Lesson flow
5 min
Opening Hook
Start with a brief discussion about the importance of responsibility in leadership. Ask students if they have ever seen someone in power avoid their duties and how that affected others.
15–20 min
Story Exploration
Read "The Fugitive Office" aloud to the class. Pause at key moments to gauge student reactions and facilitate understanding. Encourage students to visualize the chaotic scene and the Office's actions.
15 min
Analysis Exercises
Divide the class into small groups. Assign each group to analyze different aspects of the story:
10 min
Application/Reflection
Ask students to reflect on a time they witnessed someone in a position of power evade responsibility. Encourage them to write a brief paragraph on how that made them feel and what they believe should have been done
STORY OVERVIEW
- Title and Moral/Theme: The Fugitive Office; The moral reflects that those in positions of power often flee responsibility when conflict arises, leaving others to grapple with the chaos they leave behind.
- Plot Summary: A traveler arrives at the capital and witnesses a chaotic scene of men fighting. He notices an Office that has distanced itself from the crowd, seeking refuge in a tomb. As the traveler expresses concern, the Office reveals its desire to find the true source of power, highlighting its evasion of responsibility.
- Key Characters:
- The Traveler: A compassionate observer who seeks to understand the chaos and reflects on the responsibilities of power.
- The Office: A personification of authority that flees from its duties, illustrating the theme of avoidance in leadership.
LESSON FUNDAMENTALS
- Learning Objectives:
- Students will understand the moral lesson conveyed in "The Fugitive Office."
- Students will identify the key characters and their roles in the story.
- Students will analyze the impact of power dynamics in conflict situations.
- Students will discuss how the story reflects real-life situations concerning leadership and responsibility.
- Students will create their own heartwarming moral stories that illustrate similar themes.
- Discussion Questions:
- What does the Office's retreat from the conflict suggest about leadership in times of crisis?
- How can we relate the themes of this story to our own experiences with authority figures?
- In what ways can individuals in power be held accountable for their actions?
- Required Materials:
- Copies of "The Fugitive Office" story
- Whiteboard and markers
- Paper and writing utensils for students
- Projector (optional for visual aids)
Original text available on the story page.