اللغة الإنجليزية11 فصل ثاني

Happy hyenas help people of Harar

Hyenas are big, ugly and dangerous animals and they are the most common large predator in Africa. They often survive on eating animals that are already dead, but they will also attack and eat live animals – including cows, sheep, goats and even people. It goes without saying that most people in Ethiopia are scared of hyenas and don’t want them around. But in the old walled city of Harar, the hyenas are no longer a danger to people. Why do you think this is? In the past, the animals often attacked people living in the city, so the people found a way to deal with them: they cut holes in the city walls and threw food to the hyenas. They realised that the hyenas were no longer hungry because of this, and attacked people less often. Later, a farmer called Yusuf Salleh chose to do the same thing to protect his farm animals against the hyenas: he fed them each day, and it worked! Yusuf’s son, Abbas Yusuf, has continued his father’s tradition but in a slightly different way. Every day, when it is getting dark, he calls out to attract the hyenas. Then he picks up some meat and holds it out for them. The animals come up to him and take the meat from his hands. The sight is so amazing that many tourists visit to watch him feed the hyenas (although it is too dangerous for them to participate in the feeding)! Abbas Yusuf says the hyenas are now his friends, and he even has names for them. People explain that nobody in Harar has been attacked by a hyena for 200 years, and some people even say they are useful around the city because they help to eat some of the rubbish from the rubbish tips, helping to discourage flies and other insects from breeding diseases. When people see a hyena in the streets, they do not worry about them any more. The people and the hyenas accept each other. I think this simple solution could help save the lives of people and animals. The hyenas are no longer hungry and everyone is happy. Can we learn from this and hope for something similar with other dangerous animals?

 

WRITING| An article

Title

• Attract your reader’s attention with a catchy/interesting title.
  You could:
  • Use a question form:
    Can We Like the Hyena?
  • Use a pun:
    Food for Thought
  • Use alliteration:
    Happy Hyenas Help People of Harar

 

Introduction

• Clearly define what your article is about.
  You could:
  • Address your readers directly:
    "Have you ever wondered why some animals are feared while others are loved?"
  • Give a surprising fact or statistic:
    "Did you know that hyenas, often thought of as the villains of the animal world, can actually be vital to the ecosystem?"
  • Tell a personal anecdote:
    "I used to think hyenas were just scavengers, until one day, during a trip to Harar, I learned how much they mean to the community."
  • Ask a rhetorical question:
    "Isn’t it time we changed the way we think about hyenas?"

 

Main Paragraphs

• Each paragraph should have a clear topic.
  • Use an informal, chatty style throughout.
  • Use informal punctuation, e.g. exclamation marks.

Example main paragraph structure:

• Topic Sentence:
  "Did you know that hyenas are misunderstood?"
• Supporting sentences:
  "Many people think of them as dangerous, but hyenas play a crucial role in their environment. They are scavengers, yes, but they also help clean up ecosystems by eating dead animals, preventing the spread of disease."
• Conclusion sentence:
  "Hyenas are more than just the villain in a Disney movie—they’re essential to the survival of their habitat!"

 

Conclusion

• Return to the main idea from the introduction; leave the reader with something to think about.
  You could:
  • Repeat the words from the title:
    "So, can we like the hyena? Absolutely! They’re not just misunderstood, they’re essential."
  • Make a suggestion:
    "Next time you see a hyena, think about how it contributes to its environment rather than just its image."
  • Give a personal opinion:
    "I believe we need to reconsider our opinions on hyenas, as they’re not only survivors but essential to nature’s balance."
  • Ask a thought-provoking question:
    "If we keep vilifying animals like the hyena, what will happen to the ecosystems they help sustain?"