Riddle, by Ogbewe Amadin

How does Idara’s attitude toward witchcraft change throughout the story?

• In the beginning, she is fascinated by the idea of witches, but influenced by her mother and some of her friends, she comes to believe that all witches are evil.

• In the beginning, she is repelled by the idea of witches. Later, she begins to believe that some witches can be good, like her Aunt Bisi.

• In the beginning, she believes that all witches are evil. This is later confirmed when she sees her Aunt Adusewa transform into a cat-like creature.

• In the beginning, she was fascinated by witches, but influenced by her mother's group, she wonders how witches can use their power for evil. Later, she decides that some witches can be good, like her Aunt Adusewa.

Which quote below suggests that Idara is conflicted in her feelings toward her Aunt Adusewa?

• I once saw Aunty Adesuwa eavesdropping on my mother and two of her friends. I didn’t know how to signal Mama without her seeing me.

• While she talked I felt it resonating in my bones. My blood seemed to heat up in my veins as if her words scorched my insides. I wondered if Mama and her friends felt this strangeness.

• “I hate you,” I said.

• As I watched her, I felt a migraine that blurred my sight. In the place where Aunty Adesuwa should have been, there was instead the body of a very large cat with her head still human.

What quote below reveals the way that Idara’s mother influenced her attitude toward witches?

• It seemed to me that witches did wonderful things.

• I hated how they perverted a thing that would otherwise have been beautiful.

• “People call me different. Am I a witch too?” I asked.

• Aunty Adesuwa had been kind and sweet to the stranger with the bicycle. She had loved her stepson. She had also shown her strength and independence by leaving her cheating husband and thriving without him. She was also a witch. This was my confusion.

What riddle does the story present?

• on what beach should the survivors of a shipwreck be buried

• how Mama could lie

• how Aunt Adesuwa killed her ex-husband’s illegitimate child

• how “such a fascinating and wondrous thing as magic was used for evil”

What is the meaning of tirade in the phrase below?

...two weeks after Aunty Adesuwa’s tirade.

• an exchange of goods

• an encouraging speech

• a long, angry speech

• a series of specific directions

Did you enjoy reading this story?

• Yes, I did, and I look forward to reading more stories.

• No, I did not, but I might enjoy reading other stories.

• Yes, I enjoyed this story, but I would rather work on grammar, spelling, and punctuation, than read more.

• No, I didn't enjoy this story, and I would rather work on grammar, spelling, and punctuation.