4th Story
The Wish
Roald Dahl
The
Wish is a short story by Roald Dahl about
a boy who loves to dream. Every night before sleeping, he thinks about
wonderful adventures and exciting places. He enjoys his imagination so much
that he wishes he could stay in his dreams forever. The story shows how
powerful and fun a child’s imagination can be, making even ordinary moments
feel magical.
About the Writer
Roald Dahl (1916–1990) was a famous British
writer. He wrote many popular children’s books like Charlie and the
Chocolate Factory, Matilda, and The BFG. His stories often
have surprises, mysterious parts, and sometimes a little bit of scary or
strange things.
Setting
The story happens in a small, quiet town. Dahl usually writes about normal
places that seem simple but hide secrets or strange events. This calm setting
helps show the story’s message about wishes and their effects.
Plot
In The Wish, a boy named George wants a new bicycle. His mother tells
him he must first make a wish and be careful because wishes can bring
unexpected results. George makes his wish, but things don’t turn out the way he
hoped. The story teaches us that sometimes getting what we want isn’t always as
good as we think.
Characters
1. The Little Boy
He is the main character of the story. He has
a big imagination and plays a game in his mind where he pretends that the
carpet is full of dangers. He imagines red spots as fire, black spots as
snakes, and yellow as safe to step on. His wish and imagination lead him into a
world of fear and adventure.
2. The Mother
She appears briefly in the story. She is not
part of the boy’s game but is mentioned as the one who takes care of him. Her
role is small but shows the real world outside the boy’s imagination.
1. Consequences of Wishes
The story shows that making wishes can be
risky. Sometimes, what we wish for can bring problems. It teaches us to be
careful with what we want because the result might not be good.
2. Greed and Selfishness
The main character, George, shows how people
often want more and more. The story shows that being greedy can lead to
trouble, especially if we don’t think about what really matters.
3. Innocence and Learning
At first, George is innocent and playful. But
through his experience, he learns that not everything is as fun or easy as it
seems. This shows how children grow and learn important life lessons through
challenges.
Summary
Summary in detail
In The Wish by Roald Dahl, a young
boy named George is eager to receive a new bicycle. One day, while talking to
his mother, she tells him that he should be careful about what he wishes for,
as wishes can come true in unexpected ways. George, though skeptical, becomes
intrigued by the idea of wishing for something and making it happen. His mother
encourages him to make a wish, which he does, thinking that it will lead to the
perfect outcome of getting the bicycle he desires.
When George makes his wish, he imagines the bike materializing
magically. However, the story takes a dark turn when his wish is granted, but
not in the way he expected. Instead of receiving a new bicycle, George finds
that the world around him changes in a way that makes him question his desire
for the bike. What seemed like an innocent wish soon reveals unforeseen
consequences, and George begins to realize that his wish might not have been
worth the cost.
As the story unfolds, George learns a valuable lesson about
desires and their outcomes. The consequences of his wish force him to confront
the idea that sometimes, getting exactly what you want can have a dark side.
Dahl plays with the theme of unintended results, showing how the fulfillment of
a wish can be a double-edged sword. George, once eager and innocent in his
wish, now understands that life is more complicated than simply desiring
something and having it granted.
In the end, The Wish serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked desire. It teaches readers that they should be careful with their wishes, as they might lead to unexpected or undesirable outcomes. Through George’s journey, Dahl explores the complexities of human wishes, the risks involved in pursuing desires without fully understanding the consequences, and the importance of thinking carefully before making a decision.
Understanding the text
Answer
the following questions.
a. What did
the child do to the scab on his knee?
The child gently picked the scab off his cut with his finger nails and
put it on his thigh. Finally he flipped it with his finger.
b. What kind of effect did the carpet have on the child?
The child became extremely amazed to see the red carpet. He had never
really notice it before in such a way. The different colors of carpet seemed to
brighten mysteriously and spring out at him in a most dazzling way. He was
thoroughly lost in those colors and his imagination.
c. What was he afraid of while walking across the carpet?
While walking across the carpet in The Wish, George is afraid of the strange, unsettling feeling
it gives him. The carpet seems to stretch and twist in a way that makes him
nervous, as if it is pulling him or trying to trap him. His fear intensifies as
he senses something unnatural about the carpet’s movement, symbolizing the
discomfort and unease that come with the unexpected consequences of his wish.
This moment captures his growing anxiety and realization that his desire for
the bicycle may have led to something far more frightening.
d. What motivated and encouraged the child to start and continue on his
journey?
In The Wish, George is motivated to start and continue on his
journey by his desire to obtain a new bicycle. His longing for the bike drives
him to make a wish, believing that it will bring him the happiness and
satisfaction he craves. His mother encourages him to make the wish, cautioning
him that he must be careful with his desires, which adds an element of
curiosity and adventure for George. Initially, his excitement and the belief
that his wish will come true spur him on, even as the consequences begin to
unfold in strange and unsettling ways. Despite the growing discomfort and fear,
George’s curiosity and hope for his wish to be fulfilled keep him moving
forward, highlighting his naivety and determination.
e. What did the child see as he looked down on the black patterns of
the carpet?
As George looked down at the black
patterns on the carpet in The Wish, he saw strange and
disturbing shapes that seemed to shift and move. The patterns on the carpet
took on a life of their own, becoming almost hypnotic and unsettling. George’s
mind begins to play tricks on him, as the shapes appear to change and warp,
creating a sense of fear and confusion. This experience with the carpet
symbolizes the disorienting and unpredictable effects of his wish, where
something once familiar becomes unsettling and eerie, mirroring the story's
theme of the unintended consequences of desires.
Reference to the context
a. The writer creates two voices in the story. Who are they?
In The Wish, the two voices created by
Roald Dahl are:
1. George's Voice (the child): This
is the internal voice of the young boy, George. Through his perspective, we
experience his desires, curiosity, and eventual realization of the consequences
of his wish. George’s voice is innocent, hopeful, and driven by the excitement
of wanting something. It captures his journey from wanting a bike to
confronting the unsettling outcomes of his wish.
2. The Voice of George's Mother: This voice is that of the wise and cautionary figure in the
story. She advises George to be careful with his wish, warning him about the
power of desire and the unpredictable nature of wishes. Her voice introduces a
tone of wisdom and authority, guiding George (and the reader) toward
understanding the story’s deeper lesson about the consequences of unchecked
desires.
b. Summarize the short story “The Wish” in about 200 words.
In The Wish by Roald Dahl, a young
boy named George longs for a new bicycle and, encouraged by his mother, makes a
wish to get one. His mother warns him to be careful about what he wishes for,
hinting that wishes can have unforeseen consequences. George, however, is eager
for the bike and believes that his wish will be granted exactly as he imagines.
As he waits, he lies on the carpet and becomes increasingly restless, observing
the strange, shifting patterns on the floor. The carpet seems to come alive,
pulling him into a mysterious and uncomfortable experience.
As George continues to look at the carpet, he becomes aware of how
his wish has created unexpected and eerie effects. The shapes on the carpet
shift in unsettling ways, symbolizing the dark consequences of his desire.
George begins to realize that the fulfillment of his wish is not as simple or
satisfying as he expected. His initial excitement and hope turn into fear and
confusion, making him question the true cost of getting what he wanted.
Through this story, Dahl explores themes of desire, unintended
consequences, and the unpredictability of wishes, ultimately showing that
fulfilling one's wishes may not always lead to the expected happiness.
c. The story shows the events through the eyes of the narrator and the
child. Comparing the two styles, who presents a more interesting or effective
view for the readers? Why?
In The Wish, both the narrator’s voice
and George’s perspective offer valuable views, but George’s point of view is
more effective and engaging for the reader. His perspective brings the story’s
emotions and suspense to life. As a child, George is full of innocence,
excitement, and curiosity, which allows the reader to experience the unfolding
events with him. His internal conflict and gradual realization of the
unintended consequences of his wish resonate deeply, creating a sense of
tension and discomfort as he experiences these unsettling changes. Through his
eyes, the reader feels the growing unease, heightening the impact of the
story's themes.
While the narrator provides the overall context and describes
George's actions and surroundings, it is George’s voice that captures the
emotional essence of the story. The reader is drawn into his confusion, fear,
and realization, making his experience feel more vivid and immediate. The
child’s perspective makes the eventual twist in the story more powerful, as his
naïve expectations are turned upside down, revealing the deeper moral about the
risks of desires and wishes.
Thus, George’s point of view is more engaging and effective
because it evokes a stronger emotional response, drawing readers directly into
the story's unsettling atmosphere.
d. Is “The Wish” a story about self-confidence overcoming fear or about
greed? Give your arguments.
The Wish by Roald Dahl is
primarily a story about greed rather than self-confidence overcoming fear. While George
experiences fear and discomfort as his wish takes unexpected turns, the central
theme revolves around the consequences of unchecked desire and greed.
George's initial wish is driven by his longing for a new bicycle.
He desires it with great intensity, believing that having the bike will bring
him happiness. This desire for something more, without considering the possible
consequences, represents greed. His mother's warning about being careful with
wishes is a cautionary note about the dangers of wanting too much or focusing
solely on one's desires. As George's wish unfolds, he realizes that the fulfillment
of his wish comes with discomfort and fear, revealing that getting what he
wants isn’t as satisfying as he anticipated.
Although George experiences fear as the situation with the carpet
grows unsettling, the focus of the story is on how greed can lead to unexpected
and undesirable consequences. His wish, once granted, does not bring the joy he
hoped for, instead leading him to a realization about the dangers of unchecked
desires. Therefore, the story is more about greed and its negative outcomes than
about self-confidence overcoming fear.
Reference beyond the text
a. Do you
think our wish can be fulfilled? Why or why not?
The idea of whether a wish can be
fulfilled depends on various factors, such as the nature of the wish, the
effort put into achieving it, and the circumstances surrounding it. In a
literal sense, wishing for something doesn’t always guarantee that it will come
true, especially if the wish is unrealistic or based purely on desire without
any action to support it. However, in a more metaphorical sense, our wishes or
goals can often be fulfilled through hard work, determination, and persistence.
For example, if someone wishes for success, it is more likely to
be fulfilled through focused effort, planning, and resilience rather than
waiting passively for success to happen. On the other hand, some wishes might
be beyond our control, like wishing for something that requires a change in
external factors or circumstances that we can’t influence.
In stories like The Wish by Roald Dahl, the
fulfillment of a wish often comes with consequences or an unexpected outcome,
teaching readers that the act of wishing alone isn't always enough—it is the
choices we make and the actions we take that shape our outcomes. So, while some
wishes can be fulfilled, it’s important to recognize that the process often
involves more than just wishing; it requires effort, patience, and careful consideration
of the consequences.
b. Why do you think some people might have a frightening nature? What
would you suggest to them to overcome it?
Some people may have a frightening nature due to a variety of
reasons, often rooted in personal experiences, fears, or insecurities. People
with a frightening or intimidating demeanor might have faced challenging life
situations, such as trauma, rejection, or negative experiences, that shaped how
they interact with others. This can lead to defensive behavior, aggression, or
a lack of trust in others, which may make them appear frightening.
Additionally, certain personality traits like being highly assertive or
competitive can also contribute to an intimidating presence, even if the person
is not consciously trying to scare others.
To overcome a frightening nature, it’s important for individuals
to work on building self-awareness and emotional intelligence. Understanding
why they react in certain ways and acknowledging their fears or insecurities
can help them manage their behavior. Practicing empathy and learning to see
situations from others' perspectives can also soften their approach. Developing
communication skills, such as using a calm tone, open body language, and being
mindful of facial expressions, can help others feel more at ease.
Seeking support through therapy or counseling can also be
beneficial, especially if past trauma or deep-seated fears contribute to their
intimidating nature. Ultimately, overcoming a frightening nature requires
self-reflection, patience, and the willingness to make small, consistent
changes to how one interacts with others.
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