Discussion Questions

1 Mr. Ox Goes to a Wedding | 1

Why did Mr. Ox's friends not listen to his advice?

What was the consequence of his friends ignoring to Mr. Ox's advice?

Have you ever ignored someone's wise advice? What was the outcome?

2 How the Old Dog Got a New Life | 4

Why did the father want to get rid of his old dog?

What does this story tell us about respecting our elders?

How do your elderly friends and relatives enrich your life?

3 Mr. Crocodile Finds His Home | 7

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

How did Mr. Deer disregard Mr. Frog's strengths?

What does this story tell us about the importance of teamwork?

Have you ever worked together with a team to get something accomplished? How did it feel?

5 The Frog at the Eagle’s Market | 14

Why was Mr. Frog so eager to take advantage of the Eagle's Market?

How did the birds feel about Mr. Frog taking advantage of them?

Have you ever watched someone cheat on someone else? How did it make you feel about that person?

6 Why the Mosquito Buzzes in Your Ear | 18

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 his or her commitment to you? How did it make you feel?

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

What was Mr. Quail's attitude toward the man's property (peanuts)?

How do you think the Quail justified stealing the man's peanuts?

Have you ever experienced someone taking your things? How did it feel?

8 The Dumb Bunny | 24

Why did the lion refuse to let the man out of his trap?

Why do you think the bunny wanted to help the man?

Have you ever helped someone else get out of a bad situation? How did you do it?

9 Don’t Offend Your Best Friend | 28

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 feel?

10 Can a Frog Become a Cow? | 31

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 consequence?

11 You’re Not One of Us | 34

Why were all the animals afraid to help Mr. Bat? What happened when no one helped him?

Have you ever refused to help someone because they were different from you?

Did someone ever refuse to help you? How did it feel?

12 How the Butterfly Paid Her Debt | 37

What might the butterfly have done at the beginning of the story so the snake wouldn't have been frightened?

What could each of the animals have done to stop the fear cycle instead of reacting as they did?

Have you ever made a bigger deal out of something that was really small? What was the consequence?

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

Why did the frog pay no attention to all his friends who were going to get their tail?

Was the frog ever able to go back and get his tail later? Why not?

Do you know of someone who missed out on something important because they didn't respond to an invitation?

14 Why the Gecko Lizard Stays in His Tree | 45

Why was the gecko interested in exploring other options to live outside his tree?

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 that wasn't true?

15 The Antelope Who Wanted Straight Horns | 48

Why did the antelope want straight horns?

How did his 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

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

Why do you think the chipmunk chose to honor the wishes of the farmer rather than his friend the weasel?

Was it easy for the weasel to respect the farmers wishes? Why or why not?

Have you ever chosen to be responsible rather than go along with the wishes of a friend that would have harmed someone?

18 Tangled-Up Talk about Goats | 57

What role did the chief play in helping the man and woman understand each other?

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 together in understanding each other?

19 When I Eat I Don’t Look Back | 61

Why did the wild dog try to keep all the honey for himself?

How do you think it made the frog feel when his friend didn't share with him?

Have you ever had a friend who didn't share with you? How did it make you feel?

20 The Rat Bird or Mpuku Wa Nganyi | 64

Why did the rat bird try to be friends with everyone even though it meant not being true to who he was?

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? How does it make you feel?

21 The Yakking Jackal | 68

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 have you felt about that person?

22 The Prairie Chicken and the Boa Constrictor | 70

Why was the boa so confident that no one could get him off the hen's nest?

What did the boa do to intimidate anyone who wanted to get him off the nest?

Have you ever been surprised by someone unexpected who helped you?

23 The Proud Little Rooster | 76

Why did the rooster lie about his ability to swim?

What were the consequences of the rooster's pride?

Have you known of someone who was too proud to admit that they couldn't do something? How did they make you feel?

24 The Spider and the Rain | 78

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? How do they make you feel?

Who has been a helper to you that you want to thank?