Model answer: 'Don't believe what she's saying. There isn't a fire. Matilda always lies and she lied the last time and I had to send the fire brigade away'.
Try this
Matilda told such Dreadful Lies
It made one Gasp and Stretch one's Eyes;
Her Aunt attempted to Believe Matilda:
The effort very nearly killed her
For once, towards the Close of Day,
Matilda, growing tired of play,
Went tiptoe to the telephone
And summoned the Immediate Aid
Of London's Noble Fire-Brigade.
Within an hour the Gallant Band
Were pouring in on every hand,
Until Matilda's Aunt succeeded
In showing them they were not needed
That Night a Fire did break out
You should have heard Matilda Shout!
You should have heard her Scream and Bawl,
And throw the window up and call
To People passing in the Street
Hilaire Belloc: 'Matilda Who Told Lies and Was Burned to Death' from Cautionary Verses (Red Fox, 1995)
What might Matilda's aunt say to the people in the street? Write the words the aunt speaks.
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