What are Pourquoi Tales? Pourquoi is French for why. Pourquoi stories are the genre of Tales/legends that explain why something in the natural world is the way it is.

Characteristics of Pourquoi Tales Pourquoi is French for why

Characteristics of Pourquoi Tales Explain why things are the way they are

Characteristics of Pourquoi Tales Usually describe something in nature, especially animals

Characteristics of Pourquoi Tales The entire story is fictitious, up until the very last sentence

Characteristics of Pourquoi Tales These tales often start in the past, e.g. A long, long time ago . . . and end when the explanation is complete

Let’s Read a Pourquoi Tale

WHY THE SUN AND THE MOON LIVE IN THE SKY (A Zuni Legend of New Mexico) A Read-Aloud Retelling A long time ago, there was no day. It was always dark and always summer. This was because the Kachina, a very powerful people, had stolen the Sun and the Moon and locked them away in a box. In the dim light, Coyote and Eagle, two friends, wandered the desert. Coyote and Eagle had always hunted together, but Coyote could not hunt anymore because he could not see at night. Coyote suggested that they go to find the Sun and Moon and make them light up the world. Eagle was worried. He reminded Coyote that the Sun and Moon were very strong, and it was dangerous to try to trick them. In the end, Eagle agreed to help Coyote.

WHY THE SUN AND THE MOON LIVE IN THE SKY continued While the Kachina were sleeping, Coyote and Eagle crept into their village, stole the Sun and Moon, and headed into the hills. Coyote told Eagle that he wanted to open the box containing the Sun and the Moon. Eagle said no. They must wait until after their travels and open it with their eyes closed. Coyote grumbled. He couldn't wait to see what was in that box. Finally he grew so curious that he threw it open. The light of the Sun was so bright it blinded Coyote's eyes. The Sun and Moon laughed and flew far away, up into the sky where they are today.

Pour quoi is French for why Explain why things are the way they are Which of the following characteristics were found in the pourquoi tale we just read? Pour quoi is French for why Explain why things are the way they are Usually describe something in nature, especially animals The entire story is fictitious, up until the very last sentence These tales often start in the past, e.g. A long, long time ago . . . and end when the explanation is complete

Pourquoi Tales Based on the creation myths/pourquoi tales that you have seen/read, what do you consider to be the most important elements of this genre? Make a list of the most important elements then share with your partner to compare ideas.

From creation myths to Pourquoi tales Pourquoi tales are written to explain why things are the way they are and usually describe something in nature, especially animals.  Pourquoi tales are old legends told to explain why certain events happened.  These tales often start in the past and end when the explanation is revealed.

Pourquoi Tales Written by Ms. Smith

Why mosquitoes buzz in people’s ears Listen to/watch this West African Pourquoi Tale.

The middle of the story consists of the 3D’s— description, dialogue, and details—as well as action. Any details that you add should be important to help readers/listeners to understand the story and move it along. The students’ stories are, after all, modeled on folktales, and folktales tend to err on the side of much less detail than literary stories. Think of the two or three best solutions and pick the one that works best.

Developing characters requires personification. Consider: species personality appearance gender name age job important event in the character’s past

Ideas for Pourquoi Tales ♦ Why Owl Has Big Eyes ♦ Why Dogs Howl at the Moon ♦ Why Snake Has No Feet or Hands ♦ Why Geese Fly in the Shape of a V ♦ Why Birds Have Many Colors ♦ Why Roses Have Thorns ♦ Why Pigs Have Curly Tails ♦ Why There are Rainbows ♦ Why There Are Oceans ♦ Why Some Trees Lose Their Leaves and Others are Evergreen ♦ How Jellyfish Came to Be ♦ Why the Big Toe is So Much Bigger than the Other Toes ♦ Why Porcupine Has Quills

Start with the end To begin your pourquoi tale, you must start at the end What are you going to explain in your tale? How will it come to pass?

Setting in Pourquoi Tales Consider the habitat of the animals in your story What cultural elements are represented in these tales? Research your setting for accuracy