Tortoise and the Tug-of-War
illustrations by
What’s inside...
In 'Tortoise and the Tug-of-War', the animals in the jungle decide to settle their differences by having a tug-of-war. The tortoise, known for being slow and steady, is underestimated by the other animals. However, through cleverness and determination, the tortoise devises a plan to compete in the tug-of-war, teaching the other animals a valuable lesson about underestimating others based on appearances. A funny re-telling of a West African folktale, in which trickster Tortoise challenges Hippo and Elephant to a tug-of-war. Brains beat brawn in an enchanting tale with a happy ending.
Series reading
Non-Sequential
Age
4-8
Length
48 pages
Text complexity
Discussion points
Why do you think the Tortoise wanted to compete in the tug-of-war?
What could the animals have done differently to work together better?
How did the animals' actions make you feel during the story?
What did you learn from the Tortoise about solving problems?
If you were in the story, which animal would you want to be and why?
Tip: Role play these questions
While discussing the book, use expressive gestures and facial expressions to mimic the animals’ actions and feelings to make the discussion lively and engaging.
Ask your child to draw their favorite scene from the book, then discuss what they liked most about it.
Relate the story to real-life situations, asking your child about times they had to work together with others to solve a problem.
Encourage your child to think about the morals of the story by asking them what lesson they believe the Tortoise learned by the end of the book.
Promote empathy by asking how your child would feel if they were each of the characters in the book during key moments.
Key lessons
Example Lesson: Teamwork and cooperation
Explanation: In the story, the tortoise and other animals must work together to compete in the tug-of-war, showcasing the power of teamwork.
Real-World Application: Children can apply this by collaborating with peers during group activities at school or in sports, learning that collective effort often leads to success.
Example Lesson: Clever problem-solving
Explanation: The tortoise uses its intelligence to strategize during the tug-of-war, rather than relying on brute strength.
Real-World Application: This teaches children the importance of using their minds to solve problems and think critically in challenging situations.
Example Lesson: Persistence
Explanation: Despite being smaller and physically weaker, the tortoise does not give up against larger opponents in the tug-of-war.
Real-World Application: Children learn the value of persistence and determination in overcoming obstacles, whether in academics, sports, or personal goals.
Example Lesson: Fair play
Explanation: The story highlights the importance of playing fair and the consequences of cheating through the actions of other characters.
Real-World Application: Kids are encouraged to always compete honestly and recognize the importance of integrity in both games and real life.
Example Lesson: Self-belief
Explanation: The tortoise demonstrates self-confidence by participating in the tug-of-war, inspiring others to believe in themselves regardless of size or strength.
Real-World Application: This can motivate children to have confidence in their abilities and to courageously face challenges, regardless of how daunting they may seem.