The House That Went Ker---Splat!: The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders (The Bug Parables)
The Bug Parables Series
on Goodreads (8)
What’s inside...
In this retelling of the parable of the wise and foolish builders, two wasps take opposite approaches to building their houses, with predictable results. Willie the wise wasp follows the blueprints, chooses good materials, and picks a smart location, while Lazy Ray foolishly ignores the rules, cuts corners, and faces the consequences.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-7
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think makes a house strong?
How did the wise builder's choices help him when the storm came?
Can you think of a time when you had to make a choice between doing something quickly or doing it right?
Why do you think the foolish builder's house went 'Ker---Splat!'?
What does this story teach us about planning and making decisions?
Tip: Role play these questions
Use real-life examples to relate the story's message to everyday decisions and challenges your child faces.
Encourage your child to think about the consequences of their choices, similar to the builders in the story.
Ask your child to draw their version of a 'wise' and 'foolish' builder's house, discussing what materials and methods make a home strong.
Explore the concept of wisdom and foolishness in other scenarios to help deepen your child's understanding of the themes.
Praise your child for thoughtful answers and insights, reinforcing their engagement and critical thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of wise decision-making
Explanation: The story illustrates this through the contrast between the wise builder who chooses a strong foundation and the foolish builder who does not, demonstrating the consequences of their choices.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by thinking critically and making thoughtful decisions in their daily activities, like choosing to complete their homework before playing.
Example Lesson: The value of preparation and hard work
Explanation: The wise builder’s effort in building on a solid foundation exemplifies that diligent preparation and effort pay off.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to apply themselves diligently in their studies and other tasks, understanding that their hard work will lead to better outcomes.
Example Lesson: The consequences of taking shortcuts
Explanation: The foolish builder’s choice to build on a weak foundation because it was easier and faster leads to the house’s collapse when challenged by the storm.
Real-World Application: This can teach children the importance of doing tasks thoroughly and not cutting corners, such as taking their time to complete school projects properly.