The Fox and the Stork: (English Readers Starter Level)
Usborne better English Series
What’s inside...
A charming tale of a cunning fox and a clever stork, exploring themes of friendship, trust, and reciprocity. Fox is always playing practical jokes on her friends, and her friends don't much like it. One day, Fox devises a new trick for her long-beaked friend Stork. Stork doesn't see the funny side, and finds a way to adapt the trick for Fox herself. Featuring appealing and colorful illustrations by Tania Rex. With fun activities after the story, and online audio in both British English and American English. CEFR low A1.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
24 pages
Text complexity
Character compass
The Stork
Fox
Discussion points
How do you think the fox felt when the stork couldn’t eat from the flat plate?
Why do you think the stork invited the fox over after being tricked?
What lesson did the fox learn by the end of the story?
Can you think of a time when you treated someone kindly even when they weren’t so nice to you?
Tip: Role play these questions
Utilize pauses after each question to give your child time to think and express their thoughts freely.
Show interest in their responses with follow-up questions or comments that relate to their experiences.
Encourage empathy by asking your child how they would feel in similar situations as the characters.
Reinforce the theme by discussing the importance of treating others how we want to be treated.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Treat others as you want to be treated
Explanation: In 'The Fox and the Stork,' the fox initially plays a prank on the stork by serving soup in a shallow bowl, which the stork cannot eat. Later, the stork retaliates by serving the fox soup in a tall jar, which the fox cannot reach. This demonstrates the concept of treating others as you would like to be treated yourself.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by considering the feelings of others before acting and ensuring their actions are kind and fair.
Example Lesson: Understanding the consequences of one's actions
Explanation: The reciprocal actions of the fox and the stork illustrate that negative actions might lead to repercussions. The fox’s initial unkindness results in a comparable reaction from the stork, teaching that every action has a potential consequence.
Real-World Application: This can help children think ahead about the potential outcomes of their actions and encourage them to make positive choices.
Example Lesson: The importance of empathy
Explanation: The story highlights the need to be empathetic, as neither the fox nor the stork initially understands the discomfort caused by their actions until they experience it themselves.
Real-World Application: Children can learn to put themselves in others’ shoes to understand how their actions may affect other people, promoting more compassionate interactions.