Bab 8: Hidden Wisdoms in Timeless Tales

What is the purpose of the “Moral Value” in a folktale?

In the story of Malin Kundang, what does Malin’s attitude towards his mother show about the theme of the story?

What is the purpose of a folktale story?

Which of the following is the correct order of the structure of a folktale?

Which of the following is the correct order of the structure of a folktale?

Which of the following is typically NOT a characteristic of a folktale?

Read the following excerpt from a popular folktale and answer the question below: The Adventure of Jack and the Beanstalk Once upon a time, there was a young boy named Jack who lived in a small village with his mother. One day, they were left with nothing but a cow to sell. Jack took the cow to the market to sell it, but on the way, he met an old man who offered him magic beans in exchange for the cow. Jack, eager for a better future, accepted the beans. When Jack returned home, his mother was furious and threw the beans out the window. The next morning, to their surprise, a giant beanstalk had grown all the way up to the clouds. Without hesitation, Jack climbed the beanstalk and found himself in a castle where a giant lived. Inside the castle, he discovered treasures and faced the giant, who tried to stop him from escaping. What is the conflict in this folktale?

Which of the following is typically the correct order of element parts in a folktale?

Which of the following statements is TRUE about folktales?

Read the passage below carefully and answer the question that follows. The Greedy Merchant and the Magical Pot Once upon a time, there was a merchant named Faris who lived in a bustling town. Despite being very wealthy, Faris was never satisfied and always craved more riches. One day, while traveling through the countryside, he met an old woman who offered him a magical pot. She told him that the pot could grant him anything he desired, whether it was food, wealth, or anything else he could think of. "Use it wisely," she cautioned, "but do not let greed control you." At first, Faris was cautious, using the pot to make simple, modest wishes. But as his wealth grew, so did his desire for more. He started wishing for larger treasures, more luxurious items, and endless feasts. One day, he wished for an endless supply of gold. The pot began to overflow, and gold started pouring out. No matter how much Faris took, the pot never stopped, and soon his entire house was filled with gold. In his greed, Faris couldn’t control the pot, and it kept creating gold until it buried him completely. In the end, Faris lost everything because of his insatiable greed. What is the moral of this story?

Read the story below carefully and answer the following question. The Brave Little Tailor In a small town, there lived a young tailor who was known for his skills in making fine clothes. Despite being small in size, the tailor had a heart full of courage. One day, while sewing a new coat, he overheard a group of giants talking in the forest. The giants were causing trouble, threatening the nearby village, and no one was brave enough to confront them. The tailor, wanting to help, devised a clever plan. He stitched a special suit that made him appear much larger than he really was. The next day, he went to the forest and confronted the giants, boldly proclaiming, "I have defeated seven men with a single blow!" The giants, terrified of this mighty figure, fled in fear. The tailor continued to use his wits and outsmarted the giants, eventually becoming the hero of the village. What can we learn from this folktale?

Read the passage below and answer the question. The Honest Woodcutter In a small village at the edge of a dense forest, there lived a humble woodcutter named Ivan. He was known for his honesty and hard work. One afternoon, while chopping wood by the river, Ivan’s axe slipped from his hands and fell into the water. Ivan was devastated because it was the only tool he had for his work. He sat by the river, sighing, when suddenly, a mysterious figure appeared. The figure offered to help and pulled out a golden axe. "Is this your axe?" the figure asked. Ivan replied, "No, that is not mine." The figure then pulled out a silver axe and asked, "Is this yours?" Ivan again replied, "No." Finally, the figure pulled out Ivan’s old iron axe and asked, "Is this your axe?" Ivan said, "Yes, that is mine!" The figure was so impressed with Ivan’s honesty that he rewarded him with the golden and silver axes, as well as his own. What lesson can be learned from Ivan’s actions?

Read the passage below and answer the question. The Foolish Rabbit and the Tortoise In a beautiful meadow, a rabbit was boasting about how fast he could run. He challenged all the animals in the forest to race him, confident that no one could beat him. The tortoise, slow but steady, accepted the challenge. The race began, and the rabbit dashed ahead, quickly leaving the tortoise far behind. After a while, the rabbit, feeling certain that he would win, decided to take a nap under a tree. Meanwhile, the tortoise kept moving forward, never stopping, and eventually crossed the finish line. When the rabbit woke up, he was shocked to see the tortoise had won the race. He rushed to the finish line, but it was too late. The tortoise had already won. What lesson does this folktale teach?

Read the following passage and answer the question below. The Boy Who Cried Wolf In a village surrounded by hills, there was a young shepherd boy named Leo. He was tasked with watching over the village’s sheep. One day, feeling bored and wanting some excitement, Leo ran into the village shouting, "Wolf! Wolf!" The villagers quickly ran to his aid, only to find that there was no wolf. Leo laughed and thought it was all a joke. A few days later, Leo did the same thing again, and again the villagers rushed to help, only to find that there was no wolf. But one day, when a real wolf appeared and attacked the sheep, Leo cried for help, but this time, the villagers didn’t believe him. The wolf attacked the sheep, and Leo realized too late that his lies had caused him to lose the trust of the villagers. What is the moral of this story?

Read the following passage carefully and answer the question below. The Magical Tree A long time ago, in a village surrounded by thick forests, there was a magical tree that grew in the heart of the forest. The tree was said to grant wishes to anyone who truly believed in its magic. Many people tried to approach the tree and make a wish, but they were all unsuccessful. The tree would only grant a wish if the person proved their worthiness by showing kindness, courage, and patience. Over the years, the villagers had forgotten about the tree, dismissing it as just a legend. One day, a young boy named Luca, who was always kind and curious, heard about the magical tree. Determined to find it, he ventured into the forest alone. As he walked deeper into the forest, he encountered several obstacles. First, he helped a rabbit who was trapped in a bush. Then, he carried a heavy load for an old woman he met on the path. Finally, he reached the tree, exhausted but content with his journey. The tree, sensing his pure heart, granted him a wish. Luca wished for the happiness and prosperity of his village, not for personal gain. When Luca returned to the village, everyone noticed the changes. Crops grew abundantly, the rivers ran clear, and the villagers lived in peace. Luca had learned that selflessness and kindness brought more rewards than material desires. A long time ago, in a village surrounded by thick forests, there was a magical tree that grew in the heart of the forest. The tree was said to grant wishes to anyone who truly believed in its magic. Many people tried to approach the tree and make a wish, but they were all unsuccessful. The tree would only grant a wish if the person proved their worthiness by showing kindness, courage, and patience. Over the years, the villagers had forgotten about the tree, dismissing it as just a legend. One day, a young boy named Luca, who was always kind and curious, heard about the magical tree. Determined to find it, he ventured into the forest alone. As he walked deeper into the forest, he encountered several obstacles. First, he helped a rabbit who was trapped in a bush. Then, he carried a heavy load for an old woman he met on the path. Finally, he reached the tree, exhausted but content with his journey. The tree, sensing his pure heart, granted him a wish. Luca wished for the happiness and prosperity of his village, not for personal gain. When Luca returned to the village, everyone noticed the changes. Crops grew abundantly, the rivers ran clear, and the villagers lived in peace. Luca had learned that selflessness and kindness brought more rewards than material desires. What is the moral of this story?

Read the passage carefully, then answer the question. The Greedy Merchant and the Magical Pot Once upon a time, there was a merchant named Faris who lived in a bustling town. Despite being very wealthy, Faris was never satisfied and always craved more riches. One day, while traveling through the countryside, he met an old woman who offered him a magical pot. She told him that the pot could grant him anything he desired, whether it was food, wealth, or anything else he could think of. "Use it wisely," she cautioned, "but do not let greed control you." At first, Faris was cautious, using the pot to make simple, modest wishes. But as his wealth grew, so did his desire for more. He started wishing for larger treasures, more luxurious items, and endless feasts. One day, he wished for an endless supply of gold. The pot began to overflow, and gold started pouring out. No matter how much Faris took, the pot never stopped, and soon his entire house was filled with gold. In his greed, Faris couldn’t control the pot, and it kept creating gold until it buried him completely. In the end, Faris lost everything because of his insatiable greed. What happened to Faris because of his greed?

Read the story carefully, then answer the following question. The Brave Little Tailor In a small town, there lived a young tailor who was known for his skills in making fine clothes. Despite being small in size, the tailor had a heart full of courage. One day, while sewing a new coat, he overheard a group of giants talking in the forest. The giants were causing trouble, threatening the nearby village, and no one was brave enough to confront them. The tailor, wanting to help, devised a clever plan. He stitched a special suit that made him appear much larger than he really was. The next day, he went to the forest and confronted the giants, boldly proclaiming, "I have defeated seven men with a single blow!" The giants, terrified of this mighty figure, fled in fear. The tailor continued to use his wits and outsmarted the giants, eventually becoming the hero of the village. Why did the giants run away from the tailor?

Read the passage carefully and answer the following question. The Selfish King and the Giving Tree Once, there was a king who ruled over a vast land. He had everything he could ever wish for: gold, jewels, and fine food. However, there was one thing that the king lacked—a heart full of gratitude. He took everything he had for granted and demanded more from his people. One day, the king heard of a magical tree that could grant wishes. Desperate for more, the king ordered his servants to find the tree. When they finally found the tree, the king demanded it grant him endless wealth and power. The tree agreed but warned that it would only give as much as the king truly needed. The king, selfish and greedy, wished for unlimited gold, jewels, and the power to control the land. As the tree granted his wishes, the kingdom began to suffer. The land grew barren, and the people became poor and unhappy. Realizing too late, the king went back to the tree and asked for help. The tree said, “You took too much without thinking of others. Now, you must live with the consequences.” The king returned to his people and learned to live humbly, sharing his wealth and helping his kingdom grow. What did the king realize too late?

Read the passage carefully and answer the question. The Silver Fish and the Wise Farmer In a distant village by the sea, there lived a wise farmer named Arif. One day, while fishing in the early morning, Arif caught a silver fish unlike any other. The fish begged him, “Please release me, kind farmer. In return, I will grant you one wish. Ask for anything your heart desires.” Arif, who was known for his wisdom, thought carefully and said, “I wish for prosperity and happiness for my entire village.” The fish granted his wish and disappeared into the sea. Days passed, and the village began to flourish. The crops grew better than ever, the people were healthier, and there was peace among everyone. However, Arif noticed something troubling: as the village prospered, the villagers became increasingly selfish and greedy. They demanded more and more, and soon, their greed spread like a disease. The villagers no longer helped each other, and the once-thriving community began to deteriorate. Realizing that his wish had unintended consequences, Arif sought out the silver fish and asked, “What went wrong? Why has prosperity turned to greed?” The fish replied, “You asked for prosperity without considering the nature of your people. True happiness comes not from wealth, but from the generosity and unity of the heart.” What was the key flaw in Arif’s wish, according to the fish’s response?

Read the passage carefully and answer the question below. The Fox, the Crow, and the Lesson of Flattery A hungry crow was flying over a field when he spotted a piece of cheese resting on the ground. He picked it up in his beak and flew to the highest branch of a tree to enjoy his prize. Just as he settled down, a sly fox appeared at the base of the tree and noticed the cheese. The fox, knowing that crows are proud and vain, decided to flatter the crow in hopes of getting the cheese. “Oh, noble crow,” said the fox, “I’ve heard that your song is the sweetest of all the forest creatures. Could you sing for me? I would be honored to hear your beautiful voice.” Flattered by the fox’s words, the crow puffed up his chest and opened his beak to sing. As soon as he did, the cheese fell from his beak, and the fox quickly snatched it up. “Thank you, dear crow, for your lovely song,” the fox said, with a sly grin. The crow, realizing he had been tricked, was left hungry but wiser. What does the fox’s behavior teach us about flattery?

Read the following passage carefully and answer the question. The Farmer and the Snake One cold winter day, a farmer was walking through his field when he noticed a snake shivering from the cold. The snake begged the farmer, “Please, kind sir, take me inside your warm home. I will die from the cold if you leave me out here.” The farmer, hesitant at first, thought about how he could help, but he was also wary of the snake. However, he couldn’t bear to see it suffer, so he picked it up and carried it inside his house, placing it by the fire. As the snake warmed up, it began to move more freely. To the farmer’s shock, the snake suddenly lunged at him, striking him with its venomous bite. The farmer, in pain, shouted, “Why did you bite me after I helped you?” The snake replied, “You knew I was a snake when you decided to help me.” What does the farmer’s mistake reveal about helping others in this folktale?

Read the following passage carefully and answer the question. The Farmer and the Snake One cold winter day, a farmer was walking through his field when he noticed a snake shivering from the cold. The snake begged the farmer, “Please, kind sir, take me inside your warm home. I will die from the cold if you leave me out here.” The farmer, hesitant at first, thought about how he could help, but he was also wary of the snake. However, he couldn’t bear to see it suffer, so he picked it up and carried it inside his house, placing it by the fire. As the snake warmed up, it began to move more freely. To the farmer’s shock, the snake suddenly lunged at him, striking him with its venomous bite. The farmer, in pain, shouted, “Why did you bite me after I helped you?” The snake replied, “You knew I was a snake when you decided to help me.” What does the farmer’s mistake reveal about helping others in this folktale?

Read the following passage carefully and answer the question below. The Wise Owl and the Proud Peacock In the heart of a vibrant forest, a proud peacock strutted around, flaunting its colorful feathers to every creature in sight. It felt superior to all the other animals, especially the owl, who was known for his wisdom but lacked the peacock’s magnificent appearance. The owl, who was humble and patient, observed the peacock every day as it admired itself in the reflection of the lake. One day, the owl approached the peacock and said, “While your feathers are beautiful, true greatness comes from within. You may impress others with your appearance, but wisdom and humility are what truly make a creature great.” The peacock, arrogant and dismissive, scoffed at the owl's words and continued to admire itself. Which word in the passage is a synonym for "superior"?

Read the following passage carefully and answer the question below. The Wise Owl and the Proud Peacock In the heart of a vibrant forest, a proud peacock strutted around, flaunting its colorful feathers to every creature in sight. It felt superior to all the other animals, especially the owl, who was known for his wisdom but lacked the peacock’s magnificent appearance. The owl, who was humble and patient, observed the peacock every day as it admired itself in the reflection of the lake. One day, the owl approached the peacock and said, “While your feathers are beautiful, true greatness comes from within. You may impress others with your appearance, but wisdom and humility are what truly make a creature great.” The peacock, arrogant and dismissive, scoffed at the owl's words and continued to admire itself. Which word in the passage is a synonym for "superior"?

Read the following passage carefully and answer the question below. The Wise Owl and the Proud Peacock In the heart of a vibrant forest, a proud peacock strutted around, flaunting its colorful feathers to every creature in sight. It felt superior to all the other animals, especially the owl, who was known for his wisdom but lacked the peacock’s magnificent appearance. The owl, who was humble and patient, observed the peacock every day as it admired itself in the reflection of the lake. One day, the owl approached the peacock and said, “While your feathers are beautiful, true greatness comes from within. You may impress others with your appearance, but wisdom and humility are what truly make a creature great.” The peacock, arrogant and dismissive, scoffed at the owl's words and continued to admire itself. Which word in the passage is a synonym for "superior"?