Step 5 · الخطوة 5

A Lost Bag

الحقيبة الضائعة

Narrative (short story)

Learning objective · هدف الدرس

I can plan and write a short story with a beginning, a middle and an ending.

أستطيع التخطيط لقصة قصيرة وكتابتها ببداية ووسط ونهاية.

A narrow lane of Muttrah Souq with shops and shoppers

English explanation

الشرح بالإنجليزية

A story has characters (who?), a setting (where and when?), and events. The BEGINNING introduces them, the MIDDLE has a problem, and the ENDING solves it. Words like 'suddenly' create surprise.

Arabic explanation

الشرح بالعربية

القصة فيها شخصيات (مَن؟)، ومكان وزمان (أين ومتى؟)، وأحداث. البداية تقدّم الشخصيات والمكان، والوسط فيه مشكلة، والنهاية تحلّها. كلمة Suddenly (فجأة) تصنع المفاجأة، وFinally تقود إلى النهاية. اكتب القصة بالماضي.

Structure

البنية

Beginning: characters + setting

البداية: الشخصيات والمكان

Middle: the problem (Suddenly, …)

الوسط: المشكلة

Events: what they did (Then, Next, After that)

الأحداث

Ending: the solution + a feeling

النهاية: الحل والشعور

Model example

نموذج

On a busy Thursday evening, Salma and her mother went shopping at Muttrah Souq. Salma was carrying her new school bag with her books and a small purse inside.

Suddenly, when they reached the end of the lane, Salma realised that her bag was not on her shoulder. Her heart was beating fast. First, they walked back slowly, looking under every table. Then, they asked the shopkeepers, but nobody had seen it.

Finally, an old man selling frankincense called out to them. "Is this yours?" he asked, holding up the blue bag. He had found it next to his shop and kept it safe. Salma thanked him again and again. That night, she learned that honesty is still alive in the souq.

Step-by-step guidance

خطوات الكتابة

1
Plan: Who? Where? When? What is the problem? How is it solved?
خطّط: مَن؟ أين؟ متى؟ ما المشكلة؟ كيف تُحل؟
2
Paragraph 1: introduce the characters and setting.
الفقرة ١: قدّم الشخصيات والمكان.
3
Paragraph 2: start the problem with 'Suddenly'.
الفقرة ٢: ابدأ المشكلة بـ Suddenly.
4
Paragraph 3: solve the problem and end with a feeling or lesson.
الفقرة ٣: حل المشكلة واختم بشعور أو درس.

Useful vocabulary & sentence starters

مفردات وبدايات جمل مفيدة

suddenly · فجأةrealised · أدركworried · قلقrelieved · مرتاح (بعد القلق)honesty · الأمانة

One morning, …
Suddenly, …
First, … Then, …
Finally, …
In the end, … learned that …

Guided practice

تدريب موجّه

1. Story planning: which part introduces the SETTING?

Fill in the blank · أكمل الفراغ

2. We were walking happily. ______, it started to rain heavily.

Ordering · ترتيب

3. Order the story: A) They found the bag. B) Salma went to the souq. C) The bag was missing.

Independent writing

الكتابة المستقلة

Plan, then write a short story (120–150 words) called 'A Lost Bag' or 'An Unexpected Visit'. Use three paragraphs.

خطّط ثم اكتب قصة قصيرة (١٢٠–١٥٠ كلمة) بعنوان «الحقيبة الضائعة» أو «زيارة غير متوقعة» في ثلاث فقرات.

Words: 0 / 120+

Your writing is not saved — it disappears when you leave this page.كتابتك لا تُحفظ، وتختفي عند مغادرة الصفحة.

Self-check checklist

قائمة التحقق الذاتي

My story has a beginning, middle and ending.قصتي لها بداية ووسط ونهاية.
I introduced the characters and setting.قدّمت الشخصيات والمكان.
I used 'Suddenly' for the problem.استخدمت Suddenly للمشكلة.
I used past tense verbs.استخدمت أفعال الماضي.
My ending solves the problem.النهاية تحل المشكلة.

Practice freely — nothing is saved.تدرّب بحرية، لا يتم حفظ أي إجابة أو نتيجة.

Next: Step 5 · A Family Trip →