December 1, 2015 - Tuesday

Class Work

1. Finish the reports. Be sure to take quick notes!
2. Aesop's Fables have been charming readers and listeners for over 3000 years. Each ends with a lesson that is as important to people today as the lesson was 3000 years ago. Enter the world of Aesop's Fables.

Homework
http://aesopfables.com/

There are seven sections of fables. Select ONE from each section to read. In a paragraph, respond to the moral of the story. Explain how the moral does or does not apply to people today. Is the moral a message that we in 2015 need to hear and heed?

In addition, select ONE of the seven fables read and turn it into a play. (See sample below.) We will "present" the plays on Thursday.

Sample: The Scorpion and the Frog - http://aesopfables.com/cgi/aesop1.cgi?4&TheScorpionandtheFrog

Fable in play form:

Original

 

The Scorpion and the Frog

 

  A scorpion and a frog meet on the bank of a stream and the

scorpion asks the frog to carry him across on its back. The

frog asks, "How do I know you won't sting me?" The scorpion

says, "Because if I do, I will die too."

 

  The frog is satisfied, and they set out, but in midstream,

the scorpion stings the frog. The frog feels the onset of

paralysis and starts to sink, knowing they both will drown,

but has just enough time to gasp "Why?"

 

               Replies the scorpion: "It’s my nature..."

 

 

Fable in Play Form

Setting: Bank of a stream

Characters: Scorpion – you know, the kind that loves to sting!

Frog: - the green slimy sort with webbed feet to use for swimming

*****

Narrator:  Once there was a scorpion that came to the bank of a stream.

Scorpion: Wow – that is a powerful stream of water! How am I supposed to cross this stream? I have neither fins to swim nor wings to fly. I must get to the other side. I hear there are yummy things to eat over there and wonderful scorpions to meet. There is also a stinging contest scheduled for this afternoon. I know I can win that one!

Narrator: Just then, a green spotted frog hopped onto the bank by the scorpion.

Frog:  (Croaking sound)   How are you fine scorpion this wet and wonderful afternoon?

Narrator: Scorpion turned and aimed his tail at Frog. Frog backed up a few hops.

Scorpion: I must get across this stream. You see, kind sir, that I have no webbed feet for swimming. I don’t have wings, so I can’t fly. However, I will pay you richly if you will carry me on your back.

Frog: What? I am not crazy. If I should get close to you, you will sting me, and I will die! I want no appointment with death today.

Scorpion: (Laughs) You are being too silly. If I should sting you, I would have no way to get across the stream as I would die, too! Let me sit on your back as you use your powerful, webbed feet to swim across this water. I have a stinging contest to win this afternoon. I can’t afford to use my power on you!

Frog: I guess that makes sense. Hop on.

Narrator: Scorpion climbs onto Frog’s back and Frog begins to cross the stream. When they are somewhere in the middle Frog feels a horrible sting!

Frog: What the heck was that! Oh no. You must have used your stinger on me. I am having trouble moving my legs. I am paralyzed. We will both drown now! Why did you do that?

Scorpion: (Without emotion) It is my nature. Stinging is what I do.

Narrator: And so, they were both washed away by the swift current of the water.
Moral: Some characters, like people are what they are no matter what.