Two cousins used to be best friends. Have things changed?
Learning Objective: Students will read a realistic fiction story and identify how its main character changes from the beginning of the story to the end.
SPECIAL GLOSSARY
Haitian Creole (HAY-shuhn KREE-ohl) is one of the languages spoken in Haiti. Here are some Haitian Creole terms you’ll read in this story.
matants (mah-TAHNTS): aunts
monnonks (mah-NUKS): uncles
kouzen (KOO-zen): cousin
pate mori (pat-teh MOO-ree): saltfish patties
diri djon djon (dee-ree jahn jahn): black rice
Cola Lacaye (KO-luh la-KAI): a fruity cola
Jim McMahon/Mapman®
Haiti is a country in the Caribbean Sea.
“I have exciting news,” said Grann.
Sajès (SAH-jes) and his sister, Chloè, looked up from their scrambled eggs and plantains.
“This year for my birthday picnic, we have special guests,” Grann continued. “Your uncle Dixon and cousin Alexis are coming to New York from Haiti.”
“Who?” Sajès asked.
“You don’t remember?” asked Chloè.
“Alexis is your age, Sajès. You used to play together when you were babies,” said Mom.
“You and Alexis used to be best friends,” explained Dad.
“Or ‘best cousins’ as we used to call you,” said Mom. “But then Uncle Dixon and Alexis moved to Haiti.”
Sajès’s face brightened into a smile. For years, he had been the only one his age at family picnics. Chloè was several years older. They didn’t like to play the same games. He would finally have someone his age to play with!
Sajès turned to Chloè excitedly. “When Alexis gets here, we’re going to play all my favorite games! It’s going to be the best day ever!”
“Maybe . . . ,” Chloè replied. “But a lot of time has passed since she moved.”
“That’s OK,” Sajès exclaimed quickly. “I bet we’ll still be best cousins!”
But Sajès started to feel anxious. Would Alexis want to play with him after all these years?
Alexis Arrives
On the day of the picnic, the family drove to a big New York state park. Dad unloaded coolers of fruit punch, containers of delicious sandwiches, and a chocolate birthday cake for Grann.
As Grann got out of the car, she called Sajès over. “Look,” she said. “Our whole family is here. Your matants, monnonks, and kouzen!”
The family had decorated their picnic area with balloons, tablecloths, and streamers in Grann’s favorite color, red. The tables were covered with mountains of mouth-watering food. There were pate mori and diri djon djon to eat and Cola Lacaye to drink.
Uncle Dixon rushed over to greet Grann. A girl about Sajès’s age followed. Grann gave her a big hug.
“Oh Alexis, you’ve grown so much!” said Grann, smiling. “Do you remember your cousins Sajès and Chloè?”
“I’m so excited to see you!” Chloè said. “I used to play with you when you were a baby. Do you remember the little pink teddy bear we used to play with?”
“I still have that bear!” said Alexis.
Chloè squealed. She grabbed Alexis’s hand and they ran off together.
You’re My Worst Cousin
Sajès found a seat at an empty table. More family and friends had arrived. Sajès looked around the party glumly.
The adults were laughing and playing dominoes, the teens were listening to music, and the babies were sleeping on blankets in the grass. Everyone was having a great time—except Sajès.
Every time he looked over, he saw Chloè and Alexis playing together. They seemed to be having a blast.
After a while, he felt a tap on his shoulder. It was Alexis. She had a board game under her arm.
“Do you want to play Scrabble with me?” she asked.
Sajès shook his head no.
“How about hand-clapping games?” Alexis asked. “I’ll show you a cool one from Haiti.”
Alexis began to clap her hands together and waited for Sajès to join her. Sajès just folded his arms and turned his back on her.
Her face fell. “Why won’t you play with me?”
“We used to be best cousins, but now all you want to do is play with Chloè!” Sajès shouted. “You’re my WORST cousin!”
“No I’m not!” she yelled.
Grann’s Advice
Grann noticed the cousins were fighting and called them both over to her. She pulled out a photo album from her bag.
She opened the album to photos of baby Sajès and baby Alexis. Here they were in a bathtub. Here they were at the beach. Here they were sharing a cupcake. They both had frosting all over their faces. Sajès and Alexis couldn’t believe the photos.
“I hardly have any hair in this picture,” Sajès said, laughing.
“Look at my silly T-shirt,” said Alexis.
They both smiled.
“I’m sorry I yelled,” said Sajès. “I guess I was disappointed because you only remembered Chloè.”
“Chloè remembered me! I don’t remember anything. I was just a baby!” she said, smiling.
“Me too,” Sajès said, smiling back.
“But it looks like we used to have a lot of fun together,” Alexis said.
“You did have a lot of fun together,” Grann said. “You know, sometimes family members fight, but we should always try to resolve our conflicts.”
Grann walked over to Dad and Uncle Dixon to chat.
“Maybe Grann’s right,” said Alexis, turning to Sajès. “We shouldn’t fight. Especially on Grann’s birthday.”
Sajès pointed to another photo. “Look, this one must have been taken at one of Grann’s birthdays a long time ago,” he said. “You, me, and Chloè are holding hands.”
“Look at that giant cake!” said Alexis, giggling. “I bet that’s when everyone sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to Grann.”
“Wait a minute, I have an idea!” said Sajès excitedly. “But I’ll need your help—and Chloè’s!”
A Birthday Surprise
Later that afternoon, everyone gathered to have cake. Sajès, Chloè, and Alexis walked to the front of the picnic table. Sajès took a deep breath and spoke to the group.
“Before we cut the cake, we have a special present for Grann. We all practiced together. Alexis taught Chloè and me the words. Here it goes!”
Nou swete w bòn fèt,
Nou swete w bòn fèt
Nou swete, nou swete,
nou swete w bòn fèt
Sajès, Alexis, and Chloè led the family in singing “Happy Birthday” to Grann in Haitian Creole. When the song was over, everyone cheered. Grann got up and embraced her grandchildren.
“Did you like our present, Grann?” asked Sajès.
“I loved your present, but I liked your other present even better,” said Grann.
“What do you mean?” asked Sajès.
“For me, the best present is seeing my grandkids working together and having fun,” said Grann.
“And eating chocolate cake!” said Alexis, grabbing a slice of cake.
Chloè borrowed her mom’s phone. “Smile, and say ‘Best cousins!’” she exclaimed.
Then she snapped a picture of Alexis and Sajès beaming with frosting all over their mouths—just like when they were little.
THINK AND WRITE
Imagine you’re Sajès. Write a journal entry explaining how your feelings about Alexis’s visit changed from the beginning of the story to the end.
Can't Miss Teaching Extras
We learned from Sajès that first impressions aren’t always correct. Explore this theme further in “Susie the Soccer Star,” a fiction story about a girl who doesn’t like the new player on her soccer team.
Keeping an open mind is important—as Sajès learned in this story! For another fiction piece with this theme, read “Those Shoes,” a story that will help students understand the importance of keeping an open mind about people and their circumstances.
Communicating your feelings can be tricky. Read “The Parade That Changed Everything,” a story about two best friends who navigate a misunderstanding.
Table of Contents
5. Differentiate and Customize
Struggling Readers, Multilingual Learners, Advanced Readers, Creative Writing
1. Preparing to Read
Set a Purpose for Reading/Preview Text Features
Introduce Vocabulary
2. Close Reading
Close-Reading Questions
Read “Alexis Arrives.” Why is Chloè so excited when she sees Alexis? Chloè is very excited when she sees Alexis because she remembers playing with her when Alexis was a baby. (character’s motivation)
Critical-Thinking Question
Class Discussion: Supporting Your Friends
In this story, Sajès learns that having high expectations can sometimes lead to disappointment. Sometimes situations don’t always turn out exactly how you hope—and that’s OK! Ask students to think of a time when they were disappointed that a situation turned out differently than they had hoped. Did they have big feelings at first then realize it’ll be OK, like Sajès? Have a conversation about how to manage expectations—and your emotions!—when you’re disappointed. (connecting to the text, theme)
3. Skill Building and Writing
Featured Skill: How a Character Changes
Distribute or digitally assign the How a Character Changes Skill Builder and have students complete it in class or for homework.
Ask students to write a response to the prompt in the Think and Write box on
page 15.
Differentiate and Customize
To help striving readers understand the plot, play the audio of the story as students follow along in their magazines. Pause at the end of each section to discuss what happened, and together write a one- or two-sentence summary.
Explain to students that characters in this story are from a country called Haiti, and they use several terms in a language called Haitian Creole. Provide examples of these terms: matants (aunts), monnonks (uncles), kouzen (cousin), pate mori (saltfish patties), and diri djon djon (black rice). Ask your multilingual learners: If this story were to take place in the country where you or your family is originally from, how would these details or terms be different? Allow some time for students to do their own research or ask a family member.
Invite students to retell the ending of this story, imagining what would happen if Sajès and Alexis didn’t apologize to each other and agree not to fight. How would this change the story and what Sajès learns? Have students either write their alternate ending or prepare an oral presentation.
