Amigo Brothers

                 AMIGO BROTHERS

                                                  - Piri Thomas

THINK AND WRITE

1. There are lots of similarities and differences between Antonio and Felix. List them.

Similarities: They both are young boys of 17. They both are Puerto Ricans. They both want to become a light weight champion of the world. They both work out hard. They both run in the mornings. They both live in the same building on the Lower East side of Manhattan. They love each other very much. Neither of them wants the other to be hurt, although they both want to win.

Differences: Antonio was fair, lean and lanky. Felix was dark, short and husky. Antonio’s hair was always falling over his eyes, while Felix wore his black hair in an Afro style. Felix weigtiecfl 34 pounds, but Antonio weighed 133 pounds.

2. What is the main conflict in the story?
          The main conflict in the story is that of ambition. Both Antonio and Felix want to be champions. But only one of them can be a champion. So they decide to fight it out. In the end they realize that both are equally determined and equally strong.

3. The crowd was enthusiastic in the beginning. Why did people get worried in the end?

          The crowd was enthusiastic in the beginning. Large posters about the fight were plastered all overthe walls. The fight created great interest in the neighbourhood. Both the boys were liked and respected and each had his own loyal fans. As they gave each other punches the crowd was enthusiastic and loudly cheered them. But in the 3rd round the fight almost became a life and death affair. Both were punching each other so hard that even the referee got worried. They did not stop the fight even when the bell rang repeatedly and this made the people worried.

4. Nodreams can be realized without effort How far is this true in the case of Antonio and Felix?

          No dreams can be realized without effort. This is true in the case of Antonio and Felix. They both continued working hard till the last day of the fight. They even decided to go their separate ways till the fight was over. In the fight also they did not spare the opponent because he was his friend. They tried their best to win. No pain, no gain. There is a saying in English: The finest pearls are found in the deepest part of the ocean. Only those who make genuine efforts can get these pearls.

Activity - 1 (Write up)

1. The box given below contains information about Antonio and Felix. Add more points to it

       

* Felt themselves to be brothers

* Slept, ate, rapped and dreamt positive

* Both were young boys of 17

* Both were Puerto Ricans

* Both wanted to become a light weight champion of the world

* Both worked out hard

* Both ran in the mornings

* They lived in the same building on the Lower East side of Manhattan.

* They love each other very much.

* They did not want the other to be hurt

* Both were strong, one weighing 134 pounds and other 133.

Activity II (Making Announcements)

The following announcement was made by the announcer before the competition began: “Ladies and Gentlemen, now is the moment we have all been waiting for-the main event between two fine young Puerto Rican fighters… ”

Imagine yourself to be the announcer of the sports day in your school. Write the script of the announcement that you would make for any one event.

    "Respected teachers, parents, boys and girls, now is the moment we all have been waiting for- the 400 Metres Relay Race. The fourteams are ready at their various spots. Look at their colours-orange, green, yellow and white. The batons are also of the same colour as their dresses. Soon the whistle will go and you will see the fastest runners of the school competing for the prize. Be ready for a breathtaking finish. I can see the referee ready to whistle. Okay… May the best team win!”

Activity III (Newspaper report)

Imagine that you are a newspaper reporter and you witness the contest between the amigo brothers ad note down the points which you would like to include in your report.

        The fight between Antonio Cruz & Felix Vargas was scheduled to take place in Tompkins Square Park. The time was afternoon. Even before the scheduled fight, the Park begins to fill up because the fighters were much liked by the people around! There was expectation in all the faces to see a very good fight. The fighters enter and the crowd explodes with a roar. Antonio & Felix bow gracefully and raise their arms in acknowledgement to welcome they received from the crowd.

The announcer makes the announcement telling that the contest is between Antonio Cruz and Felix Vargas, two fine Puerto Ricans. Felix Vargas weighs 134 pounds and his rival Antonio Cruz weighs 133 pounds. The winner will represent the Boy’s Club in the tournament of champions, the Golden Gloves. There will be no draw. The Referee now gives instructions telling them it should be a clean fight. In the first round both the contestants do their best to outwit the other. But both are equally strong. In the second round also the same things happen. Punches fly back and forth, but none is floored. Each punch is applauded thunderously by the crowd.

Now comes the third round. Each contestant wants to win. They punch each other very hard. Nobody falls to the canvas. The final bell rings. But the fight continues. The bell rings again and again. But there is no stopping to the fighting. People started getting worried. It looked as if they are witnessing a do or die fight and not a contest. There is utter silence. Then the referee and the trainers separate the contestants.

Now the contestants embrace. They have forgotten they were fighting like bulls up to a moment ago. The announcer makes an announcement. He is trying to name the winner and he looks around. But both Felix and Antonio had left like good old friends, arm in arm, declaring their strong bond of friendship. They proved themselves to be real amigo brothers! May their tribes increase!

Activity IV (Debate)

"The announcer turned to point to the winner and found himself alone. Arm in arm, the champions had already left the ring.”
The winner in the boxing competition left without receiving the prize. This is against the rules and regulations of a game. Do you agree to this opinion?

If vou agree. Why? Write down your points below:

• Going away without receiving the prize is against the rules and regulations.
• Every competition has rules and regulations. The participants should obey them.
• If you break the rules, the competitions can’t be done properly.
• The competitors came to the competition knowing fully well only one could win as it was an elimination contest. Then why go away without taking the prize?
• If Felix and Antonio loved each other so much they should not have agreed to take part in the competition in public.
• They both had tried hard to defeat the other. So why doesn’t the winner collect his prize?                                                                                                   If you disagree, write down the reasons:
• Actually, nobody had won in the contest. The referee and the two trainers had to separate the contestants.
• Anybody has a right to refuse a prize.
• By taking the prize before the large crowd the winner must have made the other person sad.
• They both considered themselves as champions.