Later in this lesson, you’ll have a chance to write your own version of a fairy tale or folk tale. Regardless of the story you choose to tweak, update, or modernize, you should make sure your fairy tale includes all of the keys to storytelling success. These are elements that appear in all stories, including novels and movies.
Any successful story has conflict, a struggle between the main character and another character, situation, or force, such as nature. Fairy tales will often have a moral, based on a lesson the characters learn. Other forms of fiction are less obvious about their meaning, but still express themes, which are very similar to morals.
The story “Scarlet’s Lesson” was written by Owen Nutter, who is just a little bit older than you. As you read Owen’s story, look for the story’s protagonist, setting, conflict, and moral.
Did you find all of the keys to storytelling success in “Scarlet’s Lesson”? Use the questions below to see if you identified them correctly.
Who is the protagonist in Owen’s story?
- Scarlet’s mother
- Scarlet
- Owen Nutter
- the caretaker
Most of the action of the story centers around Scarlet.
Most of the action of the story centers around Scarlet.
Most of the action of the story centers around Scarlet.
Most of the action of the story centers around Scarlet.
What is the setting of the story?
- a woodland forest, in the future
- modern times, a rural countryside
- a woodland forest, long ago
- prehistoric times, a rural village
The story is set in times long ago, when there were horses and wagons rather than cars. The action of the story takes place in the forest.
The story is set in times long ago, when there were horses and wagons rather than cars. The action of the story takes place in the forest.
The story is set in times long ago, when there were horses and wagons rather than cars. The action of the story takes place in the forest.
The story is set in times long ago, when there were horses and wagons rather than cars. The action of the story takes place in the forest.
What is the story’s conflict?
- The protagonist is mistreated by the adults in her life.
- The protagonist is angered by the actions of a thief.
- The protagonist tries to avoid punishment for a crime.
- The protagonist feels a need to be rewarded constantly.
Scarlet’s feeling of entitlement (that she deserves anything she wants) causes her to endanger her own future.
Scarlet’s feeling of entitlement (that she deserves anything she wants) causes her to endanger her own future.
Scarlet’s feeling of entitlement (that she deserves anything she wants) causes her to endanger her own future.
Scarlet’s feeling of entitlement (that she deserves anything she wants) causes her to endanger her own future.
How is the conflict in “Scarlet’s Lesson” resolved?
- Scarlet is helped by someone who doesn’t need revenge or a reward.
- Scarlet finally gets everything she has ever wanted, and she needs nothing more.
- Scarlet is able to fool everyone else in the story and get what she wants.
- Scarlet admits her problem and asks her parents for help fixing it.
The man who lost the bag of coins helps Scarlet out, even though she has wronged him. Scarlet’s relief leads her to change her way of looking at the world.
The man who lost the bag of coins helps Scarlet out, even though she has wronged him. Scarlet’s relief leads her to change her way of looking at the world.
The man who lost the bag of coins helps Scarlet out, even though she has wronged him. Scarlet’s relief leads her to change her way of looking at the world.
The man who lost the bag of coins helps Scarlet out, even though she has wronged him. Scarlet’s relief leads her to change her way of looking at the world.
Which two sentences would work as a moral for Owen’s story?
- A reward always follows a deed well done.
- Never judge someone by how they look.
- Helping other people is its own reward.
- You never know when a beggar might be a king.
Scarlet learned that she shouldn’t judge anyone by how they look and that helping other people is its own reward.
Scarlet learned that she shouldn’t judge anyone by how they look and that helping other people is its own reward.
Scarlet learned that she shouldn’t judge anyone by how they look and that helping other people is its own reward.
Scarlet learned that she shouldn’t judge anyone by how they look and that helping other people is its own reward.
Summary
Questions answered correctly:
Questions answered incorrectly:
