Genre: Folktale A Folk Tale is a story based on the traditions of a people or region which is handed down from one generation to another and becomes legendary.

Strategy: Making Inferences Authors do not always tell readers directly everything that takes place in a story. Good readers take what details the author does offer, analyze their own experiences, and infer or reasonably assume certain conclusions.

Skill: Identify Cause and Effect Understanding cause-and-effect relationships can help students analyze events in a text. Cause-and-effect relationships are often marked by signal words such as because, since, and therefore.

chameleon Any various small, slow-moving lizards that can change their color to match their surroundings. Since he tended to look different every time we saw him, we call him chameleon.

famine A great lack of food in an area or country. The famine affected nearly all the people in the village.

rummaged Having searched through something thoroughly by moving about its contents. We rummaged around the attic until we found Grandma’s old toys.

scrounging Gathering or collecting with effort or difficulty. The ants were scrounging around for food to store for the winter.

pathetic Bringing about pity, sadness, or sympathy. The lost kitten looked so pathetic, we brought him home.

ricocheting Bouncing of an object off the surface that it strikes at an angle. The hail stones were ricocheting off cars during the storm.

undetected Not being noticed or discovered. The secret plot was undetected for some time, but the police soon learned the truth.

generosity Willingness to give or share freely. We thanked the world for its generosity and helpfulness during the crisis.

Story Words Couscous: a North African dish of steamed seolina (small pasta) usually served with meat and vegetables.