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U.1 Determine the theme of myths, fables, and folktales

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What Is a Theme?

Theme is the main message or lesson that an author wants you to learn from a story. It is often something you can apply to real life.

Examples of Common Themes:
  • Friendship is important.
  • Honesty is the best choice.
  • Bravery helps us overcome challenges.
  • Greed can cause problems.
Helpful Hint

A theme is not just what happens in the story. It is the bigger idea or lesson behind the events.

Why Are Themes Important in Myths, Fables, and Folktales?

Myths, fables, and folktales are stories that have been told for a long time. They usually teach lessons about life, right and wrong, or how people should behave.

Examples in Stories:
  • In The Tortoise and the Hare, the theme is "slow and steady wins the race."
  • In The Boy Who Cried Wolf, the theme is "always tell the truth."
  • In many myths, the theme may be "respect the gods" or "do not be too proud."
Helpful Hint

Ask yourself: What lesson did the character learn? That lesson often points to the theme.

How to Find the Theme

To find the theme, think about what happens to the characters and what they learn from their experiences. The theme is the big idea the author wants you to understand.

Steps to Find the Theme:
  • Look at what the characters do and how they change.
  • Think about the problem in the story and how it is solved.
  • Ask: What lesson does this story teach me?
Helpful Hint

The theme is usually not written directly. You have to figure it out by thinking about the story.

Using Theme in Your Own Writing

When you write your own stories, you can also include a theme. Think about what lesson or message you want your reader to learn.

Examples:
  • A story about two friends who forgive each other can show the theme of forgiveness.
  • A story about a child who never gives up can show the theme of perseverance.
  • A story about sharing can show the theme of kindness.
Helpful Hint

When you finish writing, ask yourself: What will my readers learn from this story?

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