7
The crow and the cotton
Textbook: Part 1, pp. 34–40
GoalKnow the features of a tale (opening formula, characters, good and bad, ending); reflect on the value of work.
New words
folk tale, fairy tale · ertakwork, labour · mehnatharvest · hosillazy · dangasa
Explanation
The textbook has the tale “Qarg‘a va paxta” (The crow and the cotton) by Nasiba Erxonova, which shows how many professionals’ work is needed before clothes exist. We do not retell it. Features of a tale: an opening formula such as “Bir bor ekan, bir yo‘q ekan” (“Once there was, once there wasn’t”), often animals or magical characters, a struggle of good and bad, and an ending that gives a lesson. Words like “debdi” (he said) and “ekan” (it seems) are common in tales. A tale is told simply but has deep meaning.
Worked examples
“The Hare and the Bee”. Once there was, once there wasn’t, a Hare and a Bee who lived as neighbours. The Hare lay about all day, saying: “If only fruit would ripen by itself.” The Bee flew from flower to flower collecting honey. When winter came, the Hare’s store was empty, while the Bee’s hive was full of honey. Feeling sorry for him the Bee offered a drop of honey and said: “In spring we will work together.” Ashamed, the Hare set to work from the next day.
Features: opening – “Bir bor ekan, bir yo‘q ekan”; characters – Hare and Bee; idea – he who works has enough.
Class activity
“Continue the tale”: the teacher says an opening, children continue in a chain adding one sentence each.
Practice
1
With what words did the tale begin?
“Bir bor ekan, bir yo‘q ekan”
2
What did the Bee do all day?
Flew from flower to flower collecting honey.
3
What did the Hare’s store hold in winter?
Nothing.
4
What did the Bee say to the Hare?
In spring we will work together.
5
State the idea of the tale.
A person who works lives well and calmly.