Question

Nsue and the Honeyguide
retold by Sharon Howard

1

Silently his bare feet moved swiftly over hot, arid soil to the edge of a waterhole where the kudu was drinking. The great animal suddenly looked up, spiral horns curving sharply into the endless African sky. Nsue did not have the heart to hunt it. This would not be the day he would change his childish boyhood name.

2

Nsue left the salt pan and climbed the barren hillside to the cool twilight of the rock caves. Tonight would be the Festival of the New Moon, and Nsue had nothing to contribute to the feast.

3

Nsue lay on his back and studied the ancient paintings that lined the rock walls. They reminded him of the stories that Gao, the Old One, told about the San1 people of long ago.

4

Nsue's father found his unhappy son in the cave. He had often heard the older boys teasing his son about his name, meaning "ostrich egg."

5

"Nsue is a fine name," his father said. "Ostrich eggs are of great value to our people."

6

Nsue turned his head away. "It is the name of a child, not a hunter. I will never be a skilled hunter like you, Father."

7

Nsue's father surveyed the desert. "All men are not intended to be hunters," he said softly. "Some men tell stories. Men like Nxou are keepers of water."

8

"I will find something to share at the Festival of the New Moon," Nsue promised as he left the cave.

9

In time, Nsue grew tired and stopped to rest. At first, he thought the wind was playing tricks on his ears, but there it was again: "Nta-nta-nta-nteee!"

10

When he heard the excited cry of the honeyguide bird, Nsue leaped up and began to answer with the grunts and growls of the honey badger. As he ran, he remembered the stories of Gao, who told of the bird who seeks out other creatures to invade the combs of honeybees.

11

Nsue ran, and eventually the honeyguide led him to the base of a baobab tree. The hollow tree revealed an opening, with bees buzzing angrily around the excited bird.

12

Nsue quickly began to climb. Without hesitation, he reached into the hollow center and dipped his scoop into a great comb of golden honey. Although Nsue was in a hurry, he remembered Gao's words: "If you do not leave a portion of the comb for the honeyguide, the next time it will lead you to a hungry lion instead of thick, sweet honey."

13

It was dark when Nsue returned, and the Dance of the New Moon had already begun. His face and arms were swollen from bee stings, but his grin was full of pride as he stepped forward and offered to share his golden prize.

14

As the music ended, his father announced, "My son shall now be known to all as Ratel, the fierce and clever honey badger."

1. The San are an Indigenous group of people who have lived in southern Africa for thousands of years.

Sharon Howard, Cricket, © by Cricket Media, Inc. Reproduced with permission.

3Question 3
What does the author do to develop the universal theme of fearing failure as a common human experience?

A.
The author contrasts the traits valued by Nsue's culture with the traits Nsue values in himself.
B.
The author reveals Nsue's concern that he will not be as successful a hunter as his father is.
C.
The author includes Nsue's many past experiences with failure to reveal a pattern of events.
D.
The author describes Nsue's journey through the hot and barren landscape.

Answer 1

B. The author reveals Nsue's concern that he will not be as successful a hunter as his father is. This direct expression of Nsue's fear of failing to meet expectations develops the universal theme of fearing failure.