adapted from The Three Sillies (a folktale from England)

Ordinary people sometimes makes foolish decisions.

Foolish beliefs are not as useful as ordinary facts.

Village people are not as wise as city gentlemen.

Holding a hammer is better than looking at a hammer.

"Suppose John and I were to be married?"

"What's the matter," the gentleman asked.

"You should cut the grass and throw it down to the cow."

"I want to know; are there such sillies in the world?"

They imagined problems instead of seeing what was real.

They understood hardships while facing the real world.

They had heavy burdens to handle in their life on the farm.

They wanted the gentleman to feel pity for their family.

She grew angry.

She was startled.

She felt helpless.

She became alert.

to be serious and avoid silly games

to be kind and avoid cruel people

to be practical and avoid foolish worrying

to be simple and avoid clever tricksters

continued

described

finished

planned

It emphasizes that a simple tool can be dangerous.

It emphasizes what will happen when the daughter marries.

It emphasizes how poverty causes the villagers to have false beliefs.

It emphasizes how people can convince others to believe a foolish idea.

ideas and feelings

facts and information

actions they take

teachers they know