Juan Verdades: The Man Who Couldn't Tell a Lie / El hombre que no sabía mentir
on Goodreads (67)
What’s inside...
In Joe Hayes' 'Juan Verdades: The Man Who Couldn't Tell a Lie,' Don Ignacio, a wealthy landowner, bets his entire ranch on the honesty of his foreman, Juan Verdades, believing he will never tell a lie. The wager is tested by a neighboring rancher who uses deception and his daughter's beauty to tempt Juan into lying about stealing apples from Don Ignacio's prized apple tree. This bilingual Spanish-English story, illustrated by Joseph Daniel Fiedler, explores themes of integrity and temptation, ultimately testing if Juan can maintain his honesty and save the ranch.
Age
8-12
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
Juan Verdades
Don Ignacio
The Orchard Caretaker'S Daughter
Don Arturo
Discussion points
What do you think makes Juan Verdades always tell the truth? Can you think of a time when it was hard to be honest?
How did the characters in the story react to Juan’s honesty? How would you react if you were in their place?
What do you think is the most important lesson from this story?
If you were to face a challenge like Juan, how would you handle it?
What does this story teach us about trust and friendship?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to reflect deeply on the virtue of honesty portrayed by Juan Verdades. Ask them how they apply honesty in their daily lives and discuss the impact of truthfulness on relationships. Use examples from the book to highlight the importance of being trustworthy, and connect these instances to real-life scenarios your child might encounter. This will help them grasp the practical implications of the values discussed in the book.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Honesty is the best policy
Explanation: Juan Verdades, the protagonist, demonstrates unwavering truthfulness, which ultimately brings him great reward and trust from others.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of being truthful in their daily interactions and how it builds trustworthiness and respect among peers and adults.
Example Lesson: The value of integrity
Explanation: Throughout the story, Juan maintains his integrity even when faced with difficult situations that test his character.
Real-World Application: This teaches children to adhere to their moral principles regardless of external pressures or the promise of short-term gains.
Example Lesson: The power of loyalty
Explanation: Juan's loyalty to Don Ignacio, his employer, is a central theme. His commitment illustrates how loyalty can forge strong, mutually beneficial relationships.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to be loyal friends and family members, understanding that loyalty strengthens relationships and creates a supportive network.
Example Lesson: Consequences of actions
Explanation: The story clearly portrays the outcomes of characters' actions, particularly focusing on how deceit and trickery eventually lead to unfavorable results.
Real-World Application: This lesson helps children understand that their actions have consequences, teaching them to think about the outcomes before acting.
Example Lesson: Courage to face the truth
Explanation: Juan's courage to maintain his honesty, even when it could cost him everything, highlights the strength needed to uphold truth.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to be courageous in standing up for the truth and being honest, even in challenging situations.