I’m Digger’s Son

This story has two main themes, the defining moment in a boy’s life when he feels like an adult for the first time, that is when childhood is replaced by manhood, and, two different ways of life working together for a common purpose.

Often we look at people with a different way of life to our own, and we think that our way is somehow better than theirs. But it is important to realise that everyone has a function, and we may need to rely on each other sometimes. For example, if people who live in cities think that those in the countryside are less important, they are not thinking about how we rely on farmers for a large proportion of our daily foods, such as milk and eggs.

This story is set in the country, and the main character is a local boy called Phil. When a small child goes missing in the bush, the people from the local town have to rely on Phil to help them in finding her.

For Phil, it is a big moment. For the first time he feels grown up and responsible, although some of the townsfolk are not convinced that he is up to the job.

This task is scheduled to 2 hours.

I’m Digger’s Son, E.A. Gollschewsky, The New Choice, Reader for Niende, Gyldendal Undervisning, red. J. Watts et al.,1995

1. Read the story, and make sure that you understand it. Use a dictionary to look up any
words that are unfamiliar and not in the glossary.

2. Write a short summary of the text, in your own words.

3. Make a characterisation of Digger’s son, Phil.

4. How did the men feel about having Phil as their leader?

5. Describe how you think Phil was feeling as he set off with the men.

6. How would he be feeling when he found the girl?

7. Why did Benson call Phil ‘Digger’?

8. What effect do you think this experience will have on Digger? Is it symbolic in any way?

9. Does the story tell you anything about the meeting between ‘civilisation’ and the ‘primitive’
way of life?

10. Send your replies to your teacher.