What can adolescents learn from Aesop’s classic tale of all time?
Our parents have always guided us that determination and self-motivation is the key to success, and yet we continue this chain by giving the same guidance to our kids. However, have you ever thought why motivation and self-determination are essential for a teenager who just starts seeing the world through their own perspective? According to Shelly D Mohan, self-determination is one of the most significant factors feeding teens ability to make healthy choices. However, due to extreme competitive environment, peer and outside pressure, teens sometimes find it challenging to make healthy decisions.
Also Read | How Does Peer Pressure Affect Teen’s Decision Making?
The tortoise and the hare are the Aesop’s one of the marvels among his collection of fables. The story stresses how determination and focus can lead you to success in your goals. The story has been told and retold over the ages in many versions. A race between the pride and the determination – who will win the race?
I have started making short animated inspirational videos for children discussing fundamental values in a story-telling format. Every story will convey a message, in the end, to reflect upon whether we are leading our lives in the right manner or not? The second instalment of this series is the story of two opponents who had a compelling argument that ended up on a lifelong learning lesson.
Let’s watch this beautiful, timeless story.
No doubt this story is fascinating and keeps many morals in it. But I think there are other perspectives that should also be included in order for the children to understand such as sometimes I wonder why the author of the story managed the racing between two animals who have different core competencies: the one is good swimmer and the other is fast runner. Moreover, why they should think that for a slow runner / learner to win, the other competitor has to sleep..
Hi. Thanks for the thoughtful review on this remarkable story. Yes, I completely agree that kids should critically analyse why two different species of different strengths and weaknesses would try to engage in such competitions. And that’s i discussed in my article, why teens usually ended up ‘unnecessary pressure’ that eventually impact their decision making ability. It is due to that uneven race, our kids normally engage from their childhood, forgetting and doubting their own strengths. One defeat in life simply vanish all the will to survive. I believe author simply portray the vary nature of human beings that determination and self-motivation is the key to success. never compare or doubt your progress, no matter how slow it is, with some one else progress.
Thanks you for your valuable thought. 🙂
No doubt the story is full of fascinating morals for kids. But I think there are other perspectives that should also be inculcated in students to be able to analyse and have their own perspectives. Such as sometimes I wonder why the Author of the story took two different animals who have different core competencies like the one is a giant swimmer and the other is fast runner.. Moreover, in order for the slow runner/ learner to win, why the other competitor has to sleep..?
Also, I am surprised on the author who just let the Hare sleep and fail to win especially in the area he is expert at..! So I think these stories either should be upgraded or hold other morals or perspectives..