For my first day of middle school, it was critical that nothing be out of place. I planned my outfit sometime in July, and spent the week before school trying out hairstyles. At the bus stop, I stood straight and still so my skirt and jacket wouldn't get wrinkled, but tried to pose casually, in case the other kids were sizing me up.
I heard a strange bumping sound behind me. I turned to find a girl in a pink dress, a bright orange raincoat, and a pair of oversized bright-red galoshes thumping along the sidewalk. "Hi!" she said, broadly.
"Is it supposed to rain?" I asked worriedly, terrified that moisture would destroy the hairstyle I'd worked on since 5:30 that morning.
"No, but I just got this raincoat and these boots, and I couldn't resist wearing them! I'm Martha, by the way. My family moved in a few blocks over." The girl's voice was loud and exuberant, and all the other kids looked at her, looked at us.
"Ayesha," I said, keeping my voice low.
"Love your skirt!" she said. Even though Martha put me on edge, it felt nice that someone noticed.
It turned out that Martha was in the sixth grade, too, and we had the same homeroom, art class, and music class. Every time she saw me, she waved both arms and shouted "Hi, Ayesha!" and I shrank in my seat. I couldn't believe she was acting that way on the first day of middle school -- I didn't want to be mean, but I also didn't want people associating me with someone so eccentric and unwilling to conform to social norms. Even my friends mentioned her at lunchtime.
"Do any of you know the girl in the raincoat?" Melinda asked.
"She's a little odd," Nina said, as I avoided eye contact, waiting for the gossip to turn to my name, "but I talked to her this morning and she is super nice."
It was true: Martha was very amiable, and after a few mornings at the bus stop, we became friends despite my misgivings. I got bold enough to say, "What are you wearing?" when she showed up in opera gloves or yard-long strings of colorful beads.
"Don't you love it?" she'd say, twirling to show me.
Our favorite class was music. Martha's voice was like her -- loud and commanding, while mine was a bit meek, and delicate.
"You have a great voice," Martha said as we stepped out of class. "You should sing more!" Without warning, she started belting the chorus of her favorite pop song, her voice bouncing off the lockers, and other kids stared.
"Stop!" I said, laughing but mortified. "Everyone's looking at us!"
"That's because I'm singing really loudly!" she shouted. Her voice was strong, and many of the people who listened were smiling, but still, I hung back.
In art class, Martha wanted to paint a big white dropcloth that filled a whole wall. She even used big house-painting brushes, splattering color everywhere.
"I'm not getting near that thing until I bring in some old clothes," I said.
"Come on, it's water-soluble, see?" Martha said, giving the sleeve of her blouse a bright-blue cuff. "It'll come right out, although that looks pretty cool."
"Not me," I said, planting myself on a bench and watching Martha paint. She sang the whole time, like she always did, and as she reached for the top of the big cloth, it looked like she was dancing. It seemed like I spent a lot of my time sitting on the sidelines, watching Martha do bizarre things.
One afternoon, our music teacher announced auditions for the annual school musical. On the bus ride home, Martha drummed excitedly on the seats. "I wonder how many singing parts there are -- we'll have to try out for different ones."
I said nothing. I told myself I'd look ridiculous getting onstage, putting on a costume, and singing out loud in front of people.
"I don't think I'm trying out," I admitted as we stepped off the bus. It was raining, and I dashed under the awning of a nearby salon, trying to cover my hair.
"You're not?" Martha protested, following me. "But you have such a pretty voice. You shouldn't be shy."
"I'm not shy," I said, "I'm just . . . I can't just go out and do things, like you."
"Well, have you tried?" Martha asked. I wanted to tell her that it wasn't as simple as just trying -- that I'd always envied people like her, who could do all the things I'd dreamed of doing, who didn't spend all their time imagining how they must look in other people's eyes and assuming the worst. Instead I just looked at her, afraid of even how my confession would sound to someone who didn't understand.
"I know it can be scary sometimes, so let's start small," Martha said sensing my hesitation and stepping out from under the awning with her hand held up to the sky. "Come walk in the rain with me -- it's one of my favorite things."
"My hair . . ."
"It'll dry, and you can do it again tomorrow," she said as she held her hand toward me. "If you try this, I promise to never make you try anything fun ever again," she teased.
I took a breath, gave my hair one last glance in the reflection of the salon window, and took Martha's hand. She pulled me out into the rain, bursting into song again.
The water was cool on my skin, and it felt strange to let it fall on my head while everyone else ducked under umbrellas and doorways. At first I cringed, but once I was irreparably wet, I felt my shoulders relax. I joined in Martha's song, a song I realized I'd been holding in for a long time, and our voices blended with the tapping rain, sounding light and free.
"A Fearless Spirit" property of Pearson.
Student Directions:
How does the relationship between Martha and Ayesha change during the course of the passage "A Fearless Spirit"? Write an essay answering this question. Be sure to use details from the passage to support your response.
Part 1:
Start planning your essay by making a graphic organizer. Draw a box that represents the opening scene at the bus stop. In the box, make notes that describe how Ayesha and Martha interact with each other. Read the passage again, adding new boxes when the scene changes. For each scene, add information about Martha, Ayesha, and how they interact with each other. Use the notes on your graphic organizer to write the first draft of your essay.
Part 2:
Exchange your draft with a partner. Make suggestions about how your partner could improve his or her essay. Pay special attention to how well the essay describes the changes in the relationship between Ayesha and Martha.
Part 3:
When you get your own essay back, revise it and write your final draft, keeping in mind the suggestions made by your partner. Make sure that your essay compares or contrasts the relationship between the two girls at the start of the story and at the end and explains what incidents led to the change.
Scoring:
Your essay will be scored on the following:
Your description of how the relationship between Ayesha and Martha changes.
The organization of your ideas, including how you sequence events and use transitions.
The revisions you make based on the responses of your reading partner.
1 answer
Graphic Organizer
Opening Scene at the Bus Stop
Martha: Enthusiastic, brightly dressed, and welcoming. Greeted Ayesha with a loud "Hi!"
Ayesha: Anxious and concerned about her appearance. Feels self-conscious and finds Martha’s exuberance a bit overwhelming.
Interaction: Initial awkwardness; Ayesha is taken aback by Martha’s loudness and eccentric outfit but appreciates the compliment on her skirt.
Scene 2: Class Interactions
Martha: Continues her loud and cheerful demeanor, actively engages with Ayesha in class, especially music.
Ayesha: Begins to feel the strain of wanting to fit in while appreciating Martha’s friendly nature. Initial reluctance to fully embrace the friendship.
Interaction: Despite Ayesha’s discomfort, she starts to bond with Martha through shared classes and mutual interests.
Scene 3: Audition Announcements
Martha: Excited about the musical auditions, tries to encourage Ayesha to join. Remains supportive and persistent.
Ayesha: Struggles with shyness and fears the spotlight. Discloses her hesitation about trying out.
Interaction: Ayesha confesses her fears to Martha, highlighting her envy of Martha's fearlessness.
Scene 4: The Rain Scene
Martha: Boldly suggests walking in the rain as a way to confront fears, and demonstrates a carefree attitude towards her appearance.
Ayesha: Initially resistant due to her concerns about her hair, but ultimately decides to let go of her inhibitions.
Interaction: This moment signifies a turning point; Ayesha joins Martha in the rain and begins to sing, showing growth and newfound freedom.
Essay Draft
In the passage "A Fearless Spirit," the relationship between Ayesha and Martha undergoes a significant transformation, evolving from initial awkwardness to a deeper friendship marked by mutual understanding and confidence. At the beginning of their acquaintance, during the opening scene at the bus stop, Ayesha displays anxiety about her appearance and is taken aback by Martha’s loud and eccentric personality. Although she appreciates Martha's compliment about her skirt, she keeps her own voice low, revealing her desire to fit in rather than stand out.
As they become classmates and spend more time together, Martha's vibrant and fearless nature challenges Ayesha's more reserved demeanor. Despite initially viewing Martha as a source of embarrassment—particularly when Martha sings loudly in the school halls, drawing attention to herself and Ayesha—Ayesha gradually learns to appreciate Martha's friendship. In music class, Martha’s enthusiastic praise for Ayesha’s singing talents represents a critical moment, as it reflects Martha’s genuine belief in Ayesha’s abilities, contrasting with Ayesha’s self-doubt.
The pivotal incident occurs when Martha eagerly suggests they try out for the school musical, which terrifies Ayesha. The fact that Ayesha expresses her hesitation indicates how Martha’s bold personality has begun to influence her. However, Ayesha feels overwhelmed by the idea, feeling she lacks Martha's fearless spirit. Instead of retreating, Martha encourages Ayesha to step outside her comfort zone in a metaphorical and literal sense by inviting her to walk in the rain.
This moment symbolizes the turning point in their relationship. When Ayesha finally agrees to join Martha in the rain, shedding her worries about her hair, it marks a significant change in her character. As they walk and sing together, Ayesha’s barriers break down, and she begins to embrace a more liberated version of herself. The rain acts as a cleansing force, allowing Ayesha to blend her voice with Martha's, emphasizing their growing bond and Ayesha’s acceptance of her own identity.
By the end of the passage, Ayesha’s relationship with Martha has transformed from one of discomfort and envy to one of friendship and mutual reinforcement. Ayesha learns to let go of societal pressures and embrace the freedom that comes with self-acceptance, largely due to Martha's fearless spirit. This change signifies not only a deepening friendship but also Ayesha's personal growth as she learns to value the joy of living authentically, inspired by the vibrant personality of her friend.
Revision Suggestions for a Partner
Ensure that the essay includes specific examples from each scene to illustrate the changes in their relationship.
Focus on the emotional development of Ayesha, especially how her feelings evolve from discomfort to acceptance.
Use transitional phrases to smoothly guide the reader through the progression of the relationship from the start to the end.
Include a concluding paragraph that summarizes the growth of Ayesha and what this signifies for her journey moving forward.
Final Note
Make sure to include details that highlight both characters’ attributes and how they complement each other throughout the passage. This will help articulate the relationship's dynamic and the overall message of the story.
