The Two Farmers 1 Once there was a farmer. This farmer was a kind man who loved all creatures. He would go out of his way to do whatever he could to make sure that the creatures he found were safe, well-fed and warm, no matter what kind of creature they were. 2 One day, the farmer found a snake outside on the ground. It was freezing cold outside and there was snow on the ground. The farmer felt sorry for the snake. He was shivering in the cold and ice was beginning to freeze on his scales. Even though the snake was known to be poisonous, the farmer picked up the snake and took him inside. He set the snake in front of the fire to warm itself. 3 While sitting next to the snake, the warmth of the fire caused the farmer to fall asleep. The snake became warm and was ready to go outside. Because the farmer was asleep and could not let him out, the snake did what he did to humans he came into contact with- he bit the farmer. The farmer woke with a jolt. As the snake's poison slowly worked inside the farmer, he said "I should have known better. Even being kind cannot change the ways of a snake!" 4 Now there was another farmer who did not like animals. He especially did not like cranes because they liked to eat his seeds. He set out to trap the cranes with large nets. Once he caught a bunch of cranes, he brought them back to the barn to kill them. It was then that he noticed a stork sitting amongst the cranes. 5 The stork looked at the farmer and said "Please don't kill me! I am not a crane. I am a beautiful stork who would never even dare steal your seeds. I am not a bird who deserves to be killed." 6 The farmer just laughed at the crane. "You may not be a crane," he said, "but I found you with the cranes, doing the same thing they were doing. Since you were hanging out with the cranes, I consider you just like them and so you will experience the same fate. After all, birds of a feather flock together." Q1) Which statement best sums up the moral of the story of the first farmer? (Determine theme) It is best to help everyone in need. No good deed goes unpunished. A snake will always be a snake. Farmers should exercise caution. A snake will always be a snake. Q2) Which statement best sums up the moral of the story of the second farmer? (Determine theme) Don't get caught up with the crowd. A part is as guilty as a whole. Storks are beautiful creatures. Farmers are cruel people. A part is as guilty as a whole. Q3) How are the two farmers different? (Compare/contrast texts) One is compassionate, the other is cruel One likes birds, the other doesn't One raises cattle, one grows crops One likes snakes, one doesn't like snakes One is compassionate, the other is cruel Q4) Having the crane speak to the farmer is an example of... (Identify figurative language) Imagery Dialogue Personification Symbolism Personification Q5) Why did the snake bite the farmer? Because that's what snakes do Because he was angry Because he was cruel Because the farmer hurt him Because that's what snakes do Q6) What is the purpose of these stories? To entertain To persuade To teach To inform To teach Q7) What word does the author use to separate the two stories? His Now Once While Now Q8) Why did the farmer kill the stork? Because the stork was caught with the thieving cranes Because he hated storks Because he wanted to teach the stork a lesson Because he wanted to eat the stork Because the stork was caught with the thieving cranes Q9) Which word best describes the second farmer? (Identifying character traits) Compassionate Heartless Hardworking Lazy Heartless Q10) These stories would best be classified as... (Identifying fiction genres and characteristics) Fairy tales Fantasy Fables Fiction Fables