Discussion Questions

1 Mr. Ox Goes to a Wedding | 1

Ø  Why did Mr. Ox's friends ignore his advice and what were the consequences?  Have you ever ignored someone's wise advice? What was the result?

2 How the Old Dog Got a New Life | 4

Ø  Why did the father want to get rid of his old dog? How do your elderly friends and relatives enrich your life? What does this story tell us about respecting our elders?

3 Mr. Crocodile Finds His Home | 7

Ø  Why was Mr. Crocodile discontent with his home? What made him come back home after wandering away? What are the most important things that make home a place you want to be?

4 How the Clever Frog Outwitted the Deer | 11

Ø  Why did Mr. Deer disregard Mr. Frog's strengths? Have you ever worked together with a team to get something accomplished? What does this story tell us about the value of teamwork?

5 The Frog at the Eagle’s Market | 14

Ø  Why was Mr. Frog so eager to take advantage of the Eagle's Market? What was the birds’ response to Mr. Frog taking advantage of them and why? Have you ever observed someone cheating on someone else? What was your reaction?

6 Why the Mosquito Buzzes in Your Ear | 18

Ø  Why did Mr. Mosquito become so angry with Mr. Ear? What should Mr. Ear have done to keep his friendship with Mr. Mosquito? Have you ever had a friend fall through on their commitment to you? What did you learn from that experience and what advice would you give to others?

7 Why the Quail Is Not a “People Pet” | 21

Ø  What was Mr. Quail's attitude toward the man's property (peanuts)? How did the Quail justify stealing the man's peanuts? Have you ever experienced someone taking your things? What was your reaction and why?

8 The Dumb Bunny | 24

Ø  What motivated the bunny to help the man get out of the lion’s trap? Have you ever helped someone else get out of a bad situation? How did you do it and what was the result?

 9 Don’t Offend Your Best Friend | 28

Ø  Why did the paddle become so angry with the boat? What should the boat have said to the paddle to keep their cooperative relationship? Have you ever been disrespected by someone? How did it impact your relationship?

10 Can a Frog Become a Cow? | 31

Ø  Why was the frog discontent with who he was? Was the cow's advice to become a cow reasonable for the frog? Why or why not? Have you ever tried to be someone that you're not? What was the result?

11 You’re Not One of Us | 34

Ø  Why were all the animals afraid to help Mr. Bat? Have you ever refused to help someone because they were different from you? Did someone ever refuse to help you? What was the result?

 12 How the Butterfly Paid Her Debt | 37

Ø  What could the butterfly have done so the snake wouldn't have been frightened by her behavior? What could each of the animals have done to stop the fear cycle instead of immediately reacting as they did? Have you ever made a bigger issue out of something that was really small? What was the result?

 13 Why the Frog Doesn’t Have a Tail | 42

Ø  Why did the frog pay no attention to all his friends who were going to get their tail? Do you know of someone who missed out on an opportunity because they didn't respond to an invitation? What was the consequence?

 14 Why the Gecko Lizard Stays in His Tree | 45

Ø  Why were the dogs dissatisfied in their life with the hunters? Have you ever thought someone else had a better life than you do, but found out later that wasn't true?

15 The Antelope Who Wanted Straight Horns | 48

Ø  How did the antelope’s desire to be "better" than the others impact his relationships? Have you ever wished you had something better than everyone else? What did that do to your friendships?

16 The Chief’s Answer | 50

Ø  Why did the elephant, rat and hen want more than they already had? Why do you think the chief said to come back in the morning, instead of giving his response immediately? What are some things about yourself that you're grateful for?

17 The Clever Chipmunk | 54

Ø  Why did the chipmunk choose to honor the wishes of the farmer rather than his friend the weasel? Have you ever chosen to be responsible rather than go along with the wishes of a friend that would have been harmful? Have you ever chosen to be irresponsible? What were the results?

18 Tangled-Up Talk about Goats | 57

Ø  Have you ever found yourself and someone else "talking past each other" in a conflict, and having a hard time agreeing? What did you do to come to a better understanding of each other and what were the results?

19 When I Eat I Don’t Look Back | 61

Ø  Have you ever had a friend who didn't share with you? What did that do to your relationship?  How can we encourage each other to share as part of one community?

20 The Rat Bird or Mpuku Wa Nganyi | 64

Ø  Why did the rat bird try to be friends with everyone even though he wasn’t consistent or true to himself? What were the consequences of his deception? Have you ever known someone who acts a certain way with some people and another way with you? What does that do to your relationship?

21 The Yakking Jackal | 68

Ø  Why did the jackal spread bad word about everyone but himself? What were the consequences of the jackal's gossiping behavior? Have you known someone who likes to spread bad word about others? How does that impact friendships?

22 The Prairie Chicken and the Boa Constrictor | 70

Ø  What did the boa do to intimidate anyone who wanted to get him off the hen’s nest? Have you ever been intimidated by someone who wanted what you have? Have you ever been surprised by someone unexpected who helped you?

23 The Proud Little Rooster | 76

Ø  Why did the rooster lie about his ability to swim? What were the consequences of the rooster's pride? Have you known someone who was too proud to admit that they couldn't do something? How did that impact your relationship?

24 The Spider and the Rain | 78

Ø  Why do we sometimes pay little attention to those who are being helpful to us? Do you have friends who don't always notice when you're being helpful? Who has been a helper to you that you want to thank?