Greg Mortenson, Three cups of tea

The setting

Mountain vocabulary

flashlight hiker gorge climber matches rock/boulder valley summits/peaks backpack stove path steep tent glacier climbing gear

river sleeping bag crack/crevasse slope chunk of ice

Chapters 1–3

1. Is “Failure” an appropriate title for Chapter 1? Explain.

2. The first line of the story begins “Greg Mortenson was lost.” The word “lost” can have both a literal and a figurative meaning. State what you think the author meant by this sentence.

3. What role does the setting – the high altitude and the treacherous terrain of the Himalayas – play in the initial events of this story?

4. Who assists Mortenson on his way to Korphe?

5. What does Mortenson drink for nourishment? Why is this significant to the story?

6. What does Mortenson discover about the quality of life in Korphe, specifically in regard to healthcare and education?

7. In what ways is the quality of life in Korphe better or worse than your own?

8. Who is Haji Ali?

9. How do the villagers help Mortenson? How does Mortenson help the villagers

10. What promise does Mortenson make to the villagers of Korphe?