SUMMER READING
PARALLEL MYTHS
Guided Reading Questions
Chapter 7: Morality Tales
INDIA
A. THE VIRTUE OF COMPASSION
1. How did the hunter poison the tree?
2. How does a parrot respond to the poisoned tree?
3. What explanation for his actions does the parrot give to Indra?
4. How does Indra reward parrot?
5. What lesson does the myth teach?
B. THE KING, THE HAWK AND THE PIGEON
6.
What type of help did the pigeon seek from the king?
7.
To what extent will the king protect the pigeon?
8.
What request does the hawk make of the king?
9.
Which weighs more: the king’s flesh or the pigeon?
10.
How does Indra treat the king?
11.
What lesson does the tale teach?
C. GAUTAMA AND THE ELEPHANT
12. What strategies does Indra use to persuade Gautama to sell his elephant?
13. What request does Gautama make of Indra?
14. How does Indra reward Gautama?
15. What lesson does the myth teach?
D. ANANSI AND THE EAR OF CORN
16. The stories of Anansi were originally from ___________________
17. Anansi was once _____________, but became a _____________. He
amuses God with is __________________ and ________________.
18. What did Anansi promise God in return for an ear of corn?
19. How did Anansi change the ear of corn into a bushel of corn?
20. What does Anansi do with the bushel of corn?
21. How does Anansi change the chicken into ten fine sheep?
22. What does Anansi exchange the sheep for?
23. What claims does Anansi make about a corpse?
24. What do villagers offer Anansi to save themselves from God’s wrath?
25. This story proves God possesses a ___________ ___ ___________.