Grimble

"Grimble" by Clement Freud

Oh, to be Grimble. A boy of about 10 that comes home one day to find that his parents have left for Peru. So, he spends the next 5 days finding various notes left by his absent parents as he tries to make sense of the adult world he now finds himself alone in. He also does a lot of cooking for himself.


 * Discussion Questions**

Discuss the role of adults in the short story “Grimble.” (Questions that might help) How do they compare to “real” adults? How do you think Grimble views adults? How is Grimble somewhat like an adult himself? Make sure to include examples from the story. Additionally, make sure to review your journal writing guidelines.
 * 1**

Grimble is all alone, but in this story he is really alone. Explain how the absence of adults and the abundance of notes create a world a rather lonely world for our main character. Is there anything good that can come out of this experience? (Follow the journal rules and use examples)
 * 2**

//Complete the chart outlining how Grimble spent his week alone. Please include the page number.//
 * Grimble's Week**
 * **Monday** || **Tuesday** || **Wednesday** || **Thursday** || **Friday** ||
 * * Mom and dad left for Peru pg.90
 * They left lots of notes pg. 90
 * Writes a poem pg. 92
 * Eats at Mr. Mosqito's house pg. 93
 * Gets a telegram from mom and dad pg. 97 || * Gets a telegram pg. 97
 * Goes to school pg. 98
 * Takes history pg. 99
 * Takes sport pg. 100
 * Eats at the Featherstone's pg. 101
 * Writes a poem pg 104 || * Misses dad pg. 105
 * Goes to school pg. 106
 * Takes geography pg. 106
 * Goes swimming pg. 106
 * Wins swimming race by default pg. 107
 * Sends a telegram pg. 107
 * Goes to aunt Percy's for dinner pg. 108
 * Writes a poem pg. 111 || * Felt sick pg. 112
 * Finds out parents are coming back pg. 114
 * Went to train station pg. 115
 * Made burnt chocolate sauce pg. 117
 * His Uncle sent money pg. 118 || * Feeds pigeons pg. 118
 * Went out pg. 119
 * When to the fish shop to get key pg. 122
 * Went to cake shop pg. 122
 * Made //Trifle a la Grimble//
 * Parents come back pg. 124 ||

(include: characters, setting, conflict (internal & external) ||  || The story of a boy named Grimble that takes place in England during the 1960s. One day he comes home to find that his parents have left for Peru and that he must take care of himself for the rest of the week.
 * The Plot**
 * **Exposition**

(all the important events) ||  || Grimble finds a lot of notes throughout his house and the city giving reminders, instructions, and helpful hints to aid him during his time alone. The notes instruct him to visit a number of people throughout the city to offer him assistance, but most of the time these people are nowhere to be found and instead have left more notes. Grimble receives random telegrams from his parents that are usually confusing or unnecessary.
 * **Rising Action**

(remember it deals with the conflict) ||  || Late in the day on Friday, Grimble’s parents return home and tell Grimble that Peru is a bad place for cakes.
 * **Climax**

(wrapping up loose ends) ||  || Grimble is happy because his parents have returned, school ends the next day, he’ll be able to read the newspaper with is parents, and he’ll even receive tenpence for breakfast.
 * **Falling Action**

Grimble’s life has returned to normal and now he is better at cooking and can start cooking for his parents (if they get up in time for lunch).
 * **Resolution** ||  ||