STORY OVERVIEW
- Title and Moral/Theme: Dame Fortune and the Traveller; The moral of the story is that sometimes, in an effort to avoid blame or responsibility, individuals may act in ways that lead to harmful consequences for others.
- Plot Summary: A weary traveller falls asleep near a deep well, and Dame Fortune, concerned about being unjustly accused if he were to fall in, decides to push him in herself. This act, meant to prevent blame, ironically leads to the very consequence she wanted to avoid.
- Key Characters and Their Significance:
- Dame Fortune: Represents fate and the unpredictable nature of fortune; her actions highlight the irony of trying to escape blame.
- The Traveller: A symbol of human vulnerability; his plight emphasizes the impact of others' decisions on innocent individuals.
LESSON FUNDAMENTALS
- Learning Objectives:
- Students will identify the main characters and their roles in the story.
- Students will analyze the moral and its implications in real-life situations.
- Students will discuss the themes of responsibility and consequences.
- Students will create a modern scenario that reflects the moral of the story.
- Discussion Questions:
- What could Dame Fortune have done differently to avoid harming the traveller?
- How do the actions of one person affect others in situations of blame and responsibility?
- Can you think of a time when you witnessed someone avoiding responsibility? What happened?
- Required Materials:
- Copies of the story "Dame Fortune and the Traveller"
- Whiteboard and markers
- Paper and colored pencils for drawing scenarios
- Discussion prompts printed for group work
LESSON FLOW
- Opening Hook (5 min): Start with a brief discussion on fortune and luck. Ask students if they believe in fate and how it affects their lives. Share a short anecdote about a time when an attempt to avoid blame resulted in an unexpected outcome.
- Story Exploration (15-20 min): Read the story aloud to the class. After reading, engage students in a discussion about the plot and characters. Ask guiding questions to help them connect to the story’s themes.
- Analysis Exercises (15 min): Divide students into small groups and assign them the task of identifying key themes and morals from the story. Each group will present their findings to the class. Encourage them to think about how the story relates to other moral short stories.
- Application/Reflection (10 min): Have students write a short reflection on what they would have done if they were in Dame Fortune's position. They can illustrate or write a modern version of the story where the outcome is different.
- Assessment Strategy (5 min): Use a quick exit ticket where students write one lesson they learned from the story and how it can apply to their lives
Original text available on the story page.