Transcript Interpreted Meaning

Fables
and
Proverbs
A FABLE is a short story that teaches
a lesson.
•Short story format (usually 1-2 paragraphs)
•Has problems and solutions
•Animals that act like people
•Teaches a lesson
You may have heard the expression:
“Look before you leap.”
This expression is
the moral of
several fables.
The Tortoise and the Hare
•
The hare was once boasting of his speed before the other animals. "I have
never yet been beaten," said he, "when I put forth my full speed. I challenge
anyone here to race with me."
The tortoise said quietly, "I accept your challenge."
"That is a good joke," said the hare. "I could dance around you all the way."
"Keep your boasting until you've beaten," answered the tortoise. "Shall we
race?"
So a course was fixed and a start was made. The hare darted almost out of
sight at once, but soon stopped and, to show his contempt for the tortoise, lay
down to have a nap. The tortoise plodded on and plodded on, and when the
hare awoke from his nap, he saw the tortoise nearing the finish line, and he
could not catch up in time to save the race.
“The Tortoise and the Hare”
The Characters:
The Tortoise
The Hare
The Problem:
The tortoise and the
hare are racing, but
hare is much faster.
The Solution:
The hare gets tired & stops for a
nap. The tortoise just keeps moving
along, and wins the race.
The Moral:
Slow and steady
wins the race.
Now it’s your turn to write a fable.
1. Make sure that animals are your main
character. One of the animals should be a
trickster.
2. No more than 3 characters
3. Should have a problem/solution format
4. Should have a beginning, middle, and end.
5. No more than 1-3 paragraphs. A paragraph is 7
sentences.
6. Must have a moral.
Proverb
• A short saying that expresses a common truth or
experience, usually about human failings and the way
that people interact with one another.
• Usually has one of the following elements:
Metaphor: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of
cure.”
Alliteration: “He who laughs last laughs best.”
Parallelism: “Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”
Rhyme: “When the cat’s away, the mice will play.”
Simile: “Genius without education is like silver in the
mine.”
African Proverbs
• A wise man who knows
proverbs, reconciles
difficulties.
• Interpreted Meaning: If
you can understand the
meaning and lesson
behind a proverb, you will
understand where your
problems begin and how
to resolve them.
• Rain beats a leopard's skin, but
it does not wash out the spots.
• Interpreted Meaning: This is
most recognized as "You can
not change a leopard's spots."
Basically, it is believed that
people don't change. In truth
though, if you really want too,
you can become more
enlightened and change your
thoughts and perceptions,
which in turn will change your
"spots."
African Proverbs
• When a king has good
counselors, his reign is
peaceful.
• Interpreted Meaning:
Listen to those that are
wiser, more experienced,
and have achieved success
in their lives in a moral and
ethical manner. Then apply
what you learn. Don't listen
to those who would give
you bad advice just to hold
you back.
• To engage in conflict, one
does not bring a knife that
cuts - but a needle that
sews.
• Interpreted Meaning:
Use understanding to
resolve conflicts, not
criticism and harsh words.
African Proverbs
• No one tests the depth of a
river with both feet.
• Interpreted Meaning:
Take the time to do your
"homework" when
considering a new
proposition. Don't jump in
blindly without due
diligence.
• A chattering bird builds no
nest.
• Interpreted Meaning: I
think this is one of the best
African proverbs; stop
talking about what you
want to do in life... you
need to begin doing it! If
you don't begin, you can
never have what you want.
Write 3 Different Proverbs
•
•
•
•
•
No more than 1 sentence
Must be original
Must express a truth
After each proverb, write a short explanation
Must have ONE of these: metaphor, simile,
alliteration, parallelism, or rhyme
How do fables and proverbs compare?
Well done!
And now you know about
fables and proverbs.
Who says “you can’t
teach an old dog new
tricks?”