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.
