Synopsis
Covers the whole plot, including the ending.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Pacing
- Fast
- Mood
- Humorous, Lighthearted, Relatable, Chaotic
- Read it if
- You enjoy humorous, relatable stories about sibling rivalry and middle school antics, especially if you're a fan of the 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' series.
- Skip it if
- You prefer complex plots, deep character development, or stories without juvenile humor.
Rodrick Rules Plot Summary
Covers the whole plot, including the ending.
Summer Secrets and a New School Year
Greg Heffley starts the new school year wanting to forget a humiliating summer event, which he calls 'The Incident.' His older brother, Rodrick, knows about it and constantly blackmails Greg, threatening to tell everyone. Greg worries about his reputation at school and what might happen if the secret gets out. He tries to avoid Rodrick, but his parents, Frank and Susan Heffley, want their sons to get along better. This often forces Greg into situations with Rodrick, which he dislikes and makes him more anxious about his secret being revealed.
The Mom Bucks and Rodrick's Band
Susan Heffley starts a 'Mom Bucks' system to encourage her sons to do chores and be friendly, with the money exchangeable for cash. Greg tries to use the system but finds it does not work for him. Meanwhile, Rodrick's band, Löded Diper, practices loudly in the Heffley basement, making noise and bothering Greg and the family. The band members, including Bill, a jobless man in his thirties, and Rodrick's friends, often make messes and add to the chaotic home, further testing Greg's patience and his wish for quiet.
The Lock-In and the Diary Discovery
When Frank and Susan go away for the weekend, leaving Rodrick in charge, he throws a large party at their house, inviting many teenagers. Greg, at first staying in his room, eventually goes out and sees the chaos. The party gets out of control, and Rodrick struggles to clean up before their parents return. Trying to help, Greg finds Rodrick's 'secret diary,' which Rodrick keeps under his bed. Greg realizes Rodrick has been writing his own events, including details about 'The Incident,' which makes Greg even more nervous about his secret getting out.
Learning to Drum and the Science Fair
Greg tries to learn drums to impress girls, but he quickly gives up, realizing it is harder than it looks and that he lacks Rodrick's natural rhythm. He also has a required science fair project at school. Working with Rowley, they try to make a project with a 'magic eight ball' that gives yes/no answers. Their project is poorly done and gets a low grade, showing Greg's lack of science skill and his tendency to put things off, adding to his frustrations with school and his view of his own faults.
The Incident Revealed (Partial)
During a sleepover at Rowley's house, Rodrick calls and talks to Rowley, hinting at 'The Incident.' Greg hears parts of the conversation and worries, realizing Rodrick is starting to share information. While Rodrick does not tell the full story, the hints are enough to make Greg increasingly anxious about the whole truth coming out. This event strengthens Greg's fear of Rodrick and the constant threat of public embarrassment, making him more determined to keep his brother quiet, even as Rodrick continues to hold it over him.
The Talent Show and the Drum-Off
The school announces a talent show, and Löded Diper decides to perform. Greg at first dislikes the idea of his brother's band performing, especially when Rodrick tries to get Greg to help with their act. During the performance, Rodrick tries a drum solo, but the camera crew only records his arms and legs moving wildly, making him look silly. The video of Löded Diper's performance, particularly Rodrick's drum solo, becomes popular online, but not as Rodrick wanted, further embarrassing Greg by association and making Rodrick a joke.
Rodrick's Humiliation and a Truce
After the talent show, Rodrick is very embarrassed by the video of his bad drum solo. He withdraws and stays home. Seeing his brother's distress, Greg feels some sympathy. This shared experience of public embarrassment, though for different reasons, creates a temporary peace between the brothers. Rodrick, humbled by the experience, is less likely to bother Greg, and Greg, for a short time, feels relief from the constant threat of his secret being revealed by Rodrick.
Susan's Intervention and the Reveal
Susan Heffley, still wanting to improve her sons' relationship, makes Greg and Rodrick spend more time together. She encourages them to go bowling, hoping they will bond. During their outing, Rodrick, feeling weak after his talent show humiliation, finally tells Greg the full story of 'The Incident' from the summer. Greg explains he accidentally went into the women's restroom at a retirement home, and Rodrick, who was outside, saw him. This full revelation, though embarrassing, finally brings the secret out between them, removing Rodrick's power.
The Talent Show Redux
Rodrick gets another chance to perform his drum solo on local public access television, but he insists that Greg come along for support. During the broadcast, the camera crew, recognizing Rodrick from the video, plays the original talent show footage. This re-broadcast of the embarrassing footage, along with Rodrick's reaction, accidentally leads to 'The Incident' being fully revealed to the public. Greg's worst fear comes true as the story of him going into the women's restroom becomes widely known, cementing his humiliation.
Aftermath and Brotherly Bond
Afterward, Greg deals with the school knowing about 'The Incident,' leading to teasing and embarrassment. However, despite the public humiliation, a strange bond forms between Greg and Rodrick. Rodrick, also publicly embarrassed, shows a rare moment of empathy and support for Greg. The shared experience of being laughed at, and the fact that Rodrick no longer has power over Greg, brings the brothers closer, creating a new, though still complex, relationship.
Principal Figures
Greg Heffley
Protagonist
Middle schooler constantly navigating social pitfalls and family dynamics.
Greg is a self-absorbed and often lazy middle school student who consistently tries to find the easiest path through life, even if it means manipulating others or taking shortcuts. His main motivation in 'Rodrick Rules' is to keep 'The Incident' a secret and improve his social standing. He is often insecure, prone to exaggeration, and struggles with sibling rivalry, particularly with his older brother, Rodrick. Despite his flaws, Greg occasionally shows flashes of insight or even brief moments of empathy, though these are often overshadowed by his self-interest.
Relationships: Rodrick Heffley (Older brother, tormentor, secret-keeper); Rowley Jefferson (Best friend, often an unwitting victim of Greg's schemes); Frank Heffley (Father, often exasperated by Greg and Rodrick); Susan Heffley (Mother, tries to foster family bonding, creates 'Mom Bucks'); Manny Heffley (Younger brother, often favored by parents)
Rodrick Heffley
Antagonist/Supporting
Greg's older brother, a lazy drummer with a secret hold over Greg.
Rodrick is Greg's older brother, a perpetually lazy and somewhat dim-witted teenager whose main interests are his garage band, Löded Diper, and tormenting Greg. He holds 'The Incident' over Greg's head throughout the book, using it for blackmail and amusement. Despite his antagonistic behavior, Rodrick is also a source of unintended humor and sometimes reveals a vulnerable side, especially after his own public humiliations. He often struggles with parental expectations and dreams of rock stardom, despite his lack of discipline.
Relationships: Greg Heffley (Younger brother, target of torment and blackmail); Frank Heffley (Father, often in conflict over Rodrick's laziness and band); Susan Heffley (Mother, tries to encourage Rodrick's talents and foster family peace); Bill (Fellow band member, jobless adult)
Rowley Jefferson
Supporting
Greg's naive and good-hearted best friend.
Rowley is Greg's best friend, known for his innocent and sometimes childish demeanor. He is often an unwitting participant in Greg's schemes and frequently bears the brunt of Greg's less-than-stellar ideas. Rowley is generally more good-natured and less cynical than Greg, often finding enjoyment in simple things. He is loyal to Greg, though sometimes he struggles to understand Greg's complex social anxieties and manipulations. His unwavering friendship provides a contrast to Greg's often self-serving motivations.
Relationships: Greg Heffley (Best friend); Mr. Jefferson (Rowley's father, often disapproves of Greg's influence)
Susan Heffley
Supporting
Greg's mother, who often tries to foster family togetherness.
Susan is Greg's well-meaning but often misguided mother. She is constantly trying to improve her sons' relationships, implement family bonding activities, and encourage their talents, often with disastrous results. Her 'Mom Bucks' system and her insistence on Rodrick and Greg spending time together are central to the plot. She is loving but can be oblivious to her sons' true feelings and the underlying tensions between them. She genuinely believes in the power of family and personal growth.
Relationships: Greg Heffley (Son); Rodrick Heffley (Son); Frank Heffley (Husband); Manny Heffley (Son)
Frank Heffley
Supporting
Greg's father, who is often exasperated by his sons' behavior.
Frank is Greg's father, a practical and often stern figure who frequently expresses exasperation with his sons' laziness and antics, particularly Rodrick's band. He has a no-nonsense approach and often clashes with Rodrick over his lack of ambition and loud music. While he supports his family, he is less overtly involved in the emotional dynamics than Susan, often preferring a quiet life and struggling to understand his children's worlds. He occasionally tries to impose discipline, usually without much success.
Relationships: Greg Heffley (Son); Rodrick Heffley (Son); Susan Heffley (Wife); Manny Heffley (Son)
Manny Heffley
Supporting
Greg's spoiled younger brother.
Manny is Greg's much younger brother, a toddler who is often portrayed as spoiled and prone to getting his own way. He is a source of minor annoyance for Greg, as he is frequently doted upon by his parents and seems to get away with everything. Manny's antics are often secondary to the main plot but contribute to the chaotic family dynamic and Greg's feeling of being overlooked or unfairly treated.
Relationships: Greg Heffley (Older brother); Rodrick Heffley (Older brother); Frank Heffley (Father); Susan Heffley (Mother)
Bill
Supporting
Rodrick's jobless, adult bandmate.
Bill is a member of Rodrick's band, Löded Diper. He is an adult in his thirties who is unemployed and still lives with his parents. Bill's presence in the band highlights Rodrick's somewhat questionable judgment in friends and reinforces the idea that Löded Diper is not a particularly serious or professional musical group. He contributes to the general mess and chaos whenever the band practices at the Heffley house, often being another source of frustration for Greg and his parents.
Relationships: Rodrick Heffley (Bandmate); Löded Diper (Fellow band member)
Mr. Jefferson
Mentioned
Rowley's father, who is skeptical of Greg's influence.
Mr. Jefferson is Rowley's father. He is often shown to be somewhat wary of Greg's influence on Rowley, believing Greg to be a bad influence. He sometimes tries to limit Greg and Rowley's interactions or guide Rowley away from Greg's more questionable ideas. His concern for Rowley's well-being is evident, and he acts as a minor external force that Greg sometimes has to contend with when planning his adventures with Rowley.
Relationships: Rowley Jefferson (Son); Greg Heffley (Friend of his son)
Themes & Insights
Sibling Rivalry and Brotherhood
The main idea is the difficult relationship between Greg and Rodrick. Their arguments, Rodrick bothering Greg, and Greg trying to outsmart his older brother show the competitive and often unfriendly nature of their bond. However, the story also shows moments where a deeper, though complex, brotherhood appears, especially after their shared public embarrassments, showing that despite their differences, they are connected by family and shared experiences.
“The only reason Rodrick hasn't told anyone about the summer incident is because he knows it'll get him in trouble too.”
Secrets and Public Humiliation
A main part of the plot is Greg's strong desire to keep 'The Incident' a secret, fearing social exclusion and embarrassment. Rodrick's blackmail uses this fear. The idea is further explored through Rodrick's own public humiliation at the talent show. Both brothers feel the strong discomfort of having their embarrassing moments shown, eventually leading to a strange sense of friendship from shared shame.
“I really hope Rodrick doesn't tell anyone about what happened over the summer.”
Parental Influence and Family Dynamics
Susan and Frank Heffley's efforts to manage their children's behavior and encourage family bonding, like the 'Mom Bucks' system or making Greg and Rodrick spend time together, often fail or have unexpected results. This shows the difficulties of parenting and the often unsuccessful attempts to control teenage behavior. The family dynamic brings humor and conflict, showing how good intentions from parents can sometimes make problems worse.
“Mom is always trying to get Rodrick and me to 'bond.'”
The Quest for Social Status
Greg always cares about his image and popularity in middle school. His wish to impress girls, avoid embarrassing situations, and be seen as 'cool' drives many of his actions and worries. The threat of 'The Incident' being revealed is strong because it directly harms his attempts (though often failing) to be socially accepted. This idea explores the pressures of fitting in and the often surface-level ways popularity is measured during adolescence.
“It's a new school year, and I'm trying to start fresh. The last thing I need is for everyone to know my embarrassing secret.”
Plot Devices & Literary Techniques
First-Person Diary Narration
Provides direct access to Greg's thoughts, biases, and unreliable perspective.
The entire story is told through Greg Heffley's diary entries, complete with his characteristic handwriting and simple drawings. This device allows the reader to experience events directly from Greg's subjective and often self-serving point of view. It highlights his biases, his internal monologue, and his skewed interpretations of situations, making him an unreliable narrator whose version of events is often humorously at odds with reality. This personal format also reinforces the idea of secrets and hidden thoughts central to the plot.
The MacGuffin (The Incident)
A plot device that drives the narrative without being fully explained until later.
The 'summer incident' is a classic MacGuffin, a plot device that is crucial to the story's progression and Greg's motivations, but its details are initially withheld from the reader. Rodrick's knowledge of this incident gives him power over Greg, creating suspense and driving Greg's actions to keep it secret. The gradual revelation and eventual full disclosure of 'The Incident' provide both comedic payoff and resolution to the central conflict between the brothers, shifting their dynamic once the secret is out.
Irony and Situational Humor
The contrast between expectation and reality, often for comedic effect.
The book heavily relies on irony, particularly situational irony, for its humor. Greg's grand plans often backfire spectacularly, Rodrick's attempts at coolness result in public embarrassment, and parental efforts to foster harmony lead to more chaos. For instance, Rodrick's disastrous talent show performance becoming a viral hit for all the wrong reasons is a prime example. This device underscores the unpredictable and often frustrating nature of middle school life and family interactions, consistently subverting expectations for comedic effect.
Visual Gags and Illustrations
Simple line drawings that enhance humor and character expression.
The book is interspersed with Jeff Kinney's distinctive simple line drawings that function as visual gags, character expressions, and direct illustrations of Greg's narrative. These drawings are not mere decorations; they are integral to the storytelling, often conveying more humor, emotion, or specific details than the text alone. They visually represent Greg's perspective, his fantasies, and the often-absurd situations he finds himself in, directly contributing to the comedic tone and making the diary format more engaging.
Rodrick Rules Quotes
“I've said it before, and I'll say it again. I think the only reason Mom and Dad had a third kid was so they'd have someone to take pictures of.”
“The only reason Rodrick got a drum set in the first place was because he was failing Social Studies.”
“I think the only person who actually likes Rodrick's band is Rodrick.”
“That's the thing about secrets. You can't trust anyone to keep them.”
“It's pretty hard to make a good impression when you're wearing a pair of your mom's underwear.”
“The good thing about having a little brother is that you can always blame stuff on him.”
“I guess I just figured that since Mom and Dad were always telling us how much they loved us, that meant they would trust us.”
“Rodrick has this way of making me feel like I'm the one who's in trouble, even when I'm not.”
“Being popular is a lot harder than it looks.”
“I'm starting to think that the only reason adults have kids is so they can boss them around.”
“You know how sometimes you don't realize how good you have it until it's gone?”
“I've learned my lesson about trying to impress girls.”
“The only thing worse than having a secret is having a secret that everyone else knows.”
“I think the only thing Rodrick is good at is getting me into trouble.”
Quiz
10 questions on the plot and the characters. Each answer comes with a short explanation.
Question 1
What secret is Greg most desperate to keep hidden from everyone at the beginning of the book?
- He failed his summer reading assignment.
- He accidentally went into the girls' bathroom at the Leisure Towers retirement home.
- He got caught playing video games all summer instead of doing chores.
- He lost his swim trunks at the public pool.
Show answer
B. He accidentally went into the girls' bathroom at the Leisure Towers retirement home. Greg's biggest secret, which Rodrick knows and threatens to expose, is that he accidentally walked into the girls' bathroom at Leisure Towers during their summer visit.
Question 2
What is the name of Rodrick's band?
- Löded Diper
- Heavy Metal Heffleys
- Rockin' Rodrick
- Garage Band Gurus
Show answer
A. Löded Diper Rodrick's band is famously named Löded Diper, and their music is a recurring source of conflict and humor throughout the book.
Question 3
What does Mom try to implement to improve Greg and Rodrick's relationship?
- A 'Brotherly Love' reward system
- A shared hobby club
- Mom Bucks
- The 'Mom's Dollar' system, which involves them spending time together
Show answer
D. The 'Mom's Dollar' system, which involves them spending time together Mom tries to encourage Greg and Rodrick to bond by giving them 'Mom's Dollars' for spending time together, which they can then exchange for real money.
Question 4
Why does Rodrick get grounded for a significant portion of the book?
- He failed his classes at school.
- He threw a party while their parents were away.
- He broke something valuable in the house.
- He got into a fight with another student.
Show answer
B. He threw a party while their parents were away. Rodrick gets grounded after he throws a wild party at the house when his parents are out of town, and Greg accidentally helps him cover it up, only for the truth to eventually come out.
Question 5
What instrument does Rodrick play in his band?
- Lead Guitar
- Drums
- Bass Guitar
- Vocals
Show answer
B. Drums Rodrick is the drummer for his band, Löded Diper. His drumming, often practiced in the basement, is a frequent source of noise and annoyance for the rest of the family.
Question 6
What happens when Greg tries to get out of the school talent show?
- He successfully avoids participating entirely.
- He ends up performing a magic act with Rowley.
- He is forced to be a stagehand for Rodrick's band.
- He fakes an illness but is caught by the principal.
Show answer
B. He ends up performing a magic act with Rowley. Despite his best efforts to avoid the talent show, Greg and Rowley end up performing a magic act together, which doesn't go quite as planned.
Question 7
What is the primary reason Greg helps Rodrick cover up the party, even though Rodrick constantly teases him?
- He genuinely enjoys helping Rodrick with his schemes.
- He fears Rodrick will reveal the 'girls' bathroom' secret if he doesn't.
- He wants a share of the money Rodrick made from the party.
- He believes it will finally earn him Rodrick's respect.
Show answer
B. He fears Rodrick will reveal the 'girls' bathroom' secret if he doesn't. Greg helps Rodrick clean up the house after the party because Rodrick blackmails him with the threat of revealing Greg's embarrassing summer secret about the girls' bathroom.
Question 8
How does the 'girls' bathroom' secret eventually get revealed to the public?
- Rodrick tells the story during his band's performance at the talent show.
- Greg accidentally writes about it in his diary, which is then read by someone else.
- Mom accidentally shows a video of Greg's performance with Rodrick at the talent show, which includes Rodrick telling the story of the bathroom incident.
- Rowley, unaware of the secret's importance, tells one of his friends.
Show answer
C. Mom accidentally shows a video of Greg's performance with Rodrick at the talent show, which includes Rodrick telling the story of the bathroom incident. The secret is revealed when Mom shows a video of Rodrick's band performing at the talent show (which was edited to cut out the bad parts). In the video, Rodrick tells the story of Greg's bathroom incident as an anecdote, much to Greg's horror.
Question 9
What is the significance of the title 'Rodrick Rules' in the context of the book?
- It refers to Rodrick's popularity at school.
- It highlights Rodrick's dominant and often troublesome influence over Greg's life.
- It's a reference to the rules Rodrick sets for his band members.
- It means Rodrick is the one who sets all the rules in the Heffley household.
Show answer
B. It highlights Rodrick's dominant and often troublesome influence over Greg's life. The title 'Rodrick Rules' signifies Rodrick's pervasive influence and control over Greg, particularly through his knowledge of Greg's secret and his general bullying, which dictates much of Greg's actions and anxieties throughout the story.
Question 10
What does Rodrick do with Greg's diary at one point?
- He reads it aloud to his friends.
- He hides it from Greg.
- He takes it to school to show his classmates.
- He holds it over Greg's head, threatening to reveal its contents.
Show answer
D. He holds it over Greg's head, threatening to reveal its contents. Rodrick often uses Greg's diary (which Greg insists is a journal) as leverage, threatening to read or expose its contents, especially when he's trying to get Greg to do something for him.
Rodrick Rules FAQ
What is "Rodrick Rules" about?
"Rodrick Rules" is the second book in the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, focusing on Greg Heffley's attempts to keep a humiliating secret from his summer vacation hidden from his peers. His older brother, Rodrick, knows the secret and uses it to torment Greg, while also trying to get his band, "Löded Diper," off the ground.
Why should I read "Rodrick Rules"?
You should read "Rodrick Rules" for its relatable depiction of sibling rivalry, middle school awkwardness, and the universal desire to keep embarrassing moments private. It offers humor through Greg's misadventures and the chaotic dynamic between him and his older brother, Rodrick.
What is the background/setting of "Rodrick Rules"?
The story is set in a suburban American town, primarily focusing on Greg Heffley's home, his middle school, and various local spots like the roller rink and the church where the talent show is held. The time frame is the beginning of a new school year, following a summer vacation.
What are the most memorable quotes?
While the book is more known for its illustrations and humorous situations, a memorable line reflecting Greg's perspective is "The only reason Rodrick is good at anything is because he's older than me." Another key phrase is the recurring "DO NOT ASK ME HOW I SPENT MY SUMMER VACATION," which sets up the central conflict.
What writing style does the author use?
Jeff Kinney uses a unique hybrid writing style that combines simple, first-person narrative from Greg's perspective with numerous cartoon illustrations. This diary format makes the book accessible and engaging for young readers, effectively conveying Greg's thoughts, feelings, and the often-exaggerated realities of middle school life.
What minor details add significant meaning?
The detail of Rodrick's band, Löded Diper, consistently trying to rehearse in the Heffley's basement, highlights the constant noise and disruption Rodrick brings to Greg's life. Also, the brief mentions of Greg's crush on Holly Hills underscore his growing desire for social acceptance and popularity, contrasting with his current struggles.
What are some subtle foreshadowing moments?
Early in the book, Greg's repeated insistence on not talking about his summer vacation, coupled with Rodrick's knowing smirks, subtly foreshadows the big secret's eventual reveal. The ongoing tension between the brothers regarding the "Moment of Silence" video also hints at its pivotal role in the climax.
What unexpected character connections exist?
While not entirely unexpected for siblings, the temporary truce and bond formed between Greg and Rodrick after their parents punish them by taking away their privileges, including Rodrick's band practice, shows a momentary shared misery. Also, the connection between Rowley and Rodrick's band, where Rowley briefly joins, highlights Greg's occasional feelings of being replaced or left out.
What are unspoken character motivations?
Rodrick's unspoken motivation for tormenting Greg often seems to stem from a desire for control, attention, and perhaps a deep-seated insecurity, manifesting as a need to assert dominance over his younger brother. Greg's motivation for wanting to keep the summer secret hidden is primarily fear of social humiliation and a desperate longing for popularity and acceptance among his peers.
What psychological complexities do characters exhibit?
Greg exhibits a complex mix of self-centeredness, insecurity, and a desire for social validation, often leading him to make poor choices or blame others. Rodrick, despite his bullying nature, shows moments of vulnerability, especially regarding his band's success, suggesting a deeper need for recognition that he struggles to articulate.
What are the major emotional turning points?
A major emotional turning point is when Greg's secret about entering the women's restroom at the retirement home during summer vacation is accidentally revealed at the school talent show. Another is when Greg initially feels betrayed by Rodrick for exposing the secret, but then a brief moment of camaraderie arises when their parents ground them both, leading to a temporary understanding.
How do relationship dynamics evolve?
The relationship between Greg and Rodrick is the core dynamic, evolving from constant antagonism to a brief, fragile alliance when they are both grounded. Their parents, Frank and Susan, initially struggle to understand the depth of Rodrick's torment, but eventually intervene, leading to a temporary shift in the power dynamic between the brothers, though their rivalry ultimately persists.
Which parts remain ambiguous or open-ended?
The long-term impact of the "Moment of Silence" video on Rodrick's band career and his overall reputation remains somewhat open-ended, though it's implied to be a setback. Also, whether Greg truly learns a lasting lesson about honesty or continues his pattern of trying to hide embarrassing moments is left for future books.
What are controversial scenes or decisions?
The most controversial scene is the accidental public reveal of Greg's summer secret – that he mistakenly entered the women's restroom at a retirement home. Rodrick's decision to film Greg dancing with his underwear on his head and later use it in his band's talent show video is a highly debated moment of sibling cruelty.
Rodrick Rules ending explained: how it ends & what it means
The book ends with Greg's humiliating summer secret being accidentally broadcast to the entire school via Rodrick's band's talent show video, which mistakenly includes footage of Greg. While Greg is initially mortified, the incident inadvertently makes Rodrick's band famous locally for their 'Moment of Silence' performance. The ending signifies that despite Greg's best efforts, secrets have a way of getting out, and that sometimes, even major embarrassments can lead to unexpected outcomes for others.
About the author
Jeffrey Patrick Kinney is an American author and cartoonist, best known as the creator of the children's book series Diary of a Wimpy Kid. He also created the child-oriented website Poptropica.
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