Definition:

The ability to feel what others are feeling and the action of trying to help them with their troubles. 

In short: 

Feel what others feel.

Summary:

Shen is a young girl who lives near the sea. She receives a magic brush from a stranger who instructs her to use it only for the needy, not rich people. Whatever she paints becomes real and she uses her gift to create useful objects for the people in her village and beyond. The emperor seizes the magic paintbrush and puts Shen in prison because she won’t make him a tree decorated with gold coins. The paintbrush is returned to her when she promises to do as he wishes. She escapes by painting a horse that whisks her away to safety. The emperor and his men pursue her, but she creates a formidable dragon that protects the village. Shen paints objects with which to celebrate and the villagers dance and sing in safety. 

Lesson Objectives: 

1. Teacher guides students in a discussion in which the word compassion is defined and specific examples of showing compassion are shared: examples of characters in stories and movies, family members, people in the community, and famous people in history. 
2. Students are asked to do an act of compassion and share about it, how it made them feel, how it made the recipient feel. 

Guiding Questions: 

1. Why do you think the stranger gave the paintbrush to Shen and not someone else? 
2. What instructions did the stranger give Shen? 
3. What did Shen do with her gift right after she received it? 
4. How did Shen show compassion for the people with whom she lived?    
5. Why did Shen refuse to do what the emperor commanded? 
6. How did Shen escape and what did she do to protect the magic paintbrush and her village? 
7. What would you paint for yourself if you had a magic paintbrush? 
8. If you could paint something for another person, who would that be and what would you paint?  
9.  If you were being bullied do you think a person like Shen would stand up for you? Please explain your answer.  
10.  Did you ever receive a very special gift? Who gave it to you and what was it?