THE

SHORT STORIES FOR FORM ONE

ZAHID

• Zahid is a small, quiet boy. He lives with his grandmother because his parents are separated. He bought a pencil, which was later stolen.

• He was then accused of stealing the pencil and punished by Mr Jamal. He then turned into a bad, naughty boy.

MR. JAMAL

• Mr Jamal was a strict teacher. He also liked to make hasty desicions. He punished Zahid for stealing Dolah's pencil, without looking to the matter carefully.

• Mr. Jamal later found out that Zahid was innocent and Dolah was guilty.

DOLAH UDIN

• Dolah was envious of Zahid's new pencil. He stole the pencil and carved his name on it. Later, Zahid hit him and slashed his hand.

MR. BERAHIM

• Mr Berahim was the principal of the school. He was a very patient and diplomatic leader. He managed to change Zahid's behaviour and made Mr Jamal treat Zahid better.

•  

Plot• Zahid and Dolah quarrel over a pencil. Mr.

Jamal asked them to come up front to see him. Dolah accused Zahid steals his pencil.

• The pencil has Dolah's initial on it. Mr. Jamal believed him and punished Zahid.  

• Weeks before that, Zahid saw the pencil in a bookstore. He liked the pencil very much. 

• Zahid asked money from his grandmother so he can buy the pencil. Grandmother asked him to work with his Uncle Teh instead.

• He bought the pencil and treasured it very much.  

• A few days after that, the pencil disappeared. It turned out Dolah had the same pencil, only the paint was scrapped off.

• Zahid interrogated Dolah about the pencil.   •  Zahid waited for Dolah in the bush after

school to ambush Dolah. He hit Dolah.

Plot• Zahid found the pencil in Dolah's bag and

broke it into pieces. He ran home.• He did not come to school for three days

after that. He was down with fever. • After that, he became a little monster. He

disturbed other children.He bought a pocketknife and destroyed the nature table in the classroom. He slashed Dolah's hand.

•  Zahid was called into the Principal's office. Mr. Berahim, the principal, asked Zahid why he do all the bad things. Zahid told him everything.

• Dolah admitted that he stole Zahid's pencil and accused Zahid instead.

•  Mr. Berahim told Mr. Jamal about Zahid's father.

• Mr. Jamal now understand why Zahid became very naughty.

• Mr. Berahim gave Zahid two new pencils. He was very happy and gave one pencil to Dolah.

Setting 1: CLASSROOM• Where Dolah accused Zahid of

stealing his pencil• Where Mr. Jamal punished Zahid• Where Zahid disturbed the other

children• Where Zahid destroyed the nature

table Setting 2 : ZAHID’S HOUSE• Zahid and his grandmother live here

Setting 3: THE BOOKSTORE

Where Zahid first saw the pencil and bought it

Zahid also bought the pocketknife here

Setting 4: THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE

Where Mr Berahim consoled Zahid Mr Berahim gave a new pencil to Zahid

Theme• HONESTY IS THE BEST POLICY

We should be honest and admit if we made any mistakes. Dolah did not admit that he stole the pencil from Zahid. As the result, he was hit by Zahid on the way back from school.  

        •  BE PATIENT We should be patient when dealing

with difficult situation.Mr Berahim asked Zahid softly why he slashed Dolah's hand. He did not punished Zahid harshly like Mr Jamal did.

• THINK BEFORE TAKING AN ACTION

Before taking any actions, we must think first about the right and wrong, and the consequence. Decisions that are made hastily will lead to troubles. Mr Jamal did not evaluate the situation between Zahid and Dolah carefully. He should not just listen to Dolah accusations.Zahid should think before he punched Dolah. He should also understand that destroying the nature table and disturbing the other children will not bring any joy to him.

Moral Values

• Punishment without investigation is as bad as the crime itself.

• Do not claims things that are not yours.

• Handling an issue with patience is more effective than harsh punishment

Weird wordsHere are some difficult words you might

find inthe story 

• odour = smell• inflection = rise and fall of the voice of someone speaking• Carved = cut something into an

object• symphathize = feel pity for another• quiver = tremble slightly• unusual = not common• ambush = be hidden and waiting to

attack• fathom = understand  

More literature websites

• http://www.childrenslit.com/• http://palmm.fcla.edu/juv/• http://www.magickeys.com/books

/• http://www.antbee.com/

Section C: Novel[10 marks]

The following are the short story studied in the literature component in English language.

The Pencil – Ali Majod 

Based on one short story you have read, write the synopsis of the story.

Support your answer with evidence from the short story.

Your response should be:• not less than 50 words

• in continuous writing (not note form)

Zahid is the main character in this story.He owns a special pencil.He feels proud of owning the pencil and shows it around.His friends share his happiness while some of them are envious of him.After a few days,he finds the pencil missing.His classmate Dolah has a similar pencil like his.However,the paint on the pencil has been scrapped.Out of suspicion he ask Dolah a few questions to find out if the pencil really belongs to Dolah.

Dolah becomes evasive and refuses to answer Zahid’s questions.Zahid accuses Dolah of stealing his pencil and grabs the pencil.Dolah and Zahid fights.The teacher on duty,Mr.Jamal punishes Zahid for fighting.Dolah gets the teachers sympathy.Zahid rushes back when the school bell rings.He hides in the bush and waits for Dolah.He ambushes him

They fight and Zahid wins.He takes the pencil,breaks it and throws them into the river.Zahid changes from his normal self to more aggressive and irresponsible.He buys a pocket knife and brings it to school.He cuts Dolah with the knife and is taken to see the principal,Mr Berahim.Mr.Berahim realises that something is wrong.

He gets Zahid to tell him the things that have happened.He discusses with Mr.Jamal and advises him on what to do.Mr.Berahim gives Zahid two pencils like the one he owned before.Zahid is pleased and feels grateful.He give one of the pencils to Dolah.

Based on The Pencil story, write about the major theme. Give evidence from the short story to support your answer.Your response should be:in not less than 50 wordsin continuous writing (not note form)

Based on The Pencil story, write about the moral values. Give evidence from the short story to support your answer.Your response should be:in not less than 50 wordsin continuous writing (not note form)