BASICS OF A FABLE:

A fable usually has animal characters with human traits

(for example, a wise owl, or a foolish monkey). The story
also has a moral to it, which is a valuable lesson that the
reader, as well as the animal in the story learns. All
fables have a:

* Beginning: Setting, characters in situation

* Middle: An explanation of what the problem is and how

the characters attempt to solve problem.

* End: Moral or lesson to be learned from story.

Directions:
Read the following fable and try to identify the moral of
the story. When you are done reading, fill in the answers
to the following questions. Please use complete sentences.

1. What is the setting of the fable?

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2. Identify the characters in the story.

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3. What is the problem or the situation of the story?

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4. Was the problem solved? If so, how?

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5. Was there a moral to the fable? What was it? If you are
not sure, take a guess and compare your answer with a
friend.
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 The Man and the Serpent

A Countryman's son by accident walked upon a Serpent's

tail, the serpent turned and bit him, and he died. The father got

angry and got his axe. He chased the Serpent, and cut off part of

its tail. The Serpent in revenge began stinging several of the

Farmer's cattle and many cows died.

Well, the Farmer thought it best to make up with the

Serpent, and brought food and honey to the front of its nest, and

said to it: "Let's forget and forgive; maybe you were right to

punish my son, and take revenge on my cattle, but of course I was

right in trying to revenge him; now that we are both satisfied why

can’t we be friends again?"

"No, no," said the Serpent; "take away your gifts; you can

never forget the death of your son, nor I the loss of my tail."

Moral:

Injuries may be forgiven, but not forgotten.

* Explain in your own words what this means:

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