The Clever Boy and the Terrible Dangerous Animal: English-Dari Edition (Teaching Stories)
Teaching Stories Series
What’s inside...
(Bilingual English-Dari edition) When a boy visits another village, he is amazed to find the people terrified of something that - just because they have not seen it before - they mistake for a terrible, dangerous animal. Using his own knowledge and by demonstration, the boy helps the villagers overcome their fears. This story is part of an oral tradition from the Middle East and Central Asia that is more than a thousand years old. In an entertaining way, it introduces children to an interesting aspect of human behavior and so enables them to recognize it in their daily lives. One of many tales from the body of Sufi literature collected by Idries Shah, this one is presented here as part of his series of books for young readers. This is the series' second book to be illustrated by Rose Mary Santiago, following the award-winning bestseller The Farmer's Wife.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-12
Length
38 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
The Clever Boy
The Donkey
Discussion points
Why do you think the villagers were afraid of the 'terrible dangerous animal'?
What did the Clever Boy do that was different from the rest of the villagers?
How did the Clever Boy’s actions change the villagers’ view about the animal?
What would you have done if you were in the Clever Boy's place?
Can you think of a time when you learned something wasn’t as scary as you first thought?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and feelings about the story. Validate their feelings and share your personal experiences that relate to overcoming fear or misunderstanding. This not only enhances understanding of the book’s themes but strengthens your connection.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Overcoming fear through understanding
Explanation: In the story, the villagers are afraid of something they don't understand, but the clever boy investigates and finds out there's nothing to fear. This teaches children the importance of facing fears and seeking knowledge to understand the unknown.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by not being immediately scared of new experiences or people who are different from them. Encouraging curiosity and asking questions can help them overcome unnecessary fears.
Example Lesson: Critical thinking
Explanation: The clever boy thinks critically and challenges the assumptions of the villagers, leading to a revelation that the 'dangerous animal' is not a threat. This highlights the importance of critical thinking and not just accepting things at face value.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think for themselves and question information, fostering independent thinking and problem-solving skills in school and social interactions.
Example Lesson: Leadership and taking initiative
Explanation: The boy takes a leadership role by deciding to investigate the situation himself and guide the villagers towards understanding. This illustrates how taking initiative can resolve misunderstandings and lead to positive outcomes.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to take the lead in group projects or family activities, understanding that their actions can influence others positively and lead to solutions through teamwork.
Example Lesson: Empathy and understanding
Explanation: By understanding what actually frightened the villagers (a watermelon), the boy teaches the villagers to see the situation from another perspective. This fosters empathy towards others' fears or misunderstandings.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children develop empathy by encouraging them to consider how other people feel and why they might react differently in certain situations.
Example Lesson: Importance of communication
Explanation: The resolution of the story comes about through the boy’s ability to communicate effectively, demonstrating how clear communication can dispel fear and spread understanding.
Real-World Application: Children can learn how talking openly about their problems, thoughts, or fears with others can prevent misunderstandings and build stronger relationships both at home and in school.