The Proverbs: On Moral Lessons and Story Summaries

Many stories speak of kindness, love of work, and the dangers of being lazy.

In different parts of the world, children grow up learning these stories from their grandparents, relatives, helpers, and of course school and church.

The children get very excited every time they hear these stories. From these stories they draw life lessons quite easily.

Good manners and correct conduct are the obvious highlights of the writer in literature, especially that read by children. Stories must be interpreted positively.

Reflect on these Proverbs and take a folk tale, fable or parable as examples.

Chapter 6.10-11

Let me sleep some more!

Sure, just a little more!

And while you sleep, poverty creeps over you like a thief and destroys you; I want him to attack you with full armor.

Popular story: The lazy boy Juan

Once, his mother asked Juan to buy some crabs. Since he was so lazy and stupid, he said to the crabs, “I’m very sleepy. I’d rather sleep here under the tree. All you crabs, just walk home with mom.”

What can you say?

Chapter 6.12-15

Let me describe to you a worthless and wicked man; first, he is a constant liar; he signals his true intentions to his friends with eyes, feet and fingers. Then his heart is full of rebellion. And he spends his time thinking about all the evil he can do, and stirring up discontent. But he will be suddenly destroyed, broken with no hope of healing.

Parable: The boy who cried wolf

Once, a boy spent his time thinking and causing discontent in his work. He thought of alarming his neighbors and playing with them. Several times he disappointed his neighbors and yelled for help. So the neighbors tried to help him, but the boy just shouted a lie. In the end, no one came to help him when the wolf really attacked.

Chapter 6.16-19

Because there are six things that the Lord hates, no, seven:

Haughtiness

Lying

murder

plotting evil

desire to do evil

a false witness

Sowing discord between brothers

Parable: The bundle of sticks

Thought: Showing kindness, not discord, brings true happiness and freedom to all.

Tips: How to Summarize Stories

1. Read the story over and over until you can remember what happens.

Example: The boy who cried wolf

2. Know the setting, the characters, the plot (beginning, conflict, climax, resolution), the theme, and the ideas or lessons that the story presents, among others.

The setting is on the farm.

The characters are the lion and the mouse. You can include the hunters, if you portray the action in the story and write bits of dialogue.

The climax of the plot is the moment when the boy screamed for help and no one came. A real wolf attacked his flock of sheep (after his series of lies), and his neighbors no longer believed him.

3. Set a limit for your word count (500, 250, 100). Use your own words and not those of the original author.

Be creative in your summary or retell the story.

4. Preserve the structure of the story. Keeps the point of view of the original.

Do not distort the theme of the story. Never play with the truth and the ideas that the story tells.

5. There are many ways to be creative, but be careful with story elements.

Do some research. Know the story by heart. Relate to your point in time and to your audience.