Tale+of+the+Mandarin+Duck

=Objectives= • To help children learn about Japanese culture. • To help children understand the value of being honest and caring. • To help children understand the importance of valuing the natural environment.

=Story= [] A greedy lord captures the drake to enjoy its beautiful plumage, separating a pair of inseparable mandarin ducks. A kind kitchen maid, no longer able to bear the duck in captivity, frees it from its cage. When the lord discovers the missing drake, he banishes the servant and her husband, deciding they must be executed. In a surprising turn of events, the servants are freed by two messengers, beautifully dressed in garments that mock the colors of the ducks. Mandarin ducks **are always in pairs** with the male on the left and female on the right. They fly together, play together, and roost together. (sounds like some couples you know?) If one of the two birds dies, its mate would not take another partner. Romantic uh? Mandarin ducks are the **ultimate symbol of love and marriage.** So next time you see a couple that’s inseparable, you can say, “oh, they’re a pair of Mandarin ducks.”

=Theme=
 * Just Rewards
 * Kindness and Compassion
 * perils of vanity

=Genre= Non-European Folktale

=Essential Questions:= 1. What are parts of the Samurai code of beliefs? 2. What are some key items the culture of this time period found important?

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