Greedy Zebra
African Animal Tales Series
What’s inside...
When the animals discover a cave full of furs and skins, they discard their drab skins for glossy new ones. Greedy Zebra, arriving late after a snack, finds only a few stripes of black cloth left. He squeezes into them, but is too big and his new coat bursts open. This tale explains how all the animals chose their clothing, except for Greedy Zebra, who had to make do with leftover pieces.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
5-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Zebra
Discussion points
Why do you think the Zebra chose those particular colors for its coat?
What do you think the Zebra learned by the end of the story?
How did the other animals react to Zebra's new look, and why do you think they reacted that way?
If you were an animal in the story, which one would you be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use expressive voices for different characters to bring the story to life during read-aloud. Ask your child to imagine and describe their own animal costume, encouraging creativity. Relate the Zebra’s feelings to personal experiences of your child, such as a time they wore something special. Praise your child’s responses to boost their confidence in expressing their thoughts.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Importance of individuality
Explanation: In 'Greedy Zebra', the zebra crafts a unique look with black and white stripes after initially avoiding choosing a coat, demonstrating the uniqueness in appearance.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate and celebrate their own and others' unique traits and personalities.
Example Lesson: Consequences of procrastination
Explanation: The zebra delays choosing a coat and ends up with stripes formed by the coat being painted in haste, showing that procrastination can lead to unplanned outcomes.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be timely in their decisions and actions to avoid unintended consequences.
Example Lesson: Creativity in problem-solving
Explanation: The zebra improvises a solution by fashioning a coat out of leftover paints, promoting the idea of using creativity to overcome challenges.
Real-World Application: It inspires children to think creatively when faced with obstacles, using whatever resources they have at hand.
Example Lesson: Acceptance of outcomes
Explanation: After initially being unhappy, the zebra grows to love his distinctive striped coat, teaching acceptance and finding positivity in unexpected situations.
Real-World Application: This helps children understand the importance of accepting and finding joy in the outcomes of their actions, even if they are not what they initially envisioned.