Two cousins used to be best friends. Have things changed?
Students will read a story about a conflict between two cousins at their grandma's birthday party.
“I have exciting news,” said Grann.
Sajès (SAH-jes) and his sister, Chloè, looked up from their scrambled eggs and plantains.
“This year for my birthday picnic, we have special guests,” Grann continued. “Your uncle Dixon and cousin Alexis are coming to New York from Haiti.”
“Who?” Sajès asked.
“Alexis is your age, Sajès,” said Mom. “You used to play together when you were babies.”
“You and Alexis used to be best friends,” explained Dad.
“Or ‘best cousins’ as we used to call you,” said Mom. “But then Uncle Dixon and Alexis moved away.”
Sajès’s face brightened. For years, he was the only one his age at family picnics. Chloè was older, and they didn’t like to play the same games. Finally, he’d have someone to play with!
Sajès turned to Chloè.
“When Alexis gets here, we’re going to play all my favorite games! It’s going to be the best day ever!”
“Maybe . . . ” Chloè replied. “But a lot of time has passed since she moved away.”
“That’s OK,” Sajès said. “I bet we’ll still be best cousins.”
But Sajès started to feel nervous. Would Alexis want to play with him after all this time?
Alexis Arrives
The day of the picnic, the family drove to a big state park. Dad unloaded coolers of fruit punch, containers of delicious sandwiches, and a chocolate birthday cake for Grann.
As Grann got out of the car, she called Sajès over. “Look,” she said. “Our whole family is here. Your matants and monnonks are here!” Sajès knew that meant his aunts and uncles were here. Grann often spoke in part English and part Haitian Creole.
The family had decorated their picnic area with balloons. The tables were covered with mouth-watering food. There were bannann peze (fried plantains) and pate mori (saltfish patties).
Uncle Dixon walked over. A girl about Sajès’s age followed him. Grann gave her a big hug.
“Oh Alexis, you’ve grown so much!” exclaimed Grann. “Do
you remember your cousins Sajès and Chloè?”
Chloè hugged Alexis.
“I used to play with you when you were a baby,” she said. “You used to have a pink teddy bear.”
“I still have that bear!” said Alexis.
Chloè squealed. She and Alexis ran off together.
Picnic Fight
Sajès found a seat at an empty table and sat down. More family and friends had arrived. Everyone was having a great time—except Sajès. The adults were playing dominoes, the teens were listening to music, and the babies were sleeping on blankets in the grass.
Every time he looked over, he saw Chloè and Alexis playing together. They seemed to be having a blast.
After a while, he felt a tap on his shoulder. It was Alexis. She had a board game.
“Do you want to play Scrabble with me?” she asked.
Sajès shook his head no.
“How about hand-clapping games?” Alexis asked. “I’ll show you a cool one from Haiti.”
Alexis began to clap her hands together and waited for Sajès to join her. Sajès just folded his arms and turned his back on her.
Her face fell. “Why won’t you play with me?”
“We used to be best cousins, but now all you want to do is play with Chloè!” Sajès shouted. “You’re my WORST cousin!”
“No I’m not!” she yelled.
Baby Pictures
Sajès and Alexis, 1 year
Grann noticed the cousins were fighting. She called them over to her. She pulled out a photo album from her bag.
She opened the album to photos of baby Sajès and baby Alexis. Here they were in a bathtub. Here they were at the beach. Here they were sharing a cupcake. They both had frosting all over their faces.
Sajès and Alexis couldn’t believe the photos.
“I hardly have any hair in this picture,” said Sajès, laughing.
“I have a silly shirt,” said Alexis.
They both smiled.
“I’m sorry I yelled,” said Sajès. “I guess I was disappointed because you only remembered Chloè.”
“Chloè remembered me!
I don’t remember anything. I was a baby!” she said.
“Me too,” he said with a laugh.
“But I guess we used to have a lot of fun together,” Alexis said.
“You did have a lot of fun together,” Grann said. “You know, sometimes family members fight, but we should always try to work it out.”
Grann walked over to Dad and Uncle Dixon to chat.
“Maybe Grann’s right,” said Alexis. “We shouldn’t fight. Especially on Grann’s birthday.”
Sajès pointed to another photo. “Look, this one must have been taken at one of Grann’s birthdays a long time ago,” he said. “You, me, and Chloè are holding hands.”
“I bet that’s when everyone sang ‘Happy Birthday’ to Grann,” said Alexis.
“Wait, I have an idea!” said Sajès. “But I’ll need your help. And Chloè’s too.”
Time to Sing
Later that afternoon, everyone gathered for cake. Sajès, Chloè, and Alexis walked to the front of the picnic table. Sajès spoke.
“Before we cut the cake, we have a special present for Grann. Alexis taught Chloè and me the words to “Happy Birthday” in Haitian Creole. Here goes!”
Nou swete w bòn fèt,
Nou swete w bòn fèt
Nou swete, nou swete,
nou swete w bòn fèt
Sajès, Alexis, and Chloè led the family in singing. When the song was over, everyone clapped. Grann got up and gave the kids a big hug.
“Did you like your present, Grann?” asked Sajès.
“I loved it!” she said. “But you know, I liked your other present even better.”
“What do you mean?” asked Sajès.
“For me, the best present is seeing the cousins working together and having fun,” said Grann.
“And eating chocolate cake!” said Alexis, grabbing a slice.
Chloè borrowed her mom’s phone. “Smile. Say ‘Best cousins!’” she said. And she snapped a picture of Alexis and Sajès—with frosting all over their mouths, just like when they were little.
About the Story
Key Theme
Conflict resolution
Implementation
Pairings and Text Connections
“Enemy Pie” (March/April 2022) This fiction story deals with similar themes of kids figuring out how to get along after having conflict. Students can compare this to “We Used to Be Best Cousins.”
Before-Reading Resources
(5 minutes) Students can cut out the fiction bookmark and use it to preview the text.
(5 minutes) Help students become familiar with vocabulary words they will see in the article.
(5 minutes) Get to know actor and writer Jaime Hector, who wrote “We Used to Be Best Cousins.”
Suggested Reading Focus
Comprehension, nonfiction text features (30 minutes)
After-Reading: Skills Practice
(15 minutes for each activity)
