The Crane Wife
on Goodreads (324)
What’s inside...
When Osamu, a lonely sail maker, nurses an injured crane one blustery night, he never suspects that this simple act of kindness will change his life forever. This retelling of a traditional Japanese folktale teaches readers young or old a lesson about life and love.
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
The Sail Maker
The Crane Wife
Discussion points
How do you think the crane felt when she was taken care of by the man?
What do you think the story tells us about kindness and gratitude?
Why do you think the man made the choices he did, and how did those choices affect everyone in the story?
Can you think of a time when you helped someone and how it made you feel?
What would you have done differently if you were the man in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to express their thoughts and emotions about the story by relating it back to personal experiences of kindness and care.
Discuss the notion of selflessness and giving without expecting something in return. Use examples from the story to illustrate these points.
Ask questions that are speculative to promote critical thinking, such as how the story might have ended differently based on different choices by the characters.
Validate your child's feelings and thoughts as they answer, reinforcing that all views and interpretations are valuable.
Use the story as a stepping-stone to discuss broader themes of ethics and personal values, making it relevant to the child's world.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Compassion
Explanation: In 'The Crane Wife,' the husband learns to care for his mystical crane wife with kindness, even when he does not understand all aspects of her life.
Real-World Application: Children learn the importance of treating others with compassion and understanding, even when they may seem different or when their experiences are not fully understood.
Example Lesson: Sacrifice and Selflessness
Explanation: The crane wife sacrifices her own well-being to weave beautiful cloth, demonstrating selflessness for the sake of her husband’s happiness.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of considering others' needs and happiness, sometimes above their own, fostering a sense of generosity and selflessness.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Greed
Explanation: As the story progresses, the husband's growing greed for wealth leads to the ultimate departure of the crane wife, teaching him a harsh lesson.
Real-World Application: Children understand that greedy behavior can result in loss and sadness, highlighting the importance of being content with what one has.
Example Lesson: Respect for Boundaries
Explanation: The crane wife sets specific boundaries, which her husband promises to respect, demonstrating the importance of trust and boundaries in relationships.
Real-World Application: This can help children learn the significance of respecting others’ boundaries and the trust issues that can arise from not doing so.
Example Lesson: Importance of Honesty
Explanation: The story underscores the consequences of the husband breaking his promise, leading to broken trust and loss.
Real-World Application: Teaches children the foundational role honesty plays in building and maintaining trustful relationships.