Chapter: 07. No More Car Wash Blues
Comprehension
A. Fill in the blanks with the correct words from the story.
Nobody wants to eat food cooked by an elephant. I didn’t mean to give up on our dream of being independent elephants. I’ll make the stew, and you can sing your heart out to all the customers. Mr Dilley had been paying Ethan and Sammy with peanuts. They had the words ‘Stew and Tunes’ written on the side of their truck. B. Answer these questions with reference to the context.
I’m just tired of waiting for someone else to give me a chance.
a. Who is the speaker?
* Sammy is the speaker.
b. What is the speaker talking about?
* The speaker (Sammy) is talking about his dream of becoming a chef and his frustration with not being able to find a restaurant that will hire an elephant to cook. He wants to create his own opportunity instead of waiting for someone else to give him a job.
c. Do you think the speaker deserves a chance?
* Yes, the speaker (Sammy) absolutely deserves a chance. He is passionate and determined, which are key qualities for success. Everyone deserves an opportunity to pursue their dreams, and Sammy clearly has the talent and drive for cooking. What a brilliant idea!
a. Who is the speaker and to whom is this spoken to?
* Sammy is the speaker, and he is speaking to Ethan.
b. Which ‘idea’ does the speaker refer to?
* The speaker (Sammy) is referring to the idea of a mobile business, specifically inspired by the man selling ice cream from his truck. The ‘brilliant idea’ is to “Don’t wait for your customers to come to you-go out and find them!”
c. What is the inspiration behind this brilliant idea?
* The inspiration behind this brilliant idea is observing the ice cream truck. Sammy and Ethan see that the man is selling ice cream directly from his truck in the parking lot, bringing his product to the customers instead of waiting for them to come to a fixed location. This sparks the idea that they can do the same with their own business by using a truck. Questions after the story:
Even with sore feet, Ethan and Sammy wanted to complete their work. What do you learn about the characters from this line? Write your answer in context of responsibility and perseverance. From this line, we learn that Ethan and Sammy possess a strong sense of responsibility and perseverance. Despite their physical discomfort (“sore feet”) and their unhappiness with the job, they continue to complete their work. This shows their commitment to fulfilling their duties, even when they dislike the task. It also highlights their perseverance, as they push through hardship, knowing that completing their work is a necessary step towards eventually achieving their larger dreams of starting their own business. When Ethan and Sammy saw the man selling from the truck, they had an epiphany of their brilliant idea. Discuss and write about ways they can execute their idea. When Ethan and Sammy had their “brilliant idea” inspired by the ice cream truck, they could execute their idea in several ways: Research and Planning: First, they would need to research the cost of renting or buying a suitable truck, including any modifications needed for cooking and serving. They’d also need to plan their menu (Sammy’s peanut butter stew, perhaps with other dishes) and decide on a pricing strategy. Financial Planning and Loan Application: They would need to determine how much money they could save from their car wash jobs and then approach the bank again for a loan, presenting a detailed business plan for their mobile “Stew and Tunes” truck, which would be less expensive than a full restaurant. Permits and Licenses: They would have to find out what permits and licenses are required to operate a mobile food business in Belvar, including health and safety regulations. Truck Customization: Once they have a truck, they would need to customize it with a kitchen setup for Sammy’s cooking and a space for Ethan to sing, along with the “Stew and Tunes” branding on the exterior. Marketing and Routes: They would need to plan regular routes around Belvar, identifying busy spots where they can attract customers. Ethan’s singing could be a unique marketing tool to announce their presence, just like the ice cream truck’s bells and music. They could use social media or flyers to let people know their schedule and locations. Customer Service: They would continue to offer excellent customer service, treating every customer with respect, just as Sammy envisioned, ensuring people enjoy their food and Ethan’s entertainment. 
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