The sly cormorant and the fishes: New adaptations into poetry of the Aesop fables (Viking Kestrel Picture Books)
What’s inside...
In 'The Sly Cormorant and the Fishes,' Brian Patten presents a collection of Aesop's fables reimagined as poetry. The central narrative features a cunning cormorant that uses its intelligence to catch fish, exploring themes such as deception and survival. Patten's adaptations maintain Aesop's moral lessons but present them in lyrical verse, complemented by vivid illustrations, making the tales accessible and engaging for a contemporary audience.
Discussion points
Why do you think the cormorant tricked the fishes? How do you feel about what he did?
What lesson do you think the fishes learned at the end of the story?
Can you think of a time when you had to be clever to solve a problem?
If you were a fish in the story, what would you have done differently?
How important is it to be cautious? Can you think of other stories where characters need to be careful?
Tip: Role play these questions
Encourage your child to relate the fables to their own experiences, fostering a deeper connection with the themes. Use expressive reading to bring the characters and situations to life, making the moral lessons more impactful. After reading, ask your child to draw their favorite scene or character, and discuss the significance of that part of the story. This creates a visual and personal bond with the lessons learned.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: The importance of being cautious and aware of your surroundings
Explanation: This lesson is conveyed through the story of the Sly Cormorant who deceives the fishes to catch them. The fishes learn the hard way that not everyone can be trusted and that caution is crucial.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this lesson by learning to be more cautious and questioning in situations that seem unusual or too good to be true, thereby developing critical thinking and personal safety skills.
Example Lesson: The value of unity and teamwork
Explanation: In one of the adaptations, the fishes realize that by working together they can avoid the cormorant's tricks. This portrays the power of collaboration and how it can overcome challenges.
Real-World Application: This lesson can be applied in a child’s daily life by encouraging them to participate in group activities and understand the strength of working collaboratively to achieve common goals, whether in sports, school projects, or family tasks.
Example Lesson: The consequences of deception
Explanation: The cormorant's deceptive nature ultimately leaves him without friends or trust among the other creatures, highlighting the negative fallout of deceitful behavior.
Real-World Application: Children are taught that honesty is the best policy and that being deceptive can lead to loneliness and mistrust among peers and adults. It encourages them to value and practice honesty in their interactions.