Question

What the Flores Family Gave Us
by Shelley Holt Campbell

1

My mom didn't seem to notice how happy Mr. Flores was to be helping us with a broken water pipe that had flooded part of our house, because the first thing she said was, "Oh, you don't need to be doing all that work!"

2

Mr. Flores laughed. "Claro! Of course, I don't. But more importantly, you cannot sleep in this house tonight. Come and speak to my wife. She will help you figure out what to do." My mom doesn't usually let people tell her what to do, but she sighed deeply as she took in the sight of our soggy home in the fading light, reached for my hand, and followed our neighbor to his house.

3

The Flores family lived across the street and two houses down. Their home was the same size as ours but housed three generations—six people instead of two. There was the grandmother they called Abuela, along with Mr. and Mrs. Flores and their children, two boys and a younger sister named Rosica. Rosica was my age. I knew her name and face, but since she was new to our school and quiet, and we had different teachers, the two of us had never spoken. It was she who answered the door. "Come in," she said quietly. "Mama is changing the sheets on the bed for you, and there is some of Abuela's lemon cheesecake on the table."

4

"Please don't trouble yourself," my mom began, flustered. "I think I should call a hotel and see about a room. I'm not hungry, but it's getting late, and I suppose I need to call the insurance company. I'm not sure if I can find some dry clothes for Luella and me to wear tomorrow."

5

"Don't be silly!" called Mrs. Flores as she came down the stairs smiling warmly. "Your room is ready. It is more blessed to give than receive, but there is still blessing in receiving. Allow yourself to be blessed by receiving a place to stay, and allow us the bigger blessing of giving you something you need! You are welcome here."

6

After two weeks of allowing the Flores family the bigger blessing of giving, as we received from them beds to sleep in, bright bowls filled with food, laughter, blessings for our tears, and prayers for our days, we moved back into our house. Thanks to Mr. Flores, our pipe was fixed, and our house was every bit as bright and cozy as it had been. We were happy to return to our daily rhythm of reading and yoga, work and school, gardening and cooking together. But not everything was the same.

7

Following our stay in the Flores home, a beautiful tradition began. Every Sunday, we ate a big dinner together. When dinner was served at Rosica's house, there were tacos with homemade tortillas. Mom made soup or pasta. Since the food was plentiful, we always invited at least one other household from the neighborhood to join the feast.


Shelley Holt Campbell, Cricket, © by Cricket Media, Inc. Reproduced with permission.

5Question 5
Which detail from the text supports the idea that the Flores family is generous to those in need?
A.
"We were happy to return to our daily rhythm of reading and yoga, work and school, gardening and cooking together." (paragraph 6)
B.
". . . but since she was new to our school and quiet, and we had different teachers, the two of us had never spoken." (paragraph 3)
C.
"Since the food was plentiful, we always invited at least one other household from the neighborhood to join the feast." (paragraph 7)
D.
". . . we received from them beds to sleep in, bright bowls filled with food, laughter, blessings for our tears, and prayers for our days. . . ." (paragraph 6)

Answer 1

D. ". . . we received from them beds to sleep in, bright bowls filled with food, laughter, blessings for our tears, and prayers for our days. . . ." (paragraph 6) — This directly shows the Flores family giving help and comfort when the narrator needed it.