A rabbit listens to an old turtle's advice, while his friends laugh. A story about respecting the experience of elders and planning for the future.
The Wisdom of the Old Turtle
The Story
On a hot summer day, the sun cast its golden rays over the forest. Rusty the rabbit, Willow the deer, and Spike the hedgehog were on their way to the lake to enjoy the cool water. On their path, they saw a wise old turtle named Shelly, slowly and patiently gathering berries and roots.
Willow asked with a laugh, "Why are you working so hard on such a hot day, Shelly? The lake is waiting for us!"
The turtle looked at them with calm eyes and said, "Beautiful days don't last forever, little ones. I feel it in my old bones that the coming winter will be long and harsh. He who gathers in summer will eat his fill in winter."
Rusty the rabbit remembered his mother's words, who always used to say: "Listen to the experience of your elders, for they have seen more of life than you." So he told his friends, "I think she's right. I'm going to start gathering food too." But Willow and Spike mocked him, saying, "Don't be such a worrier! We have plenty of time!" And they ran off towards the lake to play.
The days passed, and just as the turtle had predicted, a harsh winter arrived. Snow fell heavily, blanketing everything in white, and cold winds blew, making it impossible to leave the burrows. The small amount of food the deer and hedgehog had quickly ran out. Hunger and cold began to gnaw at their weak bodies.
After reaching a point of despair, they decided to go to their friend Rusty's house. They found him in his warm home, sitting by a crackling fire, with a large store of carrots, nuts, and dried fruits.
Rusty welcomed them generously and gave them warm food without blaming them. As they ate, he said gently, "My mother was right when she said: 'Don't be too proud to take advice, for the experiences of others can benefit you more than your own.' " Willow and Spike felt ashamed and realized that wisdom is not measured by strength or speed, but by experience and respecting the advice of those who are older.
Moral Values & Lessons
- Respect the Experience of Elders: Older individuals possess wisdom from life experiences that can guide and protect us.
- The Importance of Planning Ahead: Thinking about the future and preparing for it (like saving food for winter) is a wise habit.
- Humility and Accepting Advice: Strength is not in rejecting advice, but in the ability to listen and learn from others' experiences.
- Generosity and Forgiveness: Despite his friends' mockery, the rabbit forgave them and helped them in their time of need.
Story Comprehension Questions
Simple Questions
- Who were the three friends in the story?
- Who was the wise character they met on the way?
- What did the turtle advise the friends to do?
- Who decided to listen to the advice, and who mocked it?
- How did the rabbit help his friends when they were hungry in winter?
Critical Thinking Questions
- Why do you think the deer and the hedgehog didn't believe the turtle at first?
- What made the rabbit different from his friends in his acceptance of the advice?
- If the winter hadn't been harsh, do you think the deer and hedgehog would have learned their lesson?
Connecting to Your Life
- Tell about a time an older person gave you advice that was very helpful.
- How do you prepare for something important in the future (like a test or a trip)?
- What would you do if your friends made fun of you for doing the right thing?
Fun Interactive Activities
- The Winter Box: Decorate a small box and call it the "Winter Box." Put small things inside that you are "saving" for a later time, like a nice drawing, a small candy, or a toy.
- Interview a Grandparent: Ask a grandparent (or any older person in your family) to tell you a story from their childhood or give you an important piece of advice they learned.
- Draw the Four Seasons: Draw four pictures of the forest: one for the sunny summer, a second for autumn with animals gathering food, a third for the harsh winter, and a fourth for spring with everyone happy.