Session 3 I disappeared on the night before

Session 3

I disappeared on the night before my twelfth birthday. July 28 1988. Only now can I at last tell the whole extraordinary story, the true story. Kensuke made me promise that I would say nothing, nothing at all, until at least ten years had passed. It was almost the last thing he said to me. I promised, and because of that I have had to live out a lie. I could let sleeping lies sleep on, but more than ten years have passed now. I have done school, done college, and had time to think. I owe it to my family and to my friends, all of whom I have deceived for so long, to tell the truth about my long disappearance, about how I lived to come back from the dead. But there is another reason for speaking out now, a far, far better reason. Kensuke was a great man, a good man, and he was my friend. I want the world to know him as I knew him.

‘You, boy. You here, ’ he said, pointing back towards my cave at the end of the beach. ‘You. ’ And he stabbed his finger in the mound of sand that was my hill. Then across the whole of the sand map he began to write something. The lettering was not letters at all, but symbols – all kinds of ticks and pyramids and crosses and horizontal lines and slashes and squiggles – and he wrote it all backwards, in columns, from right to left. He sat back on his haunches and tapped his chest. ‘Kensuke. I, Kensuke. My island. ’ And he brought his hand down sharply like a chopper, separating the island in two. ‘I, Kensuke. Here. You, boy. Here. ’ I was already in no doubt as to what he meant. Suddenly he was on his feet again waving me away with his stick. ‘Go, boy. No fire. Dameda. No fire. You understand? ’ I did not argue, but walked away at once. When, after a while, I dared to look back, he was kneeling down beside what was left of my fire, and scooping still more sand on to it.

How do you think Michael feels after this event? Write a diary entry for Michael about what happened and think about the following points. • How is Michael feeling? • Will he have any questions about Kensuke? • What will he choose to record in his diary?

Remember that a diary entry has certain features. 1. Your diary entry should be written in 1 st person. You are writing as if you are Michael. 2. Your diary entry should have a greeting 3. Your diary should use an informal tone. 4. End your diary using a phrase, got to go or goodbye for now.

Diary entry plan Paragraph 3 What you think about Kensuke Conclusion and how you will end your diary entry Introduction Where are you and how did you get there? Paragraph 1 Paragraph 2 What you see around you How you felt

Dear Diary, I’m not sure what day it is today, but it is very hot. I have just arrived on this island late last night. There was a horrible storm and my beautiful boat is ruined, but at least I have you diary! This island is unbelievable, the sand is so white and soft like silk under my feet and the sea is soo clear. I can’t believe I am somewhere this beautiful. There’s an awful lot of trees, I think I can find something to eat here, I won’t try to fish I’m no good remember… I just wish I had my best friend with me, or mum or dad. I wonder what Jack would say if he saw this place now. I miss everyone. BUT! I am going to make sure I see the whole island find some food. I almost forgot to tell you, I met an old man he is very bossy. He said his name is Kensuke. He has shown me a place where I can sleep but said that I can’t light a fire. How will we try to see at night if we can’t light a fire? Well I am going to go now, but I will write tomorrow! Michael