriend Armstrong, the pizza delivery man

Gulp and Gasp Synopsis This is a melodrama about a villain; Lord Septic is a greedy man who is very interested in power, money and fame. He is even capable of committing murder to get what he wants. He owns the railway and is after the Gatsby Gold. Crouch as the manservant of Lord Septic is a bully who likes to bully other people when Lord Septic is not around. He bullies Rose, a blind flower girl who arrives at the railway to sell flowers to get money to treat her sick mother. She is rescued by the hero, Percy who turns to be Sir Percy in the end of the drama. They fall in love. Later, Percy learns he is the rightful heir to the Gatsby gold and is known as Sir Percy. Lord Septic loses everything. Themes   

Pride goes before fall Greed is destructive Innocence and beauty

Moral Values    

Greed will lead to a downfall. We should live a humble and honest life. Do not bully other people when you have the power. Be considerate.

Setting  

An empty train station A cold foggy night

Plot 1. Exposition Lord Septic the villain, and his manservant Crouch, a groveling bully, are waiting for the midnight express at the train station. Lord Septic owns all the train station and he wants wealth and power. He loves to brag about his wealth and success. Crouch is the manservants who sometimes fail to understand what the master tells him. 2. Conflict Rose, a blind flower girl comes to the station. She wants to sell flowers to help cure her mother. Crouch bullies her, as ordered by Lord Septic, and Percy, the dashing hero comes in to help her. He tells her about himself. 3. Climax

Lord Septic hits Percy and ties Rose to the train tracks. Percy runs off to try and stop the train coming down the tracks. 4. Falling Action Percy is able to stop the train using his long jack and Rose is saved. Later, he learns that he is Sir Percy Gatsby and it’s the right heir to the Gatsby Gold. 5. Resolution Percy is able to tie Lord Septic and Crouch. They are waiting to be picked up by the police. Percy the hero, proposes Rose and she agrees to marry him. Character    

Lord Septic, the villain Crouch, the bully Rose, the damsel in distress Percy, the hero

The Curse Synopsis Chapter 1 Azreen Saleh stepped out blindly from the matron’s office. She approached elderly Filipino man, Mr. Costa. Azreen tell him, that she will leave London to Malaysia. After that, she went to her room and packing her textbooks and notes. Due to examination, she took the stairs down. Suddenly, she heard voice from top of the staircase. She knows that is not Filipino man because he already gone for breakfast but it comes from Julian Ng. Azreen escape from Julian. After a while, she heard someone called her name, it was Julian. Julian asking about the examination and hope Azreen will be alright at Malaysia. Then, Azreen tell Julian about her sister, who is died yesterday. Julian prodded after hearing the story and fell sorry about it. Julian wants to help Azreen but Azreen said that he should return to deck. Julian said that he will visit her after examination over. Chapter 2 Azreen bought chicken pieces, yogurt and fruit salad as her lunch. She stared at the food without much appetite. She glad that she can eat Malaysian food once she reached home. While she eats, she re about her house. Her mind wandered off other sister, Madhuri who older four years than she. She had despised her sister because nobody would notice her when Madhuri around. She hate when her friends and parent compare her with Madhuri. But now, Madhuri already dead. All happy moments with her sister become history. Chapter 3 In tiny island at south of Langkawi Island, Puan Kamsiah bustled in from her vegetable garden. She looks like uneasy. Her attitude was seeing by her daughter, Siti who looked up her book. Puan Kamsiah said nothing when her daughter asking. Siti know there is something important in her mother mind. Siti followed her mother when she left the living room. Suddenly, Puan Kamsiah said that Normala spread nonsense. Siti asking what Normala said to her. Puan Kamsiah said Madhuri that murdered. Siti said that rumor should not be true. Puan Normala said that she see Madhuri’s blood is white. Puan Normala added that the village is being cursed. Datin Sharifah took Azreen from the airport. Datin Sharifah’s husband,

Datuk Zulkifli felt sorry to Azreen and help to carry her suitcase. They took Azreen to old creaky jetty jutting. Azreen got out from the car. After across waters, she reached to a tiny island which is her homeland. Chapter 4 Siti sat in living room, trying to restrain her little brother from scampering about. At one corner, she saw Puan Normala was gathering a group a women to her side. Siti picked up her ears to hear story about Madhuri. She re that Madhuri had given her Quran lesson when she was six or seven but they were never close. For a moment, the whispering from Puan Normala stopped. Siti see robust women, edgy-looking man and a girl with twenty came up the steps. She knows who is that girl that is Azreen Saleh, Madhuri’s younger sister. After Azreen disappear, Puan Normala said that she only give trouble. Some of them added that she does not have any manner. Puan Normala said to the group women that Azreen hate her sister. Datin Sharifah and Datuk Zulkifli help Azreen to her room. Azreen ask to Datin Sharifah, how did Madhuri died. But Datin Sharifah not tells it because that is time to tell it. After being forced by Azreen, Datin Sharifah said that Madhuri had been murdered and put curse before her died. Azreen stepped into a room which bedroom for her mother. Her mother sees Azreen as Madhuri. It seems her mother still do not know what happen to Madhuri. Azreen want to take her mother to burial ground. While going to burial ground, her father, Saleh Abdullah, forced Azreen to take her mother to go home. Datin Sharifah took Azreen’s mother to home. After a while at burial ground, she see a young man who Mohd Asraf. She re how she met Mohd Asraf. At night, while Azreen open the window, she sees a black hair girl like Madhuri. Haji Ghani’s first wife, Puan Fatihah invites her husband to sleep after see that her husband still watching Madhuri photo. Puan Fatihah take Madhuri photo and torn it. Chapter 5 After back from market, Azreen see Mohd Asraf standing outside of the mosque. Mohd Asraf made his move toward her. He was asking about condition of Azreen’s mother. After that, Azreen ask Mohd Asraf what happen to Madhuri. Mohd. Asraf said that Madhuri was found at rubber estate and it seems like an accident. He added that Haji Ghani and his people was arranged everything. Azreen want to know more but Mohd Asraf said that he need to prepare for the school. At home, she cooked porridge for her mother after being asked by her mother. While Azreen brought a spoon to her mother’s lips. Her mother grabbed Azreen’s hand and said that Madhuri is in danger. Azreen ask more about it but suddenly her mother fallen into a state of incoherence. After her mother calmed down, her mother took a spoon and eats the porridge. While Encik Saleh chopping the wood, he heard odd sound but nothing. Awang, the village bomoh was almost died when a crazy woman attack him. During came to farm, Awang about tragedy that happen a year ago. At school, Noor, Siti’s friend tells Siti that her mother see Awang went to rubber estate. Noor make conclusion that Awang was killed Madhuri. Noor added that Madhuri’s parent wanted her to marry with Haji Ghani, the village hean than married with Mohd Asraf. After lunch, Azreen sneaked out to go the jungle, the place where Old Lady lives. She re how she met the Old Lady. Many villagers afraid with her, they said that Old Lady is witch but for Azreen, she just an old lady. The Old Lady seems happy when Azreen came to her house. Azreen asked about Madhuri, she said that is not accident but murdered Chapter 6 Awang saw the Pontianak lady was died. Those make Awang more afraid because he knows there is something evil during Madhuri died. The Old Lady tells Azreen, that she saw Madhuri lying with her back to a tree. Old Lady thinks, it just an accident or being attacked by wild animal but after she saw gash across her said, she know that it murder. After that, she tells that Haji Ghani and his men know who killed Madhuri. While Puan Fatihah sits inside Madhuri’s room, she re how Haji Ghani met with Madhuri. Azreen picked up a torn piece of photograph that she saw. That was Madhuri’s photo. She saw all photo inside the album is torn. Suddenly, her father stepped in the room and forced her to out from the room to living room. At living room, her mother was dreamed about the accident that took her leg.

Azreen how she protects Mohd Asraf from being scolded by Encik Mohan, the owner the farm. After that, she saw an accident that involving her parent. Doctor said her mother’s legs cannot be used again. Her father blame towards Azreen but her sister protect Azreen but her father does not listening it. During walked home, they saw a woman who standing half-hidden behind the sign post. After Azreen run from that woman, she saw Mohd Asraf. He felt sorry about what happen to her mother. During Mohd Asraf and Madhuri talked, Azreen went to Old Lady’s house. In Old Lady’s house, the Old Lady tell the story about her husband. Her husband was killed by her because she cannot stand the abuse committed by her husband. Puan Minah scolded Azreen’s mother because Azreen attitude that cause her daughter to a fever. At home, she saw Mohd Asraf helping her sister with a basketful of vegetables. Azreen was following the foster programme. After the programme end, Azreen back to home. Her father does not like when outsiders helping his family. After a year, Azreen get scholarship. She had applied for course at London, England. She met with Old Lady and tells her that she will go to London. The Old Lady shows a special place that only Old Lady knows about it to Azreen. Chapter 7 Mohd Asraf help his grandmother to drink water. His grandmother fever worse than before. His grandmother does not want to see a doctor. Mohd Asraf went to buy lunch. Haji Ghani walked up to Madhuri’s tombstone. He re how he found the dead body of his wife. He saw someone walking among the meranti trees, she look like Madhuri. But Haji Ghani knows that is not Madhuri. At home, Azreen answered telephone, it was from Datin Sharifah. Datin Sharifah said that she wants to visit Azreen, but Datuk Zulkifli has some business. So, she said that she will visit Azreen next week. After that, her father scolds to her and tell that she forget to latch up the chicken coop. Azreen protest but her father does not want to hear it. Azreen clear away the carcass of chicken that it neck was being break by someone. The next morning, Mohd Asraf met with Azreen. Mohd Asraf tells to Azreen that Puan Normala saw Awang burning some odd things. It make Puan Normala’s cat fell sick after near to it. When Azreen reached home, she found an envelope inside the mailbox. It from her friend, Julian. After read the letter from Julian, she read another letter that Julian post within it. It from Madhuri. Puan Normala said the raining is the sign of curse. She said, she saw langsuir a graveyard. She added that Puan Fatihah throw away all Madhuri personal belongings. During Azreen sat on the large root of flame tree, Mohd Asraf met her. Mohd Asraf was fighting with Haji Ghani because Haji Ghani insulted his wife and all women. After Mohd Asraf back to home, Azreen walked to home too. At her room, she was searching Madhuri’s letter but it gone. Chapter 8 After raining for four day, her mother was ed away on the fifth day. She was buried next to Madhuri. In Madhuri’s room, Azreen how they struggle to make basket that Azreen broke it. After leave the room, she saw someone at window. After chase the woman until the veranda, Madhuri’s room was burning. After extinguish fire, she went to bed. Puan Fatihah met with woman who looks like Madhuri. She faint after saw her. Mohd Asraf goes to the market to look for medicinal plants for his grandmother but fails to find any because the rain drowns all Pak Huzaimi plants. In desperation, he decides to go to the Old Lady’s house for help. The Old Lady hesitates at first but after much persuasion from Azreen and Mohd Asraf, she finally agrees to go over to Mohd Asraf’s house to help his grandmother. Chapter 9 Siti keeps an eye on Mohd Asraf’s grandmother while he goes out to get her medicine. Puan Kamsiah and Normala are curious at the Old Lady’s presence at Mohd. Asraf’s house. The Old Lady tries to cure Mohd Asraf’s grandmother. Azreen is puzzled to discover a university prospectus that reveals Mohd Asraf’s intention to pursue his studies in Kuala Lumpur. When Azreen returns home, she sees the bomoh scampering behind the bushes. As she confronts the bomoh, he informs her about the mob incident at Mohd Asraf’s house. She immediately runs to Asraf’s house. Normala blames Azreen for bringing the

Old Lady to Mohd Asraf’s house and causing heavy downpour to hit the village. An argument starts and Azreen’s father intervenes to stop the commotion. Meanwhile, Mohd Asraf’s grandmother is beginning to recover and Mohd Asraf is extremely relieved. They thank the Old Lady for bravely coming over to cure Nek and the rain finally stops. Chapter 10 Azreen had good condition of dinner with her father. At almost midnight, a flurry knocks on her door awake her. It came from Siti. Siti tell Azreen that Nek has ed away an hour ago. Siti added that Mohd Asraf believed that Old Lady poisoned Nek and bring a few men for revenge. After that, Azreen went to Old Lady’s house, she tried to stop Mohd Asraf but he does not hear it. Azreen took a spade and stabs Mohd Asraf’slegs. As the result, the torch at his hand fell and rolled toward the wall of house and soon the house was the fire. Azreen finds Nek, barely alive lying beside the stove and she advises Azreen to learn to forgive before it is too late. Azreen’s father saves her before the whole house crumbles. Azreen feel upset. She beat Mohd Asraf but him not fight back. After Azreen done, she asking why he did this to Old Lady. Mohd Asraf asks a sorry for what happen. Mohd Asraf fells Allah against him, and then he said that lost Madhuri and then his grandmother. Azreen puzzled when he said he lost Madhuri. He said Madhuri is his lover but Haji Ghani stole her from him. Mohd Asraf tell that him get offer of teaching course at Kuala Lumpur. As it chance for him to leave, he also planned to bring Nek too because he know she would get good medical care than village. He tell Madhuri about his plan, and he see that Madhuri love him too. Madhuri said that she will ask permission to release him. Mohd Asraf wants to leave immediately but Madhuri ask to give her another month. She wants to tell her parent first then she wants to see Azreen for last time. She said that she already write a letter to Azreen. But hope just is a hope. After an hour he leaves Madhuri at rubber plantation, Mohd Asraf get news that Madhuri was died. Azreen fell upset and shocked after hear that story, she run away from Mohd Asraf. She ran without any destination until her reach at the tall cliff near the sea. She tries to sleep as she wants to calm herself. After her angry gone, she walked back to home but she at rubber estate. She does not where she headed. Suddenly she met Awang the bomoh. Azreen knew that Awang lied to her when he said that his just around at rubber estate. Awang tell the Azreen about Madhuri’s secret, that Madhuri is just foster daughter of her family. Her father found the baby which is Madhuri when her mother left her at paddy field. She did that for searching scraps. Her family agreed to take Madhuri as their daughter. Her mother fell upset when her baby is gone but she knows that is only way for Madhuri get better live. So, she not searches her baby. But after Madhuri died, she appears again. She also who broke up the chicken neck and cause the burning Madhuri’s room. Awang said that he causes the bull run away and hit motorcycle of Azreen’s parent. Awang also confirms that he had seen Madhuri and Mohd Asraf together several times in the rubber estate. The chapter ends with Haji Ghani, the hean thinking about his young wife meeting her lover on that fateful day when she was killed. Chapter 11 Azreen delves on the bomoh’s words that Madhuri was not her real sister. She encounters a shadow of a woman from behind the wooden fence again that directs her to a woodpile a few feet away behind her house. Azreen and her father walk towards the woodpile and see a parang that Saleh used to chop wood. There is white and sticky stain at the edge of the parang. Azreen immediately recalls Normala’s words “She had white blood” and she stares at her father in disbelief. She gently asks her father did he kill Madhuri. Saleh how he found Madhuri. He not regrets to take her as foster daughter as she becomes a good girl. Suddenly, he found Madhuri with other guy, which is Mohd Asraf. He wants to kill Mohd Asraf. After hear that Madhuri loved Mohd Asraf, he complete lost his mind and kill Madhuri. Azreen does not believe and run away. Then, woman who look like Madhuri come to get him. Saleh taught that was Madhuri, and she, the woman drag on the parang on the ground and walks slowly to his place. Saleh suffers a heart attack and dies. Meanwhile in the village, a rumor spreads like a wildfire that a woman who looks suspiciously like his dead daughter had been wandering about at the time of his death.

Chapter 12 Azreen visits her family’s graves. She leaves a flower on each grave and leaves quietly. She leaves a flower at the hillside where the Old Lady was buried, too. As Azreen leaves, she sees a smiling figure which resembles Madhuri’s smiles. Themes Love Parental Love  Both Saleh Abdullah and his wife love Madhuri dearly like their own biological child.  Azreen’s inner conflict to garner her father’s love and affection. She always perceives the father as having greater love towards her sister, Madhuri. Forbidden Love  Mohd. Asraf and Madhuri secretly love each other that eventually led to Madhuri’s death. Unrequited Love  Azreen had a crush on Mohd. Asraf during school days. Forgiveness  Before the Old Lady draws her last breath, she advises Azreen to forgive others. When Azreen discovers that it was her father who murdered Madhuri, she felt no anger or resentment towards him. Violence against Women  The story portrays how some men believe women to be the weaker sex and they are violent towards them. For instance, the Old Lady’s husband was abusive towards her and repetitively abused her. He hit and kicked her. Gender Stereotyping  Through the novel, gender stereotyping is portrayed through how females should behave. This can be seen especially through Azreen. For example, Azreen’s school friends start to cast suspicious eyes towards her when she behaves unlady-like. She plays hockey with the boys and even “laughs like a bunch of hyenas” with them. To them, as a woman, Azreen is not expected to be tomboyish and hangs too closely with boys. Belief in the Supernatural  The villagers seem to believe in supernatural. For example, many villagers call upon Awang, the village shaman to avert disasters. In another instance, Puan Normala tries to convince the villagers that the village is cursed since Madhuri’s blood is white. Fear of the Unknown  The villagers are puzzled about how Madhuri died. However, no one actually investigates the incident which is covered up well by Haji Ghani and his followers. In another instance, the villagers assume that the Old Lady is an evil witch that can turn anyone into squirrels or rats. Due to this assumption, the villagers’ outcast the Old Lady.

Moral Values 1. Caring  Madhuri shields her sister, Azreen, from being punished by her father.  Madhuri helps Azreen to mend their mother’s favourite rattan basket which Azreen broke while collecting durians. 2. Standing Up for What You Believe In  Being persistent in getting to the truth is highlighted especially through Azreen. She refuses to believe that Madhuri’s death was merely an accident. She finds clues that complete the puzzle. 3. Responsibility  Azreen repairs the trampled bed of vegetables and brings back fresh vegetables and seeds to replace the ones destroyed vegetables that belong to the Old Lady. 4. Diligence  Azreen diligently repairs the trampled bed of lady’s fingers outside the Old Lady’s house. 5. Concern  When Azreen refuses to eat her dinner after being caned by her father and scolded by her mother, Madhuri consoles and coaxes her to eat.  Mohd. Asraf advises Azreen not to reveal about Madhuri’s death to her sickly mother who assumes that Madhuri is still alive. 6. Bravery  When Encik Mohan and his sons harshly reprimand Mohd. Asraf for carelessly letting their bull escape, Azreen braves herself to come to Mohd. Asraf’s defence. She tells them not to blame Mohd. Asraf without any evidence. 7. Loyalty  Shows her loyalty to her friend Mohd. Asraf by taking the blame calmly and bravely for the accident that involves her dad and mum. 8. Persistence  Madhuri and Azreen continue working on the rattan basket in their bedroom. Even when their parents return home, they excuse themselves quietly and forgo dinner to weave a new basket to match the original in their dimly lit room. 9. Thoughtfulness  Mak Cik Sharifah and her husband, Azreen’s foster parents, leave behind two throw pillows from their car for Azreen to sleep on in her mother’s house. They are also thoughtful enough to leave her two bottles of water, some fruits and a bag of disposable toiletries. 10. Helpful  Siti obliges to help Mohd. Asraf take care of his sick mother while Mohd. Asraf goes out to get some traditional medicine. Siti keeps an eye on the sick woman whom she is quite fond of.

Character Azreen  Main character of the novel  Studies in England  Do not have good relationship with her parents especially her father due to her defiant behavior  Tomboyish outlook  An outspoken and Independent girl  A helpful friend. (She claims for letting the Bull Run loose in order to save Mohd Asraf skin.  Caring for her sick mother and the old lady Madhuri  Beautiful and polite lady  A submissive wife and a daughter  Religious and good at reciting quranic verses  Conservative Mohd. Asraf  A dedicated popular teacher in a local school  Independent since young  Good friend with Azreen  A caring grandson who is concern about his grandmother's well-being.  In love with Madhuri  Plan to take Madhuri to KL Saleh Abdullah  Madhuri and Azreen father  Not in good with Azreen since the incident of the motorcycle accident that made his wife paralyzed  A manipulative father who let Madhuri become Haji Ghani wife in order to protect his interest.  An egoistic person who could not accept Madhuri love affair with Mohd. Asraf  End up killing Madhuri in a fit of anger at the rubber plantation Haji Ghani  The village Hean  Took Madhuri as his second wife  Neglect his first wife  A religious and also and influential man  Hides his wife death in order to protect his reputation Siti

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Pn. Kamsiah obedient daughter A responsible and gullible girl

Pn.Normala  The lady who spreads rumor about Madhuri death  A sneaky and malicious woman  She blamed the old lady visit to Mohd. Asraf house for the continues rain Old Lady

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An educated person she has the knowledge of herbal medicine to treat illness A caring and a concern person Lives in an abandon house. Jungle

Datin Sharifah & Datuk Zulkifli  Azreen adopted parents  Help Azreen financially in her studies at UK  Even if they are foster parents they still treat azreen as their own child Bomoh  The one who forgets to close the gate before leaving the farm. Causing the bull to run loose  Thankful to Azreen  Reveals the story about Madhuri Fatihah  Hj.Ghani first wife  Adore madhuri  Secretly hold grudges against her husband second wife  She feels that her husband favours the young wife more than herself  Try her best to win back her husband heart after Madhuri death.