Determine the Theme of a Folktale

Basics on the topic Determine the Theme of a Folktale
Let's learn about folktale themes!
Transcript Determine the Theme of a Folktale
Determine the Theme of a Folktale "Dragon life is too hard! Everyone is afraid of you, and I'm tired of accidentally setting fires! I wish I was a unicorn!" "Everyone loves unicorns because they are beautiful and unique!" "I'm sure unicorns have their problems, too. You should be happy just the way you are! You have the ability to fly! And breathing fire IS pretty cool. " "Have you ever heard the folktale, "The Stonecutter'? "No, what's a folktale?" Let's take a look at the folktale genre. Folktales are stories passed down orally from generation to generation. (...) They are frequently used to convey cultural values and beliefs (...) or to teach important lessons. For example, the value of hard work. The theme is the important lesson we take away from a story. The general themes of folktales include, kindness, (...) perseverance, (...) honesty, (...) bravery, (...) acceptance and gratitude. We can determine the theme of a folktale by looking at the character's thoughts,(...) words, (...) and actions. We can ask ourselves: why did the character act this way,(...) what did the character learn (...), and how did the character grow or change? "Now, let me tell you a tale." The Stonecutter. There was once a hardworking stonecutter. He led a simple life, spending most of his days on a hillside, cutting stones. While working one day, he noticed a procession of wealthy merchants passing by. The stonecutter wished he could have their life, envious of their wealth and power. The stonecutter looked up and noticed a magnificent figure. The Spirit asked the stonecutter what he desired, and the stonecutter wished to become as powerful as the merchants. The Spirit granted his wish, and the stonecutter was transformed into a wealthy merchant. He enjoyed his new life. However, he soon realized that being a merchant was not as easy as he thought. He had to deal with business competitors and was constantly worrying about losing his wealth. One day, he was sitting in his garden when he became overheated. He wished to become the sun when he looked up and saw it shining brightly. After the Spirit granted his wish, he became the sun. He shone brightly and felt powerful, but he soon realized he was causing droughts and suffering for people. As a result, he wished to become a cloud, bringing rain and relief to the people. He became a cloud after the Spirit granted his wish. He was relieved to provide comfort to the people, but he soon realized he was causing floods and landslides. Except for a mountain, everything was destroyed by flooding. He believed that a mountain was more powerful than any other living thing, so he wished to become one, and the Spirit granted his wish. As a mountain, he felt he had attained ultimate power and contentment. But then he felt the constant chipping of a stonecutter's hammer on his surface and wished he could be a stonecutter again. He lived the rest of his life as a stonecutter, happy and content with his simple life. Which of these ideas tell the theme of the folktale? The theme of the story is acceptance. What character actions in the story support the theme? Leave your response in the comments below. Before we see if Zayd still wants to be a unicorn, let's review. Remember, (...) the general themes of folktales include, kindness, (...) perseverance, (...) honesty, (...) bravery, (...) acceptance and gratitude. We can determine the theme of a folktale by looking at the character's thoughts, (...) words,(...) or actions. Looks like Zayd has realized he is amazing just as he is.