The Crow-Child

Question

by Mary Mapes Dodge

Midway between a certain blue lake and a deep forest there once stood a cottage, called by its owner “The Rookery.”

The forest shut out the sunlight and scowled upon the ground, breaking with shadows every ray that fell, until only a few little pieces lay scattered about. But the broad lake invited all the rays to come and rest upon her, so that sometimes she shone from shore to shore, and the sun winked and blinked above her, as though dazzled by his own reflection. The cottage, which was very small, had sunny windows and dark windows. Only from the roof could you see the mountains beyond, where the light crept up in the morning and down in the evening, turning all the brooks into living silver as it passed.

But something brighter than sunshine used often to look from the cottage into the forest, and something even more gloomy than shadows often glowered from its windows upon the sunny lake. One was the face of little Ruky Lynn; and the oth

Answer 1

er was a shadowy figure known as the Crow-Child.

Ruky, a playful and curious child with an adventurous spirit, loved to explore both the forest and the lakeside. She would spend her days gathering wildflowers, chasing butterflies, and listening to the sweet songs of birds. The lake, with its shimmering surface, was her favorite place to play, and she would often wade into its cool waters, laughing as the waves lapped against her legs. The brightness of her spirit reflected the beauty of the sunny lake.

In stark contrast, the Crow-Child was a mysterious being, often seen flitting between the trees, with dark feathers glinting ominously in the shadows. He was a creature of the forest, seemingly forgotten by time, and carried an air of melancholy. Legends whispered of his origins, suggesting that he was once a human child who had been transformed by mischief and misfortune. He was a keeper of secrets, known to hoard treasures of both beauty and sorrow, hidden beneath the gnarled roots and thick underbrush of the woods.

Though Ruky and the Crow-Child inhabited the same enchanting world, their paths seldom crossed. Ruky was drawn to the light, while the Crow-Child lingered in the shadows. However, fate had other plans.

One fateful day, as Ruky danced along the shore of the lake, her laughter echoing through the air, she noticed a glint of something shiny nestled among the rocks. Her curiosity piqued, she approached the spot and discovered a small, intricately carved figure—a crow with circling patterns etched into its wings. The moment her fingers touched the cool surface, a gentle breeze whispered through the trees, and the air seemed to shimmer.

From the depths of the forest, the Crow-Child felt a pull towards the source of this enchantment. He fluttered out of the shadows and into Ruky's sight, his dark eyes meeting the brightness of her gaze. Startled yet intrigued, Ruky looked at the figure in her hand and then back at the Crow-Child.

“What have you found?” he asked, his voice a mix of curiosity and caution.

Ruky's heart raced. “I found this crow—but it’s not just any crow. It feels like it has a story to tell.”

The Crow-Child stepped closer, his shadow unfurling like the wings of a nightbird. “It does. It belongs to me. I crafted it from memories—memories of joy and sorrow that I’ve collected over the years.”

Ruky's distant laugh faded, replaced by an understanding of the Crow-Child's loneliness. “Why do you dwell in the shadows?” she asked softly.

“Because shadows hold my secrets, and the light feels too bright for my sorrow,” he replied, a hint of vulnerability lacing his words.

Ruky, filled with compassion, offered the crow figure back to him. “Perhaps we can share our stories. I can show you the light, and you can help me understand the shadows.”

And so, a unique friendship blossomed between the girl of the sun and the child of the shadow. Ruky introduced the Crow-Child to the beauty of the lakeside, where sunlight danced upon the water, while he guided her through the depths of the forest, revealing the hidden wonders that lay beneath its dark canopy.

With each day spent together, they exchanged tales—of laughter and joy, of sadness and loss. They learned that true beauty exists in a balance of light and dark, and that sharing one's story can be a powerful way to bridge the space between joy and sorrow.

In time, the cottage known as "The Rookery" became a sanctuary where light and shadow intertwined, creating a harmonious blend of warmth and depth. Ruky and the Crow-Child discovered that friendships can blossom in the most unexpected places, and that by facing both the light and the dark within themselves, they could find not only understanding but also companionship and love.

Thus, the legend of Ruky Lynn and the Crow-Child became part of the stories told around the lake and through the forest, reminding all who heard it of the beauty of embracing both the light and the shadows that shape our lives.

Answer 2

The Crow-Child
by Mary Mapes Dodge

Midway between a certain blue lake and a deep forest there once stood a cottage, called by its owner “The Rookery.”

The forest shut out the sunlight and scowled upon the ground, breaking with shadows every ray that fell, until only a few little pieces lay scattered about. But the broad lake invited all the rays to come and rest upon her, so that sometimes she shone from shore to shore, and the sun winked and blinked above her, as though dazzled by his own reflection. The cottage, which was very small, had sunny windows and dark windows. Only from the roof could you see the mountains beyond, where the light crept up in the morning and down in the evening, turning all the brooks into living silver as it passed.

But something brighter than sunshine used often to look from the cottage into the forest, and something even more gloomy than shadows often glowered from its windows upon the sunny lake. One was the face of little Ruky Lynn; and the other was a shadowy figure known as the Crow-Child.

Ruky, a playful and curious child with an adventurous spirit, loved to explore both the forest and the lakeside. She would spend her days gathering wildflowers, chasing butterflies, and listening to the sweet songs of birds. The lake, with its shimmering surface, was her favorite place to play, and she would often wade into its cool waters, laughing as the waves lapped against her legs. The brightness of her spirit reflected the beauty of the sunny lake.

In stark contrast, the Crow-Child was a mysterious being, often seen flitting between the trees, with dark feathers glinting ominously in the shadows. He was a creature of the forest, seemingly forgotten by time, and carried an air of melancholy. Legends whispered of his origins, suggesting that he was once a human child who had been transformed by mischief and misfortune. He was a keeper of secrets, known to hoard treasures of both beauty and sorrow, hidden beneath the gnarled roots and thick underbrush of the woods.

Though Ruky and the Crow-Child inhabited the same enchanting world, their paths seldom crossed. Ruky was drawn to the light, while the Crow-Child lingered in the shadows. However, fate had other plans.

One fateful day, as Ruky danced along the shore of the lake, her laughter echoing through the air, she noticed a glint of something shiny nestled among the rocks. Her curiosity piqued, she approached the spot and discovered a small, intricately carved figure—a crow with circling patterns etched into its wings. The moment her fingers touched the cool surface, a gentle breeze whispered through the trees, and the air seemed to shimmer.

From the depths of the forest, the Crow-Child felt a pull towards the source of this enchantment. He fluttered out of the shadows and into Ruky's sight, his dark eyes meeting the brightness of her gaze. Startled yet intrigued, Ruky looked at the figure in her hand and then back at the Crow-Child.

“What have you found?” he asked, his voice a mix of curiosity and caution.

Ruky's heart raced. “I found this crow—but it’s not just any crow. It feels like it has a story to tell.”

The Crow-Child stepped closer, his shadow unfurling like the wings of a nightbird. “It does. It belongs to me. I crafted it from memories—memories of joy and sorrow that I’ve collected over the years.”

Ruky's distant laugh faded, replaced by an understanding of the Crow-Child's loneliness. “Why do you dwell in the shadows?” she asked softly.

“Because shadows hold my secrets, and the light feels too bright for my sorrow,” he replied, a hint of vulnerability lacing his words.

Ruky, filled with compassion, offered the crow figure back to him. “Perhaps we can share our stories. I can show you the light, and you can help me understand the shadows.”

And so, a unique friendship blossomed between the girl of the sun and the child of the shadow. Ruky introduced the Crow-Child to the beauty of the lakeside, where sunlight danced upon the water, while he guided her through the depths of the forest, revealing the hidden wonders that lay beneath its dark canopy.

With each day spent together, they exchanged tales—of laughter and joy, of sadness and loss. They learned that true beauty exists in a balance of light and dark, and that sharing one's story can be a powerful way to bridge the space between joy and sorrow.

In time, the cottage known as "The Rookery" became a sanctuary where light and shadow intertwined, creating a harmonious blend of warmth and depth. Ruky and the Crow-Child discovered that friendships can blossom in the most unexpected places, and that by facing both the light and the dark within themselves, they could find not only understanding but also companionship and love.

Thus, the legend of Ruky Lynn and the Crow-Child became part of the stories told around the lake and through the forest, reminding all who heard it of the beauty of embracing both the light and the shadows that shape our lives.

Use the story to answer the question.

In 3–5 sentences, draw conclusions about how the author’s use of sensory language affects the mood or tone of the story. Use examples from the text to support your answer.

(4 points)
BoldItalicUnderlineBullet listNumbered list

Short Answer Rubric (4 points)
Points Awarded Criteria
4
The answer is very clear.

The answer is fully supported by details.

There may be a few errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics. Errors do not interfere with meaning.

3
The answer is mostly clear.

The answer is supported by mostly relevant details.

There are a few errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics. Errors do not interfere with meaning.

2
The answer is somewhat clear.

Details are weak or not related.

There are some errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Errors interfere with meaning.

1
The answer is not clear.

There are few or no supporting details.

There are many errors in grammar, usage, and mechanics. Errors i

Answer 3

The author’s use of sensory language effectively establishes a contrasting mood between light and dark in the story. Descriptions like “the broad lake invited all the rays to come and rest upon her” create a warm, inviting image that evokes feelings of joy and freedom. In contrast, phrases such as “the forest shut out the sunlight and scowled upon the ground” convey a sense of foreboding, casting a gloomy tone that aligns with the Crow-Child’s mysterious character. This duality enhances the narrative, making the eventual friendship between Ruky and the Crow-Child feel significant, as they navigate their way through both the brightness of the lake and the shadows of the forest.