Lapin Plays Possum

How did the Lapin get on the cartwheel?

• He pretended to be dead.

• He asked the Bouki for a ride.

• He made his own wagon.

• He walked everywhere.

Think about Lapin's actions and how they contributed to the events in the story.

What event did the following action cause?

Action: Lapin plays dead on the side of the road.

• Bouki cannot find his mule and cart so Lapin invites him over for gumbo.

• Bouki leaves his cart to see if the rabbit on the side of road is Lapin.

• Bouki picks his own cotton and sells it in town. Bouki buys a kettle of gumbo and heads home.

• Bouki calls Lapin a cheater and makes a deal with Lapin for the tops and bottoms of the crops.

• Lapin gives Bouki the vines of sweet potatoes as payment. Bouki gets angry so he makes a deal for the bottom parts of the crops.

In Part A you decided what you think the main idea of Lapin Plays Possum is. Part B: Which detail below best supports Part A?

• "So next summer, come cropping time, Bouki trekked off."

• "I never cheated you."

• "I left you just what you wanted- some nice fat tassels and some big strong roots."

• "We'd share the crop fair and square."

Part A: What is the setting of Lapin Plays Possum?

• Farm

• Far east

• Different country

• city

In Part A, you decided what the structure of the story Lapin Plays Possum was. Part B: Which page below best supports Part A?

• "I don't see how you expect me to live on that."

• "He clucked his mule and rode on."

• "Next year, Compere Bouki was determined."

• "We just finished picking all that good-for-nothing corn off the middles."

In Part A, you chose the setting of Lapin Plays Possum. Part B: Which TWO details best supports Part A?

• "trekked off to the back"

• "scraggly patch of land"

• "come harvest time"

• "headed home empty handed"

• "Waving in the bayou breeze"

In Part A, you decided which character traits described Lapin.
Part B: What detail supports Part A above?

• "got up and raced pell-mell through the woods."

• "what's the matter, mon ami?"

• "they must be dying of eternal laziness. Serves 'em right."

• "laid himself down in the road again, held his breath, and made like he was dead."

What is the main theme of 'Lapin Plays Possum'?

• A) Cleverness and trickery

• B) Friendship and loyalty

• C) Hard work and perseverance

• D) Honesty and integrity

Which character trait best describes Lapin in the story?

• A) Honest

• B) Lazy

• C) Cunning

• D) Generous

What does the phrase 'plays possum' mean in the context of the story?

• A) To play a game

• B) To pretend to be dead

• C) To be very active

• D) To be confused