Plus Two English Amigo Brothers Notes | Summary, Activities & Questions | Kerala SCERT

 

AMIGO BROTHERS

-        Piri Thomas

Summary

‘Amigo Brothers’ is a short story written by Piri Thomas. The main characters are two thick friends, Felix Vargas and Antonio Cruz. They are both seventeen and they live in NewYork. They both have a dream ‐‐ to become light weight champions in the world. Both are determined and are tough opponents in the boxing ring. Both of them want to compete in the Golden Gloves Tournament. They come face‐to‐face in the ring at Tompkins Square to find out who will compete in the tournament. They fight like real boxers and in the end they walk away arm in arm without waiting for the results. Their friendship is not hurt. The story highlights the fact that true bonding cannot be destroyed by any sort of competition.

1.     Think and write

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

Similarities	Differences
Both are seventeen-year-old boys.	Antonio is lean and fair, while Felix is short and dark.
Both live in the same neighbourhood.	Antonio is calmer and more serious, whereas Felix is cheerful and lively.
Both are talented amateur boxers.	Antonio prefers a thoughtful approach, while Felix is more energetic and aggressive in the ring.
Both dream of becoming lightweight champions.	Their physical appearance and fighting styles are different.
Both train hard and respect each other.	Antonio wins the match, but Felix accepts the result gracefully.
Their friendship is stronger than their desire to win.

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2. Antonio and Felix are intimate friends. Do you keep such intimacy with your friends? Describe your best friend.

Yes, I have a close friend just like Antonio and Felix. My best friend is kind, honest, and always ready to help me. We study together, play games, and share our joys and problems. We trust each other and encourage one another to achieve our goals. Even when we have different opinions, we never allow them to affect our friendship. I believe true friendship is based on love, respect, trust, and mutual support.

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3. What is the main conflict in the story?

The main conflict in the story is the emotional struggle between friendship and ambition. Antonio and Felix are close friends, but they have to compete against each other in a boxing championship. Both want to win and fulfil their dream of becoming champions. At the same time, neither wants to hurt the other's feelings or damage their friendship. They finally prove that true friendship is more valuable than victory.

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

At the beginning, the crowd enjoyed the exciting boxing match because both Antonio and Felix displayed excellent skill and determination. However, as the fight became more intense, the audience realised that the two close friends were fighting with great force to win. They became worried that the match might harm their friendship or seriously injure one of them. In the end, everyone was relieved to see that their friendship remained strong despite the competition.

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5. "No dreams can be realised without effort." How far is this true in the case of Antonio and Felix?

The statement is completely true in the case of Antonio and Felix. Both boys dream of becoming lightweight boxing champions. They work hard every day by practising regularly, maintaining strict discipline, and staying physically fit. They sacrifice their comfort and dedicate themselves to training. Their success in reaching the championship match is the result of their determination and hard work. The story teaches us that sincere effort, perseverance, and dedication are essential for achieving our dreams.

Activity I (Write-up)

More points to add to the box

• Felt themselves to be brothers.
• Slept, ate, rapped and dreamt together.
• Shared the same dream of becoming lightweight boxing champions.
• Trained together every day with dedication.
• Encouraged and supported each other in every situation.
• Never allowed competition to destroy their friendship.
• Respected each other's talent and achievements.
• Accepted victory and defeat with a sporting spirit.

Friendship in Amigo Brothers

Amigo Brothers beautifully portrays the true meaning of friendship through the lives of Antonio Cruz and Felix Vargas. Though they are not related by blood, they consider themselves brothers. They spend most of their time together, sharing meals, practising boxing, and dreaming of becoming lightweight champions.

Both boys are equally talented and hardworking. They encourage each other during training and celebrate each other's success. When they are selected to fight against each other in the championship, they decide to give their best in the ring without allowing personal feelings to interfere. Even during the fierce contest, they respect each other as worthy opponents.

After the match, instead of waiting for the result, Antonio and Felix leave the ring together with their arms around each other. This touching ending shows that their friendship is stronger than their desire to win. The story teaches us that true friendship is built on love, trust, respect, sacrifice, and mutual support. It reminds us that real friends stand by each other in both success and failure.

Activity II (Making announcements)

Announcement Script for the 100 Metres Race

Good morning, respected Principal, teachers, parents, and dear students.

Welcome to the most exciting event of our Annual Sports Day—the 100 Metres Race. The participants have trained hard and are ready to give their best. Let us encourage them with our applause and cheer them on throughout the race. I request all the participants to report to the starting line immediately and all spectators to remain behind the safety barriers.

Ladies and gentlemen, get ready to witness an exciting display of speed, determination, and sportsmanship. May the best athlete win!

Thank you, and let the event begin.

Activity III (Newspaper report)

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

·        Venue – Tompkins Square Park

·        Time – Afternoon

·        Contestants – Antonio Cruz and Felix Vargas

·        Park begins to fill up even earlier

·        Fighters enter the ring

·        Crowd explodes with a roar

·        Both boxers display excellent skill and determination

·        The contest becomes fierce and exciting

·        Spectators cheer both fighters equally

·        Antonio is declared the winner

·        The friends embrace each other after the match

·        Friendship triumphs over competition

 

Newspaper Report

Amigo Brothers Set an Example of True Sportsmanship

By Our Staff Reporter

Tompkins Square Park, New York: The much-awaited amateur boxing contest between Antonio Cruz and Felix Vargas was held yesterday afternoon at Tompkins Square Park before a packed audience. The park began to fill up long before the scheduled time as people eagerly gathered to witness the exciting match between the two talented Puerto Rican friends.

As the fighters entered the ring, the crowd welcomed them with loud cheers. Both Antonio and Felix displayed remarkable boxing skills, courage, and determination throughout the contest. The match was intense, with neither boxer willing to give up easily. Their excellent performance kept the spectators thrilled from the beginning to the end.

After a closely fought contest, Antonio Cruz was declared the winner. However, the most touching moment came after the announcement when the two friends warmly embraced each other and walked away together with their arms around one another. Their friendship remained stronger than their desire to win.

The contest proved that true sportsmanship lies not only in winning but also in respecting one's opponent and valuing friendship above victory.

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 you agree, why? Write down your points below.

The winners should not have left without receiving the prize.

• Receiving the prize is part of the official rules of the competition.
• Winners should respect the organisers and the efforts made to conduct the event.
• Leaving the ring without the prize sets a poor example for other players.
• The prize distribution ceremony honours the achievements of the participants.
• Following the rules is an important aspect of sportsmanship.

If you disagree, write down the reasons.

The winners were right in leaving the ring together.

·        Their friendship was more valuable than winning a trophy.

·        They showed true sportsmanship by respecting each other.

·        The real aim of sports is to build unity, respect, and character.

·        They proved that competition should never destroy relationships.

·        Their actions inspired everyone to value humanity above victory.

Activity V (Book review)

Review of "My Greatest Olympic Prize"

My Greatest Olympic Prize is a touching memoir by Jesse Owens, the legendary American athlete who won four gold medals at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. In this memoir, Owens recalls the greatest prize he received - not a medal, but the friendship and kindness shown by his German rival, Luz Long.

Before the long jump event, Owens was under great pressure and nearly failed to qualify. Luz Long, despite being his strongest competitor, offered him valuable advice that helped him qualify for the final. Owens eventually won the gold medal, while Long won the silver. After the event, Long congratulated Owens warmly and walked arm in arm with him before thousands of spectators, ignoring the racial prejudice of Nazi Germany.

The memoir highlights the values of true sportsmanship, friendship, equality, and humanity. It teaches us that respect and kindness are greater than victory and that genuine friendship can overcome barriers of race, nationality, and politics.

The language of the memoir is simple, engaging, and inspiring. Jesse Owens narrates the events with honesty and emotion, making the readers appreciate the true spirit of sports. The memoir leaves a lasting message that the greatest reward in life is not fame or medals, but the love, respect, and friendship we receive from others.