Two of Everything A Chinese Folktale Retold and Illustrated by: Lily Toy Hong Recommended for: Children Ages 4-8 Themes: Folktales, Social Studies Read Aloud https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGAzdDpz2Ms Summary: Mr. Haktak and his wife were poor and modest farmers who worked very hard. One day while working in his fields, Mr. Haktak was digging and hit something hard. When he was able to dig far enough to see the object, he observed that it was a large brass pot. Perplexed on how this brass came to be in his field and go unnoticed, Mr. Haktak decided to take the pot home to his wife with hopes that she could find a use for it. Mr. and Mrs. Haktak by accident realized that this pot had a special gift, anything that feel inside was copied leaving the copy with two of any object put inside. Furthur accidents insued and by the end of the story there was also a second Mr. and Mrs. Haktak. The Haktak's decided to embrace these new friends into their lives and soon both couples had just enough of all that they needed to live out their days. Children will enjoy this story because it is exciting to imagine a magical pot that doubled everything that you put inside. The children will also enjoy the humorous story of the Haktak's falling into the pot and coming out with a twin. As this story is also a Folktale, it has a wonderfully happy ending which the children will enjoy. Suggestions for the Classroom: *Pre-Reading Activity: Show the students the cover of the book Two of Everything. Ask the students to make predictions about what the book may be about? What clue may the title give us about the story? *During Reading: Have students make predictions throughout the story: What will they use the pot for? What will they put in the pot next? What will the Haktak's do with the gold coins that came out of the pot? What will happen next (after she looks in the pot)? What will Mr. Haktak do with two wives? etc. *Post-Reading Activity: Model for students writing a journal entry using the story starter: If I had a magic pot, I would _________________. Students will then create their own journal entry using the story starter on the board with your example to reference. Students should include a picture in their journal entry. About the Author: Lily Toy Hong grew up as one of nine children in a Chinese American family in Salt Lake City Utah. She has written and illustrated several children's books, which she credits has always been her intended career. She now lives with her husband in Marray, Utah. Meaning of Two of Everything "Two of everything" can mean the literal doubling of objects, as seen in the folktale about a magic pot, or it can refer to the concept of duality, where opposing forces create balance and function. It can also describe the abundance found in relationships or the idea of having a redundant or spare system for backup. Literal and story-based meanings The folktale Two of Everything : This story by Lily Toy Hong features a magical pot that doubles whatever is placed inside it. It begins with a couple who discover they can use it to make more money, but it leads to chaos when the pot duplicates them, resulting in two of everything for their family and community. Mathematical concepts: The story provides an opportunity to explore mathematical concepts like doubling, multiplication, and growing patterns, as explained in this YouTube video. Abstract and conceptual meanings Duality: In a more abstract sense, "two of everything" can symbolize the concept of duality, where everything exists in pairs—light and darkness, good and evil. This is seen in the yin and yang philosophy and in our physical bodies, which have two eyes, two ears, and two hands that work together for balance and functionality. Abundance and simplicity: The story of Mr. and Mrs. Haktak shows that true happiness is found not in having "two of everything" but in appreciating the simple joys of companionship and love. Redundancy: From a more practical standpoint, having "two of everything" refers to having a spare or a backup. For example, human bodies have a spare kidney to ensure survival in case one is damaged. Relationship and emotional meaning Relationships: In a relationship context, "two of everything" can symbolize a partnership or union, where two individuals come together, but the phrase can also represent potential conflict and the fear of losing connection, as highlighted in the lyrics from the song "Two of Everything" by Tori Beaumont, notes Genius. Waiting and longing: The phrase can also refer to waiting for something that may never come, as in the book Two of Everything, which explores the emotions of longing and the complex reality of waiting for something as significant as adoption, according to Milkweed Editions.
