The Story of the Chinese Farmer
ACTIVITITY 1
Look carefully at the following pictures. In pairs, create a title based on what you think the story will be about.
ACTIVITITY 2
Individually, read the first paragraph of the story and try to guess what the plot is going to be about. Afterwards, share your ideas in pairs or small groups.
The Story of the Chinese Farmer
Once upon a time, there was a Chinese farmer whose horse ran away. That evening, all of his neighbours came around and said, “We are so sorry to hear your horse has run away. This is most unfortunate.” The farmer said, “Maybe.”
ACTIVITITY 3
Individually, read the whole story.
ACTIVITITY 4
First, think about the following questions individually and, afterwards, answer them in pairs or small groups.
1. What do you think is the main point/moral of the story? What do you think it teaches you? 2. Would you recommend this story to somebody who had a bad day? Why?
ACTIVITITY 5
The story starts with an event that can be considered “bad luck” (the farmer’s horse runs away), but it continues with another event that seems to be “good luck” (the horse comes back with 7 horses). The same happens afterwards because his son breaks his leg trying to tame one of the new horses but, because of that, he doesn’t have to go to the army.
Individually, continue the story with 2 more events following this structure ("good luck" > "bad luck"; "bad luck" > "good luck"). 1. Think of an event that seems to bring “bad luck” to the farmer but, as a result, another event takes place and apparently brings “good luck” to him. 2. Do it once again, but the other way around.
ACTIVITITY 6
Let’s watch an animated YouTube video of this story.
CONTEXT
It is a parable based on a Chinese proverb,popularised by Alan Watts. It revolves around 4 events which happen to an old farmer:1. His horse runs away. 2. It returns with 7 wild horses. 3. His son breaks his leg trying to tame one of the wild horses.4. Due to his injury, he does not go to the army. The farmer faces the events with perspective and relativism. Moral: Bad events can bring good fortune and vice versa.
THANK YOU
Chinese Farmer Parable
Patricia Toboso
Created on November 21, 2024
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Transcript
The Story of the Chinese Farmer
ACTIVITITY 1
Look carefully at the following pictures. In pairs, create a title based on what you think the story will be about.
ACTIVITITY 2
Individually, read the first paragraph of the story and try to guess what the plot is going to be about. Afterwards, share your ideas in pairs or small groups.
The Story of the Chinese Farmer
Once upon a time, there was a Chinese farmer whose horse ran away. That evening, all of his neighbours came around and said, “We are so sorry to hear your horse has run away. This is most unfortunate.” The farmer said, “Maybe.”
ACTIVITITY 3
Individually, read the whole story.
ACTIVITITY 4
First, think about the following questions individually and, afterwards, answer them in pairs or small groups.
1. What do you think is the main point/moral of the story? What do you think it teaches you? 2. Would you recommend this story to somebody who had a bad day? Why?
ACTIVITITY 5
The story starts with an event that can be considered “bad luck” (the farmer’s horse runs away), but it continues with another event that seems to be “good luck” (the horse comes back with 7 horses). The same happens afterwards because his son breaks his leg trying to tame one of the new horses but, because of that, he doesn’t have to go to the army.
Individually, continue the story with 2 more events following this structure ("good luck" > "bad luck"; "bad luck" > "good luck"). 1. Think of an event that seems to bring “bad luck” to the farmer but, as a result, another event takes place and apparently brings “good luck” to him. 2. Do it once again, but the other way around.
ACTIVITITY 6
Let’s watch an animated YouTube video of this story.
CONTEXT
It is a parable based on a Chinese proverb,popularised by Alan Watts. It revolves around 4 events which happen to an old farmer:1. His horse runs away. 2. It returns with 7 wild horses. 3. His son breaks his leg trying to tame one of the wild horses.4. Due to his injury, he does not go to the army. The farmer faces the events with perspective and relativism. Moral: Bad events can bring good fortune and vice versa.
THANK YOU