The Little Turtles and Their Special Strength
The Story
In a large forest, a wise mother turtle lived with her three little daughters. The little turtles were sad because the other animals always made fun of their slowness. The rabbit mocked them, saying, "I can roam the whole forest in minutes while you need a full day!" The crow sneered, "What poor creatures, you can't even fly!" Even the strong lion threatened them, but left them alone because he didn't like how they tasted.
The little turtles returned to their mother crying. Each of them wished to be fast like the rabbit, able to fly like the crow, or strong like the lion. Their mother hugged them gently and said, "Don't be sad, my little ones. Every creature has its own special quality, and you will discover yours at the right time."
One night, a powerful storm raged and heavy rains caused a flood that swept everything away. The rabbit, the crow, and the lion, who were not good swimmers, were swept away and began to cry for help.
The mother turtle saw them and asked her daughters to help the animals. The strong turtles worked together, powerfully pushing a large tree trunk and wedging it like a bridge between two rocks. This bridge allowed the animals to hold on and save themselves from the flood.
The next morning, after the storm had calmed down, the rabbit, the crow, and the lion came to apologize to the turtles. They realized their mistake in mocking them and thanked them for saving their lives.
The little turtles felt proud and happy. They realized that their strength and their ability to push heavy things was their special quality. They understood their mother's words that every creature has its own unique value and strength.
Moral Values & Lessons
- Everyone Has Value: Every individual has special skills and abilities that make them unique, and we should not belittle ourselves or others.
- The Danger of Arrogance and Mockery: Making fun of others hurts their feelings and shows an arrogance that can blind us to our own weaknesses.
- Strength in Teamwork: By working together, the turtles were able to accomplish a great task that none of them could have done alone.
- Forgiveness and Kindness: Despite the other animals' poor treatment, the turtles rushed to help them.
Story Comprehension Questions
Simple Questions
- Which animals made fun of the turtles?
- What did the mother turtle advise her daughters?
- What natural disaster happened in the forest?
- How did the turtles save the other animals?
- What did the rabbit, crow, and lion do the next day?
Critical Thinking Questions
- Why did the little turtles wish they were like the other animals?
- Were the lion's strength or the rabbit's speed useful to them during the flood? What does this teach us?
- How did the little turtles' view of themselves change from the beginning to the end of the story?
Connecting to Your Life
- Have you ever felt you were less than others in some way? What is your own special quality that you are proud of?
- Describe a time you worked with your friends as a team to solve a problem.
- What do you do if you see someone making fun of another person?
Fun Interactive Activities
- Draw "My Special Power": Draw yourself as a superhero. What is your special power? It doesn't have to be physical strength; it could be kindness, intelligence, or the ability to make others laugh.
- Build the Rescue Bridge: Using blocks or popsicle sticks, work together to build a strong bridge that can "rescue" small animal toys from an imaginary "river."
- Role-Play the Apology: You and your friends act out the scene where the rabbit, crow, and lion apologize to the turtles.