Fables, Folktales, and Myths
Fables, Folktales, and Myths Common Core Reading Literacy
Aligned Resources
Grade 3: 3.RL.2 Created By: ©Jamie Jacobs Edited by: Karen Almond
Clipart By: Little Red’s Clip Art All rights reserved by author, Duplication limited to classroom use only, and electronic distribution limited to classroom use only
3.RL.2
Name: ________________
Morals in Short Stories
Directions: Read the short story. Then identify the moral in the story and complete the chart for each short story.
The Lion and the Mouse Once when a Lion was asleep, a little Mouse began running up and down upon him. This soon woke up the Lion, who placed his huge paw on him and opened his big jaws to swallow him. "Please, O Lion!" cried the little Mouse, "Forgive me this time. I will never repeat it and I will never forget your kindness. And who knows, but I may be able to pay you back with a favor one day?" The Lion was so amazed at the idea of the Mouse being able to help him that he lifted up his paw and let him escape. Sometime later a few hunters captured the Lion and tied him to a tree while they went in search of a wagon to carry him on. Just then the little Mouse happened to pass by, and saw the captured lion. The mouse ran up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes with his little teeth and the rope broke apart. "Was I not right?" said the little Mouse, “I told you I may pay you back one day.” Moral:
Meaning of the Moral:
Three details from the story that support this moral: 1. ________________________________________________________ 2. ________________________________________________________ 3. ________________________________________________________ How can you use this moral in your own life?
3.RL.2
Name: ________________
Morals in Short Stories
Directions: Read the short story. Then identify the moral in the story and complete the chart for each short story.
The Fox and the Stork A selfish fox once invited a stork to dinner at his house. The fox’s wife served dinner to the two. Just as a joke the selfish fox put some soup in a shallow dish to serve to the stork. The fox could easily lap this up with his tongue, but the Stork could only put his long bill in it and couldn’t even get a gulp. The poor stork stayed hungry that night. “I am sorry that you do not like the soup I made," said the fox with a sneaky smile. "Oh, please do not apologize," said the Stork. "I hope you will let me have the pleasure of inviting you over to my house soon." So a date was set for when the Fox would join the Stork for dinner at his house. Finally, when they were seated at the table, the Stork’s wife served them both some soup in a very long and tall jar with a small opening. The stork drank the soup easily but the fox could not insert his snout into the small and tall jar. This time it was the Fox’s turn to go hungry. Moral:
Meaning of the Moral:
Three details from the story that support this moral: 1. ________________________________________________________ 2. ________________________________________________________ 3. ________________________________________________________ How can you use this moral in your own life?
Name: ________________
3.RL.2
Folktales
Directions: Read the information about a folktale. Then use the information to write your own summary about folktales.
FOLKTALE: A folktale is a type of traditional story that tries to explain or understand the world. Folktales are usually orally passed down through the generations and feature morals or lessons. The stories usually take place long ago in a faraway place. Folktales are told around talking animals, royalty, peasants, or mythical creatures. In a folktale, the heroes are rewarded and live happily ever after. Throughout generations the stories may change or remain the same as they are told. Folktales have no author, but they reflect the values of the culture which they came from.
MY SUMMARY OF FOLKTALES: ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
Directions: Write a summary describing how “Coyote Places the Stars” is similar to other common folktales. ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
Name: ________________
3.RL.2
Folktales
Directions: Read the folktale below then answer the questions. Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky
African Folktale
Many years ago, the sun and water were great friends, and they both lived on the earth together. The sun very often used to visit the water, but the water never returned the visits. At last the sun asked the water why he never visited. The water replied that the sun's house was not big enough, and that if he came with all his people, he would drive the sun out of his home. The water then said, "If you want me to visit you, you will have to build a very large house. But I warn you that it will have to be very large, as my people are numerous and take up a lot of room". The sun promised to build a very large house, and soon afterwards, he returned home to his wife, the moon, who greeted him with a broad smile. The sun told the moon what he had promised the water, and the next day, they began building a large house to entertain the water and all his people. When it was completed, the sun asked the water to come and visit him. When the water arrived, one of his people called out to the sun, and asked him whether it would be safe for the water to enter, and the sun answered, "Yes, tell my friend to come in." The water began to flow in, followed by the fish and all the other water animals. Very soon, the water was knee-deep in the house, so he asked the sun if it was still safe, and the sun again said, "Yes," so more of them came in. When the water was at the level of a man's head, the water said to the sun, "Do you want more of my people to come?" Not knowing any better, the sun and the moon both said, "Yes". More and more of the water's people came in, until the sun and the moon had to sit on top of the roof. The water once again asked the sun if it was still okay to keep coming in. The sun and moon answered “Yes”, so more and more of the water's people came in. The water soon overflowed the top of the roof, and the sun and the moon were forced to go up into the sky… and they have been there ever since. What does this folktale try to explain about the world? ___________________________________________________________
Like all other folktales, when does this folktale take place? ___________________________________________________________
What kinds of characters are in this folktale? ___________________________________________________________
What lesson or moral does this folktale teach? ___________________________________________________________
Name: ________________
3.RL.2
Folktales
Directions: Read the folktale below then answer the questions.
The Grasshopper and the Toad African Folktale Grasshopper and Toad appeared to be good friends. People always saw them together. Yet they had never dined at each other's houses. One day Toad said to Grasshopper, "Dear friend, tomorrow come and dine at my house. My wife and I will prepare a special meal. We will eat it together." The next day Grasshopper arrived at Toad's house. Before sitting down to eat, Toad washed his forelegs, and invited Grasshopper to do the same. Grasshopper did so, and it made a loud noise. "Friend Grasshopper, can't you leave your chirping behind. I cannot eat with such a noise," said Toad. Grasshopper tried to eat without rubbing his forelegs together, but it was impossible. Each time he gave a chirp, Toad complained and asked him to be quiet. Grasshopper was angry and could not eat. Finally, he said to Toad, "I invite you to my house for dinner tomorrow." The next day, Toad arrived at Grasshopper's home. As soon as the meal was ready, Grasshopper washed his forelegs, and invited Toad to do the same. Toad did so, and then hopped toward the food. "You had better go back and wash again," said Grasshopper. "All that hopping in the dirt has made your forelegs dirty again." Toad hopped back to the water jar, washed again, then hopped back to the table, and was ready to reach out for some food from one of the platters when Grasshopper stopped him, "Please don’t put your dirty paws into the food. Go and wash them again." Toad was furious. "You just don't want me to eat with you!" he cried. "You know very well that I must use my paws and forelegs in hopping about. I cannot help it if they get a bit dirty between the water jar and the table." Grasshopper responded, "You are the one who started it yesterday. You know I cannot rub my forelegs together without making a noise." From then on, they were no longer friends.
What does this folktale try to explain about the world? ___________________________________________________________
What kinds of characters are in this folktale? ___________________________________________________________
What lesson or moral does this folktale teach? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
Name: ________________
3.RL.2
Fables
Directions: Read the information about a fable. Then use the information to write your own summary about fables.
FABLE: A fable is a short imaginary tale that teaches a moral or a lesson. The story can be in prose or verse. In a fable animals often talk and act like people. The animals are given human qualities. Fables are usually short in length and contain two to three characters. An author of fables is called a “fabulist”. Sometimes fables are passed down from generation to generation, and from place to place, and sometimes they are constructed by a literary tale-teller. Its purpose is to impart a lesson or a value. The last sentence usually tells what lesson you can conclude from the fable
MY SUMMARY OF FABLES: ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
Directions: Read the Aesop’s short fable below. Then identify the moral. The Dog and the Shadow It happened that a Dog had got a piece of meat and was carrying it home in his mouth to eat it in peace. Now on his way home he had to cross a plank lying across a running brook. As he crossed, he looked down and saw his own shadow reflected in the water beneath. Thinking it was another dog with another piece of meat, he made up his mind to have that also. So he made a snap at the shadow in the water, but as he opened his mouth the piece of meat fell out, dropped into the water and was never seen more. What moral does this fable teach? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
Name: ________________
3.RL.2
Fables
Directions: Read the Aesop’s short fable below. Then answer the questions about the fable. The Ant and the Grasshopper
One summer's day, a merry grasshopper was dancing, singing and playing his violin with all his heart. He saw an ant passing by. “Come and sing with me instead of working so hard,” said the grasshopper. “Let’s have fun together.” “I must store food for the winter,” said the ant, “and I advise you to do the same.” “Don’t worry about winter, it’s still very far away,” said the grasshopper, laughing at him. But the ant wouldn’t listen and continued his toil. When the winter came, the starving grasshopper went to the ant’s house and humbly begged for something to eat. “If you had listened to my advice in the summer you would not now be in need,” said the ant. “I’m afraid you will have to go supperless to bed,” and he closed the door. What moral does this fable teach? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
How are the characters in this fable similar to characters in other fables? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
How are these characters given human qualities? ___________________________________________________________
How can this moral be helpful to you in real life? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
Name: ________________
3.RL.2
Myths
Directions: Read the information about a myth. Then use the information to create a bubble map with information about a myth and then use that information to write a summary.
MYTH: A myth is a story with a purpose or lesson. It tries to explain the way that the world is. They may try to answer questions that humans have always struggled with, questions such as, who made the universe or what causes a storm. Today science helps us answer these questions, but long ago people did not understand these issues. Myths also try to explain the relationships between gods and humans in order to teach about right and wrong. Even though the events in a myth are usually impossible, they send a message that has an important meaning.
MY SUMMARY OF
MYTHS:
___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
Name: ________________
3.RL.2
Myths
Directions: Read the popular myth below. Then answer the questions about the myth. Daedalus and Icarus
Daedalus was trying to escape punishment after killing his nephew Talos. He escaped from the king of Athens and travelled to Crete where King Minos welcomed him. He built wonderful buildings for King Minos and created a labyrinth below the city. King Minos was pleased with the labyrinth but he did not want anyone to know the way in or out. He decided that he would imprison Daedalus and Icarus to protect his secret. They soon got fed up and decided to try and escape again. Daedalus made frames and fastened feathers to them. They learned to fly and prepared to escape. Daedalus told Icarus not to go high, to keep away from the sun. They climbed up onto the windowsill, leapt into the air, started to fly and soared away into the clouds. They went up and down, twisted and turned. Icarus got so excited that he left his father. He went higher and higher. His father shouted for him to come down. The sun saw Icarus getting close. He turned his rays onto Icarus. Icarus tried to get back down, but too late. The sun melted the wax that held the feathers in place and Icarus' wings fell apart. He fell to the ground and died. What does this myth try to explain about the life? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
Like all those myths, would the events in this story ever be possible? ___________________________________________________________
How can you use this myth to help you in your own life? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
What does this myth teach about right and wrong? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
Aligned Resources
Grade 3: 3.RL.2 Created By: ©Jamie Jacobs Edited by: Karen Almond
Clipart By: Little Red’s Clip Art All rights reserved by author, Duplication limited to classroom use only, and electronic distribution limited to classroom use only
3.RL.2
Name: ________________
Morals in Short Stories
Directions: Read the short story. Then identify the moral in the story and complete the chart for each short story.
The Lion and the Mouse Once when a Lion was asleep, a little Mouse began running up and down upon him. This soon woke up the Lion, who placed his huge paw on him and opened his big jaws to swallow him. "Please, O Lion!" cried the little Mouse, "Forgive me this time. I will never repeat it and I will never forget your kindness. And who knows, but I may be able to pay you back with a favor one day?" The Lion was so amazed at the idea of the Mouse being able to help him that he lifted up his paw and let him escape. Sometime later a few hunters captured the Lion and tied him to a tree while they went in search of a wagon to carry him on. Just then the little Mouse happened to pass by, and saw the captured lion. The mouse ran up to him and soon gnawed away the ropes with his little teeth and the rope broke apart. "Was I not right?" said the little Mouse, “I told you I may pay you back one day.” Moral:
Meaning of the Moral:
Three details from the story that support this moral: 1. ________________________________________________________ 2. ________________________________________________________ 3. ________________________________________________________ How can you use this moral in your own life?
3.RL.2
Name: ________________
Morals in Short Stories
Directions: Read the short story. Then identify the moral in the story and complete the chart for each short story.
The Fox and the Stork A selfish fox once invited a stork to dinner at his house. The fox’s wife served dinner to the two. Just as a joke the selfish fox put some soup in a shallow dish to serve to the stork. The fox could easily lap this up with his tongue, but the Stork could only put his long bill in it and couldn’t even get a gulp. The poor stork stayed hungry that night. “I am sorry that you do not like the soup I made," said the fox with a sneaky smile. "Oh, please do not apologize," said the Stork. "I hope you will let me have the pleasure of inviting you over to my house soon." So a date was set for when the Fox would join the Stork for dinner at his house. Finally, when they were seated at the table, the Stork’s wife served them both some soup in a very long and tall jar with a small opening. The stork drank the soup easily but the fox could not insert his snout into the small and tall jar. This time it was the Fox’s turn to go hungry. Moral:
Meaning of the Moral:
Three details from the story that support this moral: 1. ________________________________________________________ 2. ________________________________________________________ 3. ________________________________________________________ How can you use this moral in your own life?
Name: ________________
3.RL.2
Folktales
Directions: Read the information about a folktale. Then use the information to write your own summary about folktales.
FOLKTALE: A folktale is a type of traditional story that tries to explain or understand the world. Folktales are usually orally passed down through the generations and feature morals or lessons. The stories usually take place long ago in a faraway place. Folktales are told around talking animals, royalty, peasants, or mythical creatures. In a folktale, the heroes are rewarded and live happily ever after. Throughout generations the stories may change or remain the same as they are told. Folktales have no author, but they reflect the values of the culture which they came from.
MY SUMMARY OF FOLKTALES: ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
Directions: Write a summary describing how “Coyote Places the Stars” is similar to other common folktales. ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
Name: ________________
3.RL.2
Folktales
Directions: Read the folktale below then answer the questions. Why the Sun and the Moon Live in the Sky
African Folktale
Many years ago, the sun and water were great friends, and they both lived on the earth together. The sun very often used to visit the water, but the water never returned the visits. At last the sun asked the water why he never visited. The water replied that the sun's house was not big enough, and that if he came with all his people, he would drive the sun out of his home. The water then said, "If you want me to visit you, you will have to build a very large house. But I warn you that it will have to be very large, as my people are numerous and take up a lot of room". The sun promised to build a very large house, and soon afterwards, he returned home to his wife, the moon, who greeted him with a broad smile. The sun told the moon what he had promised the water, and the next day, they began building a large house to entertain the water and all his people. When it was completed, the sun asked the water to come and visit him. When the water arrived, one of his people called out to the sun, and asked him whether it would be safe for the water to enter, and the sun answered, "Yes, tell my friend to come in." The water began to flow in, followed by the fish and all the other water animals. Very soon, the water was knee-deep in the house, so he asked the sun if it was still safe, and the sun again said, "Yes," so more of them came in. When the water was at the level of a man's head, the water said to the sun, "Do you want more of my people to come?" Not knowing any better, the sun and the moon both said, "Yes". More and more of the water's people came in, until the sun and the moon had to sit on top of the roof. The water once again asked the sun if it was still okay to keep coming in. The sun and moon answered “Yes”, so more and more of the water's people came in. The water soon overflowed the top of the roof, and the sun and the moon were forced to go up into the sky… and they have been there ever since. What does this folktale try to explain about the world? ___________________________________________________________
Like all other folktales, when does this folktale take place? ___________________________________________________________
What kinds of characters are in this folktale? ___________________________________________________________
What lesson or moral does this folktale teach? ___________________________________________________________
Name: ________________
3.RL.2
Folktales
Directions: Read the folktale below then answer the questions.
The Grasshopper and the Toad African Folktale Grasshopper and Toad appeared to be good friends. People always saw them together. Yet they had never dined at each other's houses. One day Toad said to Grasshopper, "Dear friend, tomorrow come and dine at my house. My wife and I will prepare a special meal. We will eat it together." The next day Grasshopper arrived at Toad's house. Before sitting down to eat, Toad washed his forelegs, and invited Grasshopper to do the same. Grasshopper did so, and it made a loud noise. "Friend Grasshopper, can't you leave your chirping behind. I cannot eat with such a noise," said Toad. Grasshopper tried to eat without rubbing his forelegs together, but it was impossible. Each time he gave a chirp, Toad complained and asked him to be quiet. Grasshopper was angry and could not eat. Finally, he said to Toad, "I invite you to my house for dinner tomorrow." The next day, Toad arrived at Grasshopper's home. As soon as the meal was ready, Grasshopper washed his forelegs, and invited Toad to do the same. Toad did so, and then hopped toward the food. "You had better go back and wash again," said Grasshopper. "All that hopping in the dirt has made your forelegs dirty again." Toad hopped back to the water jar, washed again, then hopped back to the table, and was ready to reach out for some food from one of the platters when Grasshopper stopped him, "Please don’t put your dirty paws into the food. Go and wash them again." Toad was furious. "You just don't want me to eat with you!" he cried. "You know very well that I must use my paws and forelegs in hopping about. I cannot help it if they get a bit dirty between the water jar and the table." Grasshopper responded, "You are the one who started it yesterday. You know I cannot rub my forelegs together without making a noise." From then on, they were no longer friends.
What does this folktale try to explain about the world? ___________________________________________________________
What kinds of characters are in this folktale? ___________________________________________________________
What lesson or moral does this folktale teach? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
Name: ________________
3.RL.2
Fables
Directions: Read the information about a fable. Then use the information to write your own summary about fables.
FABLE: A fable is a short imaginary tale that teaches a moral or a lesson. The story can be in prose or verse. In a fable animals often talk and act like people. The animals are given human qualities. Fables are usually short in length and contain two to three characters. An author of fables is called a “fabulist”. Sometimes fables are passed down from generation to generation, and from place to place, and sometimes they are constructed by a literary tale-teller. Its purpose is to impart a lesson or a value. The last sentence usually tells what lesson you can conclude from the fable
MY SUMMARY OF FABLES: ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
Directions: Read the Aesop’s short fable below. Then identify the moral. The Dog and the Shadow It happened that a Dog had got a piece of meat and was carrying it home in his mouth to eat it in peace. Now on his way home he had to cross a plank lying across a running brook. As he crossed, he looked down and saw his own shadow reflected in the water beneath. Thinking it was another dog with another piece of meat, he made up his mind to have that also. So he made a snap at the shadow in the water, but as he opened his mouth the piece of meat fell out, dropped into the water and was never seen more. What moral does this fable teach? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
Name: ________________
3.RL.2
Fables
Directions: Read the Aesop’s short fable below. Then answer the questions about the fable. The Ant and the Grasshopper
One summer's day, a merry grasshopper was dancing, singing and playing his violin with all his heart. He saw an ant passing by. “Come and sing with me instead of working so hard,” said the grasshopper. “Let’s have fun together.” “I must store food for the winter,” said the ant, “and I advise you to do the same.” “Don’t worry about winter, it’s still very far away,” said the grasshopper, laughing at him. But the ant wouldn’t listen and continued his toil. When the winter came, the starving grasshopper went to the ant’s house and humbly begged for something to eat. “If you had listened to my advice in the summer you would not now be in need,” said the ant. “I’m afraid you will have to go supperless to bed,” and he closed the door. What moral does this fable teach? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
How are the characters in this fable similar to characters in other fables? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
How are these characters given human qualities? ___________________________________________________________
How can this moral be helpful to you in real life? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
Name: ________________
3.RL.2
Myths
Directions: Read the information about a myth. Then use the information to create a bubble map with information about a myth and then use that information to write a summary.
MYTH: A myth is a story with a purpose or lesson. It tries to explain the way that the world is. They may try to answer questions that humans have always struggled with, questions such as, who made the universe or what causes a storm. Today science helps us answer these questions, but long ago people did not understand these issues. Myths also try to explain the relationships between gods and humans in order to teach about right and wrong. Even though the events in a myth are usually impossible, they send a message that has an important meaning.
MY SUMMARY OF
MYTHS:
___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
Name: ________________
3.RL.2
Myths
Directions: Read the popular myth below. Then answer the questions about the myth. Daedalus and Icarus
Daedalus was trying to escape punishment after killing his nephew Talos. He escaped from the king of Athens and travelled to Crete where King Minos welcomed him. He built wonderful buildings for King Minos and created a labyrinth below the city. King Minos was pleased with the labyrinth but he did not want anyone to know the way in or out. He decided that he would imprison Daedalus and Icarus to protect his secret. They soon got fed up and decided to try and escape again. Daedalus made frames and fastened feathers to them. They learned to fly and prepared to escape. Daedalus told Icarus not to go high, to keep away from the sun. They climbed up onto the windowsill, leapt into the air, started to fly and soared away into the clouds. They went up and down, twisted and turned. Icarus got so excited that he left his father. He went higher and higher. His father shouted for him to come down. The sun saw Icarus getting close. He turned his rays onto Icarus. Icarus tried to get back down, but too late. The sun melted the wax that held the feathers in place and Icarus' wings fell apart. He fell to the ground and died. What does this myth try to explain about the life? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
Like all those myths, would the events in this story ever be possible? ___________________________________________________________
How can you use this myth to help you in your own life? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
What does this myth teach about right and wrong? ___________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________
