WEEK 9 Folklore: Fables

DO NOW: 21,LEFT Directions: Please identify the following 5 items from the fable: (1) Setting, (2) Conflict, (3) Protagonist and Antagonist, (4) Moral, (5) Personification example. The Lion and the Statue A Man and a Lion were in the jungle discussing the relative strength of men and lions in general. The Man argued that he and Other men were stronger than lions by reason of their greater intelligence. “Come now with me,” he cried, “and I will soon prove that I am right.” So he took him into the public gardens and showed him a statue of Hercules overcoming the Lion and tearing his mouth in two. “That is all very well,” said the Lion, “but proves nothing, for it was a man who made the statue.”

“The Tortoise and the Hare”

Writing the Fable Step #1 Decide on a moral. What is the lesson you want the reader to learn by the end of the fable. EXAMPLES: A bird in the hand is better than two in the bush. A bribe in the hand shows mischief in the heart. A false tale often betrays itself. A fine appearance is a poor substitute for inward worth. A humble life with peace and quiet is better than a splendid one with danger and risk. A man is known by the company he keeps. A villain may disguise himself, but he will not deceive the wise. A willful beast must go his own way A willful man will have his way to his own hurt. A word in season is most precious. Abstain and enjoy. Acquaintance softens prejudices.

Writing the Fable Step #2 Choose (at least) 2 animals to be characters in your fable (Protagonist and Antagonist). Fables tend to include animals that would normally live with or near each other in real life. So, you would not have a pig and a zebra in the same story. Think about natural enemies, like cats and mice, lions and hyenas, foxes and bunnies, wolves and sheep. Remember, smart and good characters “win” against evil and unintelligent characters.

Writing the Fable Step #3 Choose a setting. Season: winter, spring, summer, or fall Time: morning, evening, afternoon, twilight, dusk, dawn, or midnight Place: farm, jungle, backyard, forest, or the beach Step #4 Create a problem, based on the moral. What is the problem your protagonist will encounter?

Writing the Fable Step #5 Create a solution to the problem. The solution to the problem you created in step #4 can be solved in a variety of ways. EXAMPLE #1: The antagonist makes a mistake or gets itself into trouble. EXAMPLE #2: The protagonist outsmarts the antagonist

The Spider and the Fly One sunny day on a farm, a large fly buzzed around the horse stable. The noise was so loud that a spider woke up very angry from her sleep. “It is too early for that noise! Go away.” said the spider. “I cannot help it,” said the fly, “my home has been destroyed and I need a new place to live. Will you help me?” The spider, who was very cunning, had an idea. If she could not get the spider to go away perhaps she could make a meal out him. It was breakfast time, after all. “I’ll make a deal with you. I will leave and you can have my home. It is the least I can do, for a friend.” “You would do that, for me?” said the fly. “Of course.” The spider waved goodbye as she crawled down a post and left the stable. The fly was so happy to have a home that it flew right into the web and was trapped instantly. Then he heard laughter as the spider crawled back into her web. She looked at the fly with her six, bluish eyes and then ate him for breakfast. Moral: Be careful about who you ask for help.

Fable Matrix Moral It is not always wise to take people at their word. He who tries to please everybody pleases nobody. Beware of flatterers. A villain may disguise himself, but he will not deceive the wise. A bribe in the hand shows mischief in the heart. CharactersDog / CatCat / mouse Lion / Elephant Wolf / SheepFrog / Fly SettingFarm / winter House / summer Jungle / spring Forest / summer Lake / fall Problem The cat is sleeping in the dogs house. The cat wants to be friends with the mouse by offering him gourmet cheeses The lion is trapped and needs the elephants help. He lures him with flattery. A cunning wolf is trying to eat a sheep lost in the forest. A fly asks a frog to help it defeat its enemies.

Writing the Story Beginning Setting Middle Introduce Characters Problem Events End Conclusion Moral