Definition:
Courage is being willing to face something hard or scary, like trying to do something you’ve never done before.
In short:
Do good, try hard even when it’s scary.
Summary:
This story takes place in Spain when bullfighting was popular. When Ferdinand the Bull grew up, he had an unfortunate experience of sitting on a bee and getting stung. Ferdinand reacted, jumping in the air, snorting, and looking very fierce, just the kind of bull needed for bullfights. He was taken to the ring with high expectations that he would fight the matador and put on a good show for the spectators. However, Ferdinand was normally a peaceful bull who loved to sit under a tree and smell the flowers. When he entered the ring, people threw bouquets of flowers to welcome him and the matador. So Ferdinand relaxed, enjoyed the flowers, and refused to fight. He was returned to his pasture, at peace once more.
Lesson Objectives:
- Students are led in a discussion about courage with a focus on this - sometimes having courage means to choose peaceful behavior over fighting.
- Teachers can use this story as part of a history lesson about famous peacemakers, such as Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and Mandela.
Guiding Questions:
- Ferdinand was different from the other bulls on the farm. In what way was he unusual?
- What happened when Ferdinand sat on a bee?
- Why did the five men choose Ferdinand to go to the bull fights?
- Describe what it was like in the bullring. Who were some of the people in the ring?
- What did the spectators and the bullfighters expect of Ferdinand?
- Ferdinand refused to fight because he preferred to be peaceful. Imagine that everyone in our world was like Ferdinand, then describe how it would be different from the world we live in today.
- When two people, including kids your age, disagree, what is the best way to avoid arguing and settle the disagreement peacefully?
- Read a book about Mahatma Gandhi or watch a video and learn about how he used peaceful protests as a way of helping his people gain their rights.
- Read a book about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. or watch a video and learn about how he used peaceful protests as a way of helping his people gain their rights.
- Do you think it takes more courage to fight, or to solve a problem by talking? Why or why not?
