How Tortoise tricked the Birds
What’s inside...
The story is a retelling of a traditional folktale where Tortoise uses his cunning to trick the birds into giving him a pair of wings. He convinces them to take him to a feast in the sky, but his greed and deceit lead to his downfall. A humorous and lively African folktale, specially adapted for children just beginning to read. With colour illustrations on every page, this is another addition to Usborne's hugely popular First Reading series. Find out what happens when trickster Tortoise joins the birds at the Great Feast in the sky, and then gobbles ALL of the food. Perhaps it's time for Tortoise to be tricked too?
Age
5-9
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
The Tortoise
Birds
Discussion points
Why do you think the Tortoise wanted to trick the birds? What could he have done differently?
How did the birds feel when they found out they were tricked? Have you ever felt that way?
What do you think is the moral of the story? Why is it important to tell the truth?
Can you think of a time when someone tricked you? How did you resolve the situation?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the story, use emotive questions to help your child connect personally with the characters' experiences.
Encourage your child to think about the consequences of the Tortoise’s actions by asking them to consider alternative outcomes had different choices been made.
Reinforce the importance of honesty by discussing real-life scenarios where truth-telling is crucial.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of honesty
Explanation: In the story, Tortoise tricks the birds by being dishonest, which eventually leads to negative consequences for him.
Real-World Application: Children learn that being truthful is crucial in building trust and maintaining healthy relationships.
Example Lesson: Consequences of deception
Explanation: Tortoise faces repercussions for his deceitful actions, which teaches children that dishonesty can lead to undesirable outcomes.
Real-World Application: This story can help children understand that their actions have consequences, guiding them to make honest choices.
Example Lesson: Value of kindness and generosity
Explanation: The birds initially show kindness to Tortoise by offering him feathers. The story demonstrates how kindness was betrayed and the impact it had.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of being kind and generous to others, and how these qualities are valuable in fostering positive interactions.
Example Lesson: Understanding empathy
Explanation: The birds feel betrayed by Tortoise, which could help children understand the feelings of others when trust is broken.
Real-World Application: This lesson aids children in developing empathy, allowing them to relate to and understand the feelings of others in real-life situations.