The Magic Drum and Other Favourite Stories [Paperback] [Jan 01, 2015] SUDHA MURTY
What’s inside...
The Magic Drum and Other Favourite Stories is a collection of short stories by Sudha Murty that is designed for children, with each story embedded with Indian culture and morals. The anthology includes a variety of enchanting tales involving characters like kings, queens, animals, and gods that convey moral lessons or traditional values. The title story, 'The Magic Drum,' teaches about the consequences of greed and the importance of contentment. The stories come from Sudha Murty's childhood, recounted by her grandparents or heard from friends around the world. This collection aims to instill virtues such as honesty, kindness, and generosity, making it not only entertaining but also a source of wisdom for readers of all ages.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
7-12
Length
300 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What lesson did you learn from the story about the Magic Drum?
Which character did you find most interesting, and why?
How do you think the story would change if you were in it?
What is one thing you would do differently if you were in the protagonist's place?
How do you think the characters felt during the big challenge?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine themselves in the story. Ask them how they might react to specific situations presented in the book.
Discuss the moral lessons in the stories. Highlight how these lessons can be applied in everyday life.
Ask your child about their favorite part of the book and why it stands out to them, relating their thoughts to personal experiences or feelings.
Enable a creative dialogue by asking your child to think of an alternative ending to one of the stories and discuss the potential outcomes.
Praise your child for their insights and encourage them to ask questions about the stories to foster a deeper understanding and critical thinking.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Empathy and Kindness
Explanation: Through the varied narratives involving simple characters, children learn the importance of being kind and empathetic towards others.
Real-World Application: Kids can apply these values in school or playground settings by sharing their toys and being considerate of their peers' feelings.
Example Lesson: Perseverance
Explanation: Several stories in the book showcase characters who overcome difficulties through persistent efforts, teaching kids the value of not giving up.
Real-World Application: This lesson can help children persist in their academic or extracurricular activities, despite challenges or initial failures.
Example Lesson: Honesty
Explanation: Characters in the stories often prosper by being truthful, reinforcing the moral benefits of honesty.
Real-World Application: Children learn to value honesty in their daily interactions, promoting trust and credibility among friends and teachers.
Example Lesson: Resourcefulness
Explanation: The book illustrates how characters use their ingenuity and resourcefulness to solve problems, emphasizing creative thinking.
Real-World Application: Kids can learn to think on their feet and use available resources to tackle homework tasks or resolve conflicts.
Example Lesson: Respect for diversity
Explanation: The stories from different cultural contexts teach children to respect and embrace diversity.
Real-World Application: This can encourage children to be open-minded and respectful towards classmates from different backgrounds.