ch.3 questions

1. What was the letter about?
The letters informed people in Mattru Jong that the rebels were coming and they wanted to be welcomed.

2. What was RUF? Where did they see the message?
RUF is the Revolutionary United Front. They saw the message carved in the messengers body.

3. Why didn’t the rebels come by the time they said they would?
i think maybe the rebels got held back because they probably had to fight.

4. What does the Palampo mean? Have you experienced a time where your family worried that you would be Palampo forever pg.23?
Palampo means being single. No i haven't.

5. Describe and give details, of how it was when the Rebels did come?
When the rebels did come, Ishmael was cooking. Then they heard gun shots and then it became very hectic with everyone running in different directions and jumping into the river.

6. What was the carving mean? RUF?
the carving was a warning that they were coming. Revolutionary United Front.

7. Using one word how would you describe what was going on? Why?
I would use the word hectic because I think it describes the situation perfectly.

8. Why do you think he was so determined to keep running? Why doesn’t he get tired?
He was so determined to keep running because he didn't want to die. I think he didn't get tired because his fear kept him going.

9. How does he escape death?
Him and the other boys escape death because they keep running and they dont give up.

10. How did the rebels get their messages across?
They would send people whose lives were spared. They carved their initials on his body and chopped off all his fingers except his thumbs.

11. Why did they chop all of the messenger’s fingers off except the thumbs?
They left his thumb fingers because, before the war, people raise a thumb to say “one love” to each other. “One love” was popularized by the love and influence of reggae music.

12. How was the tone of the village while the residents were hiding?
The town was very eerie without people’s presence.


13. Describe the chaos when the rebels finally arrived.
When the rebels finally arrived, people began running in all directions, running to save their own lives. Some people even jumped into the river. The soldiers of Mattru Jong had left before the rebels got there.

14. Why was staying in town a greater risk for boys?
It was a greater risk for boys because they were immediately recruited, branded with the initials of the rebels and you could never escape from them.

15. Describe the actions of the boys as they are running from the rebels. How long were they running for?
The boys ran for over an hour. The older brother kept calling for the main character to make sure he was all right. I think all the boys were scared but they didn’t want each other knowing.