In the folktale "The Swallow and the Pumpkinseed," the younger brother is portrayed as humble, kind, and hardworking. Despite being mocked and underestimated by his older brothers, he remains steadfast in his beliefs and remains true to himself. As a result, he is rewarded with riches and success in the end. This story teaches readers the importance of staying true to oneself and not allowing the opinions of others to dictate one's actions. The author uses the character of the younger brother to show that perseverance and integrity can lead to great rewards.
Similarly, in "Don't Count Your Chickens," the younger brother is shown to be resourceful, clever, and quick-witted. He is able to outsmart his older brothers by using his intelligence and creativity to overcome obstacles and achieve his goals. The story emphasizes the value of intelligence, cunning, and adaptability in the face of challenges. The author uses the character of the younger brother to demonstrate that success can be achieved through cleverness and ingenuity.
Overall, the authors of these folktales want readers to learn the importance of positive qualities such as humility, perseverance, integrity, intelligence, and creativity. Through the characters of the younger brothers, readers are shown that success is not solely based on strength or age, but on one's values and actions. The authors use the plot events and the language and literary devices in the stories to emphasize these lessons and values, ultimately conveying the message that staying true to oneself, being resourceful, and using one's intelligence can lead to success in life.