Story Prism

Welcome to the Fox Tales series. The Four Fox Cubs is a folktale from Pakistan where the four fox cubs learn a lesson about the importance of knowing and befriending neighbors for help and protection.

Free activity sheets and other downloadable resources available at www.rituvaish.com/the-four-fox-cubs

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

There was once a family of foxes who lived in the woods. There was a mother fox, a father fox, and four baby fox cubs. The cubs were named Arjan, Surjan, Ganji and Bulbul.

One day, the daddy fox said to his four cubs, “I must go out to work and I may be gone for many days. You must promise me that you will be good and do what your mother tells you while I am gone.”

The fox cubs all agreed to do as their mother instructed. And when it was time for their father to leave, the cubs all gathered at the door and waved goodbye and wished him luck on his journey.

Several days passed in which the cubs played and did their chores and behaved as their father had instructed.

Children, do you do as your parents tell you to?

That’s awesome! You must always listen to your parents.

But one day, mother fox realized that the cupboards were all empty of food and she would have to go to the market.

She warned her young cubs, “I must go out to the market to get food, but I cannot take you with me as it is too dangerous and I cannot look after you alone in the market. You must stay here at home. Even though I do not like to leave you, but at least here you will be safe.”

Children, what precautions do you suggest the fox cubs should take while their mother is away?

Those are good precautions.

The mother fox was very worried and thought about how best to protect her cubs for the short while she would be at the market.

Then eventually she said: ‘You must keep the door locked the whole time that I am gone, and you must only open the door when I return.’

The youngest of the cubs asked, “Mummy, how will we know that it is you at the door?”

The mother replied, “I shall call out your names like so ... Arjan, Surjan, Ganji, and Bulbul, open the door! And you will recognize my voice and let me in. Do not open the door for anyone else.”

Then the mother fox went off to the market and the cubs continued to play games at home, making sure to keep the door locked and kept reminding each other not to open the door unless they heard their names being called.

Children, what do you think will happen in the story next?

Let’s see

The children kept the door locked for sure.

But there was a very sneaky and very greedy lion who was walking close by. And the lion had heard everything that the mother had said to her young cubs.

The sneaky lion thought to himself, “Aha! I can go to the house where the cubs live, I can stand by the door and I can call out ... "Arjan, Surjan, Ganji, and Bulbul, open the door!" They will not know that it is me. They will think that I am the mother fox and they will open the door and let me in and then I will eat them all up! yum, yum, yum!”

So, the sneaky lion crept up to the door of the house where the cubs lived, took a very big breath, and called out, “Arjan, Surjan, Ganji, and Bulbul, open the door!”

When the young cubs heard the call they thought, “That is very strange. Those are our names being called, but that does not sound like our mother. What shall we do?”

Arjan, Surjan, Ganji, and Bulbul grew very scared, very scared indeed, because they were not sure whether to open the door or not, and they wished that their father and mother were at home to protect them.

Fortunately, the cubs had very good neighbours. They had monkeys, other fox families, squirrels, owls, etc. in their neighbourhood.They all lived together happily, helping and caring for each other.

Everyone knew that one of the monkeys was very brave and very strong.

When the fox family who lived closest to the cubs heard the lion calling out, they became alert and hurriedly went to the brave monkey, for they knew he would be able to chase away the lion somehow.

They asked him, “Monkey, monkey, what shall we do? That lion is going to eat those little fox cubs while their mother and father are away!”

“Do not worry,” said the brave monkey, “I shall protect the little cubs from the lion.”

Without losing any time, the monkey searched the forest floor until he found a big, heavy branch.

The monkey stuck the lion with that heavy branch from behind as the lion was waiting excitedly at the door of fox cubs.

Whack! Whack, whack, went the monkey, with the big heavy branch.

The lion was taken aback. He got very scared. The brave monkey chased the lion back to his den and out of the forest.

The fox cubs were peeping out of the window with big smiles on their faces. 

The baby fox and exclaimed, “Three cheers for the brave monkey!”

Everyone yelled, “ Hip-hip-hurray! Hip-hip-hurray! Hip-hip-hurray!”

When the mother fox and the father fox both returned home they were very grateful to the brave monkey and to the other foxes for protecting their cubs while they were away.

And that was the day that young Arjan, Surjan, Ganji, and Bulbul learned a valuable lesson indeed.

The young cubs learned that it is very important to know your neighbours and be kind to them because they will always look after you in return, and will offer help when you need it most.

The Mouse Deer And The Crocodile is a story about the Mouse Deer tricking the crocodile to have his favourite fruits, shoots, and roots.

Free activity sheet available at https://www.rituvaish.com/the-mouse-deer-and-the-crocodile

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

One day, the Mouse Deer went down to the river. He was very thirsty and wanted to drink some water. But he knew Crocodile might be waiting underwater to eat him.

Mouse Deer had an idea. He said out loud, “I wonder if the water’s warm. I’ll put in my leg and find out.”

But Mouse Deer didn’t put in his leg. Instead, he picked up a stick with his mouth and one end of the stick in the water.

 Children, think fast and guess why the Mouse Deer put a stick in the water?

Let’s see

Chomp! Chomp! Chomp! The Crocodile grabbed the stick and pulled it underwater thinking it to be the leg of the Mouse Deer.

The Mouse Deer laughed. “Silly Crocodile! Don’t you know a stick from a leg?”

And he ran off to drink water somewhere else.

The angry crocodile yelled, “ I’ll catch you and eat you another day!”

The mouse deer of course sang his song:

 I am quick and smart as I can be.

Try and try, but you can’t catch me.

 Well, another day, Mouse Deer wanted to cross the river. He wanted to eat tasty fruits, roots and shoots on the other side. But he didn’t want Crocodile to eat him first!

So, the Mouse Deer had an idea.

He called out, “Crocodile!”

Crocodile rose from the water, “Hello, greetings Mouse Deer. Have you come to be my breakfast?”

“Oh, Not today, Crocodile. I have orders from the King. He wants me to count all the crocodiles in this part of the river as he is throwing a big party and wants to know the exact number of all the animal guests.”

“The King, a party!” said the Crocodile excitedly. “Tell us what to do.”

“You must line up from this side of this river to the other side.”     

Elated, the Crocodile got all his friends and family. They lined up across the river.

 Children, how do you think the mouse deer will count all the crocodiles?

Well, the Mouse Deer already had a plan in mind. He jumped onto the first Crocodile’s back. “One.”

He jumped onto the next crocodile. “Two.”

And the next. “Three.”

Mouse Deer kept jumping till he jumped off on the other side of the river.

“How many are there?” called out the Crocodile.

“Just enough!” said Mouse Deer. “And all are silly!”

The Mouse Deer jumped around and enjoyed all the fruits, roots, and shoots on the other side.

Once again the Mouse Deer Tricked another animal bigger than him!

Then he went off singing his song:

I am quick and smart as I can be.

Try and try, but you can’t catch me.

Welcome to the Turtle Tales series.

Anansi And The Turtle is a story about tit for tat. Anansi, the trickster, tricks the turtle. But in return, the turtle tricks him back.

Free activity sheets and other downloadable resources available at www.rituvaish.com/anansi-and-the-turtle

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

Long long time ago, in the deep jungles of Africa there lived a spider called Anansi. He was a very greedy spider and did not like sharing any of his things with others. One day, he collected some lovely yams from his garden and cooked them with utmost care along with some rice and soup. The delicious smell of the yams made Anansi hungrier. He somehow managed to wait till lunch time.

Finally his wait was over as the clock struck 12 pm. But just as he sat down to consume his delicious meal, he heard a knock at his door.

Children, can you guess who was knocking the door?

Anansi was irritated and opened the door hurriedly. It was the turtle standing at the door. He had been travelling for a very long time and looked very tired and hungry.

“Hello Anansi, what are you cooking? Looks like yams. The waft of the delicious yams attracted me to your home. You must be a fine chef,” the turtle said.

“Oh yes - I have cooked some yams for lunch,” Anansi said reluctantly.

“Oh, can I please stay for lunch? I am hungry and tired of all the travelling,” the turtle said.

Anansi was not willing to share his food with the turtle. But it was a custom in his country to share food with visitors who came during lunch or dinner hours. So, Anansi could not refuse. Nevertheless, he was determined not to share his delicious yams with the turtle.

What do you think Anansi will do?

“Please have a seat and enjoy your meal,” Anansi said to the turtle.

Both of them sat on the chairs. The turtle was about to help himself to a share of the yam when Anansi suddenly stopped him.

“Look at your hands, didn’t your mother teach you to wash your hands before eating? Please wash your hands before you eat,” Anansi instructed the turtle.

The turtle took a look at his hands and saw that they were full of dirt as he had been walking for a very long time. So he climbed out of the chair, and wobbled towards the river.

With his mouth watering for yummy yams he sang:

My hands I scrub and wash,

My hands I wash and scrub,

Scrub-Scrub, wash -wash

My hands are clean and fresh

My hands are fresh and clean

Clean-clean, fresh-fresh

Now I am ready to relish the yams.

Yippee yip!

Yippee yip!

He started walking back to Anasi’s house.

Knock , knock

“Who is it?’ was the irritated sound of Anansi.

“It’s me The Turtle and my hands are clean,” shouted one very excited and very hungry turtle.

 Anansi had already started his meal. “The yams were getting really cold so I started my lunch. Please join me now,” Anansi said.

However, even this time when the turtle reached for his meal, Anansi stopped him by giving him the same reason. The poor turtle saw that his hands had become dirty once again as he walked back from the river to Anansi’s house.

The turtle was even more hungry and tired by now. But he still went back to the river to wash his hands.

My hands I scrub and wash,

My hands I wash and scrub,

Scrub-Scrub, wash -wash

My hands are clean and fresh

My hands are fresh and clean

Clean-clean, fresh-fresh

Now I am ready to relish the yams.

Yippee yip!

Yippee yip!

This time he was determined not to let his hands get dirty. He was careful and walked only on the grass to keep his hands clean. But by the time he reached the table, Anansi had already finished all the food except for a morsel of rice that was saved for the turtle. The turtle was angry and humiliated.

“Thank you for the lovely lunch. I would like to invite you over to my place for a meal someday,” the turtle said and left.

How do you think the turtle was feeling? Is he happy to have Anansi come by?

A few days had passed and Anansi started thinking about the turtle’s invitation. He was tempted to go for a sumptuous meal at the turtle’s place. After all, he knew that the turtle was an amazing cook.

One day, he wore his finest jacket and went to the bank of the river under which the turtle had his house and stood there at dinner time.

The turtle saw him and said, “Hello Anansi, so lovely to see you. Please have dinner with me.” The turtle invited Anansi inside his house, which was underwater.

Anansi could not wait any longer and quickly dived into the water. But alas, he was too light and could not swim deep into the water and he came right back to the surface

Blob blob blob blob blob!

Meanwhile, the turtle was ready with the delicious spread.

Children, please tell Anansi what to do!

Anansi tried every possible measure to go under the river; he tried a running jump, a belly flop and a high dive, but could not go beneath the surface of the water.

Anansi started thinking hard and finally decided to pick up some rocks and put them in the pockets of his jacket. His plan was successful and this time Anansi reached straight to the turtle’s house after diving underwater.

Children, do you think the turtle will share his scrumptious meal with Anansi?

Let’s see..

Anansi was impressed to see the delicious spread and was about to dig into the first bite when the turtle stopped him. “Dear Anansi, kindly remove your jacket before you touch the food. In our custom we do not eat with our jackets on,” the turtle said.

Anansi saw that even the turtle was not wearing his jacket. Anansi removed his jacket which was full of rocks and pebbles and within no time he went rushing up to the surface of the water.

Blob blob blob blob blob

Anansi could see the turtle slowly consuming the lovely meal. Anansi felt sad and slowly climbed out of the water.

Anansi realized that he had been outsmarted.

As he walked back home, being the trickster that he was, he started planning ways to trick the turtle.

Children, can you think of another story with Anansi and the turtle? What would happen next?

Welcome to the Turtle Tales series.

The Dancing Turtle is a folktale from Brazil.

In today’s Story: The Turtle loves to dance and play the flute. But her exuberance puts her at risk when her music attracts the attention of a hunter who brings her home for turtle stew. After she is caught, her only hope for escape wit. 

Free activity sheets and other downloadable resources available at www.rituvaish.com/the-dancing-turtle

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

Once upon a time, on the banks of a river, there lived a very musical Turtle who enjoyed playing her flute. When Turtle played, lions, elephants, butterflies, snakes, and monkeys danced to the Turtle's music. 

The turtle was very famous in the forest and all around the neighbouring towns.

Children, put on the thinking caps and tell me what other instruments do you think that Turtle played?

Yes, that’s right.

One day, a hunter heard Turtle's music. "Ahh," he thought. “That must be the famous Turtle making music. The turtle would make a perfect turtle soup. Let me try to catch him," he thought.

He cooked up a plan and called out, "Turtle! Show me your beautiful flute." 

Children, Why do you think that the man called out for the turtle? What does he want to do? 

That’s true, he wanted to make a perfect turtle soup.

But that our turtle did not know

He was very excited to show his flute and slowly walked towards the hunter. He held out her beautiful flute to the hunter.        

But the moment the hunter saw Turtle, he grabbed her by the neck and began to run. The turtle tried to cry for help, but she couldn't make a sound.

She closed her eyes, holding tightly to her flute for good luck.

When the hunter reached his hut, he put Turtle into a cage and shut it.

Then he turned to his children: "Don't let Turtle out of her cage." And off he went to the forest.

Children, what do you think the children will do next?

The children began to play outside. 

Turtle sat very still inside her cage, thinking about the hunter’s words. 

To calm herself she began to play a sweet tune on her flute, and the children ran to the cage. "Is that you playing that pleasing music, Turtle?" they asked, their eyes wide with wonder. 

"Yes," Turtle said. She kept on playing, for she could see the children were delighted. At last, she stopped. 

“That was the most wonderful music we have ever heard,” said the children in unison.

"I can dance even better than I can play," she said. "Would you like to see?"

"Oh, please!" the little boy cried.

"I'll show you how I  dance and play at the same time," said Turtle. 

Children, why do you think Turtle wants to dance?

Let’s listen ahead. 

The turtle lifted her flute but before even playing a single note, she stopped.

“What happened, please dance for us. We have never seen a dancing turtle,” pleaded the children.

"You must open the cage. There is no room in here." 

Excitedly, and ignoring their father’s word, the little children opened the cage.

The Turtle began to dance and play her melodious music on the flute.

The children were enchanted, and they laughed and clapped their hands, for never had they seen such a wonderful thing.

Then the Turtle stopped.

"Don't stop!" the children cried.

 "Oh," Turtle groaned. "My legs are stiff. If I could just walk a little bit to loosen them.” 

"Sure! But don't go too far," the little girl cautioned. 

“Come right back," said the little boy. 

"Never fear," said Turtle. "You wait right here."

Children, where do you think that Turtle will walk?

Turtle crawled off toward the jungle. The moment she was out of sight, she raced all the way back to her house. 

Nobody ever found the Turtle again. But to this day, if you strain your ear, you can hear the sweet sound of a flute in the forest. 

Welcome to the Turtle Tales series.

The Story; Why The Turtle Has A Cracked Shell is a fun legend about how the cunning turtle got a cracked shell.

Free activity sheets and other downloadable resources available at www.rituvaish.com/why-the-turtle-has-a-cracked-shell

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

A long time ago, when the animals could still talk, there was a big famine in the land. The famine was so bad that there was absolutely no food to eat in the animal kingdom. Many of the animals were suffering and dying one by one. But The Turtle would not go down without a fight. He was the most cunning of all the animals and was determined to find some food for himself and his family.

Children, can you suggest something that the Turtle can do to get some food?

One day, the Turtle observed that the birds in the kingdom were not starving like everyone else on the ground. They looked fresh and their feathers were not drying up.

“ I must find out where they are getting their food in these famine times, he thought.”

Being as cunning and clever as ever, he went to the birds to ask them what their secret was. Of course, they were reluctant to tell him!

He assured, “You all must trust me, and then I could help you to get even more food.”

The birds conceded finally.

They explained to him that the people of the Sky were responsible for their food.

The Turtle promised to help them and get even more food, and with his cunning mind started brewing a plan. He told the birds that if they helped him get to the Sky, he would be their spokesperson. All the birds, and indeed all the animals of the kingdom, knew that The Turtle was an amazing orator. So, they agreed. After discussion, they had hatched a plan. Each bird would contribute a few feathers to the Turtle until he had enough feathers to make wings that would allow him to fly.

Children, do you think putting wings would help him fly?

Well in a story anything can happen.

Listen ahead.

On the day that the birds and The Turtle agreed to go to the Sky, the Turtle put on his plumage and was finally able to fly. When they all got to the Sky, they were given a grand welcome.

As their spokesperson, The Turtle introduced himself and spoke on behalf of the birds. Since he had the most unique and colorful plumage, the Sky people immediately thought that The Turtle was their chief. When they served the food to their guests, they served The Turtle first, as a result. The birds were not pleased with that.

However, The Turtle had another trick up his sleeves. He told the birds that at grand occasions such as these, each animal would take up an alternative name.

Children, can you think what name would he take for himself?

Listen ahead.

After the birds each chose a name, The Turtle chose the name “ALL OF YOU” as his name.

When the hosts brought more food for their guests, the Turtle made a point of asking who the food was for.

“Well, the food is for all of you,” the hosts said.

 With a smirk, the Turtle turned to the birds and stated that since the food was for “All of you” and his chosen name was “All of you,” the food was for him alone. The poor birds watched angrily as the Turtle ate everything!

When it was time to go, the birds were so angry that they each took their feathers from The Turtle. He was now unable to fly back home.

Sensing danger, the Turtle begged the birds to send a message to his wife to bring out all the soft things from his house so that when he jumped from the Sky, he would be okay.

All but one of them refused.

The eagle, the angriest of all the birds, agreed to give the message to The Turtle’s wife.

Children, do you think the eagle would give the correct message?

Let’s see.

The eagle flew back to the Turtle’s house and told his wife that the Turtle requested that she bring out all the hard things from the house.

She began to do just that. She brought out the mortar, the plates, the wooden tables…all the hard things you can think of.

With his limited vision, The Turtle couldn’t see what was being brought out so he assumed that the eagle had given the right message to his wife.

When the Turtle jumped from the Sky, he got the surprise of his life.

Children, do you know what happened?

Yes! He had a big fall.

He landed on the hardest and sharpest objects and his shell broke into many pieces. With the help of his wife, he was able to pick them up and glue them back together. Unfortunately, his previously smooth shell was never smooth again. The process of putting the pieces together was less than perfect and his shell became rough and showed the cracks.

As the legend has it, that’s the reason for the cracked shell of the turtle. This is why the Turtle has a cracked shell.

The Alphabet Escapades of Letter K is a story where letter K’s friend, a prince, has a wonderful dream of something that his heart desires.

Free activity sheets and other downloadable resources available at www.rituvaish.com/alphabet-escapades-letter-K

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

Once there was a big kingdom ruled by a very king.

When the king is nice all the people of the kingdom are happy and helpful.

The king had a 10-year-old son, who was crowned as the prince.

The prince’s grandmother used to tell him lots of stories. One day she told a story about the Kites.

“What are kites. I have never seen one, grandma. Can you get me one please?” requested the prince politely.

It was surprising that nobody in that kingdom had a kite!

The grandmother suggested, “Why don’t you ask your father to get a kite?”

 So, that night when the prince went to wish good night to his father, he requested, Father, I heard a story of a kite, but I have never seen one. Can you please get me one?”

The king said, “I’ll get you many kites tomorrow. You go to bed now. Sleep tight and have good dreams.”

After saying good night to the prince, the king summoned his ministers and asked them to arrange for a few kites. The prince had never asked for anything, and the king didn’t want to disappoint him.

“There are no kites in our kingdom, but we will request the neighbouring kingdom to give us a few. Please do not worry,” assured the ministers

The prince was excited about the next day and went back to his room.

Letter K who was great friends with the prince jumped right off his box of and asked, “ How was your day? Anything exciting?”

“Oh yes, I am getting a kite tomorrow. You and I can fly it together. Let’s sleep now so that we are fresh for flying the kites,’; prince replied getting into the bed.

Letter K was excited too and he too snuggled in the bed next to the prince.

Prince dozed off in a world of dreams. 

Soon, the prince and Letter K were in Kite Land. There were kites of all colours and shapes, the big red dragon, the oval-shaped pink kite, the star-shaped, etc. 

The King Kite announced, “We are going to have our annual ‘kite festival’ next weekend in the middle of the courtyard of the palace. Please be there at sharp 10 am.”

All the kites were really thrilled. This was one day when all the kites got to show their talent for flying. 

In fact, the animals from the neighbouring forests were also invited. At the end of the festivals, there was a big tea party that the King Kite hosted. 

The big red dragon kite was the winner last year. She just admired her tail and relaxed for she was sure to win. 

The other kites went to the open area in the palace’s courtyard and practiced to soar and try out various tricks like somersaults and dives. 

The invitation to the Kite Festival reached the forest too. On the day of the competition, the kangaroo family was very excited. They carried their babies in the front pouch and leaped. 

The cats with their kittens joined in too. 

At the crack of the dawn, The big turtle was swimming in the river leading to the palace had already started towards the palace. He surely didn't want to miss it. Luckily, he found a kayak. That was a big help to the slow turtle, and he reached well in time too.

The peacock and the parrots too wanted to celebrate the kite festival. Even the shyest koalas went to the palace.

A herd elephant was walking by seeing and the cats and kittens, Kangaroos, peacock, parrots rushing trumpeted, “ What is happening?”

The kangaroo said teasingly,” You sure have a short memory. Don’t you remember, it’s time for the annual kite festival followed by the feast!”

"Someone said feast,'' enquired one of the elephants.

“I never want to miss a feast and especially at the palace.” 

So, he led his herd towards the palace. 

The kiwi bird was struggling to walk and even to fly as it was hurt. The elephant was kind enough to give it a ride. 

The chefs in the Palace kitchen were busy preparing the snacks and tea in the kettle. 

All the kites gathered and waited nervously for the king to arrive. 

All the kites stood at the start line. The king appeared and announced the festival open.

The oval kite soared high and did two summersaults and then soared again.

Everybody clapped. 

The peacock did a little jig.

And the elephant trumpeted.

Then the star kite soared in the and did a summersault and two dives and the soared even higher.

Everybody clapped. 

The peacock did a little jig.

And the elephant trumpeted.

All the others also did what they knew best.

And every time, 

Everybody clapped. 

The peacock did a little jig.

And the elephant trumpeted.

Finally, it was time for the red dragon kite, everybody held their breath and waited for a spectacular show from her as she was the winner last year.

But what was happening to the dragon kite?

It tried to lift itself but in vain. It tried yet again, but with no luck.  

He was very sad 

It was really out of practice.

Soon, the kites came down and the King Kite announced that the winner was the Star kite. Everybody cheered the star kite. 

The King Kite announced, “Practice makes us perfect!”

The dragon kite promised herself that she would never be so overconfident.

She gracefully accepted her defeat and congratulated the Star Kite. 

Everybody really enjoyed the snacks and the tea from the big kettle and were slowly leaving the palace grounds.

‘Letter K, let’s go and talk to the kites,” muttered the prince.

Letter K shook the prince and asked, “ Are you dreaming?”

“Yes, I guess, but it was a great one and I saw many kites.”

Just then the king entered the room holding a large number of colourful kites.

The price pinched himself, “ Hope this isn’t a dream.”

“No son, these kites are real. Enjoy with your friends.”

Hello Children! I am letter K. Hope you liked the story.

You know I make the sound /k/

Let’s see what all words in the story started with /k/

Where did the /k/ king live?

/k/ Kingdom

What did the prince want?

/k/ Kite

Many animals rushed towards the palace

Some of their names started with /k/

/k/ Kangaroo

/k/ Kittens

Do you remember, how the turtle, being slow still reached in time?

He found a /k/ Kayak

Who was the shyest one to go to the palace?

/k/ Koala

And the elephant gave a ride to

/k/ Kiwi bird

And the chefs made the tea in the

/k/ kettle

Welcome to the Fox Tales series. Scrapefoot and the three bears is a story about a fox who enters the castle of the three bears but is thrown out of the window. This has many similarities to the fairy tale; Goldilocks and the three bears.

Free activity sheets and other downloadable resources available at www.rituvaish.com/scrapefoot-the-fox-and-the-three-bears

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

Once upon a time in a land not so far away, lay the most beautiful forest with mighty old trees, mosses in all shades of green, clear babbling streams, and light open spaces filled with delicate sweet-smelling flowers.

In the middle of this wonderful forest stood the castle of the Three Bears. They were the masters of the forest.

And in the same forest, there was a Fox who lived all alone, his name was Scrapefoot.

Children, can you guess why he was called, Scrapefoot?

The old fox was known for the fact that he would rather beg and bow to anyone than do an honest day of work. He was lazy. It was his typical bow whereby her foot would scrape heavily backward over the floor that earned him the name -Scrapefoot.

He was very proud of himself. He would spend hours grooming himself daily and making sure that his tail was fluffy and lovely.

Scrapefoot was very much afraid of the Bears, but amongst all the things that he wanted very much, one was that he wanted to visit the great grey castle. And one day as he was roaming through the wood he found himself near the Bears' castle, and he wondered, “ Oh, how much I want to see this big, great,  grey castle of the bears from the inside!”

He wondered whether he could get into the castle. He looked to the right, he looked to the left, he looked far ahead and way behind, and he could not see anyone.

Then he skidded here and he skidded there, till at last, he arrived at the door of the big grey castle. He tried to see if he could open it. Yes! the door was not locked.

“Would it be my lucky day? Looks like I will get to go inside this great grey castle at last, ” Scrapefoot smiled to himself.

He raised his paws and pushed the door and opened it just a little more. Next, he put his nose in and looked. Luckily he could not see anyone. So, then he opened it a little way farther and put one paw in, and then another paw, and another and another, and then he was all inside the Bears' castle.

He stood at the door, awestruck.

Children, put on your thinking caps and tell me why do you think Scrapefoot was awestruck?

After a moment, he realized that he was in a great hall with beautiful chandeliers, satin curtains and walls adorned with attractive paintings.

Next,  his eyes fell on the three thrones; one big, one middling, and one little one.

He thought, “Why don’t I sit on one of the thrones and feel like the master of the forest?”

So, he sat down on the big throne. But he found it so hard and uncomfortable that it made his bones ache, and he jumped down at once and got into the middling throne, and he turned round and round in it, but he couldn't make himself comfortable. So then, he went to the little chair and sat down in it, and felt very nice, “This is  so soft, warm, and comfortable!”  The Scrapefoot was quite happy, but all at once, it broke to pieces under him.

“Never mind! Let me see the other parts of the castle,” Leaving the throne behind, Scrapefoot walked around the castle. Soon he found the dining room. In it stood a huge heavy but beautifully carved table with three plates on it.

The first plate was filled with big smoked salmon.

Children salmon a medium-sized silver-coloured fish that lives in the seas or rivers.

The Scrapefoot thought, “The bears surely know which fish is good. So I must taste it.”

He took the plate but the strong and weird smell of the salmon made him quickly push the plate as far away as he could.

On the second plate, lay a lovely cake, dripping with honey, “Ahh, the bears are famous to know which is the best honey. So let me try this.”

A bit cautious after his first experience Scrapefoot very, very carefully took the plate. But as soon as she smelled the richness and sweetness of the honey, he pushed the plate even further away than the first one.

Looks like Scrapefoot didn’t have a sweet tooth.

Children, which is your favourite dessert?

On the third plate, stood a little saucer filled with milk.

Scrapefoot carefully smelled the milk but this did not smell too strong, too weird, too rich, or too sweet. He took a little lick and liked it so much that he went on drinking it till it was all gone.

“That was delicious! I wish there was some more,” exclaimed Scrapefoot.

Then Scrapefoot thought, “I really want to see what is upstairs in this castle.” He tried to listen to any sounds, but he could not hear anyone.

So upstairs he went, and he found a great room with three beds in it; one was a big bed, and one was a middling bed, and one was a little white bed, and Scrapefoot climbed up into the big bed, but it was so hard and lumpy and uncomfortable that he jumped down again at once, and tried the middling bed. That was rather better, but he could not get so comfortable in it as he wanted.

So after turning about a little while he got up and went to the little bed; and that was so soft and so warm and so nice that he fell fast asleep children, at once.

Children, what do you think is going to happen in the story now?

Let’s listen ahead.

And after a time the Bears came home, and when they got into the hall. The Big Bear went to his chair and said, “Who’s been sitting in my throne?” and the middling Bear said, “Who’s been sitting in my throne?” and the little Bear said, 'Who's been sitting in my throne and has broken it all to pieces?'

Next, they were feeling a little hungry. So, they went to the dining room, and the big Bear said, “Who’s touched my plate of salmon?” ' and the middling Bear said, “ Who pushed my plate so far away?” The little Bear said, 'Who's been drinking my milk and has drunk it all up?' 

Then they went upstairs and into the bedroom, and the big Bear said, “Who’s been sleeping in my bed?” and the middling Bear said, “ Who’s been sleeping in my bed?” and the little Bear said, “Who's been sleeping in my bed? -- and see here he is!”

So, then the Bears stood around the little bed came and wondered what they should do with Scrapefoot, the fox.

The s big Bear said, 'Let's hang him!' and then the middling Bear said, 'Let's drown him!' and then the little Bear said, 'Let's throw him out of the window.' And then the Bears took him to the window, and the big Bear took two legs on one side and the middling Bear took two legs on the other side, and they swung him backward and forwards, backward and forwards, and out of the window, he went.

Poor Scrapefoot was so frightened that he thought every bone in his body must be broken. But he got up and first shook one leg -- no, that was not broken; and then another, and that was not broken, and another and another, and then he wagged his tail and found there were no bones broken. So,     then he galloped off home as fast as he could go, and never went near the Bears'  great, grey castle!

Welcome to the Fox Tales series. The Fox and the elephant is a story from Panchatantra about a clever fox who helped the animals of the jungle by teaching a lesson to the big and cruel animal.

Free activity sheets and other downloadable resources available at www.rituvaish.com/the-fox-and-the-elephant

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

Once upon a time, a huge elephant lived in a forest. The elephant was very arrogant and cruel. He took advantage of his size and wreaked havoc in the forest. 

Children, can you guess what havoc he created?

He roamed around in the jungle breaking branches and small trees with his trunk. 

The birds who had made nests in those trees and laid eggs pleaded, “Stop elephant, our eggs are there in the nests and they will break.”

But the elephant paid no heed. He trumpeted loudly and tore the branches apart making the birds’ eggs fall and break.

Then he would go to the next trees. The other birds’ flock would shout out, “ Stop elephant, out nestlings cannot fly as yet. They’ll fall and die. Please spare our tree”

But the elephant paid no heed and went ahead destroying the branches.

The saddened birds could do nothing, as he was very arrogant and cruel. 

He was indeed a big bully.

He would trample the little animals like rabbits, mice, foxes, etc under his enormous feet ignoring their pleas.

All the animals of the forest were terrorised by the elephant. Even the lions and tigers tried to keep a safe distance from him. The animals had gotten so fed up with the elephant and his haughty ways that they wanted to kill him but they could not come up with any way of doing this.

Finally, one day the foxes held a meeting among themselves. For once the foxes were not being cunning but wanted to help all the animals.

Children, do you remember any story where the fox has been cunning?

Great!

The foxes decided that the elephant must be killed so that the other animals of the forest could live in peace. 

One fox said, “It’s impossible to kill this giant beast.”

Another added sadly, “ We are so small in front of him, that we can’t do much. We just have to face his rage.”

One fox, though tiny, was very clever walked ahead and announced, “ I will cook up a plan, please wait and watch. I will get rid of this big bully, who is so cruel.”

All the foxes burst out shouting, “ Bravo! May you be successful! And save the forest from this demon, the elephant.

The clever fox made a careful study of the elephant’s behaviour and daily routine. Then, after much thinking, he made a plan. 

Clever that he was, he went up to the elephant one day and said, “My Lord, I want to speak to you about some urgent business.”

The elephant trumpeted at his highest pitch and asked the fox, “What is it? Who are you?”

The fox replied, “Your Highness, all the animals of the forest have decided to make you our king.”

Suddenly the elephant’s expression changed. And he was very pleased. Becoming the king of the forest had always been his dream. 

The elephant lifted his trunk with great pride and politely asked for details.

The fox was glad his plan was working and replied, “I am representing the entire animal community. As I told you we all want to make you the King. I have come to escort you to the place where all the other animals are waiting for your coronation ceremony. All the preparations are in order. The chanting of the mantras are already in progress. We are only waiting for you to arrive and then we will crown you as our king.”

The elephant was delighted and imagined himself wearing the huge crown studded with precious stones and everyone obeying his orders.

Gleaming from ear to ear, he readily agreed to follow the fox. The fox led the way. 

“How far is this place where mu coronation will take place?” asked one very excited elephant. 

“Not too far now. It’s in the middle of the jungle, “ said the clever fox.

On the way, there was a marshy area near a pond that the fox and the elephant had to cross. The fox was light so he easily walked over the swamp. But when the elephant tried to cross the swamp, he got trapped in the marsh because of his weight. 

Children, can you guess what will happen next in the story?

Listen ahead.

The elephant began to shout, “Help! Help! I’m drowning. Pull me out. Fox, go and call all the other animals for help, quick!”

The fox, who was standing calmly at the edge of the swamp, replied, “Nobody is going to save you. This is the kind of treatment that you truly deserve.”

In the meantime, all the other animals gathered around the marshy land.

The rabbits yelled out, “ You never paid heed to our cries for mercy and so today, nobody is going to have mercy on you. “

The birds angrily chirped, “You have taken advantage of your power and broken down countless birds’ nests without caring about our eggs or nestlings. “

The foxes who were there screamed in unison, “ You have stomped upon our burrows and crushed many foxes under your heavy feet. You knew about all the destruction and misery you were causing us but you did not care to stop. “

The elephant pleaded for forgiveness, but in vain. 

All the animals left the marshy land, leaving the elephant to his fate.

Welcome to the Fox Tales series. The greedy Fox is a story where the fox learns a lesson of not being greedy.

Free activity sheets and other downloadable resources available at www.rituvaish.com/the-greedy-fox

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

It was deep mid-winter and Felix the Fox was very, very hungry.

But Felix was an extremely lazy fox and was always eyeing other people’s food and planning to steal food by hook or by crook.

His cunning mind was racing fast, "Where am I going to find something to eat this winter morning?" As he was wandering in the forest as he passed a big oak tree his nose twitched. “Is that some delicious food that I smell?”

He slowly retraced his steps back to the oak tree, trying to trace the source of the smell.

He stopped right in front of the oak tree. He took a deep breath to absorb the aroma.

With his mouth-watering, he thought, “It’s my lucky day. I can smell some delicious bread and meat inside this hollow in the trunk. Some shepherd must have left there and I can eat it before the shepherd arrives.”

He couldn’t resist anymore and made himself as small as he could and wriggled inside the hollow of the trunk.

Once he successfully crept inside, he relished the bread and the meat. He ate and he ate and he ate. And then he ate some more. He had never eaten so much food in his life.

"Marvellous," he said, licking his lips when he'd finished the very last crumb.

Children, what do you think happened to him?

Ready to listen ahead?

He was now so fat he couldn't get out of the hollow of the trunk.

He squeezed... and he squeezed ... and he squeezed yet again. But it was no good.

Of course, he hadn’t realized that he had eaten too much.

He thought that the tree had gotten smaller. He panicked.

He poked his head out of the hole and yelled, “Help! Get me out of this horrible hole.”

A weasel who was passing by stopped and asked, “What happened?”

The fox yelled out, “This tree is shrinking, it’s crushing me to death. Help, please help!”

The weasel lived nearby and used to pass this oak tree every morning as he went about doing his morning chores and every evening when he returned home, so he knew the oak tree well. He calmly explained, “I don’t think so. It looks about the same size when I passed it in the morning. Probably you have grown bigger.”

Felix with only his eyes poking out screamed, “Stop talking nonsense. And get me out. I am dying I tell you!”

Weasel knew the greedy fox had been eating too much and said, “Well it serves you right for eating too much. You’ll just have to stay there until you get thinner, then you can clamber out. Perhaps next time you won’t eat so much.”

Saying that the weasel waved bye-bye and walked away.

At noon the shepherd, who had safely placed his food in the tree hollow returned.

“Help,” shouted Felix, the greedy fox. But seeing a fox there, the shepherd got scared.

The fox said, “I can explain what happened.”

But the shepherd did not look back and ran away.

So, poor Felix had to stay in his miserable hole for 2 days and 2 long nights. But he never ever ate too much food again.

Welcome to the Fox Tales series. The two stories in the episode are about the proud fox learning a lesson that he should not be boastful.

Free activity sheets and other downloadable resources available at www.rituvaish.com/twin-stories-from-romania

Send your artwork to [email protected].

Transcript

The first story is: The Seven-Witted Fox and the One-Witted Owl

One day an owl met a fox, and the fox bragged about his intelligence and cleverness, and said proudly, “ I am very witty, probably the most witty living being!”

The owl asked him, "Brother, brother! How many wits have you?"

"Seven," he said, boastingly.

"No wonder you are so clever. I have only one," said the owl sadly.

The fox raised his tail and walked away proudly.

A short time afterwards the owl again met the fox, but this time he was running for his life.

Children who do you think was behind the fox?

You may be right , Let’s see!

The hunters were after the fox, and the hound dogs were trying to catch him. Running as fast as his legs could carry him, he at last managed to slip into a hole.

The owl followed him, and seeing him there exhausted, asked him teasingly , "Couldn’t you any of your wits? Didn’t you say you have 7 wits!”

The fox replied, "Six. I have 6 wits , I lost one in the chase."

Meanwhile the hunters and dogs came nearer and nearer, so they could hear the barking of the dogs. The fox did not know what to do. He was indeed very nervous.

The owl teasingly asked him, "How many wits have you now, old fellow?"

"Oh, I have lost all my wits, I have none left."

"Where is your cleverness of which you bragged so much ?"

"It is not kind of you, now, to tease a poor fellow when the dogs are at his heels, and there is no escape for him."

"Well," said the owl, "I have one wit , and I will see whether I can save you with that.”

Children, put on your thinking caps and think of a way that the owl will help the fox?

Then the owl added confidently, “It is my turn. I am going to lie down here at the entrance of this hole as though dead. When the hunters come, they will look at me and get hold of me and probably discuss about me. Meanwhile they will forget you, and in the midst of all this confusion you just dash out and run for your life."

It happened just as the owl had said.

As soon as  the hunters came up to the hole, they found the owl lying dead, I mean just acting dead, one of them said, "What is this ugly bird doing here? And a dead one too!

The second hunter added, “ Let’s kick him out of our way!”

“That’s right!” added the first hunter.

And while they were busy discussing what to do with the owl, and trying to get hold of it to throw it away, off went the fox through them and escaped.

Soon afterwards the owl met him again, and said, "How have your seven wits helped you when in time of danger? It is like that with people who have too much. They often have nothing when they want it the most. But you see, I had only one wit but a strong one and not useless one like yours, and that saved not just me but you too.

So children, did that build your appetite for another story?

The next story is: The Fox and His Bagful of Wits and the One-Witted Hedgehog

One day somehow, a fox got into a poultry yard,

Children do you know what kind of animals are there at a poultry farm?

Yes, the poultry farm has hens, turkeys, geese, and ducks etc.

So, after entering the farm, the fox ate to his heart’s content.

A few days later, the fox met a hedgehog who was going towards the poultry yard,

"Where are you going, brother?" asked the fox.      

"I am famished and want to get something to eat, but it’s tricky to enter the poultry farm. So, I am trying to find the best way to enter,” answered the hungry hedgehog.

"Oh," said the proud fox, "You just come with me, and I will show you. You know I am smart as I have a bag full of wits. I know my way, and there is plenty of poultry for you, and me and some to leave behind for another time."

The hedgehog, who was a wise old fellow himself , said to the fox, "A bag full of wits! That’s great I only have one wit. But let’s be ctraeful. Now, be careful. Are you sure that the owners of the poultry yard will let you in again so easily?"

"Don't you worry," said the fox. "I know my business. Do not forget I have a bagful of wits. You just come with me,” said the fox leading the way.

And the hedgehog followed him.

But the people of the poultry farm were not such fools as the fox had taken them for.

Children, what do you think the people of the poultry farm did?

Ummm,. Let’s listen ahead

And just where the fox had gotten in last time the people of the poultry farm had dug a deep pit, and into that the fox and the hedgehog tumbled.

Ohhh no!

When they found themselves at the bottom of the pit, the hedgehog turned to the fox and said, "Well, you clever fellow, with a bagful of wits,  is that the proper way to get into the poultry yard? Did I not warn you?"

"What is the good of arguing ?" replied the fox. "We are here now, and we must see how to get out of it."

Children, do you think the Fox will be able to get out, taking the help office bag full of wits.

Let’s see.

"But you are so clever, and I am only a poor old fool, why don’t you suggest Mr. Fox?” said one very annoyed  hedgehog.

"Why don’t you use one wit that you have and help us both get out of this deep pit?” said the fox angrily.

The two started quarrelling.

Finally, the hedgehog said, “I cannot help you. This sudden fall has upset me, and I feel uncomfortable and very sick."

"What," cried the fox. "You are not going to be sick here. That is more than I can stand. Out you go!"

So he got hold of the hedgehog by the snout, and the hedgehog coiled himself up with his little paws into a little ball around the fox's mouth. The fox lifted up his head with a jerk and threw the little fellow out of the pit.

Children, what do you think will happen now in the story?

As soon as the hedgehog saw himself safely out of the pit, the little hedgehog, bending over the mouth of the pit, said chuckling to the fox, "Where is your wisdom, you fool? You boast that you have a bagful of wits, but it is I who got myself out of the pit, though I have only a little wit."

"Oh," said the fox, whining, "do have pity on me! You are such a clever old fellow. Help me out of this pit  too."

"Well, said the hedgehog, "I will help you. Now, you pretend to be dead, and when the people come and find you stiff and stark, they will say, 'The fox has died, and his carcass is rotting. It is going to make all the poultry farm stinky.” They will take you and throw you out. And then see wherever you land.

The fox did as the hedgehog had advised him, and when the people came and found him in that state, they hauled him out and threw him out of the farm onto the road. Quicker than you could clap your hands, the fox was on his legs, and he ran as if the ground was burning under him.

Since then the fox and the hedgehog are good friends.