Is it the End of the World? - Story 1 - Check Your Understanding

Jul 17, 2026

Uploaded by Quinn

A child named Dickson witnesses an eerie daytime darkness, believing something is eating the sun and fearing it may mean the end of the world. He runs to his mother, who comforts him and explains the natural phenomenon as an eclipse. Using a simple comparison of solar and lunar eclipses, she teaches him why looking at the sun is dangerous for eyesight. The story closes with relief as normal daylight returns.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryStory & Novel

FormatPDF

Pages23

Reading Time35 min

AccessFree to download

Is it the End of the World?

The darkening sky

The mother’s explanation of eclipses

Safety lesson: don’t look at the sun

Check Your Understanding

Is it the End of the World? School Journal Junior 1, 2009-V1 .1 English Science I was busy chasing lizards up and down the shrubs near the main road when I realised something unusual was happening. The place was beginning to get dark. I thought a cloud had covered the sun and it would go away, so I carried on chasing lizards. But then the place seemed to begetting darker and darker. 1 When I looked up, it seemed as if something had taken a big bite out of the sun. I was so scared. What was happening? Something was eating the sun! Suddenly, the place was covered with darkness. Where the sun had been there was a black circle, with red fire around it. I asked myself,“Why is it that the sun has not yet set for the afternoon but the place is already dark? It must be the end 2 I was so scared I started to shiver. The bow and arrows slid from my hands and fell to the ground. With tears dripping down my cheeks, I ran as fast as I could towards my house. Mama and my two bubus were outside. I ran to them, crying. Mama stretched her arms out to me and I collapsed into her and hid my face under her blouse.“Mama! Mama!“ I cried. I wouldn’t let go of her. "It’s all right, Dickson. You will be OK.""Is it the end of the world?" I asked. 3 “No, no, my son. It's not the end of the world. Don't be scared. You are safe and sound in my arms. It's only an eclipse,“ said Mama.“Mama, what's an eclipse?" “There are two kinds. You know that the moon goes around the earth. Sometimes it gets between us and the sun and blocks out the light. It makes a shadow on the earth. 4 A lunar eclipse is similar, but that's when the moon’s light gets blocked out at night," explained Mama. 5 "You mean we are having a solar eclipse?" I asked, looking up. "Exactly," replied Mama. "But listen, you must never look at the sun. Even when there is an eclipse, it is still strong enough to damage your eyes."She wiped away my tears. "You’II be all right, son." I felt safe and secure in Mama's powerful arms. 6 Some hours later, the sun resumed its duty and the welcoming hymns of the cicadas started again. I was glad. It wasn't the end of the world! I had another chance to live my life with the rest of my family! I ran off to pick up my bow and arrows and put them away safely for the next time. 7 Check Your Understanding 1) Why shouldn’t you look at the sun? a) It is bright b) You will see an eclipse c) You might damage your eyes d) You will get scared Check Your Understanding 2) Who was Dickson’s mother with? a) By herself b) His aunty c) His brothers d) His bubus

FAQs

Why did Dickson think the world might be ending?

He noticed the place becoming darker and saw a black circle with red fire around it, which made him believe something was eating the sun.

What did Dickson’s mother say was happening?

She said it was an eclipse and explained that the moon can move between Earth and the sun, blocking the light.

Why shouldn’t you look at the sun during an eclipse?

Even during an eclipse, the sun is still strong enough to damage your eyes.

Jul 17, 2026

Uploaded by Quinn