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How to explain the meaning of The Farmer and the Viper to children?
There could be more meanings be included, rather than the only kindness. #teaching
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2 answers
Updated
Patricia R’s Answer
Li,
Another perspective to teach with the story is that of “Then what?”
If the farmer saves the snake’s life, then what?
• If the snake stays in the cold, then what might happen? (It probably would die - a very natural occurrence.)
• If the snake warms up, then what might it do? (Try to escape, hide in the house, bite the farmer, etc.)
• If the snake bites the farmer, then what might happen? (The farmer may get very sick and/or die.)
• If the farmer lives, then what might he do? (Keep it as a pet, kill it, etc.)
• If the farmer dies, then what might happen (to his family, to the snake, etc.)? (His family might be bitten as well, his family wouldn't have the farmer to take care of them, etc.)
This could offer readers a chance to think about consequences of the farmer’s actions, and whether he considered those consequences before he made a decision.
Recognize, too, that the snake does not have conscious thoughts of gratitude towards the farmer for saving its life. It only has instincts; the strongest of which is survival. To survive, it must fight (bite) or flee (back into the cold).
The farmer’s quick thought of kindness was to save the snake’s life, but the quick action brought a negative outcome in the long run.
Another perspective to teach with the story is that of “Then what?”
If the farmer saves the snake’s life, then what?
• If the snake stays in the cold, then what might happen? (It probably would die - a very natural occurrence.)
• If the snake warms up, then what might it do? (Try to escape, hide in the house, bite the farmer, etc.)
• If the snake bites the farmer, then what might happen? (The farmer may get very sick and/or die.)
• If the farmer lives, then what might he do? (Keep it as a pet, kill it, etc.)
• If the farmer dies, then what might happen (to his family, to the snake, etc.)? (His family might be bitten as well, his family wouldn't have the farmer to take care of them, etc.)
This could offer readers a chance to think about consequences of the farmer’s actions, and whether he considered those consequences before he made a decision.
Recognize, too, that the snake does not have conscious thoughts of gratitude towards the farmer for saving its life. It only has instincts; the strongest of which is survival. To survive, it must fight (bite) or flee (back into the cold).
The farmer’s quick thought of kindness was to save the snake’s life, but the quick action brought a negative outcome in the long run.
Thank you for your ”new questions”:-)
Li
Updated
Roger’s Answer
This should help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoTeFT0d1Tc
Thank you for the new version:-)
Li