The lion and the mouse

In my previous blog, we discussed on the importance of stories and story sessions are in a toddler's life. Today continuing with the theme, I will share some of the most common stories and how deep cultural impact it has had in our lives. Now we can sort of reset the cultural impact by adding some kind of creativity that suits our today's day and age. I simply love our folklores, Amar Chitra katha, Panchatantra, Gokulam and so on. The stories are simple, short and extremely impacting. Till date if I close my eyes, I can recall so many stories my dad would narrate to me when we used to sit on our terrace on a dark night, under the stars. They made such a deep impact on my mind. I can recall every moment, every facial expression of his simply because stories and story tellers have that power. This power can be a game changer in our children's life.

This is the most common story ever to exist, I guess. Simply because this is the story we have heard from our parents and teachers while growing up, which our parents have heard from their parents and so on. This is a simple story. How can you make it interesting and what are things you can ask them; is there any activity you can do with them? Let's find out.

1. Ask direct questions: This is very simple especially for toddlers below 5 years of age. While asking direct questions you can notice the concentration levels and grasping power of your child. The amount of interest generated and comprehending the story (understanding). Questions can be

   a. Which two animals are part of this story (characters in the story, character building in the narration)

   b. Why did the lion get angry on the mouse? What was the mouse doing?

   c. What did the mouse do to help the lion?

2. Indirect questions: These questions can be asked to children above 5 years of age.

   a. Do you think Lion did the right thing by letting go of the mouse?

   b. Why do you think the mouse was playing on Lion's head

   c. Do you think the mouse should have helped the Lion when it was struck in the net

   3. Value education Based questions

   a. Lion could have eaten the mouse, but he spared him. Do you think he was kind? Should we also be kind to people around us?

   b. The Lion was big and the mouse very small. A tiny/small animal saved a big/huge Lion's life, so does it matter if you are tall or short, big or small? It does not, it is important to have a good heart

   c. When the mouse told the Lion I will save you one day, the Lion laughed saying that "such a tiny useless animal can save me? What a joke" but he did save him. Was the Lion being proud? Is it ok to be proud?

   d. The Lion and the mouse both helped each other. Do you think in our everyday life should we also help each other? Can you tell me any incidents where someone has helped you? or you have helped someone?

   So my dear readers there is no end to this. You can creatively include as many questions as possible. You want and teach 5 million things from a single story. This is just a small example. Do tell me if I should do more such stories like this!