Friday proved to be the most loyal and helpful companion I could imagine. He was a handsome young man, probably about twenty-five years old. He was tall and well-built, with a friendly, intelligent face. His skin was dark brown, and his hair was black and curly. His teeth were white and perfect, like polished ivory. He smiled often and had a gentle, pleasant manner. I began teaching him English from the very first day. He was an eager student who wanted to learn everything. I taught him the names of things: water, fire, bread, goat. He repeated each word carefully and remembered them all. Soon we could have simple conversations. He told me about his people and his homeland. His tribe lived on the mainland, which I could see from my hill. They had been at war with another tribe for many years. He had been captured in a battle and brought here to be eaten. I asked him if his people also ate their enemies. He nodded honestly and said it was their custom. I explained that this was wrong and against God's law. Friday listened carefully and seemed to understand. He promised never to eat human flesh again. I taught Friday how to use the tools and skills I had learned. He helped me with farming, building, and caring for the goats. With two people working, everything became much easier. I also taught him how to shoot a gun. The first time he heard the explosion, he was terrified. He thought I had some kind of magic thunder. But he learned quickly and became an excellent marksman. I also taught him about God and Christianity. Friday's people worshiped a god they called Benamuckee. They believed this god lived in the mountains. I read to him from the Bible and explained its teachings. He asked many thoughtful questions about good and evil. 'If God is stronger than the devil,' he asked, 'why does He not kill him?' I struggled to answer some of his difficult questions. Teaching Friday made me think more deeply about my own faith. Eventually, Friday accepted Christianity with a sincere heart. He became a true believer and prayed with me every day. Our life together on the island was peaceful and happy. We improved our homes and expanded our farms. We had more food than we could possibly eat. I taught Friday to make bread, and he loved it. He had never tasted anything like it before. I cooked him stew and roasted meat, which he enjoyed greatly. Friday taught me things too. He showed me which plants were good for medicine. He knew better ways to catch fish and birds. He could track animals through the forest with amazing skill. We learned from each other and became true friends. I no longer thought of him as my servant, but as my companion. We talked about everything: our pasts, our hopes, our fears. Friday missed his father, who was still alive among his people. He told me stories about his home and his childhood. I told him about England and the great cities there. He found it hard to believe that so many people could live together. We began to talk about leaving the island. Friday said he could build a large canoe like his people made. Together, we chose a great tree and began to work on it. We cut and burned and shaped the wood for many weeks. Finally, we had a canoe large enough to carry us both. We could sail to the mainland and perhaps find help there. But first we needed to make preparations carefully. We stored food and water for a long journey. We made a small mast and sail for the canoe. Friday was excited about the possibility of seeing his father. I was torn between fear and hope. The mainland might hold dangers worse than my island. But it also offered the chance of rescue and return to England. We decided to wait for the right weather conditions. We would leave when the season was favorable for sailing. But fate had other plans for us.
B1Chapter 12 / 15688 words70 sentences
Friday
Chapter 12 · Robinson Crusoe · B1 English. Tip: Click on any word while reading to see its translation. Take your time with each chapter and review the vocabulary before moving on.
Chapter Summary
Robinson saves a man's life and gains a loyal companion.
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Comprehension Questions
4 questions
1
What was the name of the god that Friday's people worshiped?
2
What did Friday think the gun was when he first heard it fire?
3
How did teaching Friday affect Robinson's own faith?
4