Jasmine Girl

​Jasmine Girl

Shanti wanted the wooden doll in Ramu’s toy shop. “The one with the red dress,” she told her best friend, Jodi. “How will you afford it?” Jodi asked. Shanti smiled. “I asked my mom if I could make jasmine garlands and sell them at my aunt’s market stall. Want to do that, too?” “Good idea!” said Jodi

Multiple Choice

Who are the main characters?

• Ramu and Jodi

• Shanti and Jodi

• The doll and mom

Multiple Choice

What is the setting?

• America

• Ramu's Toy shop

• The mall

Open Ended

What did Shanti want?

Multiple Choice

What is the initial conflict?

• Shanti does not have enough money for the doll.

• The doll is in a red dress.

• They will go sell jasmine garlands at the market.

Early the next morning, the girls met at the jasmine bushes outside of Shanti’s house. Delicate white flowers surrounded them with fresh scent. They nipped blossoms with their fingers and dropped them into a basket. Then the girls sat under a mango tree and knotted the flowers into garlands. Shanti could already see herself hugging that beautiful doll.

Multiple Choice

What is the setting?

• In the evening, at the market

• The next morning, outside Shanti's house

“If we sell enough garlands, we can each get a doll,” said Shanti.

​

Jodi shook her head. “My family is low on money this week. I’ll use my money to pay for Kiran’s medicine.” Kiran was Jodi’s little brother.

​

“Is he sick?” Shanti asked.

​

“He is. But when he gets his medicine, he’ll be fine.” Jodi picked up her garlands. “My mother is expecting me. I’ll meet you at the market.”

Multiple Choice

There is now another conflict. What is it?

• There are not enough jasmine to make the garland

• Shanti and Jodi have no money to buy dolls

• Jodi needs money to pay for medicine for her sick brother

Multiple Choice

What type of conflict is this?

• Internal

• External

Shanti spent the afternoon selling garlands at her aunt’s market stall. But where was Jodi? By early evening, Shanti had sold all her flowers. Shanti was on her way home when she saw Jodi heading to the market with her garlands. “Why are you so late?” Shanti asked.

“I had to watch Kiran while my mother ran an errand,” Jodi said. “Why didn’t you take him with you?” Shanti said. Jodi shook her head. “He’s too sick to go out. He coughs and coughs.”

Shanti knew Jodi wouldn’t make enough money for the medicine now. The market would be closing soon.​

Multiple Choice

Why didn't Jodi come to the market?

• She was sick

• She didn't want to help

• She had to watch her brother

Multiple Choice

Now Shanti realizes there is another conflict. What is it?

• Jodi can't buy the doll

• Jodi won't have enough money to buy Kiran's medicine

• Jodi didn't come to the market

Shanti looked at the money pouch clutched in her hand. It was supposed to be for the beautiful doll she’d been dreaming of for so long. Then she looked at her friend’s tired face. “Here. Keep this for the medicine.” Shanti put her money into Jodi’s hands.

​

That night, Shanti cried, thinking about the doll. What if someone bought it before she’d saved up enough again?

Multiple Choice

What does Shanti think will happen?

• Kiran will get better

• Someone else will buy the doll before she has enough money

• Jodi will not want to be friends with her anymore

Multiple Choice

What did Shanti do to try to solve the problem?

• Decided to give Jodi the money she made

• Kept her money to buy her doll

• Make more garland to make more money

Multiple Choice

Why is Shanti sad?

• Jodi's brother Kiran is sick

• Jodi didn't come to the market

• She doesn't have money to buy her doll now

The next week, while Shanti and Jodi gathered blossoms, Kiran came, too. The medicine had cured his cough, and he ran about laughing and throwing flowers into the air.

Jodi said, “Now you’re Kiran’s best friend. Your money made him well.” The three of them sold garlands at the market that afternoon.

After Shanti helped her aunt pack up the stall, she ran to Ramu’s shop. She burst in and spilled her money across the counter.

“My doll!” she cried. “The one in the red dress!”

​

Ramu said, “I’m sorry, Shanti. Someone bought it.”​

Multiple Select

What happened?

• Kiran is no longer sick because Shanti gave them money for medicine

• Shanti finally has enough money to buy her doll

• Someone else already bought the doll

​Shanti gasped. She gathered up her money and ran out the door before Ramu could see her tears. “What’s wrong, sweetheart?” her mother asked when she ran inside. “My doll is gone!” Shanti sobbed.

​

Her mother hugged her, then handed her a bumpy package wrapped in paper.

“Jodi dropped this off for you.”

On the front of the package was a note: For our best friend, Shanti. From Jodi and Kiran. With shaking hands, Shanti unwrapped it.

​Her doll! Jodi had bought the doll for Shanti!

​

The dress glowed a rich red, and the hair was braided with tiny white flowers. Shanti hugged the doll.

​

“I’ll call her Jasmine,” she said.

Multiple Choice

Who bought the doll?

• Shanti's mom

• Ramu

• Kiran and Jodi

​The following questions are about the PLOT structure of Jasmine Girl.

Multiple Choice

Shanti and Jodi make garland with jasmine flowers to sell at the market.

• exposition

• rising action

• climax

• falling action

• resolution

Multiple Choice

Shanti goes home and cries to her mother because the doll is not at the store anymore.

• exposition

• rising action

• climax

• falling action

• resolution

Multiple Choice

Shanti sees a doll in a red dress that she wants at Ramu's toy shop.

• exposition

• rising action

• climax

• falling action

• resolution

Multiple Choice

Shanti finally has enough money to buy the doll only to find out someone already bought it.

• exposition

• rising action

• climax

• falling action

• resolution

Multiple Choice

Shanti realizes Kiran and Jodi bought her the doll to thank her for paying for Kiran's medicine.

• exposition

• rising action

• climax

• falling action

• resolution