Journal Topic
Respond to the “Quickwrite”
section of the text on p. 383
Quotation
“We cannot tell the exact moment a
friendship is formed; as in filling a vessel
drop by drop, there is at last a drop
which makes it run over; so in a series of
kindnesses, there is at last one that
makes the heart run over.”
Essential Question:
How are some of the
spiritual values of India
presented in literature?
“The Mice That
Set Elephants Free”
Literary Terms to Know
Fable
Brief story that teaches a moral lesson or
gives practical instruction for living
Characters are usually animals
Anthropomorphism
Giving of human qualities to animals
Epigram
Short verses that contain a moral
The Frame Story
The “Outer” story – writer begins the story
The “Inner” story - One of the
characters begins to narrate a
story to some of the other
characters in the original story
There is a return to the original narration and
the writer’s story concludes
Vocabulary Words
Asylum
A place of refuge; a secure retreat
Minutely
In very small detail
Capacity
power of receiving impressions, knowledge,
etc.; mental ability; actual or potential
ability to perform, yield, or withstand
Depreciatory
Disparaging; belittling.
Vocabulary Words (cont.)
Diversion
distraction from business, care, etc.;
recreation; amusement; a pastime
Retinue
a procession of attendants
Fettered
Confined or restrained
Panchatantra
Means “five books”
Collection of fables used to teach moral
lessons
Practical guide, rather than religious
document
A frame story – priest attempts to teach
“simple-minded” princes “the wise conduct of
life (niti)
Themes include:
Losing/winning friends
Losing profits and possessions
Declaring war/establishing peace
Acting rashly (hastily)
At Your Desks…
Read the story (pp. 384-385)
Answer questions 4-7, 9 (p. 386)
How might this story be used to teach
lessons about the connection between
dharma, karma and caste?
The Frame Story
The “Outer” story
Spot, a deer, fears pursuing hunters
3 small friends, Swift, Gold and Slow offer help
Spot suggests a friendship and uses epigrams and
story to help make his point
“Better with the learned dwell,
Even though it be in hell…” (384-385)
… and…
“Make friends, make friends, however strong
Or weak they be...” (386)
The Frame Story (cont.)
The “Inner” Story
Group of Elephants trample through mice
community causing destruction
Mice meet with elephants and suggest they
become friends (with mutual benefits).
Elephants agree.
Elephants become hunted and trapped
Elephants send for mice and mice help free
the elephants.
Review assigned questions
Journal Topic
“What qualities do you
associate with night”
Free-write your responses
What is it that makes
night both something
that people look forward
to and something that
people might dread?
“Night”
from the Rig-Veda
Background
Turn to page 366 in textbook for inclass reading (jot down important
points as we read)
What important ideas about Hinduism
and their sacred text, the Rig-Veda did
you learn from this reading?
What is the Rig-Veda?
Rig-Veda is a collection of sacred
hymns of the Hindu religion
Rig-Veda means “hymns of supreme
sacred knowledge”
These hymns often sang the praises of
the gods, as well as the wonders and
beauty of nature
Included were prayers for protection
and cooperation from natural forces
“Night” is one of these sacred hymns
Literary Terms to Know
Personification
Figure of speech in which a nonhuman
thing is referred to as if it were human
Ex. The wind whispered in my ear…
Simile
Figure of speech that makes comparison
between 2 unlike things using like or as
Life is like a box of chocolates…you never
know what you’re going to get.
Literary Terms (cont.)
Metaphor
When 2 unlike things are compared
directly
Ex. Her eyes were 2 pools of crystal blue water
Apostrophe
Figure of speech in which a speaker directly
addresses an absent person, aspect of
nature, or abstract quality as though it
were present
Ex. Wisdom, you are a stranger to me!
“Night”
Read the poem to yourselves and jot down
your initial reaction. Consider:
Who might be speaking?
How is Night described/To what is it compared?
What mood, or feeling, is created?
What might this poem reveal about the Hindu
religion?
Class will re-read the poem aloud then answer
questions 3-5 on page 369
At Your Desks…
Read p. 366 for background. Then…
Read “Night” on page 368
Answer questions. 1-6 on p. 369