The Runaway Wok
What’s inside...
When a boy goes to the market to buy food and comes home with an old wok instead, his parents wonder what they'll eat for dinner. But then the wok rolls out of the poor family's house with a skippity-hoppity-ho! and returns from the rich man's home with a feast in tow! With spirited text and lively illustrations, this story reminds readers about the importance of generosity.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
6-8
Length
32 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
What do you think the wok represents in the story, and why is it important?
How do the characters in the book show kindness and generosity to others?
What would you do if you found a magical object like the wok?
How did the actions of the main characters change the community in the story?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to imagine and describe their version of a magical object and what it would do.
Discuss the importance of sharing and community support as showcased in the book, relating it to real-life scenarios your child might encounter.
Ask your child how they think the story would change if it were set in your own neighborhood.
After reading, collaborate on creating a simple drawing or craft that symbolizes a key theme from the book, such as generosity or magic.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Sharing and Generosity
Explanation: In 'The Runaway Wok', the story revolves around a magical wok that helps a poor but generous family share their fortune with their community. The wok collects riches from the greedy and distributes them to those in need.
Real-World Application: Children can learn the importance of sharing their belongings and helping others in need. This can be applied in scenarios such as sharing toys with friends or donating old clothes to charity.
Example Lesson: Honesty and Integrity
Explanation: The protagonist's honesty in dealing with the wok and his refusal to be greedy is rewarded in the tale, contrasting with the deceitful and greedy characters who end up losing their wealth.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the value of being truthful and fair in their daily interactions. Children can practice honesty by admitting to mistakes or being transparent in their actions and speech.
Example Lesson: Resourcefulness
Explanation: The family in the story uses their sudden wealth not for personal gain, but to benefit their whole village, showing innovation and resourcefulness.
Real-World Application: Children learn to think creatively about using resources to help more than just themselves. This can translate into using their skills or time to help siblings with homework or coming up with ways to solve everyday problems at home or school.
Example Lesson: The Joy of Community and Togetherness
Explanation: The book highlights the communal joy and festivities that result from the family's decision to share with their neighbors, showing how generosity brings people together.
Real-World Application: This lesson encourages children to participate in community activities and understand the benefit of a united community. Participating in or initiating community events like clean-ups or charity events can be practical applications.
Example Lesson: Consequences of Greed
Explanation: The story clearly depicts the negative outcomes for the characters who are greedy and try to hoard the magical wok’s gifts for themselves.
Real-World Application: Children learn about the repercussions of greedy behaviors and the importance of being content with what they have. This can help them in making decisions about sharing and using possessions responsibly.