51
The gardener and the sapling
Textbook: Part 3, pp. 55–57
GoalUnderstand that upbringing begins early; explain the meaning of a comparison in a legend.
New words
sapling · niholgardener · bog‘bonupbringing · tarbiyacare · parvarish
Explanation
As a young sapling grows, so will the big tree. It is the same with a child: the upbringing given in childhood affects the whole life. In the textbook legend “Bog‘bon va nihol” (The gardener and the sapling) this idea is shown through the gardener. We do not repeat it; we read our own text. The legend has a comparison: the sapling is the child, the gardener is the parent and teacher.
Worked examples
“Soft clay”. Grandfather the potter taught his granddaughter Ozoda to make a jug from clay. “The clay is still soft, so you can give it any shape you like,” said grandfather. Ozoda neatly smoothed the neck of the jug. The next day she wanted to fix one edge of the jug, but the clay had hardened. “You see, hardened clay cannot be changed,” said grandfather. “A person’s habits are also formed in childhood, so learn good habits now.” Ozoda remembered these words for a long time.
Comparison: soft clay – a young child; the potter – the one who brings up; hardened clay – a habit that is hard to change.
Class activity
“My support”: children write the people who have guided them (parent, teacher, grandmother) and thank them.
Practice
1
What did grandfather teach Ozoda?
To make a jug from clay
2
What shape can be given to soft clay?
Any shape
3
What had happened to the clay the next day?
It had hardened.
4
What did grandfather say about habits?
Habits are formed in childhood.
5
Who is the soft clay compared to in the text?
A young child