LOST & FOUND

A Song about Motherland

What do we have dearer and sweeter than Motherland?

Here we were born,

Here we grew older and wiser,

It was here that Mother song lullabies all night long.

Motherland granted us with all the valleys and mountains,

All the majestic trees and lovely flowers,

All the waterlands and waterfalls we have.

1. Look through the texts of this chapter. Choose one you liked most and read it to your parents.

3. Who were your ancestors? What did you learn about them? Talk about them using the new vocabulary.

6. Characterise our ancesters using the following words. Don't forget to explain the meanings of the words.

majestic, broad-shouldered, honest-minded, stately, patriotic, good-natured, courageous, victorious, diligent, peaceful, art lover, devoted to the nation

How do you plan to go on with the work of your ancestors?

8. Copy out sayings and wise thoughts, and literary expressions about motherland and patriotism. Use them in your speech.

9. Write a composition (or a poem, a story) on one of the given titles: "I am the grandson of the courageous Hayk", "I take pride in my ancestors", "Vardan Mamikonyan teaches us to...". Underline the verbs used with the appropriate nouns.

When the calmness prevails in the valley and the gun powder fume gets thinner, the bird comes out from under the bush, sits on its branch and twitters a lively melody bringing life to this meadow of death. Its singing full of life and energy penetrates into our souls like a ray of hope. And no matter the melody is joyous or nasty, it does make us believe in the continuation of life.

Ah, This Massis

Ah, this Massis...

Though being a rock, it softens our hearts,

Though being cold, it warms our souls,

Though not being here, it brings the Armenians worldwide here,

Though divided, it preaches unity to the homeless Armenians spread all over the world,

It's like a great love that neither leaves nor comes...

Ah, this Massis.

(translated from Armenian to English by Arshaluys Papoyan)

Mother Tongue 4