Stories of Courage
PENGUIN ACTIVE READING Teacher Support Programme
Teacher’s notes
LEVEL 3
Stories of Courage
Clare Gray
Stories 5–6: Prisoner for Peace tells the story of Burmese Aung San Suu Kyi, the unofficial leader of Burma. Her government was removed from power by the Burmese army in 1988, and she was placed under house arrest shortly afterward. Since that time she has fought tirelessly for democracy. She was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1991 and continues to fight for her people’s freedom. A Mountain Accident is about Aron Ralston, a US-born hiker whose arm became trapped under a huge rock in the wild, remote Utah countryside. After several days in the open mountains, Aron saved his own life by cutting off his arm and walking to safety.
Summary
Stories of Courage is a collection of eight true stories about exceptionally brave people from different parts of the world. Each courageous individual demonstrates remarkable determination; every story is inspirational. Story 1: In Running for her Life, Ana Quirot, a Cuban world-class sprinter, suffers burns in a terrible accident at home one day. Yet, over the course of several months Ana re-learns to walk and run until she is once again winning medals for her country. Story 2: The true identity of the brave man in The River to Freedom cannot be disclosed. “Matthew” is just one of the world’s brave refugees in Sudan who has escaped persecution in his own country and set up a successful life abroad. He suffered in prison, but managed to run away. He traveled thousands of kilometers, eventually finding peace and freedom in a land far from his own. Story 3: In The Housewife Spy, Odette Sansom worked as a British spy against Nazi Germany and was part of the French Resistance. She was imprisoned, tortured and sentenced to death. Despite these dreadful circumstances she remained loyal to her country and her principles. Her brave actions saved thousands of people’s lives. Story 4: Fighting for the Forest tells the
Teacher’s notes
LEVEL 3
Stories of Courage
Clare Gray
Stories 5–6: Prisoner for Peace tells the story of Burmese Aung San Suu Kyi, the unofficial leader of Burma. Her government was removed from power by the Burmese army in 1988, and she was placed under house arrest shortly afterward. Since that time she has fought tirelessly for democracy. She was awarded the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1991 and continues to fight for her people’s freedom. A Mountain Accident is about Aron Ralston, a US-born hiker whose arm became trapped under a huge rock in the wild, remote Utah countryside. After several days in the open mountains, Aron saved his own life by cutting off his arm and walking to safety.
Summary
Stories of Courage is a collection of eight true stories about exceptionally brave people from different parts of the world. Each courageous individual demonstrates remarkable determination; every story is inspirational. Story 1: In Running for her Life, Ana Quirot, a Cuban world-class sprinter, suffers burns in a terrible accident at home one day. Yet, over the course of several months Ana re-learns to walk and run until she is once again winning medals for her country. Story 2: The true identity of the brave man in The River to Freedom cannot be disclosed. “Matthew” is just one of the world’s brave refugees in Sudan who has escaped persecution in his own country and set up a successful life abroad. He suffered in prison, but managed to run away. He traveled thousands of kilometers, eventually finding peace and freedom in a land far from his own. Story 3: In The Housewife Spy, Odette Sansom worked as a British spy against Nazi Germany and was part of the French Resistance. She was imprisoned, tortured and sentenced to death. Despite these dreadful circumstances she remained loyal to her country and her principles. Her brave actions saved thousands of people’s lives. Story 4: Fighting for the Forest tells the