Amadi’s Snowman – Diverse Reads

Amadi crouched in the shrubs, stalking a red-headed lizard.

“Amadi!” His mother’s voice boomed behind him, and the lizard scurried away. “Don’t you go running about like a bush rabbit this morning. Mrs. Chikodili said she’d visit just before we leave for the market.”
“Again!” Amadi was ready to bolt, himself.

“Praise the Lord! Mrs. Chikodili wants to help you with reading. For free, ” said his mother. “A fine boy like you- don’t you want to have a good job someday, maybe in an office?”
“I’m an Igbo man of Nigeria,” Amadi replied. “I’ll be a trader. I don’t need to read to do business.”
“Business,” mumbled his mother, shaking her head. “What do you know about business?”

No sooner did she turn her back than Amadi darted into the bushes. He knew his numbers well. Why did his mother insist that he learn to read words?

Down the road, he went slowly past a few older boys washing a car. He watched as the car drove away and the boys counted their earnings. How he longed to be like them! He could clean cars as well. He could carry items for people at the market. With the money he made, he’d buy small items- matchboxes, plastic hangers, dishtowels. He’d resell or trade them. He’d be a businessman!

Just then he spotted Mrs. Chikodili as she made her way to his home. He took off towards the market.

“Amadi, you’re early today! Where is your mother?” called Mama Uche.

“Home,” he replied.

“Come, take a mango,” she said.

“Thank you.” Amadi bit into the fruit and tore strips of the yellow peel with his teeth. He licked the sweet juice that ran down his chin.

Comprehension Questions

1. What fruit was Amadi given at the market?
A. a pear
B. a banana
C. a mango

2. Where is Amadi from?
A. Nigeria
B. Egypt
C. Sudan

Your Thoughts

3. Did you like this excerpt? Why or why not?

Vocabulary

4. List any vocabulary words below.

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