The Old Woman and the Eagle: English-Dari Edition (Teaching Stories)
Teaching Stories Series
What’s inside...
(Bilingual English-Dari edition) In this amusing story, an old woman encounters an eagle for the first time. Perplexed by its unfamiliar appearance, she decides to change it to suit her own ideas of what a bird should look like. Her efforts mirror a common pattern of human thought: altering the unfamiliar to make it acceptable. This tale is specially presented for children by Afghan author Idries Shah, who, for more than 30 years, collected stories from the Sufi tradition and adapted them to contemporary Western culture. Told since ancient times throughout Central Asia and the Middle East, such tales are used to help foster greater mental flexibility and insight in people of all ages. The Old Woman and the Eagle is wonderfully illustrated by Natasha Delmar, who was taught to paint by her father, the celebrated classic Chinese painter Ng Yi-Ching.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
3-10
Length
38 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Old Woman
Eagle
Discussion points
What do you think the story tells us about understanding and respecting differences in others?
Why do you think the old woman thought the eagle was a chicken? What does this tell us about her?
How did the eagle's perception of itself change throughout the story? Why is it important to understand who we really are?
What lessons can we learn from the way other characters in the story react to the eagle?
If you were the eagle, what would you have done in the same situation?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think deeply about the characters' feelings and motivations, and relate them to real-life situations. Use the story as a springboard to discuss the importance of identity and self-awareness. Ask your child how they see themselves and discuss any similarities with the eagle's journey. Highlight the value of diverse perspectives and understanding people who are different from us. Finally, emphasize the relevance of the story's moral to your child's everyday life, encouraging empathy and open-mindedness.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Understanding and accepting differences
Explanation: In the story, the old woman initially mistakes the eagle for a pigeon, showing her unfamiliarity with different bird species. This demonstrates how easy it is to misidentify something or someone when exposed only to what's familiar.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to embrace diversity in their community and be open to learning about differences, whether they be in cultures, perspectives, or appearances.
Example Lesson: The importance of knowledge and learning
Explanation: The eagle in the story uses its knowledge to explain to the old woman what an eagle is and its capabilities. This emphasizes the value of understanding and sharing knowledge.
Real-World Application: Children will see the importance of education and continual learning to better understand the world around them and articulate their thoughts to others.
Example Lesson: Correcting mistakes with grace
Explanation: Once corrected by the eagle, the old woman accepts her mistake. This interaction models respectful and constructive correction and acceptance of being wrong.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to accept corrections gracefully and view them as opportunities for growth and understanding rather than as criticisms.
Example Lesson: Perseverance in the face of adversity
Explanation: Despite being unrecognized by the old woman and facing a challenging situation, the eagle does not give up. The eagle effectively communicates its point and tries to enlighten the old woman.
Real-World Application: Kids learn the importance of persisting through difficult situations and advocating for themselves. This is crucial in developing resilience and self-confidence.