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Learn how to figure out the central message or lesson that an author wants you to learn.
Have you ever finished a story and felt like you just learned a secret about how to be a better friend or a kinder person? What if every story you read was actually a hidden map leading you to a treasure called a 'lesson'?
Every story has a 'heart.' In many stories, especially fables, the author wants to teach you something important. This 'big lesson' is called the moral. Think of the moral as the 'why' behind the story. The author isn't just telling you about a talking rabbit; they are trying to show you a better way to act. Usually, the moral comes at the very end, after the characters have finished their adventure. It is like the prize at the end of a race!
Quick Check
What is the special name for the 'big lesson' a story teaches us?
Answer
The moral.
How do we find the moral? We look at the characters. We watch what they do and what happens because of their choices. This is called cause and effect. If a character is greedy and loses everything, the author is telling us that being greedy is a bad idea. If a character is patient and wins, the author is showing us that 'patience pays off.' To find the moral, ask yourself: What did the character learn by the end of the book?
1. A boy gets bored and time he shouts 'Wolf!' when there is no wolf. 2. The villagers run to help, but there is no wolf. He does this more times. 3. Finally, a real wolf comes! He shouts for help, but no one comes because they think he is lying. 4. The Moral: Nobody believes a liar, even when they are telling the truth.
Quick Check
If a character shares their toys and makes a new friend, what might the moral be?
Answer
Sharing helps you make friends (or kindness is rewarded).
The best part about a moral is that it doesn't just stay in the book. You can take it with you! When you find a lesson in a story, you can apply it to your own life. If you read a story about a turtle who wins a race by never giving up, you can remember that lesson when you are practicing your math or learning to ride a bike. The story gives us a 'rule for life' that we can use every single day.
1. A tiny mouse accidentally wakes up a big lion. 2. The lion is kind and lets the mouse go. 3. Later, the lion gets caught in a hunter's net. The tiny mouse chews the ropes to set the lion free. 4. The Moral: No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted. 5. Real Life: Even if you are small, you can still do big, helpful things for others!
1. Sarah has minutes to get to class. She decides to take a 'shortcut' through a muddy field to save time. 2. She gets her shoes stuck in the mud and has to stop to clean them. 3. She arrives at class minutes late and messy. 4. The Moral: Shortcuts can often lead to longer delays. 5. The Lesson: Doing things the right way the first time is usually faster.
Where do you usually find the moral of a story?
If a story shows a bird working hard to build a nest while a squirrel plays, and then the bird is safe in a storm while the squirrel is cold, what is the moral?
True or False: A story can only have a moral if the characters are animals.
Review Tomorrow
Tomorrow, try to remember the moral of 'The Lion and the Mouse.' Can you explain it to a family member?
Practice Activity
Pick your favorite bedtime story tonight. After you finish, try to name one lesson the main character learned.