21st CENTURY LITERATURE from the PHIL.

& the WORLD

UNIT 5- MODULE 10: ATTAINING LIFE GOALS

ETIC DIVISION
Name: Famarin Kim Bryan M. Section: Chrysolite

LESSON 10: FACING OBSTACLES

(May 2-6, 2022)

There are so many times we need an encouraging word to just hang in there:
• You just got laid off.
• You’re fighting an illness or disease.
• You’re faced with a tough, potentially life-changing decision.
• You’re starting a new job, going to a new school, moving to a new city.
• You just broke up with someone or are going through a divorce.

How many times do we need to be strong? To have courage? To not be scared? To not give in to
discouragement? If you want a verse that can speak to almost every challenge we face in life, it’s Joshua 1:9.
It tells us we can be strong and courageous, unafraid and encouraged, because God will be with us wherever
we go and come through for us in whatever way we need. The context of the verse is about a specific mission
given by God, to a specific man named Joshua. Throughout the wider passage, three times God says, “be
strong and courageous.” And God was very specific about where that strength and courage should be
applied.
Joshua was to be strong and courageous as he led the people. He was to be strong and courageous in
obeying God’s word. And finally, in Joshua 1:9, he was to be strong and courageous in terms of endurance.
As God told Joshua to go and enter the land and take it, so we are told by Christ to go into the world
and take it with the message of Christ. And when we do, just as God told Joshua that he would be with him,
Christ tells us that he will be with us.

Prepared by: Florentina B. Venida

 ACTIVATE

1. Think about what you want to accomplish in _______________________________________-

your life ten or twenty years from now. List down
________________________________________
in the checklist your top five life goals.
________________________________________
________________________________________
2. Share your checklist with your groupmate.
________________________________________
Aside from talking about these goals, tell him/her
________________________________________
about what you think are the possible obstacles
________________________________________
that you might face that will make it difficult for
________________________________________
you to reach them.
________________________________________

3. You can think of any Bible character or a person who (has been/is) your inspiration as you face your goals
in life. How do they influence/d you?
- Probably the Bible character who inspired me to never back down from my goals no matter how hard or
tiring it is, is Jacob. It is when he has to work twice as hard just to reach his goal of marrying the woman of
his dream, Rachel.

Now, take time to read the learning comptencies that will serve as focus of the learning process this week.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

A. Analyze the content and style of writing in the text;

B. Explain the literary and biographical contexts and discuss how they
enhance the text’s meaning and enrich the reader’s understanding.
C. Compare the two stories, their attitude toward their goals.
To bridge you to
the main lesson for this week, please consider the following Essential Questions:
EQ1: What hinders people from attaining their life goals and aspirations?
Do not elicit your answers yet. Discover the answers here as the lesson progresses.

Let us DECODE now.

The sentences below contain difficult words from the story you are about to read. Encircle the
meaning of the underlined word from the choices provided below each number.
1. The configuration of houses in the village gave way for more spaces for children to play and for residents
to park their cars.

color arrangement shape structure

2. The mother sneered at the neighbor whom she caught hurting her child and told her never to go near her
child again.
laughed warned criticized smirked
3. The mighty fireman’s formidable strike on the glass door enabled him to save the two children trapped
inside the burning house.
Impressive weak intimidating easy

FACING OBSTACLES 2
4. When the reckless bicycle rider accidentally hit the front of the car, a slight gash was seen in its bumper.
cut fold dirt mark
5. Only few farmers use a scarecrow nowadays to ward off birds away from the newly planted crops.
attract protect drive away eliminate

GPR

Shao Baojian is a member of the Zhejiang Writers Association and consultant of the Huzhou
Writers Association. He began publishing his works in 1978.

Shouhua Qi is from Nanjing, China. He pursued his doctoral studies in the United States in 1989.
You may also consider or read the other authors mentioned in each GPRS as the story goes.
He is the author of “When the purple Mountain Burns: A Novel” (in both English and Chinese
editions), “Red Guard Fantasies and Other Stories,” Bridging the Pacific: Searching for Cross-
Cultural. Understanding Between the United States and China,” and more than ten other books. Qi is a
Live Synchronous
Professor ofMeeting is Western
English at on Fridays 7:30-9:00.State
Connecticut Everyone is encouraged to attend the
University.
live discussion. Your presence is most welcome!
Now, you may read the two stories below about characters who, just like everybody else, have
aspirations in life. Will they realize they dreams? Find out.

DOOR FOREVER
By Shao Baojian
An old town in the South. A small compound with an old well. Inside the compound live eight or
nine ordinary families. The same old-styled one-story houses, the same configurations for many years,
despite the addition of modern gadgets inside the houses recently. Among the eight or nine households,
two of them have only one resident each: old bachelor Zheng Ruoki and old maid Pan Xue’er. Zheng
lives right next door to Pan. “Morning,” he greets her. “Leaving?” She replies and passes him, not slowing
one step. How many times have the neighbors seen the two passing each other in the compound but heard
only those two words? They are disheartened by the simple, emotionless repetition. Pan is a bit over 40.
Slim, oval face, pale skin, dressed simply but tastefully. She can still be considered charming. She works at
the florist down West Street. The neighbors have no idea why such a charming woman would want to
remain single. They only know that she is entitled to love yet has never married. Zheng moved into the
compound five years ago right after Pan did. He is an art worker for a movie theater, a painter more
conscientious and careful than talented, it is said. He looks much older than his age of 45 or 46. His hair,
dry, messy, faded, shows no benefit of being combed often. His back humps visibly. Thin face. Thin and
narrow shoulders. Thin hands. Only that pair of large eyes always glint with light of youth, and of dreams.
When he returns home, he often carries a bunch of fresh flowers, roses, crabapple, wintersweet and so on, in
all four seasons, and places the fresh flowers in a tall and translucent blue vase. He isn’t in the habit of

FACING OBSTACLES 2
visiting the neighbors. Once home, he stays inside. Sometimes he comes out to wash clothes, dishes, and
that tall, translucent blue vase. He then fills the vase with clear well water and carries it home with extreme
care, his mouth pouting. A thick wall stands between his bedroom and that of Pan’s. Next to his bed is an
old bamboo bookshelf, the height of an adult, set against the wall. Atop the bookshelf on the right is the
permanent place for this blue vase. Besides these are some paintings, hanging here and there, some Chinese,
some foreign, some by others, some by himself. It would be apparent from the configuration of furniture and
the film of dust that has gathered, that this household misses the presence of a woman, the aura of warmth
only a woman can create. Yet the vase is always cleaned spotless, the water inside always crystal clear, and
the flowers always fresh and in full bloom.

The neighbors have once cherished a

fond hope that the flowers he carries
home would
one day appear inside the house of
his next-door neighbor, Pan Xue’er.
Yet this miracle
never happened. Naturally they
began to develop a sweet and gentle
feeling of sympathy
for Zheng.
It drizzled one early morning in fall.

FACING OBSTACLES 2
Zheng, holding an umbrella, greeted
Pan as usual: “Morning.”
Pan, also holding an umbrella, replied
as ever before: “Leaving?”
The rain stopped in the evening. She
returned home from work, but he
didn’t.
Word came that Zheng, while
painting in the studio of the
movie theater, had a heart
attack and fallen to the ground. He
died upon arriving at the hospital.
Some in this ordinary compound
sobbed.
But Pan did not cry, though her eyes
were red.
FACING OBSTACLES 2
Wreathes were brought in, one
after another. The big one
decorated with all kinds of
fresh flowers but without an elegy
band, was from her in memory of
him.
In this ordinary compound the sudden
absence of an ordinary man, an old
bachelor who
had not been favored by love, was
felt keenly and with regret.
A few days later Pan Xue’er moved
away. Sudden and unexpected.
While packing up Zheng’s things
one day, the neighbors couldn’t
help being amazed:

FACING OBSTACLES 2
That blue vase looked like it had
been cleaned recently: the white
chrysanthemum in it
had not faded.
Everyone’s eyes popped when they
moved the old bamboo bookshelf.
A Door! On the wall was a finely
crafted purple-red door with a brass
handle!
Their hearts were tossed in turmoil:
So that’s what was going on!
The neighbors grunted and sneered.
The sorrow and respect they had
felt for this old

FACING OBSTACLES 2
bachelor only a few days ago was
gone, replaced by an anger that could
not be described
or uttered.
Then, someone reached to pull the
door open but cried out—the brass
handle was flat,
and the door and its frame were as
smooth as the wall.
A door painted on the wall!
The neighbors have once cherished a fond hope that the flowers he carries home would one day
appear inside the house of his next-door neighbor, Pan Xue’er. Yet this miracle never happened. Naturally
they began to develop a sweet and gentle feeling of sympathy for Zheng. It drizzled one early morning in
fall. Zheng, holding an umbrella, greeted Pan as usual: “Morning.” Pan, also holding an umbrella, replied as
ever before: “Leaving?” The rain stopped in the evening. She returned home from work, but he didn’t.
Word came that Zheng, while painting in the studio of the movie theater, had a heart attack and fallen to the
ground. He died upon arriving at the hospital. Some in this ordinary compound sobbed. But Pan did not
cry, though her eyes were red. Wreathes were brought in, one after another. The big one decorated with all
kinds of fresh flowers but without an elegy band, was from her in memory of him. In this ordinary
compound the sudden absence of an ordinary man, an old bachelor who had not been favored by love, was
felt keenly and with regret. A few days later Pan Xue’er moved away. Sudden and unexpected. While
packing up Zheng’s things one day, the neighbors couldn’t help being amazed: That blue vase looked like it
had been cleaned recently: the white chrysanthemum in it had not faded. Everyone’s eyes popped when
they moved the old bamboo bookshelf. A Door! On the wall was a finely crafted purple-red door with a

FACING OBSTACLES 2
brass handle! Their hearts were tossed in turmoil: So that’s what was going on! The neighbors grunted and
sneered. The sorrow and respect they had felt for this old bachelor only a few days ago was gone, replaced
by an anger that could not be described or uttered. Then, someone reached to pull the door open but cried
out—the brass handle was flat, and the door and its frame were as smooth as the wall. A door painted on the
wall!
You may use the following spaces below for the answers to the questions in story 1 above.
SPOTLIGHT 1
-The community was a modest place enough to live in by many people. And the community there is very
kind that they show concerned to the two.

SPOTLIGHT 2
-For they simply say Morning and Leaving to each other.

SPOTLIGHT 3
-Because their rooms are separated by a strong wall, there was one. Because Zheng worked as a painter
and an art worker at Movie Theater, her room had that setup.

SPOTLIGHT 4
-Pan behaved that way mainly because he regrets the times that he did not fully communicate with her.

SPOTLIGHT 5
-They couldn't interpret their words after seeing the discovery

THE
TEST

PROBE
Accomplish the chart below with important details from the two stories you read.
Guide Questions Door Forever The Test

FACING OBSTACLES 2
 Pan likes Zheng however Mainly the goal is to cut the
1. What do the characters want Zheng wants to be single. tree.
in life?

Pan is very shy and has more He was really devoted to

2. What is their attitude toward like introvert personality and chopping it down.
their goals? she is always hesitant.

Her death. The girl's attractiveness faded

3. What hindered them from as the tree got lusher.
getting what they want?

No, because they even never No, since he was fixated on

4. Were they successful or not had the chance to talk to each her attractiveness and based
in the end? Why? Why not? other. his sentiments on it.on the tree
chopping
The two stories you previously read are examples of flash fiction. Specifically, “The Test” by Raul
Brasca is an example of a microfiction (or micros) --- a type of flash fiction that is typically told in 300
words or less, and could even be as short as a few words.
(Micro Fiction: Tends to be stories that are 100 words or less. Some publications have stretched
this to up to 250 words, but in general, 100 words is the sweet spot for defining stories in this category.)
In a group of five members, confirm whether one of the two stories assigned to you follow the basic
plot structure despite its conciseness. Use the Freytag’s pyramid below and write your answer in the boxes
provided.
CLIMAX
Door forever: Zheng died in the hospital
cause of heart attack.

The test: The tree grew bigger.

RISING ACTION FALLING ACTION

Door forever: The neighborhood wished Door forever: The neighbors full 180
that two should get together. degrees when they know the truth
_____________________________________
The test: The cut on the tree deepened
_____________________________________ The test: Devoted on cutting the tree he
while
Door the beauty
forever: of thelovelife.
An tragic gal fade. Door forever:
forgets about theThe
girldoor
evenwas painted
after on
she died.
the wall.
The test: The lumberjack loves a girl but
first he need to cut down the tree The test: The lumberjack became
EXPOSITION DENOUEMENT
hopeless.
CONNECT

FACING OBSTACLES 2
 Looking back at the stories you read, you see how goals and dreams in life --- whether
relationship, career, academic, or personal goals – are not always easy to reach because of the obstacles that
will test your patience, determination, and even your faith.
In line with this, share a story of an inspiring person ---whether a popular one or someone you know
personally – who has experienced a great obstacle in life. Specifically, address the following guide questions:
1. What was this person’s goal or dream?
2. What was his/her motivation?
3. What did he/she do to attain his/her goal?
4. What obstacles did he/she face?
5. How did he/she win over this obstacle?

You may write your answer here.

1. The goal of this person is to giver her family a better life.
2. Her motivation is her family.
3. She studied hard although she is aware that she is not that smart, she still try her best just to have
a job and be able to help her family.
4. Since she grew in a poor family and she is always having trouble whenever the exam is coming
near.
5. She just study hard and have faith In the Lord.

Chris is a spontaneous high school student. He is studying at a private school. He is a villager

student. Chis whose house is pretty much far from his house to the school chose to be a villager student even
though the campus offers dormitory. Chris like any teenagers like to stay up all night even though the class
starts early and he has to go up early so that can make it in time before the class begin.
One day waking up, Chris feel weirdly tired even though he just wakes up. He disregard it and just
carry on his daily routine. After the class ends, Chris immediately heads home as he feel burn out to all the
activities he done. While travelling home, Chris became sleepy because he is tired but he fights it because he
don’t want to miss his house. however, Chris fell asleep.
When he wakes up, he looks at his surroundings and notice that he indeed miss his house. so he ask
the bus to stop. Weirdly enough for him, he did not feel nervous at all and he just carry on. What he did,
since he is not familiar to the place, he ask some random people how to get home. And fortunately he came
home like nothing happened. So he tells this story to his family an friends and they just laugh it all which is
fine for him because it is a good experience for him.

Climax
Chris fell asleep and miss
his home.
Rising action Falling action
After the bust stop he ask
Chris feel sleepy as he is
for directions and safely
tired but he fights it.
gone home

FACING OBSTACLES 2
 Personal Processing of Questions. In this section, you will verify if you found the answers to the
essential questions in “EXPLORE” at the beginning of this lesson. Please write the answers below inside the
table. There is only one (1) Essential Question given for this whole Lesson 10 . Write your answer inside the
table.

- Mostly financial, financial problems is one of the core reason while some fail to attain thei dream
goal. The second one is pressure. You want this kind of Job but your family does not. In the end
you take the job that your family like. So there is not much passion with it.

FACING OBSTACLES 2