Question

to hop over the gullies to the forest to bypass the hole; how- ever, we knew from much experience that they would not make it.by the time most of the students managed to get to the other side of the ditch, their clothes were dripping with the weight of the muddy water. no longer laughing, they moved spiritlessly to their homes. later, while a disgruntled mr. grimes fumed moodily against the raised rear end of the bus.oh, how sweet was well-maneuvered revenge!with that thought in mind, we quietly eased away and picked our way through the dense forest toward home.at supper mama told big ma of the jefferson davis bus being stuck in the ditch. “it’s funny, you know, such a wide ditch in one day. i didn’t even notice the beginning of it this morning—did you, children?”“no’m,” we chorused.“you didn’t fall in, did you?”“we jumped onto the bank when we thought the bus would be coming,” said stacey truthfully.“well, good for you,” approved mama. “if that bus hadn’t been there when i came along, i’d probably have fallen in myself.”the boys and i looked at each other. we hadn’t thought about that.“how’d you get across, mama?” stacey asked.“somebody decided to put a board across the washout.”“they gonna haul that bus outa there tonight?” big ma inquired.“no, ma’am,” said mama. “i heard mr. granger telling ted grimes—the bus driver—that they won’t be able to get it out until after the rain stops and it dries up a bit. it’s just too muddy now.”we put our hands to our mouths to hide happy grins. i even made a secret wish that it would rain until christmas.mama smiled. “you know i’m glad no one was hurt— could’ve been too with such a deep ditch—but i’m also rather glad it happened.”“mary!” big ma exclaimed.“well, i am,” mama said defiantly, smiling smugly to her- self and looking very much like a young girl. “i really am.”▶ what information does stacey share when questioned about the hole?▶ why does cassie wish for it to rain until christmas?▶ how do mama and big ma feel about what happened to the bus?words for everyday usedis • gruntled (dis grunt ld) adj., ill-humored or discontentedde • fi • ant • ly (de fi ant le) adv., boldly, in a challenging mannersmug • ly (smug le) adv., in a highly self-satisfied way

Explanation:

1. For what Stacey shared: When asked about the hole, Stacey truthfully said they jumped onto the bank when they thought the bus would come, avoiding falling in.
2. For Cassie's wish: Cassie wants it to rain until Christmas because she is happy the racist school bus got stuck in the ditch, and rain will keep it stuck longer, extending their small victory over the unfair bus driver and school system.
3. For Mama and Big Ma's feelings: Mama is glad the bus got stuck—she says she's glad no one was hurt but also glad the incident happened, showing satisfaction with the outcome. Big Ma initially exclaims in surprise but Mama's defiant, smug smile shows she fully approves of the bus being stranded, and Big Ma comes around to sharing that sentiment.

Answer:

1. Stacey shares that he and the other children jumped onto the bank when they expected the bus to come, so they did not fall into the ditch.
2. Cassie wishes for rain until Christmas because she is happy the school bus (which mistreats Black children) is stuck, and continued rain will keep it stuck, prolonging their small act of revenge.
3. Mama is glad the bus got stuck—she says she is relieved no one was hurt but also openly glad the incident occurred, showing smug satisfaction. Big Ma reacts with initial surprise ("Mary!") but aligns with Mama's positive feelings about the bus being stranded.