Efren Divide Chapter 4 by Ernesto Cisneros read aloud

Brant Crowther

28 Jan 202303:08

Summary

TLDRIn this chapter, Efron is awakened by his father, who prepares to leave for work early and entrusts him with taking care of his siblings. Efron is given a task to buy dinner ingredients from the trokita with a 20-dollar bill, and is warned against using soda as a bribe for his brother Max. Despite the challenges, he bravely accepts the responsibility. Later, he creatively makes a breakfast of 'donut Critters' from biscuits for Max and Mia, despite a mishap where one falls on the floor, showing his resilience and care for his family.

Takeaways

😴 Efron wakes up to his father gently waking him, indicating he had fallen asleep recently.
👕 Efron's father is dressed for work and has made arrangements for Efron and his siblings' care.
📦 Donia Chana, a neighbor, is unable to help with childcare due to a Tupperware shipment pickup.
👕👦👧 Efron assures his father he can manage getting his siblings ready and to school himself.
💰 The father provides Efron with money to buy food for dinner, specifically from 'trokita' and advises against soda.
🚫 Efron hides the money in his waistband, showing a sense of responsibility and caution.
🌐 The father mentions a potential 'coyote' to help someone cross the border, indicating a risky and urgent situation.
💸 The family is financially strained but hopeful, as a friend is lending money to help with the 'coyote' fees.
🍳 Efron faces the challenge of preparing breakfast with limited ingredients, reflecting his mother's values on healthy eating.
🍩 Efron attempts to make 'donut Critters' from biscuit dough, showcasing his creativity and effort to provide a treat.
🔥 There is a cooking mishap with the dough, highlighting the risks and Efron's inexperience in the kitchen.

Q & A

What did Efren's father do when he woke Efren up?
-Efren's father told him that he was leaving for work early and had arranged for Donia Chana to possibly take Efren and his siblings to school and look after them afterward.
Why couldn't Donia Chana take Efren and his siblings to school?
-Donia Chana couldn't take them because she had a Tupperware shipment to pick up in La.
How does Efren plan to handle taking care of his siblings?
-Efren plans to get them dressed, fed, and take them to school himself, and he mentions that he can bribe Max with food if needed.
What does Efren's father give him and for what purpose?
-Efren's father gives him a 20-dollar bill to go to the trokita and pick up some food for dinner.
What instruction does Efren's father give regarding the use of the 20-dollar bill?
-Efren's father instructs him not to bribe Max with soda because it will keep him awake at night.
What is the plan for getting someone across the border?
-Efren's father mentions a friend who knows a person working as a coyote, who might be able to help someone cross the border soon if the money can be wired in time.
How does Efren feel about the situation with the money for the coyote?
-Efren is worried, as indicated by his tightly closed mouth, and he asks if they have enough money.
What does Efren's father suggest Efren do after their conversation?
-Efren's father suggests that Efren should get some more sleep and mentions that he has set an alarm for him.
What is the challenge Efren faces in the kitchen regarding breakfast?
-Efren faces the challenge of making a nutritious breakfast with limited ingredients: one egg, a strip of ham, pickles, a packet of biscuits, and a small amount of milk.
How does Efren attempt to make breakfast for Max and Mia?
-Efren tries to make a creative breakfast by shaping the pre-made biscuit dough into animal figures and frying them in oil, attempting to make 'donut Critters'.
What happens when Efren first tries to fry the biscuit dough?
-When Efren first tries to fry the biscuit dough, it cooks too fast, splashes oil, and the doughy critter falls off the pan onto the kitchen floor, causing Max and Mia to shriek.

Outlines

00:00

🌞 Morning Wake-up and Responsibility

Efron is awakened by a gentle tug on his shoulder, indicating that he hasn't been asleep for long. His father, dressed for work, informs Efron that he has arranged for their neighbor, Donia Chana, to take the children to school due to an early departure for work. However, she is unavailable because of a Tupperware shipment pickup. Efron assures his father that he can manage getting his siblings ready and to school himself. His father gives him a $20 bill to buy dinner from 'trokita', cautioning against buying soda which could disrupt Max's sleep. Efron hides the money in his waistband. His father mentions a potential plan to get their mother across the border with the help of a 'coyote' if they can arrange the funds in time. Efron expresses concern about their financial situation, but his father reassures him. Despite his father setting an alarm, Efron is too anxious to sleep and is already in the kitchen when it goes off, contemplating what to make for breakfast with limited ingredients.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Efron

Efron is the central character in the script, who wakes up to find his father preparing to leave for work. He is tasked with taking care of his siblings and is given money to buy food. His actions and decisions are central to the narrative, reflecting the theme of responsibility and family care. For example, when his father asks if he can handle taking his siblings to school, Efron confidently assures him that he can.

💡Responsibility

Responsibility is a key theme in the video, as it is demonstrated by Efron's actions in taking care of his younger siblings and preparing food for them. It is defined as the state or fact of being accountable or to blame for something. In the script, this is evident when Efron's father entrusts him with the task of taking care of his siblings and when Efron takes the money for food seriously, showing his commitment to his family's well-being.

💡Siblings

The term 'siblings' refers to brothers and sisters, and in the script, it is used to describe the relationship between Efron, Max, and Mia. They are a crucial part of the story, as the care and well-being of the younger siblings are central to the plot. For instance, Efron's father is concerned about how Max will behave, indicating the importance of the sibling dynamic in the narrative.

💡Coyote

In the context of the script, a 'coyote' refers to a person who smuggles people across borders, often for a fee. This term is used when Efron's father mentions a friend who knows a coyote, hinting at a subplot involving someone trying to cross the border. It illustrates the theme of migration and the lengths people will go to for a better life.

💡Money

Money is a significant element in the video, as it represents the means to provide for the family's needs. It is mentioned when Efron's father gives him a 20-dollar bill to buy food and when discussing the cost of smuggling someone across the border. The script shows the importance of financial resources in sustaining a family and the challenges of making ends meet.

💡Food

Food is a recurring concept in the script, symbolizing sustenance and the basic needs of the family. It is mentioned in various contexts, such as the father's concern about the children's diet and Efron's task to buy food for dinner. The script also shows Efron's creative efforts to prepare a meal with limited ingredients, which is a testament to resourcefulness and care.

💡School

School is an important setting in the script, as it is where the children spend a significant part of their day and where Efron is responsible for taking them. It represents routine and the structure of daily life. The script mentions Efron's father asking Donia Chana to take the children to school, and later, Efron himself taking on this responsibility.

💡Trokita

The term 'trokita' is not explicitly defined in the script, but it seems to refer to a place where Efron is supposed to buy food for dinner. It could be a local store or market, indicating the community aspect of shopping for daily necessities and the cultural context of the story.

💡Bribe

In the script, 'bribe' is used in a light-hearted context, referring to Efron's strategy to manage Max's behavior by offering him food. It shows the sibling relationship dynamics and the practical approach to dealing with a difficult child, as seen when Efron's father mentions that Max can be difficult and Efron responds that he can always bribe him with food.

💡Donut Critters

Donut Critters is a creative term used in the script to describe the animal-shaped biscuits that Efron attempts to make for his siblings. It illustrates the theme of creativity and the lengths one will go to provide for loved ones, even in the face of limited resources. The scene where Efron tries to cook these in oil adds a touch of humor and shows his effort to make breakfast special.

💡Cinnamon and Sugar

Cinnamon and sugar are ingredients that Efron uses to make the biscuit dough more appealing for his siblings. They symbolize the attempt to add a touch of sweetness and care to their breakfast despite the scarcity of ingredients. The script shows Efron's resourcefulness and his desire to make the best out of the situation.

Highlights

Efron wakes up to his father's gentle tug, showing the close bond between them.

APA prepares for work early, highlighting the family's busy lifestyle.

Donia Chana's unavailability to help with the children due to a Tupperware shipment emphasizes the community's interconnectedness.

Efron's willingness to take care of his siblings demonstrates his maturity and responsibility.

APA's concern about Max's behavior and Efron's solution to bribe him with food show the family dynamics.

APA gives Efron money for dinner, trusting him with the family's needs.

Efron's decision to hide the money in his waistband indicates his resourcefulness and caution.

The mention of a 'coyote' and the need for money to help someone cross the border introduces a theme of immigration.

Efron's concern about having enough money and APA's reassurance show the family's financial struggles.

Efron's inability to sleep due to nervousness adds tension to the narrative.

Efron's attempt to cook for his siblings with limited ingredients showcases his creativity and determination.

The use of cinnamon and sugar on the biscuits adds a touch of warmth and care to the meal.

Efron's caution about the hot oil and the children's safety shows his protective nature.

The failed attempt at making 'donut Critters' leads to a humorous and relatable moment.

Max and Mia's reaction to the dough falling adds a light-hearted touch to the story.

Efron's quick response to comfort his siblings after the mishap demonstrates his caring nature.