Learning About Citizenship Through Fables Characteristics of Good

Learning About Citizenship Through Fables

Characteristics of Good Citizenship • Truthfulness – telling the truth and being honest • Justice – treating others fairly • Equality – treating everyone the same • Respectful - caring about the feelings, wishes and needs of others

FABLES Fables are short stories that teach a lesson. The main characters in the stories are usually animals, who speak and act like people.

The Lion and the Mouse A mighty Lion was sleeping in his resting place when he was awakened by a tiny Mouse running across his body. The Lion grabbed the frightened creature with his huge paws and opened his mouth to swallow him. “Please, O King, ” cried the Mouse, “spare me this time and I shall never forget your kindness. Someday I may be able to repay you. ” The Lion was so amused by this idea that he let the poor creature go. Sometime later the Lion was caught in a net laid by some clever hunters. Despite his great strength, the Lion could not break free. Soon the forest echoed with angry roars. The little Mouse heard the Lion and ran to see what was wrong. As soon as he saw the Lion, he began to chew away the ropes, and before long he set the Lion free. “There!” said the Mouse proudly, “You laughed at me when I promised to repay your kindness, but now you know that even a tiny Mouse can help a mighty Lion. ”

Who do you think was a good citizen in this fable?

Which characteristics of good citizenship did this character exhibit? • Truthfulness – telling the truth and being honest • Justice – treating others fairly • Equality – treating everyone the same • Respectful - caring about the feelings, wishes and needs of others

The Ant and the Dove An Ant went to the edge of a river to satisfy its thirst, but was carried away by the flow of the stream, and was about to drown. A Dove sitting on a tree overhanging the water picked a leaf and let it fall into the stream close to the Ant. The Ant climbed onto the leaf and floated safely to the bank of the river. Later a bird hunter stood under the same tree, and pointed his gun at the Dove, who was sitting in the branches. The Ant, aware of what the hunter was about to do, stung the hunter on the foot. The pain made the hunter miss his target, and the noise made by his gun scared the Dove, making her fly away.

Who do you think was a good citizen in this fable?

Which characteristics of good citizenship did this character exhibit? • Truthfulness – telling the truth and being honest • Justice – treating others fairly • Equality – treating everyone the same • Respectful - caring about the feelings, wishes and needs of others

The Hare and the Tortoise The Hare was once bragging about his speed in front of the other animals. "I have never yet been beaten when I put forth my full speed, ” he said. “I challenge any one here to race with me. " The Tortoise said quietly, "I accept your challenge. " "That is a good joke, " said the Hare; "I could dance around you all the way. " The Tortoise then challenged the Hare to a race. A starting point and finish line were marked. When the race began, the Hare darted almost out of sight at once, but soon stopped. To show his disrespect for the Tortoise, he laid down to take a little nap. The Tortoise continued the race, moving at a slow pace without stopping for a moment. When the Hare awoke from his nap, he saw the Tortoise near the finish line and could not run up in time to win the race.

Who do you think was a good citizen in this fable?

Which characteristics of good citizenship did this character exhibit? • Truthfulness – telling the truth and being honest • Justice – treating others fairly • Equality – treating everyone the same • Respectful - caring about the feelings, wishes and needs of others

The Ant and the Grasshopper During the summer a merry Grasshopper spent his time hopping and chirping. Every day he saw an Ant pass by carrying a heavy grain of wheat to store for the winter. The Ant worked very hard all day long every day of the week. “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 the Ant. 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.

Who do you think was a good citizen in this fable?

Which characteristics of good citizenship did this character exhibit? • Truthfulness – telling the truth and being honest • Justice – treating others fairly • Equality – treating everyone the same • Respectful - caring about the feelings, wishes and needs of others