Reading Comprehension for Grade 10 Students

Portable Radio

His foot kicked against something heavy, the heel of his shoe dragging it along. The weight of the object shifted the last nail that held the heel secure. He stared with dismay at the heel, which peeped back at him from the side of the shoe

A small tobacco pouch was next to the heel

His nerves tensed like a pointer spotting his quarry. He moved back to the wall and dragged the pouch with his foot. He scratched his calf nonchalantly. A few more scratches and the pouch was in his hand.

His fingers flowed over the unyielding surface. He was puzzled. The contents could not be tobacco; it was too bulky, and he could not feel the sharp edges. Covering the pouch from observant eyes, he undid the top. The greenness of banknotes wrapped around some object was revealed. With a furtive movement he slipped the pouch into his pocket and walked in the direction of his home.

He kept his hand on the pouch lest its contents disappear like some crazy dream. He was deliriously happy and felt like doing a dance on the pavement, but a policeman on the corner decided him against it. The policeman might not understand his feeling and arrest him for being drunk. With what he had in his pocket, he was not taking any chances.

Running the gauntlet of his aunt’s sharp tongue, he made for his room. A glance showed that his aunt had made her usual search for concealed liquor. Making sure the door was bolted, he drew the pouch from his pocket and spilled its contents on the table, his fingers rubbing lovingly against it. He unwrapped the banknotes from the object they covered and saw that it was four half crowns.

There were eight five-pound notes. He arrayed them in a line, then changed the pattern. He made four piles and placed a half crown on each pile. He lingered on their greenness. Forty pounds and some silver. A fortune.

A sound came from the doorway. He grabbed the money and shoved it in his pocket. He walked on tiptoe to the door and with one swift movement drew the bolt and swung it open.

His aunt was framed in the doorway, and looked as though she was accusing him of something.

“No, I am not hiding anything here,” he replied in a meek voice, cowering.

“Remember what I told you this morning.” She waddled her way along the passage. The staircase protested as she shifted her weight from foot to foot.

He searched his pockets for a stub of pencil, and on the back of the calendar that served also as a decoration, he worked out his fortune

He had more than enough to pay for the portable. He looked at himself in the mirror. He would have to buy something to wear first or else they might refuse to serve him. The white man with the smug face was not likely to let him pass the door without asking many questions.

His aunt was working in the kitchen; he could hear the banging of pots. Silently he crept down the stairs and out of the house.

He went to the secondhand shop where most of the neighbourhood bought their clothing. It also served as a clearing house for those with goods to sell. When he stepped into the shop It felt as if he was entering another world. His senses were overpowered by the clutter of things around. There were all sorts of things in all colours – clothes, toys, rickety furniture, pictures, photos- in all manner of shapes and sizes.

He selected a white linen suit, a pair of canvas shoes, and a pale blue shirt. He was drawn to the rattan cane above which hung a cheap panama hat. He could not resist the temptation and bought the lot, adding a blue and white candy-striped tie. On his way out he spotted a blanket, made a rapid calculation, and bought it. With the generosity of the newly rich, he threw a sixpence change to the boy helping in the shop.

His aunt saw him before he could mount the stairs.

“Hey! What’s that you‘ve got under your arm?” She eyed the bulky parcel with suspicion.

He took some money out of his pocket and gave her a pound. “I’ve had some luck, Auntie. Buy yourself a present.”

His aunt was surprised, but tried not to show it.

He stood at the top of the stairs and called for hot water with which to shave. After some delay, his aunt pulled her bulk up the stairs. With a resentful glare, she slammed the container on the table, splashing some water, which she wiped off with the edge of her apron.

A hot bath and a shave later, he emerged resplendent in his new suit, with the panama hat dipped at a jaunty angle. With a twirl of his cane, he walked down the stairs. His milky teeth lit up his brown face as he walked past his speechless aunt. “

All along the way, salesmen tried to get his attention. He was very clearly a very wealthy gentleman in their eyes.

The salesman did not recognize him when he entered the shop.

He ignored the salesman and pretended to scan the shop.

“What can I do for you, sir?”

He did not reply at once, savouring the servility of the salesman. He looked at a table and four padded chairs. Picking up a reading lamp, he watched the salesman hovering nearby. He turned towards him.

“I want to buy a portable radio.”

“Step this way, sir. I will be glad to show you our latest models.” The salesman was like a cat with a cup of cream. He was almost purring with pleasure.

He stood with affected boredom as if buying a radio set was a tiresome procedure.