The Great Tug of War
What’s inside...
Mmutla the hare is cunning. When you have Ntsu the eagle soaring high in the sky looking for her supper, and Tswhene the baboon vowing to throw you off a cliff, you need all the tricks you can think of. When Mmutla the hare tricks Tlou the elephant and Kubu the hippo into having an epic tug of war, the whole savanna is soon laughing at their foolishness. However, small animals should not make fun of big animals and King Lion, together with Tswhene the baboon and wise old Khudu the tortoise, set out to teach Mmutla a lesson - but the clever hare is always one step ahead.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-7
Length
96 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think each character learned from the tug of war? How did it change them?
Why do you think Mmutla the hare decided to trick the other animals?
If you were one of the characters, how would you have solved the problem in the story?
What lessons about friendship and cooperation can we take from this story?
How did the story make you feel? Which parts were the most exciting or surprising?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to think about the motivations of each character. Ask them why they think each character acted the way they did.
Use the story as a springboard to discuss the importance of honesty and fairness in real life.
Before reading each page, ask your child to predict what they think will happen next. This keeps them engaged and thinking critically about the story.
After reading the book, have your child draw their favorite scene or character. This helps them connect visually and emotionally with the story.
Discuss the different strategies characters used to solve problems, and ask your child about alternative solutions they might think of.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Cooperation over competition
Explanation: In 'The Great Tug of War', animals learn to work together to solve a problem, rather than competing against each other.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by collaborating with classmates in school projects instead of vying to outdo one another. This fosters a team-oriented environment.
Example Lesson: The importance of problem-solving
Explanation: The book illustrates how the animals strategize to overcome a challenge, showcasing various problem-solving techniques.
Real-World Application: This encourages children to think critically and come up with creative solutions in difficult situations they may face, such as resolving conflicts with peers.
Example Lesson: Respect for nature and animal life
Explanation: The story promotes a message of living in harmony with nature and understanding the role of different animals in the ecosystem.
Real-World Application: Children learn to appreciate the environment and the wildlife within it, promoting eco-friendly behaviors such as recycling and conservation of natural habitats.
Example Lesson: Learning from mistakes
Explanation: Characters in the book make mistakes but use them as learning opportunities which lead to their ultimate success.
Real-World Application: This can help children understand that making mistakes is a natural part of learning and that they can gain valuable lessons from each setback.
Example Lesson: The value of persistence
Explanation: As the animals in the story face various obstacles, their determination and persistence help them succeed in the end.
Real-World Application: This lesson teaches children the importance of perseverance in achieving goals, whether it's finishing a difficult school assignment or learning a new skill.